Page 44

CONAN

Song, I Feel Like I’m Drowning, Two Feet.

T he sun shines bright through the windows, warm and unrelenting, and I pull Hallie tighter against my chest.

“Morning, gorgeous.”

She stirs against me, her body a perfect fit, her voice husky as sin.

“Good morning, beastie.”

The sound of it, rough and ruined from how hard I made her scream last night. It sends electricity down my spine. She’s wrecked and still radiant. And fuck, all I can think about is how much I need to wake up like this again.

Preferably every damn day.

I exhale slowly, heart thudding, a wave of nerves crashing over me.

“Hallie…”

She sits up, tugging her messy bun loose and shaking out her hair like a goddess. Like mine. She’s so beautiful it hurts.

“This sounds serious.”

I cup her cheek, grounding myself in her.

“In a good way.”

Clearing my throat, I stare into her eyes and let silence speak. I’m a fucking asshole. If she ever finds out the truth, the whole truth, I’ll lose her. And I’m not sure I’ll survive that.

One lie can’t destroy everything we’ve built…can it?

“I’m going away for a few days next week.”

My stomach twists.

“Are you going anywhere nice, beastie?”

She smiles, and it’s like a goddamn knife to the heart.

“Just to train with Grayson in New York.”

“That sounds fun. You gonna miss me?”

I tug her bottom lip with my thumb, memorizing the softness there.

“Of course I’ll miss you. I’m gutted I have to go, when things are finally falling into place,” I sigh.

I watch as she traces the tattoos on my chest with her finger. Damn it feels nice.

“Wait. Why are you saying it’s good you’re leaving me?”

I said that? What? Oh…

“I’m not leaving you. Shit.”

I sit upright and pull her onto my lap, needing her close—needing her to know this isn’t goodbye.

“I’m just teasing you, beastie.”

She pouts at me and I blow out a breath.

“There was something else I wanted to ask…”

God, I’m nervous.

“Well?” she prods, her eyes searching mine.

“I was wondering… if maybe you want to do more of this when I’m home?”

She gives me a confused look, her stare searing into my soul.

“This? As in, fucking?”

I thread my hands through her hair and pull her into a kiss. One that says everything I’ve never said. One that’s deep and slow and full of all the unspoken things I’ve kept buried.

A promise.

“More than that, baby. I was asking if you’d like to go on more dates with me.”

Her eyes glisten. She cups my face, her voice trembling with excitement.

“You have no idea how much I’d love that. We can have so much fun. We could go travelling? What about Germany? Race some cars on a track? Or Dublin, show me where you grew up? I’m trying to save, so we could do some vacations?”

I want all of it. Every damn thing. With her.

“Darlin’, I’ve got more than enough money for us to travel the world and never work again. And a private jet to take us wherever we want. Don’t kill yourself saving. I’ve got you.”

She opens her mouth to argue, then snaps it shut.

“You’re rich? Wow. I really did hit the jackpot. Treat me like a queen, beastie.”

I blink, startled. But at least she’s honest.

She could drain every account I have, and I wouldn’t care; she’d probably just buy badass cars and book trips to racetracks. And I’d be right there with her.

“I’m joking. I’d still date you if you were broke. I fell for you because you’re funny… and very, very persistent.”

I link my fingers with hers, grounding myself in the feel of her.

She pouts, mind clearly spinning. She’s too fucking cute.

“Oh, and you’re probably the hottest man I’ve seen on this planet. That helps. Even if the money goes, you’ll still be fine as hell and know how to fuck.”

The shit she says. It kills me, in the best way.

“You fell for me, hmm?”

“Yeah. I dived headfirst off a fucking cliff for you, Mr. Quinn. Straight into the sea of madness and obsession.”

“Trust me, baby. I’m swimming right there with you.”

She bites her lip. “So how many days are you away, exactly? I might pick up some extra shifts. Wait—is Finn going with you? He’s off next week too.”

Fuck. Sometimes I forget he’s her boss.

“Yeah. He’s my punching bag.”

“I doubt that. Hang on...is my boss part of the mafia too?”

She whispers mafia like it’s a sin.

“Yes, trouble. Dr. Quinn is very naughty outside of hospital hours.”

I press my finger over her lips, teasing.

“Our little secret. You tell anyone, and I’ll have to kill you.”

Her eyes go wide. I try not to laugh.

“Make it painless. I might have to tell my best friend, Lily. But it’s okay—I’m certain her dad is part of the Russian mafia,” she rambles.

What the fuck?

I need to ask Drago about that.

“Jesus, Hallie. I’m joking. I’d never, ever, ever hurt you. Nor would Finn. None of us would. No matter what. If I break that promise, I’ll let you kill me. Okay?”

She goes quiet. That silence cuts deep.

“I can’t tell if you’re fucking with me. I’m going to need diagrams on how this mafia stuff works. Do I need a bodyguard? Is Declan your boss? Who is his boss? Do I have to work for you too?”

I slap my hand over her mouth before her questions spin me into a full-blown panic.

“I am your bodyguard. The rest doesn’t matter. I’m keeping you far away from that side of my life. I just need you to know it exists. That it’s part of me.”

“Okay, beastie. I trust you.” She grins and squeezes my biceps. “My protector.”

Damn right I am. And I always will be.

“So… want to spend tonight with me again? And then we can date once I’m home?”

I rub my nose against hers, needing her like air.

“Lily’s dropping Bertie back home this afternoon. Stay at mine?”

I can’t take her back to Decadence anyways. Not yet. That’s a whole other world I’m not ready to explain. In time…maybe.

I probably need to buy a house outside the chocolate factory. Somewhere that’s just mine. Just ours.

Maybe I’ll do that after the Chase is finished.

“Sounds perfect to me, trouble.”

Because as long as I’m with her, it doesn’t matter where we are. She’s home.