You Promised Me

by Lucy Scott Bryan

  "I can't not touch you," he says as he leans down, pushing my shirt back further to expose my shoulder and traces up to my neck with his hot mouth leaving a trail of burning kisses and licks.

  We are interrupted with a brisk knock along with Leah calling out.

  He smiles into the mirror at me, before stepping away to answer the door. And I push the bathroom door over to access the small wardrobe hidden behind it. Maybe he let my wickedness out, I wonder, as my hands flitter over the spare underwear I have. I redress listening to Hunter speak with Leah and I marvel at his cohesive thoughts and an apparent semblance of normality wondering how he is keeping it all together after our time just now. Wondering how we ended up screwing each other senseless, considering we haven't spoken more than a handful of words in a very long time.

  I finish touching up my lip gloss and pull open the door to find Leah sitting next to Hunter at my desk, looking over my diary together. Leah's famous red pen in her hand and I watch as she slashes through tomorrow with a flurry, they look over the next day and take out the day after a series of meetings, that they both discuss intently.

  "Hey Ginny. Hunter and I are just reviewing your diary. We can easily reschedule these meetings if you like," she points to them in my diary, "and then that gives you a couple of days out of the office." She smiles up at me as I walk towards them.

  Hunter offers me his hand, which I take without any hesitation and he leads me over to my chair next to him, opposite Leah at the conference table.

  "You know that I am more than capable at rearranging my diary Hunter," I murmur.

  "Of course I do. Gigi, you are one of the most able people I know. But I want this done, then Caleb and Matthew can come in and we can get out of here. There is nothing else to this. Simply, let's get this done and then go." He responds without any hesitation and it leaves me a little thrown. And all sorts of happy.

  "So, what else have you two been scheming up?" I ask with a tentative smile on my face as I look from Hunter to Leah and back to Hunter who hooks a lop-sided grin my way.

  Leah laughs gently before grabbing a hold of my hand, "Hey, it's okay. You know your Grandpa called me over the weekend about Hunter," she says with a twinkle in her eye. "After all the drama with Dom last week, Mansueto is pretty confident that what will be, will be and that Hunter is where he should be. Never play with fate, I think were his exact words. And well you know me, I love that shit, so I am just helping that along a little. Alright I'm just going to print out the amended and updated proposal from Maximus Security and then will get Caleb and Matthew in to explain what we have initiated already." Leah stands up and walks out to her desk to grab the printouts.

  As soon as she reaches the door, Hunter grabs my attention by pushing the coffee and sandwich in front of me.

  "Leah is good. I didn't realise her background is ex-navy. Hey, I meant what I said," Hunter speaks softly, as he looks at me again. His eyes falling to my untouched coffee before he moves it closer.

  "You said a lot Hunter, what part are we talking about?" I ask through a smile, as my hands wrap around my coffee cup. I take a sip and watch him over the top of my cup.

  "Hmm, well I talked only a little as I was screwing you senseless. And I meant a lot of what I said then. But also before or maybe it was after, when I said I was here now. I'm not going anywhere and we are in this together now," he says as he gently tucks a stray piece of my hair behind my ear, before dropping one hand to my chin, pulling my gaze to him. "Honestly, nothing has felt more exhilarating or fulfilling in my life. You are the only reason. Now stop with the lusty come hither eyes or I will have no hesitation in bending you over this desk while I fuck you hot and hard. I'm where you want me and where I want to be," he continues, so sincerely. His hot dirty words working very nicely indeed with his promises of tomorrow.

  He guides our lips together and I taste his coffee on his breath, as well as the lingering flavour of myself on his lips. I am pretty sure I am just shuffling off of my seat ready to crawl back on to him, when I hear a throat being cleared behind us. Hunter looks over to the door before capturing my lips again.

  "They can wait," he whispers as he returns his focus back to kissing the living heck out of me.

  "Honestly, Ginny, that's all sorts of hot," Matthew offers as he steps closer to us. I hear the door softly close a few moments later.

