Hunt Me! (I Crave The Chase) - Page 170

“Take it off?” He blinked, frowning down at his suit. “You do not like it?”

“Nah, I love it,” I said, my heart thumping. “But you’ll be more comfortable without it.”

Mutt didn’t argue. Which was a testament to how uncomfortable he’d been. I had no doubt he would’ve stayed clothed the entire date unless I’d said something, so I was more than a little glad that I had.

He peeled the suit jacket off like it was full of ants. And then struggled with his buttons.

“Here,” I got out of my seat, crossing the distance between us and helping him with the buttons so he wouldn’t accidentally rip them. When his shirt hung loose and open, I couldn’t help but cop a feel, my hand sliding over one of his pecs and giving it a squeeze. He laughed, like the touch was ticklish.

His eyes were bright.

“I love you,” he said simply, like it was a fact and not a declaration.

I nearly stumbled. My head jerked up, and Mutt’s eyes were warm. So fucking warm.

They said, it’s true.

They said, don’t be scared of me.

They said, I’ve waited every day since I met you to tell you that I love you.

I didn’t say it back.

I didn’t know how.

The words just got stuck—but he seemed to know anyway. Because he kissed me soft and sweet, and stripped out of the rest of his clothes with the enthusiasm of a man who fucking hated wearing them.

Dressed in only boxers, he climbed back into his seat. Then he dug in with gusto and I did too—far more comfortable than we’d been before.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

Collin did a double take when he walked back into the room and Mutt was practically naked. Which was fair. I hadn’t exactly thought that part through. The music that was playing overhead—some sort of ballad or instrumental—switched to something more upbeat.

Something more…Swiftie.

“Oh shit, this is my jam,” I laughed, grinning at Collin and then Mutt. Collin blinked, like he was surprised to see me so happy—and I guess…that was fair. Mutt just…brought out the best in me. Made me feel like nothing could go wrong. Made me feel whole, like my scars were beautiful, and my past was just that—the past.

“T-Swizzle, our lord and savior,” Collin echoed, refilling our breadsticks and water glasses with the skills he’d picked up while working at Benji’s diner.

“The love of my life,” I agreed.

Mutt growled. He glared at me, then Collin. “Who is this Swizzle?” His eyes narrowed. “I will fight him.”

“Taylor’s a girl,” Blair corrected him, popping his head into the room for the first time that night. He and Richard had been biding their time in the back, playing chef. The second Mutt saw their outfits he cackled, smacking the table in delight.

And then he sobered.

“I do not care if she is a girl,” he said sagely. “I will still fight her.”

“She’s just a singer, big guy,” I promised with a snort, reaching out to smooth a hand over his hand. “Not competition.”

Mutt relaxed. “Good. I did not think so. But…” His face scrunched up. “There are many I want to fight for you. I am making a list.” The idea of Mutt hunting down every person who’d ever flirted with me quickly became too much.

I laughed.