Page 107 of Resurgent

Heat creeps up my neck as the part of me that's never been good at taking compliments rears its' ugly head.

"Your smile is intoxicating," he says, gentler now. "And I've spent far too many nights envisioning a world where I'd be the bastard lucky enough to hold you. You consume my every dream and haunt the days I don't get to see you."

My chest tightens.

"Hunt—"

“Annalise,” he interrupts gently, but there’s steel under it. “Tell me you don't feel the same way, and I'll leave you alone. I’ll move you into Reyes's room right now. But—if you want me the way I want you…then be with me."

I know he just explained everything, but still, I hesitate. I’ve spent too many months thinking he has a girlfriend, and I still feel like I’m doing something wrong.

“I promise that there’s no one else," he continues. "No secret girlfriend. No almost-something. It’s just me—and you are the only person I’ve thought about this entire year."

“You…thought about me?”

“You really haven’t noticed?” he asks, eyebrow raised. “I take every chance I can get to come home during the day so I can see you. Tease you. Listen to all the random shit that pops into your head. Hearing you had a boyfriend forced me to restrain myself, but it’s been almost impossible to stay professional since I heard your friends talking about your breakup in class…and then you were moving in...”

His voice trails off, but his hands haven’t moved, still warm and steady against my sides.

He doesn't pull me closer.

Doesn't push for a response.

Just waits, giving me time to work through my own thoughts.

“You make it sound so simple,” I whisper.

His mouth curves slightly. “This part is simple.”

I shake my head slowly. “No. It isn’t.”

Because wanting him is easy. I wanted him before the attack; hell, I wanted him before my ex, and the Gods only know I've wanted him after.

Yeah, giving into this would be too easy, but the hard part is everything else.

“You’re an instructor,” I say quietly. “You may not teach me anymore, but if anyone found out…"

His jaw flexes, but still he doesn’t move.

“…if this goes wrong,” I continue, my voice softer now, “it doesn’t just break my heart. It destroys my career and yours.”

Hunter studies me like he’s memorizing every word before leaning down slightly, bringing us eye to eye.

“Seiri,” he says quietly.

My stomach flips at the nickname.

“I asked you one question.” His thumb brushes once against my side before going still again. “Do you want me?”

Just that.

No more speeches or promises.

The truth sits right there in my chest, heavy and impossible to ignore as my throat tightens around one simple word.

“Yes,” I say, confident and more sure of my decision than I have been in months. “I want to see where this might go.”

His breath hitches; dimples I never knew he had pop with his smile. "Thank the gods. Now, I'm going to get back to where we left off on that kiss, and then we're going to talk about the rest later, okay?"