  Hunter pulls back slightly to eye Matthew, a harsh possessiveness flashes over his eyes before it fades away to be replaced by a burning need. He places his lips against mine and repeats his words again, "They can still wait," he quips.

  A brisk knock on the door sounds before I hear it swish open and that is my cue to pull back from Hunter. I am okay kissing him in front of my friends but I need a few boundaries with my staff, despite the overly enthusiastic comments that Matthew keeps offering. Caleb is laughing next to him.

  I refuse to look at Leah and instead focus on Caleb and Matthew while I eat my sandwich and drink my coffee.

  Going over the new measures takes a lot longer than usual because Hunter wants a detailed explanation on the reasonings that either Matthew, Caleb or both of them, have proposed before he agrees. Caleb and I sit back as Matthew and Hunter argue over the semantics but I suspect most of the arguments stem from the fact that we now have two loud alpha's in the room and one quiet one.

  My mobile buzzes in the middle of the conversation and without breaking their argument, Hunter slides it over to me.

  "Hey Mum, how are you doing?" I answer quietly, turning my back on the nit-picking that is happening behind me.

  "Ginny darling, you have to come to the hospital immediately. Grandpa...they think Dad has had a heart attack," her words rush out in her panic, all blending into one jumbled sentence without a beginning or an end.

  Hunter must sense something because he stops and hisses a shush at Matthew. Surprisingly everyone at the table stops. Caleb jumps up from his seat coming over to me, as mum repeats what she had just said.

  "What hospital Mum?" I ask looking at Caleb, desperately.

  "Augustine Central," she utters back, sounding so lost.

  "Is he alive?" I whisper, my eyes darting to Hunter.

  "They just left in the ambulance honey. I'm getting in the car now. I will meet you there.....please hurry sweetie. I need you with me, so does Grandma," Mum responds but her voice fades away like she had let the phone fall from her ear.

  "On my way," I squeak before hanging up.

  "It's okay Gigi. Let's get going. Caleb, grab another car and meet us. Or would you like to come with Gigi and me?" Hunter asks. It shocks me even in the midst of my rush to get to the hospital, it floors me that he is so considerate about what I need. I squeeze his hand that I don’t realise I am holding until now.

  "I'll come with, and then Matthew can follow in a separate car," Caleb says as he rushes around my office, collecting my laptop and a few folders. I‘m not sure how he knows what I need but he does. The last report is the security.

  "Let's go Gigi," Hunter says as we all watch Caleb. "Leah," he calls out loudly.

  Leah comes running in on her company mobile, "I have Addy on the phone. The ambulance is on its way to Augustine Central. I have Mansueto’s cardiologist enroute and have alerted all our board members. We will have two on-site within the hour and they will sit in the executive to help with anything that comes in. It's okay Ginny. You go, everything here will be fine. Give Mansueto a big kiss for me. And don't you worry, he is as strong as an ox, stubborn too," she has spoken nonstop, talking all the way as we rush to the lobby and only stopping when the lift arrives.

  Caleb and Matthew run to make the lift, carrying several briefcases. They both have an earpiece on and are each on their mobile. Hunter pulls me into the corner a little further away from the chaos and holds me in his arms silently as we ride down to the ground floor. The ding as we arrive has me startling in his arms.

  Matthew steps out of the lift first and Caleb stands in front of me. Hunter resh
uffles us so that he is at my back and we wait until a silent signal comes from Matthew, confirming that it is safe to move.

  Hunter's hand does not leave my lower back as we make our way swiftly out to the waiting town car. As soon as we exit the glass building the ever present paparazzi springs to life as we move as one closer.

  "There are reports that Mansueto Bellafonte is in an ambulance on the way to the hospital with a suspected heart attack. Can you confirm or deny that Verginius?" a reporter asks as he thrusts his microphone into my face.

  "Back up," Hunter snarls as he pulls me into his chest to shield me from the camera and the reporter.

  "Ms Bellafonte, can we have an interview? Mark from BTN. Ms. Bellafonte, can you give us an exclusive?" he repeatedly all but yells over the top of the other reporter.

