And that’s when something unexpected happens.
Hunter’s hand falls down to my core and wraps around my clit and pinches. He fucking pinches and I go nuts. As in moan something fierce as my insides clench around him, and I set sail for the biggest, best orgasm of my life.
Hunter is right behind me, once, twice, and his last powerful thrust sends his body twitching, his beautiful cock swelling to its max as he releases his own ball of ecstasy.
It’s a shame that I used all my energy moaning and holding on to that damn wall, because once I come to, ninety percent of my body weight is being held up by Hunter.
His hands are now holding mine, up against the wall. His entire body is flush up against me. “You okay, baby?” he whispers into my ear, still trying to catch his breath.
“What was that? I can’t hear you over the applauding and cheering coming from my vagina.” I huff out the last part. I’m suddenly in overwhelming need of a nap, and possibly a cigarette. I can honestly say, I get it now—the whole cigarette after sex thing.
Once I feel like I’ve recharged about thirty percent of my battery, I allow him to release me so I can stand on my own. I step away and catch him removing the condom while I turn and face him.
“You look like someone just made you very happy.” He teases while crowding my personal space once again. Bringing his muscled arms on each side of my face, caging me in. “Tell me you don’t regret it. That you didn’t just say yes to me because you were aching so badly for the luxury of an orgasm you knew I would give you?” His smile is mischievous. He bends forward placing soft kisses down my nose, making it to my open and willing mouth.
We kiss and it’s something sweet. Slow. I’m not much for sentiments or words. So I don’t give him the answer he is hoping to hear. But I do give him my mouth, silently showing my commitment. When I feel like I can’t take anymore, I pull away.
“Okay, now it’s my turn,” I say with my own mischievous smile. I step out of his grasp and with my fingers give him the signal to turn around.
“Sorry gorgeous, but I don’t take it that way,” he returns, his eyes smiling.
“No, not that,” I reply with an eye roll. “Painting. It’s my turn to paint on you.”
He returns my smile, the playfulness growing in his flawless features. “And what exactly is it you are going to paint?”
I shrug. “It’s a surprise. Now turn around.” I boss, grabbing the paintbrush off the ground. I go for a pink tube because, pink’s my color. I watch as Hunter slowly makes his way against the wall. Just as I did, he places his hands against the wall, turning his head for further instructions.
“Turn around,” I demand, just as he did earlier. “No moving. Or looking.” I kind of like this whole dominant thing. I dip the brush into the color, moving it around in a circular motion. Sadly I see the pink fade while mixing with the blue to create purple. No worries. Second favorite color.
For the next five minutes I attempt to do some serious artwork on Hunter’s back. I’m satisfied to find that by the end of our session, he is in the same pain I was in earlier because he is hard as a rock right now.
“Okay, I’m done.” I smile at my masterpiece.
“What did you paint?” he asks, turning around trying to see the work on his back.
“A unicorn,” I brag.
“You know how to paint a unicorn?” he asks, sounding amazed.
“Well, not really. It looks more like a blob with the pole on top, but it’s all about using your imagination, right?”
He turns fully, giving me that devil of a smile. “I like where you’re going with this. Have you ever been royally fucked by a unicorn, Lexi?”
I can’t do anything but slowly shake my head.
He takes the two steps that it takes to get to me and rests his hands on my still naked waist. His light chuckle fills the room, that playful gleam back in his eyes. “Good, then why don’t you turn around, bend over that chair and continue to use that imagination of yours, because this unicorn isn’t done taking everything he can from you.”
Unicorns. I have a new appreciation for unicorns.
