She drew a shuddering breath and wrapped her arms around his neck. With her lips touching his ear, she whispered, “How about I show you instead?”
Standing with her in his arms, Hunter turned for the bedroom.
“Wait,” Memphis said, causing him to halt. “Two things. I almost forgot, but Parrish called earlier while you were chopping wood and she was feeding the chickens. The IDs in those wallets led to a drug trafficker, a coyote, and get this, one of King’s competitors.”
“Interesting.” Not that Hunter really cared at the moment. What interested him more was how chummy his brother had gotten with the entire McKenzie family.
“Parrish said he doesn’t want Jodi in her house.” When she started to protest, Memphis continued. “He’d prefer to demolish it, just in case anyone else comes sniffing around with ideas of revenge.”
“What?” Jodi wiggled to get free.
Hunter tightened his hold. “No one is demolishing her house,” he stated to Jodi and Memphis both. Again, he started away.
“Second thing,” Memphis said quickly.
With a groan, Hunter turned back to him.
“I bought some property.”
The way Memphis announced it, Hunter knew there was more. “And?”
“Near here?” Jodi asked at the same time. “I’d love for you to stick around.” With a grin, she added, “You’ve grown on me.”
“I’ll only be thirty minutes away,” he assured her.
Hunter asked, “What kind of property?”
“Basically, it’s an RV park, currently vacant.” Memphis launched through a fast explanation. “It has electric and plumbing at the designated lots, but needs a lot of cleanup work and repairs. I’ll make it a location for low-rent vacationers—similar to what King had, only more affordable... I’ll be on the up-and-up.”
Hunter studied his brother closely, and knew he was plotting something. “We’ll talk about this more later.”
“There’s a livable cabin already on the property.” Memphis held out his arms. “So you’ll be pleased to know I’ll be moving out soon.”
When Jodi started to protest, Hunter hugged her. Something was afoot, and they’d discuss it together before confronting Memphis. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, you know that. We’ve enjoyed having you here.”
“As a dog sitter, I know.” He grinned at them. “I’ll still be around to help out however you need, and you know Mom and Dad will be visiting soon. This way, they can divide their attention between us instead of overwhelming you.”
For that, Hunter smiled. He anticipated seeing them again. Phone and video conversations weren’t the same. He was ready to hug his mom, and talk quietly with his dad...because he was living again instead of just going through the motions. “Thanks, Memphis.”
“Now you may carry her off. Turbo has decided to sleep with me, so you two are free for the rest of the night.”
Hunter hesitated. “I really am glad you’ll be nearby.”
“Me, too,” Jodi said. And then, as Hunter carried her down the hall, she called back with an impish smile, “Love you, Memphis.”
They heard a thump, followed seconds later with a shouted, “Back atcha, hon!”
Grinning, Hunter stepped into the bedroom and closed the door. “I think my brother fainted.”
Happier than he’d ever seen her, Jodi kissed his face all over, with small excited pecks. “I do love him, you know. And Turbo.” With a frown, she said, “Don’t laugh, but now that I’ve said it, I like saying it.” She settled her mouth over his, teasing, taking and giving. “Especially to you.”
“Say it.”
Without hesitation, she whispered, “I love you, Hunter. I love you so much.”
Hunter put her in the bed, coming down over her and settling between her slender thighs. “I love you, too.”
Her hands opened on his shoulders. “I love this superhot body of yours.” She inhaled. “I love the way you smell, too, and what it does to me.”
“What does it do?”
“It turns me on,” she breathed. “Like a drunk needing a drink. Sometimes I just think of you and I want you.” Being serious, she added, “I’m glad you’re always agreeable.”
Hunter started to grin, but thought better of it. “My pleasure.”
“I love that we can be unusual together, and that you don’t think I’m weird.”
“Never.”
“It’s so dumb that I used to want the everyday life for the everyday woman. Now I have you and it’s so much better.”
That amused him. “Because you’re extraordinary.” He worked her T-shirt up and over her head, then tossed it aside so he could cup both her breasts. “There are some perks to everyday life, though—as long as that everyday life is with me. You see, we’ll always be together like this.”
“Awesome.”
Now he grinned. She had a clever way of summing it up. Life with Jodi was awesome. “There are also dates.” Briefly, he kissed her. “I want to take you on dates, Jodi.”
“You mean something other than feeding chickens and watching movies from your couch?”
“Yes, other than that. Dating can be fun.”
“I trust you, so count me in.”
“I want to give you a ring.”
Bemused, she blinked. It took her two tries before she managed to say, “I’m not big on jewelry.”
“Then it can be a simple band.” Staring into her eyes, he specified, “An engagement ring—after we’ve spent some time dating.”
Her eyes widened.
Hunter worried that he was rushing her, but he needed their relationship to be official. “It’s what the everyday couple would do.”
“We’re not that, though.”
“We’re extraordinary,” he agreed, and then stressed, “together.”
Jodi licked her lips. “How would things change?”
“They won’t, except that we’ll be more committed to each other.”
“I’m already committed to you.” Her frown eased. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
For that, Hunter hugged her close and kissed her without restraint. “You’ll never have to, because I’m not going anywhere.”