  We all shuffle forward and Matthew stands to block their view, as I climb into the car. Caleb has already climbed in first, next to the window seat and Hunter follows. Matthew closes the door then hits the roof in a double tap to confirm that we can move out. I quickly turn around and see him jump into the passenger seat of the SUV behind us and it peels out just as fast as we did, sitting on our tail.

  "Call the hospital Gigi," Hunter says softly as he puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. He holds the phone out to me and looks over to Caleb who is speaking on his. Caleb lifts a hand to stop me calling out before speaking softly to whoever he is talking to. Hunter holds me tight as we wait.

  Caleb hangs up quickly and turns on his seat, "Ambulance has arrived and he is being wheeled up to ICU. He is wavering between unconscious and conscious but in serious pain. He has been awake and alert since your mother called. They have him on oxygen and have attached defib pads and are obviously monitoring heart rate. He was in full cardiac arrest but is currently semi alert," Caleb speaks calmly and softly. But in the confines of the car, it feels like he is yelling. Or maybe that is just my pulse ricocheting through my chest.

  "Thank you," I offer as I push myself out of Hunter's arms and grab a hold of Caleb. "Thank you Caleb. God, I am so blessed and thankful to have you here with us. Thank you," I keep repeating myself in my shock.

  I turn quickly to Hunter and lift his arm up so that I can snuggle back in.

  "Will he be okay Hunter?" I ask softly.

  "We will be okay Gigi. I promise you. He is in the best place and it is very good news that he is awake. They just need to get him into ICU and his doctor should be there soon," I feel him turn to Caleb who is on another call, looking at him before Caleb replies.

  "Dr. Morris has just arrived," Caleb confirms.

  I settle back into Hunter's arms and watch the buildings flash by us on our way to the hospital. His arms keep me from falling apart in my panic and I can hear Caleb's soft and calm tone next to me as he keeps calling and speaking with person after person.

  "Not Grandpa, Hunter. I can't lose Grandpa," I say quietly after a few moments.

  He doesn’t reply except to hold me tighter and kiss me softly on the forehead. His lips don’t leave my head, he keeps them there offering me the gentlest kisses and sweetest words until we make it to the hospital.

  "I fucking hate the media circus. How do you do it?" Hunter asks a few hours later as I am trying to hide the dark circles under my eyes with my concealer. He has been my rock since the first call from my Mother, and hasn't left my side since. It is only now, hours after we exploded and descended upon each other that I am wondering what the actual fuck had happened between us. I need time to sort out everything that is going on. My rationale is shot to pieces, I am stressed to the hilt.

  He wraps Mum, Grandma, and Aunt Addy into a large hug as soon as we walk into the private waiting room and has been our go between with the constant presentation of doctors each coming to brief us on Grandpa. The way he seems to fit straight into our family is freaky. Scary. And I am doubting if it is real or if I had willed it to be real. My mind playing tricks on me constantly, taunting me with horrible memories of my father's death and Hunter’s disappearance, reminding me of my abandonment issues.

  Dr. Morris had left a little while ago, briefing us on what to expect in Grandpa’s recovery. He spent a long time with us and the surgeon and I are just getting ready to face the growing contingent of reporters all after an exclusive. I would have much preferred to tell them to shove their microphones and tape recorders up their asses but this isn't about me, this is about Bellafonte and Grandpa.

  “Grandpa has always loved sharing the success of his people. And Bellafonte is full of his people. He rides the media train like it should be ridden and loves the attention. Me, I would much prefer to stand behind him and applaud at all the right times. I stumble over my words, the camera doesn’t like me, but I know how to do this,” I take a deep breath before I turn to him. I feel more nervous with what I need to say to Hunter than the interview I have to give in ten minutes.

  “Hunter,” I say softly as I grab a hold of his hand. “Hunter, somehow it is like my world has collided with yours. It feels so damn right, but…”

  Hunter pulls his hand out of mine as if I had slapped him. His eyes darken in response to his anger in seconds, “But?” he hisses at me. Hunter’s body is poised, ready to strike. And strike he does. Without using his hands my body moves in response to his. He stalks forward and I find myself pushed up against the wall in the bathroom in the hospital, the large bar on the wall pushing into my back uncomfortably.

