Bunny and the Beast(Divine Creek Ranch 22)(89)

When her brain resurfaced from that kiss after he let her stand on her own feet again, she wobbled a little and then looked up into his dark gray eyes studying her.

“Why, then?”

“Huh?” she asked, catching her breath and trying to slow her racing heart.

“You’ve told me all the reasons you don’t love me. Tell me why you do, then.” He grasped her chin, with that gentle but firm touch.

Put on the spot, she licked her lower lip. “I’m not a gold digger.”

A grin broke out on his handsome face. “I didn’t think you were, Bunny. You’re the hardest working woman I know. Believe me, I know a woman doesn’t need me when she grins as she flips me the bird from one hundred feet in the air.” She gestured to their surroundings, but before she could speak, he growled. “Don’t you dare for a second think that I feel obligated to save you from your current living circumstances. Don’t insult either of us. I couldn’t care less about where you live right now. If I want to change your mailing address, it’s because I need you in my home, not because I feel obligated to get you out of this one. So, tell me now. Why do you love me?”

The sound of another zombie meeting its squishy end, along with Tristan’s exultant chortle, filtered from the den, and Bunny had to giggle at that bizarre accompaniment to their romantic declarations.

“I love you because you’re willing to watch zombie flicks with my baby brother when you could be with your friends at the club.”

“Our friends, fiammetta.”

“I love you because you held me all the many times I cried this week, without becoming uncomfortable or ghosting on me, leaving me to deal with all of this on my own.”

“It’s what families do for each other.”

“And I love the glint that comes into your eyes when I’ve smarted off at you and you start counting.”

“I haven’t added to that count in days. You’ve been so well-behaved.”

“That could change at any moment, Beastly. I love when you growl at me. And”—she pulled his head down and kissed his lips—”I love it when you call me your little flame. That endearment gets me so hot.”

He smiled and sighed against her lips. “I want you to be mine. All mine.”

“I’m a package deal. You know that, right? Likely always will be.” She looked into his eyes, waiting for the withdrawal, but he only kissed her again.

“I want to pack you up and take you home with me tonight and never let you leave again. And I’d already assumed it was a package deal. Tristan will always be welcome in our home.”

“Our home?” she said with a snort. “You think I’m just gonna move in with you? Grinnie would roll in her grave.” A painful twinge pulled at the ache in her heart. Even so, Bunny couldn’t help but imagine Grinnie’s amusement at their conversation as well as her advice. “Grinnie used to say ‘why should a man pay for a cow when he can get the milk for free?’ and, Buster, don’t even try to think that I’m the cow in that scenario.”

“Did you just call me Buster?”

“I damn sure did, Sir.”

“Then I can think of no better way to honor your saintly grandmother than to do this.”

He sank to his knee on her often scrubbed and very worn and cracked linoleum and took her hands in his. Her own knees went weak as she realized what he was doing, and she could barely hear over the pounding rush of her pulse in her ears.

“Bunny, you told me all the reasons you don’t love me, and then shared all the reasons that you do. But it didn’t occur to you that I worried about asking you, who already live in a love- and warmth-filled home, to help me make a home out of the cold, mausoleum-like behemoth I live in. There’s an entire wing I rattle around in all by myself. I want you sliding down the bannisters and into my arms. I want to watch zombie movies with Tristan in the home theater room. I want you to bring all of your vibrancy, your passion, and your sassiness into my world, and all your friends here are welcome—as long as they leave the weapons at home.”

“Oh shush!” she said with a giggle. “But Miss Louisa would probably love to see your kitchen and meet Mrs. Hernandez. Ai, the cocina they could create.”

“Speaking of cuisine, Miss Louisa sent over a dozen mixed corn and flour tortillas. She said they were your favorite with melted butter.”

Bunny drew a deep breath and then smiled at the foil wrapped package on the counter. “My ass is going to get huge.”

His hands were hard and warm on her ass. “Speaking of which, I owe you a pop for calling me Buster.”