My face flares red, and I duck my head, hugging him instead with a laugh. I have no idea how to answer the question or even if he's asking what I think he is. I'd sleep with him in a heartbeat, I think, based on how much emotional restraint and hope I've stored up praying for the miracle that happened today. There's no part of me that doesn't want to take every chance I can with him. After starving myself from living, from risks and emotions and hope, I'm starving for the man who embodies everything I ever dreamt of.
"We'll see," I find an answer at last.
He tips my chin up and kisses me again, this time without the slow restraint he's shown before. Hunger ignites inside me, driven on by the promise of passion and intensity I experience in his kiss.
When he pulls away again, I'm a wet noodle in his arms, breathless, dazed and happier than I've ever felt in my life.
"Come on. I'll introduce you to some more people." He grins, his face and eyes glowing, takes my hand and tugs me towards the house.
We enter the mansion. In a whirlwind of introductions and my own scattered thoughts, I meet what seems like every soldier he's ever served with and all the relatives in town for the holidays. I barely have a chance to get a word in with anyone, which suits me, because I'm not sure if I can string together a sentence. I barely register the different faces and names.
It's not until I spot Todd and a couple other guys that I excuse myself from Petr's side to talk to my brother.
"Hey!" I wave Todd over.
He leaves the four guys and joins me.
"What're you doing?" I ask, eyeing the odd earmuffs he's carrying.
"Going to the range."
"Golf?"
"No, Claud." He rolls his eyes. "Shooting range."
My mouth drops open, and surprise crosses his features. "Oh. Yeah. You don't know about that." He shifts. "Petr is teaching me to be a man and part of that is shooting a gun."
"Petr taught you to shoot a gun?" I place my hands on my hips.
"Responsibly," he says.
I purse my lips, about to lecture him about violence and guns and everything else.
"My fault," Petr says from behind me. One of his arms wraps around me, and he presses me against his warm frame. "Yell at me, not him. I was supposed to tell you, Claudia." He winks at Todd.
I eye Petr then Todd. "You're both in trouble, as far as I'm concerned. I'll deal with it later, Todd. I wanted to tell you something."