  "What are you trying to say Gigi?" he growls low and loud, edging closer to me as I stop and flatten myself against the tiled walls. And quick as a flash we explode again. Hunter is my greatest strength and my greatest weakness, in one glorious package. I just need him to have a bit more faith in us and I usually have patience, but instead today his anger spurs me into a simmering fury and I react without thought. Both my hands flash up and push into his chest and I hold him out at arms distance. His body seems to swallow up my arms though and he leans in, pushing his face in close.

  "Tell me what you are trying to say," he continues anxiously.

  "Stop it! Give me some fucking space Hunter. Jesus, my heart is about to leap out of my fucking chest, stop it." I lash out in my anger. He cages me in closer, taking away all my options of running. My eyes drop and I let my arms fall away from him as I let my shaky legs give out and crumple down. My butt drops to the ground with a slap as it hits, but my body isn’t finished protecting itself and I pull myself into a little ball with my face hidden behind my hands. It does all sorts of things to me when Hunter doesn’t listen to what I am saying, I have no control over my frustration at our inability to communicate properly.

  I keep my face hidden from him but I feel him move away, he takes his anger along with my rationale and he too slides down to sit on the tiled floor of the hospital bathroom with me. The silence extends between us, allowing us both to think and the air clears slightly, although we don’t speak.

  A quiet knock on the toilet door sounds a few minutes later. "Ginny," Caleb questions. "Ginny, we have to get going," he rattles the door handle before he manages to open it. And before a moment has passed he is squatting down with his arms around me asking what happened. He must not have realised that Hunter was splayed on the wall opposite me, the door obviously hiding him.

  "What happened?" Caleb asks again, pulling my face up out of my little hidey-hole.

  I ignore his question and instead push myself up off of the wall. This shit with Hunter is the final straw in a very stressful couple of weeks. First their engagement party, then Grandpa leaving Bellafonte, John's double crossing, Dom in the restaurant, Grandpa laying in ICU. Hunter kissing me, Hunter being in here with me, Hunter changing everything.

  My world is spinning and it is turning quickly out of control as Hunter steals my everything.

  I am angrier at myself than anything, my inability to think for just a moment or two, sends me back to feeling like I did after the Saints First Party. It leaves me doubting myself, unsure who to trust des
pite how perfect Hunter feels. And that is the crux of the matter. Hunter is perfection, he is everything to me and always has been. He makes me feel things I have given up on.

  But before Hunter, there was Dad. And when he left me everything changed, everything. After Dad died Hunter left, I was young and broken, maybe I never healed properly. Add the madness of Dominic Watson and he has spoiled all my happy times ahead. Dom had promised me all the special things that a girl could want. Dom had been sweet, he had been attentive and loving. And then Dom pretty much fucked me over.

  A heart is a fragile thing and he did break my already fractured one. Along with my trust and self belief. He is the very reason that I figure I will never get a chance at my happy-ever-after. It infuriates me that he is still taking from me on such a personal level.

  How do you explain something like that to someone like Hunter? Hunter who is so much more than Dom could ever be. Hunter has walked away from me before and I am sure I will not survive him doing so again. Maybe I am just protecting myself, I have no idea, but as of right now, even though I desperately want everything we offered each other in the throws of passion in my office, right now I can't figure out what is up and down and that sent me reeling, spiraling into my anxiety. So even if Hunter feels so damn right in my heart, my head is stuck on Hunter leaving the first time, telling me to slow down. But there is no slow button with Hunter and I. Except now my doubts joined the party. My thoughts loop on the poor Ginny story.

  I shake myself back to the present, stopping all the colliding thoughts in my brain. Maybe they both know I need a moment to pull myself together. This is not me. I am not an emotional wreck, I can deal and I will cope.

  "I can’t think. I upset Hunter. Sorry," I offer both of them before running my hands through my hair, wiping the tears from my face and straightening myself out. I turn to the mirror to make sure I didn't have anything from the floor stuck to me then I turn and look at them both in the eye.