by Leanne Davis
Several people noticed him and stopped to speak to him. After the usual inquiries as to how he was, they all wanted to know if he was back for certain. All at once, there were so many knowing eyes watching him, studying him. No one specifically asked about Stanley. Or Francine. No one asked why he’d been on leave for so long. It was all right there, not subliminal or subtle. But Hunter played it off as if it were any other day back to work after a vacation.
Opening his office door, he had mixed feelings. First, he was relieved, pleased and almost honored to find his office exactly as he left it before embarking on that infamous trip to Atlanta. Then he was bitterly disappointed because he felt like he was stepping back in time. Back to a day when he wasn’t living a more balanced, decent life. When he wasn’t so connected to his family, his home and the childhood he so fondly remembered. He wasn’t in love with a woman who deserved him then. A woman who could be both lover and best friend to him. A woman as solid and unbending as an oak. The old Hunter embodied everything about this place and deserved the accolades he received there, but that Hunter wasn’t half the man that rancher-Hunter turned out to be. Now that he was back, Hunter hoped he could merge the two. First, he had to find the balance to succeed here and continue to pursue his thriving relationship, and maintain his private life.
Hunter went to Larry’s door and knocked. It was the largest and finest office, of course. A regular hotel suite. As soon as Larry realized it was Hunter, he came around his desk and started shaking his hand and slapping his arm. “Damn, Hunter, it is so good to see you. It’s great to have you back. We need you.”
“I’m back. You know Francine had a baby?”
Larry nodded and didn’t play dumb. “I heard that. I wasn’t sure you wanted to discuss her. I know about the entire sordid business. I want you to know Stanley no longer works here. He is not welcome in my house anymore. Lorel and I have nothing do with either of them.”
“Right. About that? Lorel owes Francine a damn phone call. And some tips for being a new mother. She didn’t teach Francine anything so she shouldn’t be surprised that she can’t handle motherhood. She has a baby now. He’s your grandson. He’s beautiful and innocent so taking her bad behavior out on him is nothing but shit! Francine freaking needs her mother now, regardless of what she did in her sex life. Our baby deserves to have the proper mothering that Lorel could advise her on. She needs her very badly now. Without that help, it all falls on me. I’m the ex. It totally sucks. So get Lorel to make peace and fucking help her.”
Startled, Larry’s mouth dropped open. “Oh? I thought you’d be pleased we cut them off.”
He waved a hand. “Oh, fuck. I don’t care what happens to Stanley. I didn’t care about Francine either, until my child came into it. That changed it all. She needs help. We both need help. So make peace with her and acknowledge her mistakes, but help her. She’s… well, she is trying. Unlike Stanley. She never had to learn any coping skills. You and Lorel can thank yourselves for that. Probably why she assumed having a tryst with Stanley while she was married to me was okay.”
“The baby? Is he… okay?”
“You mean Russell Wilson? His name is Russell Wilson Rydell as soon as I can get the last name changed officially. It’s too late for either of you to be hung up on preserving your reputation. Besides that, he’s a Rydell, not a Stanton, so you can go ahead and help her.”
Larry flipped around and asked, “They really named him after the Seahawks’ quarterback?”
“Fully.”
Larry rolled his eyes. “Kind of sums it all up. The pointlessness, I mean, of my son and Francine. It could have been worse, I suppose.”
“I try to comfort myself with that thought even though I cringe every time I say his name out loud.”
Larry eyed him more shrewdly. “So, are you not staying?”
Hunter frowned. “Of course, I am. Did you miss something? I have a baby now, remember? And Francine bought a townhouse in Edmonds. Why? No clue. For stupid Stanley? She scraped together enough to make a down payment, but never realized she had to continue making monthly payments for thirty years. Didn’t even know what a mortgage was. So kudos to you both for her utter cluelessness. Ineptitude. Totally incapable of taking care of herself, much less the baby, so for now, it’s all on me. She has to learn so much just to get a job. She has to help me too. But for now? Yeah, it’s all on me. I am her only source of support.”
“Are you two…?”
“Never. I have a girlfriend I intend to marry if she’ll take me as her husband.”
