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“To old friends, new lovers, and hot sex.”
Gunner grinned. “Hear, hear. And all the better when they come in a single package.”
Chas sipped his port appreciatively. “Thanks for coming to Misty Falls to rescue me when I called. I was pretty sure Poppy and I were going to die.”
“I’m glad you called me. It was lucky I was able to come right away to help you.” Gunner leaned back, savoring the jet of hot water pounding his muscles.
“What will you do when you go back to work?” Chas asked.
“Regarding what?”
“Are you going to take up Spencer and Drago on the job offer?”
“Undecided.”
“Can I throw in a vote for going the history professor route?”
“It’s a little late for that.”
“It’s never too late to follow your dreams. And I’d rather see you in a job where you won’t be risking your life on a regular basis. You’re my guy, and I want to keep you safe.”
“What? You’re going to protect me from any bad guys who show up?” Gunner asked humorously.
“Anyone who wants to hurt you is gonna have to go through me.”
Gunner froze. Repeated the words in his head. Absorbed them through every pore of his skin like the rare and precious blessing they were. Very few civilians in his life had ever had his back unconditionally. He’d been so busy protecting Chas and Poppy, he hadn’t really stopped to register the depth of grief and loss he felt at losing his SEAL family.
He reached out and looped his arm over Chas’s shoulder, pulling him close against his side. Chas turned a little and laid his head on his shoulder.
“I think I may love you too,” Gunner murmured.
“I beg your pardon?” Chas squawked, jerking upright.
“Jesus. You don’t have to act like I just told you I was going to kill the president.”
“Say it again,” Chas demanded.
“Aww, now you’re making it weird.”
“Say it.”
Gunner huffed. “I think I love you.” He waited expectantly for a moment and then grumbled, “Aren’t you supposed to say it back?”
“You mean the way you did this morning?”
“You’re such a jerk sometimes,” Gunner muttered.
Chas’s beautiful eyes narrowed. “You let me know when you’re sure about your feelings, and then we’ll see if I say it again… double jerk.”
“You do realize I’m a SEAL. And I’m in water, my native environment. Are you sure you want to challenge me here and now?” he teased.
Chas snorted. “As if you’d ever hurt me. You don’t have it in you.”
The humor drained from Gunner’s chest. “No. I don’t. You mean too much to me.”
“A bit of advice from the guy in this relationship who’s good at emotions? Be careful of making promises you can’t keep.”
“I promise, Chas. I’ll never hurt you.”