Page 27 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

Tonight, she had held his son. And explained to him that the bad guys had hurt Ayla and Gunn but they were going to be okay now. Ryan had asked her if his daddy would put the bad guys in jail forever, and if Ayla was going to have a big party wedding with lots and lots of cake.

Ayla had assured Ryan that she absolutely would. Probably chocolate cake since it was both her and Gunn’s favoritest cake ever.

Proof life went on. Gia had just held Hudson’s son and thought about what that man was wanting from her and what it meant.

If she said yes…or if she said no. She was terrified—not of him.

At least not physically. She didn’t think she ever had been—or ever would be—afraid of him physically hurting her.

It was the fear of hope that had stopped Gia in her tracks today. She’d been afraid to hope with Hudson. Because the last time she had been attracted to a man at all, it had nearly gotten her killed. That had stayed with her, robbing her. Now, she was ready to move on.

To reclaim hope.

“Counselor Hiller, to what do I owe this…visit?”

“I brought Gleason, 1982 . At least, a copy I made notes on in law school. I had cross-referenced it with a case I want you to see.” She met his eyes, straight on. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it fully. “But that’s not why I am here, Hudson Hanan.”

“Oh? Care to illuminate me? I am all ears.” He crossed those strong arms over that ridiculously broad chest. And just waited.

For his prey to come to him.

Well, she had. And it was time… “Where do you see this going?”

“ Houston? Martinell? Gleason? What exactly are you asking?”

Oh, no. They weren’t going to play that game. Gia would never play games again. Not in this. It was too important.

She took a deliberate step up, onto his porch. Into his range.

His reach. The tiger’s territory.

She knew exactly what she was doing now. “I want to know what exactly you want from me, if we take the next step past…colleagues.”

“We’re not just colleagues. We never were. I’ve known you since you were Ryan’s age.” And his eyes had narrowed, his body tensed. Like he was ready to pounce, as soon as she stepped into his trap. “And…I want everything you will give me.”

“But what does that mean exactly? We didn’t even like each other until…this month or so. Maybe, I still haven’t decided if like is what I feel for you right now.”

She wasn’t ready to call it more than that, but…it felt like more than that. In so many ways.

But this…this was her making a choice. Taking control.

Did he realize how much that mattered?

Gia stepped closer.

Until they were almost chest to chest. His arms dropped. His good hand landed on her hip. It wasn’t an accident. They both knew it was deliberate.

“Gia? I haven’t made a secret of what I want.”

“You want me. Physically.”

“Yes. More than I have ever wanted anyone before. But…this is about what you want now.”

She pulled in a breath as she looked into his dark brown eyes. He had the most expressive eyes. Just like his son’s. “What if I told you that…if I do this…it’s everything. Everything for me. It can’t ever be just casual for me. It just can’t.”

He was pulling her closer. Gia was letting him.

“I know. And it will be everything for me, too.”

He was wearing that baby blue shirt he wore often. It was her favorite shirt of his, no denying that. But now…

Gia reached out one hand. This…she was taking that next step. It was more about…letting go now. Trusting.

Moving on. Living her life.

She toyed with the first button. And flicked it open, deliberately. “I want everything. Everything you can give.”