“Oh. Okay. So you feel okay to work with me?”
“I do, but with some stipulations. Here are my terms.” He slid the paper across the desk. Startled, Larry glanced down.
“You’re making stipulations about your terms of employment? Hunter, you’ve been gone for more than an entire year.”
“And I know you suffered multiple losses. I’ve followed the latest market news. I have insiders too. I haven’t totally been off grid. So yeah, this is a negotiation. Take it or leave it. Others are waiting to take it. You’re just the path of least resistance right now. I don’t have endless time to job hunt, so my thanks for firing your son.”
He leaned forward. “More pay, limited hours, and a housing allowance? Hunter Rydell, you are screwing me.”
“I am compensating you for your part in the shitshow of my life. So yay or nay?”
Larry folded up the list of demands and nodded. “Fair enough. No more than fifty hours a week. Full salary and benefits, company credit card and eight weeks off for vacation.”
“And don’t forget the two months family leave.”
“Yeah. That too.”
“Paid leave.”
He grimaced. “Paid leave. Then you’ll be back?”
“Then I’ll be back.”
He rose to exit. Larry called after him when he reached the door. “May I make one demand?”
“What is it?”
“Put on a decent suit. Jesus, man, what are you wearing?”
Hunter glanced down and let out a laugh. He was wearing the suit he wore when he caught Francine cheating because he had no other appropriate clothing. He assumed Francine liquidated most of his clothing after he took some of his clothes back to Reed Ranch. He needed casual clothing and underwear mostly, along with his shoes and personal items. But the full wall of tailored, custom suits, shirts, and pants? He left them hanging there. Untouched. They were Francine’s taste and he refused to keep anything chosen by Francine that wasn’t absolutely required. It was enough to parent a child with her. The pant legs of the suit he now wore were still stained from the snowy, mud tromp across Kyomi’s pasture. That was when he had to find her. The best friend who helped him reclaim his underwear.
Along with his sense of self.
And ultimately, his damn life.
So despite the stained hems and all, Hunter had grown very fond of this gray suit. It saw him through the worst and what later turned out to be the best. But maybe it wasn’t the best choice for work in the city.
“Yeah. Yeah. I will.” Hunter was grinning wildly, and Larry gave him a strange look, no doubt, thinking he lost his mind. But Hunter was only realizing that he found the best girl.
He had a job again. A future. A way to support his new family. And he hoped that maybe Francine’s mother would eventually reach out to her. She’d better. They were owed that.
When he got back to Francine’s townhouse, his mother was just arriving. With a huge hug, he helped her carry up all the supplies she brought. “You’re the best, Mom. I love you. If I ever forget to tell you that…”
She took his arm in her hands. “Long few days, huh? I’ll tell you if you forget. Don’t worry.”
They stared at Francine’s door together. “You ready?” he asked, staring straight ahead.
She nodded. She was staring at the door too. “I suppose there’s no choice. She comes with him.”
They shared a smile and opened the door.
Once again, his mother had come to teach him and his ex-wife how to be good parents.
Chapter 20
KYOMI GAVE HUNTER PLENTY of time and space. Three months’ worth. They talked every single day on the phone, or on apps, or face-to-face via their messengers. They texted even more often. She knew how his mother’s visits went. How hard it was afterwards. Always worse when Kailynn left. She knew the daily goings-on between him, Russell and Francine. She knew how Hunter took the brunt of parental responsibility on himself.
He finally went back to work, and Francine had to buck up and act like a real mother. But the nights were his. All his. He felt like he was running on fumes. As time went on, Hunter’s voice grew more strained and his nerves were as sensitive as a hair trigger. He snapped at her over silly things and struggled to remain awake at times. Francine was killing him as he strove to handle it all. Work, infant-care, and household chores. The few hours of interrupted, spotty sleep he got every night were not substantial enough to sustain such a grind.
Hunter was relentless about her visits. He goaded and pleaded, begging her every single day to come. Kyomi remained firm. No. She said she needed time to adjust to Hunter’s new life. And she reminded him he needed to figure out how to care for his baby. Most important of all was that.