WE HAVE BEEN BACK from Vegas for two amazing days. The amazing part comes in the form of lots of scorching hot sex—which is equally the stuff of poetry and porn—followed by Hunter’s sweet brand of pillow talk. I would like to define it as living in a state of bliss. I think our mouths are curved into smiles even in our sleep. If Hunter isn’t painting, we are held up in bed, like it’s our own private island. Yesterday we finally hit a wall when food became an issue. A lot of sex requires a refill of nutrients, so when we were too sexed out to even have our ritual naked lunch on the fur rug, we fed each other cold spaghetti in bed. In just a few short days, Hunter has taught me how to laugh. Like really laugh. He surprised me with a decadent slice of seven-layer chocolate cake from room service, only to smash it in my face shortly following its arrival. He’ll begin touching and cuddling with me, only to turn it into a competitive wrestling match, that by the end of, I am laughing so hard, I’m straight wheezing. He’s always talking about art, and the way he sees it. Which might be boring to some, but from Hunter it’s fascinating.
The real Lexi is having the best few days of her life.
I have decided to ignore the major issue at hand and that’s that I have agreed to stay in a town not where my current job is. I have also decided to not sweat the little things. Or the big, I should say, regarding my career and living situation. Possibly my nail situation too, because what will poor Linh do without me? Linh would understand. She would want it this way, New Leaf consoles me. With Linh’s and New Leaf’s support, I’m just gonna hold on to our perfect bubble, for as long as I can because I’m in love.
Wait, what did I just say?
Shit, I used the word love. How did that happen? I think I must be overtired. Too much New Leaf buzzing in my head. I don’t know how it works but clearly it’s way too soon for that. Right? Anyone? Throw this girl a bone here!
“You’re moving.”
Hunter breaks through my escalating freak out. I try and shake off that spasm but it doesn’t do anything for my posture issue.
“You’re still moving,” Hunter says again, trying to sound annoyed, but knowing he doesn’t have it in him to be anything but fancied with me. I smile at the thought. Adding more fuel to the fire, I fall to my back allowing my perky breasts to bounce.
“I’m sorry but it’s just so hard lying here knowing you’re behind me not doing the things that men so enjoyably want to do when they have a woman’s back to them.”
Bingo! His eyes dilate instantly. He tosses his brush down and stands. I squeal and jump to my feet. Dashing toward the couch, I place the furniture in between us.
“Get over here,” his tight voice demands.
“You’re going to have to catch me first.”
“Oh, I’ll catch you, there’s no doubt in that. It’s what I am going to do to you once I do.” He instantly jumps onto the cushions in hopes of jumping over and catching me. I take off running down the hallway squealing in anticipation of him catching me. Before I hit the foyer I turn and put my hands up.
“Stop!” I yelp, and he instantly pauses in his place.
“Turn around,” I demand, struggling not to laugh. His dirty smile covers his face and he slowly turns, offering me his back.
And that’s when I step forward and smack him straight in the ass.
Hunter turns, a half smile, half shock on his face. “Did you just spank my ass?” he asks bewildered.
“Sure did, sweetcheeks,” I reply trying not to bust out laughing.
“You’re going to get it, you know that right?”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
And game over.
He begins to move and I take off again. It takes two long strides before he has his arms wrapped around my waist. I am kicking and laughing so hard I can barely catch my breath.
“I’m going to make you pay for that, l
ittle—”
“Well, isn’t this cute. Playing with another one of your muses, are we Hunter?” We both pause, turning to the unexpected intruder. Before us stands a striking woman, dressed in a tight fitting silk red dress, her long black hair perfectly in place.
Hunter puts me down and shoves me behind him, shielding me. “How did you get in here?” he barks while practically squeezing the life out of me.
“Oh darling, easy. I told the front desk your wife was here to see you.”
Say who?
At that I freeze, and Hunter’s frame turns rigid. His wife? Surely I heard that wrong.
“Get out, now.”
“Now now, Hunter, is that a way to talk to me?” Her response is filled with sarcasm and her accent. It sounds French.
Oh fuck.
“Hunter, what’s going on?” I struggle to form the question. I try grabbing his attention because I need an explanation right now, but he continues to offer me his tense back in order to block my nude body.
“Oh dear, there is no reason to hide her from me.” She leans to the side to catch my gaze, “I’ve seen them all. All of his muses. His temporary toys.”
“GET OUT! You have no right to be here, Victoria.” Hunter storms toward her but she doesn’t look at all fazed by his anger.
