Lawful: Gia ~ Hunter ~ Julian ~ Jarrod

“The one from the other day is there. I’ll use that.” I lean over, reaching for the handle.

He shakes his head. “No.”

I frown.

Julian moves closer and after placing the photograph on the bed, takes hold of my hands. “Carrie placed a bug inside your bag.”

“What?” I gasp, holding tightly to Julian.

“They told her to do what they said or she’d never see her sister again.” Julian closes his eyes and clenches his jaw before his beautiful green eyes meet mine again. “I’m trying to understand her, but she’s possibly endangered you, I’m too pissed to even think clearly.”

I don’t even think and wrap my arms around his neck, sighing when I feel his wrap around my waist as he holds me tightly. “I’m surprised because I thought she was being honest with us, but I can’t blame her. It’s her sister, and thinking about it, I’d do anything if it was you that they threatened.”

I feel his whole body still at my confession, but I refuse to back track when what I’d said is the truth.

Julian has been in my heart since we first met and my feelings for him have only grown stronger as time has passed. I love him. He isn’t ready to hear that confession yet, but he’ll be hearing it before too long.

He cups my head and moves slightly away so that he can see my eyes. “I’d do anything to keep you safe, Parker. I need you to know that what you feel isn’t just one sided.” He offers a gentle smile before clearing his throat. “We really need to leave. We’ve been here too long.”

Unable to trust my voice, I nod and quickly get my act together by yanking out clean underwear and clothes to last a few days. I hardly wear cosmetics so I leave those behind and just grab some moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and a hairbrush. Running around, I dash into the bathroom for my toothbrush and tossing it into the bag, I face the amusement on Julian’s face. “I’m ready.”

He grunts as his lips twitch. “I can see that.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m packed in less than five minutes. That’s a record for a woman.” I grin, smacking him on the ass.

“Unless you want me to reciprocate, we better get going.”

I wiggle my brows. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

Growling, he grabs my bags, and then my hand. “Out. Now!”

Chuckling, I let him lead me out and to the monster he calls a truck, and before I can even attempt to climb inside, his hands grip my hips. “I’ll boost you up,” he whispers into my ear, sending shivers of arousal down my spine.

His hands linger on my thighs once I’m seated, and after a kiss to my knee, he backs away and slams the door. I watch him run around the truck with my heart beating out of my chest.

I might ask him to pinch me later because I seriously thought he’d never take what his eyes told me he wanted. He was an honorable man who had captured my heart and I knew it would always be him. Now, I was excited to be with him, as well as worried that something would happen to screw it up. I’m sure as hell not going to let him walk away. No way. No how.

“What are you plotting over there?” He raises a brow, amusement in his eyes.

“I’m not plotting anything.” I smirk.

He chuckles. “I know better, honey.”

Honey?

My insides go gooey hearing the affectionate word from his mouth. It gives me the courage to admit, “I was telling myself that you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

He throws me a worried frown before he concentrates on the road ahead. “You know I’m still in the Navy, right?”

I nod.

“I have to report back soon. I don’t want to go but I don’t have much of a choice at the moment.” His hands tighten around the steering wheel. “All I know is that I’m sick of fighting whatever is happening between us, so,” he sighs but I detect a nervous tick on his handsome face before he continues, “we’ll need to talk before I head back.”

I’m a little disappointed because I’d hoped he’d be telling me that I was going with him. Although, us being together is brand new, we’ve been dancing around each other, or rather he’s been running, for over a year now. If I’m honest, I’m ready to be tied to the man for life. Why the hell do men have to be so damn complicated?

Reaching for my hand, he squeezes it as my emotions seem to get the better of me. I raise his hand to my lips and kiss his palm before I lay it flat on my thigh. My own hand covers his as few silent tears roll down my cheeks.

We drive in silence for a few minutes before he curses and pulls the truck over to the side of the road. He sits back in the seat and rubs the back of his neck with his hand.