“You’re being impossible.”
“I’m just right. If I’m there, I take away from your experience as a father. You need to figure it all out. He’s your son. I refuse to be the cause of you becoming anything less than a good father to him. Ever.”
“Kyomi, most dads get to take a break. All of us are allowed a break. Just come.”
“Three more months. Then I will.”
She stuck to it. Hunter was aching. Hurting. Jealous. He felt left out. But finally, Kyomi promised to visit. To see him again and be part of his new life.
She would have to spend several days living with his ex-wife. Yeah, something she never expected. But here she was. Driving into the strange town. Kyomi was finally ready to visit her boyfriend, his baby and his ex-wife.
Kyomi didn’t know the first thing about Edmonds. She showed up on a beautiful, sunny, clear day and found it a lovely town. It included a beach on Puget Sound. The Sound was filled with salt water, but not as dramatically affected by the tidal changes as the open ocean. No pounding surf or outside breakers. That day, the water was extra glassy and flat. It met the beach with soft lapping. Kelp floated and sparkled in the sun while the tourists looked like colorful confetti sprinkled all over the beach.
They were obviously tourists. Trees and small parks peeked out between tall buildings and streets. A fountain was featured in a square of little cafés, coffee stands, ice cream vendors and art studios. The ferry that crossed to Kingston came and went, following hourly rushes of people and traffic as they entered and exited the familiar white and green ships. It was something locals accepted and most simply ignored.
Water snaked towards the green horizon of emerald trees beneath the blue peaks of mountains that surrounded the area. The sea air was pleasant, lacking the unbearable heat of home. When a breeze rushed over her, Kyomi found it cooling yet also warm.
The area was gorgeous, boasting vivid colors and exciting details. Far more appealing than Seattle was. No comparison. She found the town of Edmonds huge compared to River’s End or Tarlson, yet it still felt homey. Almost comforting.
She parked where Hunter told her to, and hurried up the stairs to the entryway and the elevator. Hunter was right, it would get old very quickly to constantly have to come and go from the third story apartment with a baby in your arms. No avoiding the elevator.
But still, the building was charming. It was obviously new but it was designed to fit into the local retro vibe of everything else.
When she knocked on the door, it took only a moment before Hunter flung the door open and engulfed her with his arms. Literally. He swept her up off her feet and held her tightly. His mouth was on hers, open and hot, demanding hers right then. His hands were pushing off her purse and bag that she draped over her shoulders. His mouth was devouring hers before she could even speak. Or try to protest. Or say hello.
“Hunter!” she finally gasped out.
“They’re not here. We have… maybe half an hour.”
He wasn’t wasting a second of precious time. Flinging her stuff on the floor around her, the door slammed shut as he backed her into it. She sighed, as blissful as an angel in heaven when his mouth trailed kisses down her chin, her cheek, her neck and he sucked on her collarbone. Vague images of dark, hardwood flooring and wood cabinets, a shiny kitchen with stainless steel, gleaming new appliances, and a huge living room that featured a giant, wall-hung TV. Even broke, Francine had good taste. She shamed the furnishings of Kyomi’s house and her material things.
Still eagerly devouring her, Hunter kissed her mouth again. Then he moved down to her neck. “I missed you so much. So, fucking much,” he muttered against her skin as his hands slid under her shirt. She let her head fall back, giving him more access to her neck. His hand grasped the hefty weight of her bra-clad boob and she moaned with joy. And greed. And want. And need.
He dropped his head and slipped it under her shirt as he swiftly removed her bra before taking her nipple in his mouth. His hard, wet ministrations had her knees shaking and her stomach doing somersaults. Her loud moan was unchecked. Oh. Wow. Talk about hello.
Then his curious hands slipped down beneath the waistband of her leggings and he cupped her butt, holding one cheek in each hand. His mouth was still greedily licking and biting her sensitive, hard nipples. Pulling up his hands, he split her legs wide and dipped his finger between them, finding her wet, ready and hot.
Her body was on fire and weeping for him.
She was ready. All right, they were still against the front door of Francine’s house.