“Darling, as your wife I have every right.”
Wife, wife, wife. The buzzing keeps getting louder and louder every time I hear her speak.
“You are not my wife. Now get out before I call security.”
She takes her eyes off Hunter and locks them straight with mine. “I’ve seen that look before. The look that you think you’re the one for him. Well, enjoy him while you can, little girl. Because I can assure you of this, you will disappear as fast as they all do.”
And with that she elegantly pivots and makes her way out of the penthouse.
The room is thick with silence. The only sounds heard are Hunter’s heavy breathing and my erratically beating heart. But this time they’re caused by anger and pain. My ears ring with the word that has completely blinded me. Wife. I allowed my guard to fall for this man and he tricked me. Fooled me to believe I was his only muse. His only need. The strangled intake of breath at my sorrowful realization gets Hunter to finally turn to confront me. He doesn’t hide the torment in his eyes, nor can I hide the pain in mine.
“Lexi—”
“So what, you’re married?” I croak out the words like acid in my throat.
“No. It’s not like that. We’re separated. Going through a divorce.”
I turn away from him. “You’re divorced or you’re not Hunter!” I scream as I search for my clothes. “It’s one or the other!”
“We haven’t been together for over a year. She won’t sign the papers.”
I bend over, the pain in my heart overpowering me. “So you lied. You’ve been lying to me.” I begin to cry.
“Lexi, I haven’t. Everything between us has been real. Honest. I swear it.”
“But it’s all been a lie, because you are married,” I finish, wiping the tears that have fallen down my face.
“Dammit, I am not married!” he bellows, becoming frantic. “I am not. Fine, legally, but we have been separated for over a year. She won’t sign. I do not love her. I’ve never loved her,” he pleads. He attempts to grab for me but I put my palm up, indicating he better stay the fuck where he is.
He inhales deeply. “Listen to me, Lexi. Please let me explain.” I continue to dress, searching for my purse.
“Stop, what are you doing? Lexi, what are you doing?” He tries to grab for my shirt, but I push him away.
“This is over,” I bark, throwing my cream maxi dress over my head. “If you want to explain, go explain to your wife.”
Hunter grabs his head and drags his fingers roughly through his hair. “Dammit, don’t do this, Lexi. It’s you! Don’t you see? It’s you who I’m in love with.” The air goes thick with tension as he spits out that major confession. I go rigid as I stare at him heaving, trying to catch his breath. “You’re not in love with me, Hunter. You don’t even know me. You’re just obsessed with your muse,” I declare, my worst fears realized. The pain in my chest multiplying.
“Lexi, I do know you. Please just listen to me, baby please. I know how much you desire to be cared for, even though you pretend you don’t need anyone. I’ve seen it. You’ve let me see it. You smile the most when you mention your best friend and you lie about being content in your life. I know you fake being happy and I know you have been happy every goddamn minute we’ve spent together. I know you have a special place here, with me. Don’t run away, Lexi. Let me love you. Let me explain and show you the happiness you deserve.”
His begging nearly breaks me. I want to fall to my knees and offer him myself completely. But I will not be one of those girls. I will not fall victim to a man who cheats. I plaster a confident smile on my face. My shield back where it belongs. And I back away from him. “You are way wrong about me, cowboy. What we had was great, but it’s not my style to handle married men. Good luck to you and your wife.” I extenuate the last part and I turn and leave.
Hunter comes barreling at me but stops short of reaching me. I don’t turn around as he yells my name and I walk out of the Wilmington Hotel for good. I sport my fake smile while wiping the real tears that stream down my stricken face.
I LEFT THE HOTEL right after leaving Hunter’s room. I threw anything that was in sight in my carry-on and took off before he was able to catch me. And I had no doubt that he would most definitely try. I breathe in and out trying to hold in the tears. He’s married. How could he not tell me? Then to taunt what we have and confess that he’s in love with me. How dare he? I swipe an angry tear from my cheek as I stare out the cab window. Let me love you Lexi. Let me show you the happiness you deserve. His words ring in my ear no matter how much I fight to vanish them. How fucking pathetic am I right now? That in different circumstances I could have said it back. I laugh to myself. Five days. I’ve been searching for love my whole entire life and I end up finding it in five fucking days and it’s with a married man. I press my forehead against the cold glass, closing my eyes and allow the tears to flow.
