Page 43 of Gunner

Lacey knew this was important to him, but in her heart, she knew the truth already. She loved him too, and she wouldn’t change her mind this time or freak out and run. Her heart did a happy flip as it registered the fact he’d said he loved her. She itched to say it back, but she would respect his wishes and only say it when she was absolutely certain.

“How about I get changed, and we can have that chat?”

Gunner lowered his head, giving her time to pull away, but he needn’t have worried. She wanted this kiss more than her next breath. She could taste the mint on his lips as the firm, soft mouth touched her own. It was sweet and sexy, and as he pulled away, not enough to convey everything she felt. She swayed into him from the simmering passion and the undiluted passion.

His thumb rubbed over her bottom lip, and he groaned. “So fucking sweet, Cosmo.”

He helped her hop off the bed, and she gingerly walked on her hurt feet to the bathroom, with his arm supporting her the entire time.

“Can you manage?”

Lacey cocked her head. “And if I can’t?”

Gunner looked down, and she followed his eyes, gasping at the erection outlined in his trouser.

“Oh!”

“Not like it will make me any hornier, will it?”

“Is that a challenge, Mr Ramberg?”

Lacey felt lighter than she had all week, flirting with Gunner despite the fact she’d almost died, and her house was a fiery wreck.

Gunner swatted her ass. “Go before I decide to give the nurses a show they won’t forget.”

Lacey closed the door on him with a giggle and slowly changed into her new clothes from the hospital gown she’d slept in last night.

After insisting she sit in a wheelchair or he would carry her, Lacey had given in and allowed him to push her to the car and help her inside before buckling her in. The slippers had been perfect for her feet, and she loved the glamour of them, wondering if they were something she could work into her range for teens.

Gunner turned right out of the hospital, but instead of going toward her home, he carried on straight out of the city and headed towards where the Eidolon offices were.

“Are we going to Eidolon?”

Gunner glanced at her. “No. I rented a place from Zack. He has a couple of properties he’s been renting out, and this one happened to be available.”

“Oh, that’s handy.”

“Yeah, he saved me a lot of time doing this.”

Lacey watched the world go by enjoying the mid-morning sun. “Jack says my house is still standing but has a lot of damage.”

Gunner pursed his lips and grabbed her hand, his silent support and acknowledgement holding her steady as reality began to set in.

They passed the turn for Eidolon, and she was surprised when they turned left not far after and onto what looked like farmland. Intrigued she turned to Gunner, who was smiling as he pulled up outside a black and white barn conversion.

“Is this it? It’s beautiful.”

Gunner looked back at the property and nodded. “Yes, it is. It’s an attached four-bed, but Kanan and Roz bought the other one so we won’t have any issues.”

“Wow, she didn’t mention moving to a new house when I saw her.”

“Yeah, well, she was too busy orchestrating an ambush.”

Lacey laughed. “Yes, not very subtle is she but it’s nice to know she cares.”

“If you say so.”

Gunner helped her inside by lifting her into his arms and carrying her and she wanted to say she minded, but the truth was there was nowhere else she’d rather be. He set her on the sofa, went back outside and brought her bag of pain pills.