Her thoughts needed to be voiced. It seemed hazy at first and hard but she finally gasped out. “Not here. Take me to your bed.”
He didn’t answer as his head popped out of her shirt and he stood up straight, drawing her up with him. He lifted her and she laughed as he simply held her against him. He started walking sloppily and drunk-like. She assumed they were going to his bedroom. The door was open so all he had to do was slam it shut with his foot. He dropped her on the bed and didn’t waste a moment before he started to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants. She sat upright, smiling up at him as she said, “Let me help you with that.”
His eyes gleamed with interest and approval, but he didn’t speak. Lifting his hands, he watched her undo the belt and the top button of his slacks. Naturally, Hunter Rydell did not wear jeans most of the time. No. Not even today. She peeled back his pants like a blossoming flower, slowly lowering them until they fell to his ankles. Grabbing the elastic of his utterly ridiculous underwear, she slipped those down too and pulled him free of them. He sprang out, big and hard, ready and eagerly saluting her. She glanced up to look at his face. Hunter did not speak but his eyes were heavy-lidded and twinkling with a sensuous gleam of captivated interest in her next move.
She folded onto her knees before him. His hands ran through her hair as she slid him into her mouth. Tasting him, she licked and nipped softly, sampling and savoring him as if he were a giant, wonderful appetizer. He pressed her head forward and she smiled at his impatience. Looking upwards, she caught his gaze as he watched her slide him deeper inside her mouth. Yes, he liked that. Hot and demanding, his smile grew wicked as his hands tossed her curls around. She took more of him, sucking and licking until he was fully swallowed. Tears slid from her eyes but she kept him inside her mouth, deep and tight. Finally, he tugged her hair and pushed her back before he came over her breasts.
Leaning over her, his mouth found hers and he closed his eyes as his tongue entered her mouth. He sealed his mouth on hers as and she sighed as he kissed her long and deep. Her eyes fluttered open so she could stare up at him above her. His face was intently focused on hers after he just orgasmed. His
hair fell down over his forehead as his mouth kissed hers. He was lost in the moment. She too was lost, intoxicated by his beauty of his look. It was the most sensuous moment of her life.
Finally, he eased up on the kiss, his tongue slid and dipped with her tongue in a soft caress that drew a groan from her. He licked her lips and his mouth touched hers two more times before he let hers go. He slipped a hand down to her chest and rubbed the sticky mess he made on her. Shocked when he did that, Kyomi was watching her breast under his hands and her insides started to respond. It was hot. Strange.
He kissed her again. His hand, slippery now with his semen, rubbed and tugged on her nipples. The friction was incredible, and he heightened every feeling by caressing her. “Sorry, I made such a mess of you. I never asked if you swallowed before. I wasn’t sure…”
“You loved every hot moment of it.” He kept kissing her and she had to laugh against his mouth on hers.
He laughed too as he licked and nipped her mouth. “I did. I love you being here more though.”
“Smooth talker,” she muttered as his tongue reentered her mouth. She was quiet under his touch and his kisses grew more ardent until she no longer felt like talking.
His hands slid over her stomach and reached down into her pants. He pushed them off her legs and only released her to free her legs from them. Then he kissed her knees and her thighs, taking turns with each side, making it long and thorough, as his tongue licked and his teeth nipped her flesh. She closed her eyes, letting her legs part slightly to enjoy his slow slide up her inner thighs. The flesh was so sensitive, it made her wetness pool in intense, painful anticipation.
He put his mouth on her as his fingers pulled on her lips. She might have died right there. Like a hot ball of lightning, her feelings jolted through her. Zapping her fingertips, her toes and all of her nerve endings. She came so fast and hard, but she felt him lift his face and chuckle against her. He simply kissed her clit, then began sucking it and she was instantly grabbing the bedspread and digging her heels into the bed to rise up, straining for more. Greedy and needy. Kyomi was lost in an intense pool of sensations. She had no concept of time and space as he held her bottom in his hands while he licked, nipped and kissed her. She soon lost count of her multi-orgasms. Who cared anyway? She was blissfully drifting in a sensuous haze of glory.