I’m such a fool. I should have kept my guard up as I always do. I should have known that his act of caring about me was a ruse. I think about how he looked at me. Those eyes. The way his hands grazed up and down my body as if he was memorizing each and every curve. The little things he did that would make me believe he truly was falling in love with me.
“This is you, Miss.” The cab driver breaks me from my thoughts. I realize we are outside my building. I pay the man and make it to my suite. As I close the door I survey my pristine living quarters. Just as I left it. Cold and lonely. I’ve come home to this place for years. I have found comfort in my seclusion. But tonight. The feeling of emptiness hits me so rapidly, it’s too much to try and stop it. I slide to the ground of my marble foyer and I cry.
Trips are always so much more fun going than they are coming back. On the way there, everyone’s always drinking because they just can’t handle the anticipation of being free and having a great time. But on the way back everyone is worthless and crabby knowing they have to return to reality. And that is exactly how I am feeling right now. My head hates me, my heart hates me and surely my goddamn vagina hates me.
For the first time in my entire career, I call in sick to work. I can’t define my symptoms but they suck. I fake a cough and a few groans to Cornelius, claiming I must have caught something from someone on the flight. I shouldn’t be out more than a day or two. What I wish I was faking was the pain vibrating in my chest. The sharp ache in my heart is worse than a night’s worth of cheap tequila. I’d trade this depressed feeling for a week’s worth of the flu, or even better give up hair dye. Okay, maybe that’s too far.
I lay in my bed curled up in a ball wishing these unfamiliar feelings go away. I feel and look like I’m a statistic from one of those sad depression commerc
ials. It was five days. How can I feel so hurt after being with someone for five fucking days? I try and damn him for everything he did to me. But the visions of him touching me, fucking me, making love to me. They’re all just beneath the surface, and as I fight to forget, the pain in my chest grows.
I squeeze my pillow hoping this feeling passes. Maybe this is why I never did relationships. Why I never found love. Because it just makes you miserable. I had the right thing going, by staying single and away from emotional attachment.
I just need this all to go away. I need to go back to the old me, carefree and unfazed by words, and people. I mean, I practically started crying on the phone with Cornelius when he asked me how my trip went. I wanted to say horrible. I probably would have if I wasn’t so distracted by the other line beeping in every two seconds. And it’s been that way since shortly after I left the hotel.
It started with the hotel’s main number, which I could only assume was Hunter. Then a cell number repeatedly calling. Voicemails were left but I refused to listen to them. I couldn’t hear his excuses. Married is married, no matter how you define it.
At one point on day two of fake sick day, I couldn’t take it anymore and I answered. I didn’t say anything, I just listened. “Lexi, please. Please talk to me,” he begged. I stayed silent wishing I never answered the call. I could hear the distress in his voice, and it pained me. Then I got mad that I even cared. Because I shouldn’t. “Lexi please talk to me. Say something. Say anything. Say that you hate me. Please, just let me hear your voice.” That’s when I couldn’t take anymore and just hung up on him.
In the end, I was the one who lost because hearing his voice threw me back to square one as I curled back into my small little ball and cried my eyes out. On day three I went back to work. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to pull my shit together. So I got played. And my feelings were hurt. Big whippy. It happens all the time. I wasn’t some ninny little twatbag who ran in a corner and cried. I was Lexi, the go-getter who took life by the balls and fucking squeezed. So I wasn’t feeling all myself and getting out of bed was super hard. But I did it. I slapped a fake smile on my face because that’s what I do, I fake shit. I fake being happy. I fake loving life, and I fake not being heart broken. Today would be no different than any other day in the life of Lexi goddamn Hall.
Faking It (UnReal #1) Page 13