by Lexi Hart
She reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair. “I came to you because you can’t come to me.”
Her eyes flick to the tattoo on my chest, and I flinch. “Shit. You know?”
She runs her tongue over her bottom lip and looks at me through her lashes. “I know this is more than crazy, but I, ah, I, think I could, do this.”
I frown at her and run a hand through her messy hair. “Do this?”
A grumble escapes from her throat. “I’m not making any sense. I’m so tired. I just wanted to, oh damn it.”
I raise an eyebrow as she frowns at me. “You’re the only good thing in my life. Dad is sick, no one else gives a shit about me, and you’re so hot, so, so hot and such an incredible lover.”
Her eyes start to fill. “I don’t want this to end.”
I don’t know what to say, so I cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. “An incredible lover, huh? How incredible?”
Her eyes narrow as she sniffs. “The best I’ve ever had.”
Heat washes through me. It’s hard not to feel crazy satisfied that I still have know what I’m doing despite being sorely out of practice.
I kiss her, teasing her with my tongue until she’s moaning in my mouth. “Stay here with me. Don’t go.”
Her words spear into my chest. As nice as this all is. As great as she is, I’m just delaying the inevitable.
“I was supposed to leave first light. Waters, my handler, saw us together. It’s not as simple as me staying here.”
She sniffs and moves closer until our foreheads are pressed together. “I guess I won’t be bringing you into the city to meet my father then.”
I choke on a laugh. She’s talking about her Dad? “He’s okay?”
She wrinkles her nose and traces her finger over my dragon tattoo until she’s rubbing my nipple. “He’s recovering. I wish you could meet him. I think he’d like you.”
I cover my surprise at how much I like hearing her say that by frowning. “Did he like Jed?”
Her lips press together as her hand drops. “He thought he was too interested in his career. Guess he was right.”
I run my finger over the lace covering her nipple. “Dipshit’s loss is my gain.”
Her fingers creep towards my cock, she starts stroking me and leans in to kiss me. “Hunter, why don’t we start the fire? I can take today off work.”
If her hand wasn’t doing the job to convince me to stay, her tongue caressing mine is. I roll her over so I’m lying on top of her and looking in her blue eyes.
I don’t answer. I just kiss her again and try to forget for just a few more hours how utterly selfish I’m being.
NATALIE
Monday 7.26am
Hunter has the fire going again when I wake from a blissful nap. I stretch out my back and hug Hunters shirt to me as I draw my knees up to my chest.
His back is to me; he’s wearing his jeans, loading the fire and looking even sexier than I thought possible.
He catches me looking, and a sly smile spreads over his face. “I better go get my pack.”
His gaze shifts to the end of the bed, he swoops down, and I nearly have a heart attack as he stands up with a gun in his hand.
Hunter’s eyebrow raises. “You know how to use this?”
I nod too quickly. “Jed taught me.”
He spins it around and holds out the butt to me. “Anyone comes through the door but me, shoot to kill.”
Cold starts to run through my body as the penny finally drops. I stare at the gun in my hand as he tugs on his shirt and sits so he can pull his boots on.
I throw myself out of bed, place the gun on the table, and start to tug my own jeans on. “What if we camped further up?”
The idea suddenly sounds far more enticing than wondering if anyone is lurking outside, waiting to pounce.
I was so exhausted and happy he was still here; I didn’t even stop to consider how unnerving it would be to stay here, completely blind to anyone approaching.
I’m so fixated on my idea of hiking up the trail further maybe finding a hut, that I don’t notice he’s crossed the room and is standing in front of me. “Natalie.”
I blow out a breath, anxiety rippling through my body. “There’s a tramping hut that doesn’t get used—"
He grabs my arms. “Just stop.”
He releases me, his fists bunching at his sides. “Waters was right. I’m placing you in danger by staying here with you. Eddie Falcone doesn’t mess around.”
Eddie Falcone. The Mob Boss. The Mob. He worked for THE MOB.
What am I doing? Am I so in lust with Hunter, so desperately in need of a man that I’d risk my life just for amazing sex?
My hands start to shake. “Just let me—”
He kisses me so tenderly I know he’s really going this time.
Hunter swings the pack over his shoulder and sends me a loaded smile. I close my eyes, unable to watch him walk away from me.
As he closes the door behind him, tears sting at my eyes, my throat constricts, but I refuse to accept this is the end.
SEVEN DAYS LATER.
Monday 8.37am
Hunter
Sweat is pouring off me as I swing the axe into the log, sending it flying. With every swing, with every strike, I’m picturing Eddie Falcone’s ugly face, the bank teller who was shot, the mistakes I’ve made, all the shit I did, the regrets I have.
For two years I’ve lived with the decision I made that day. Two long years of drifting around the mountains, using all my survival skills to do just that. Survive and stay alive until the feds had enough to put him away. But I’m sick of surviving.
One weekend with Natalie in her cozy cabin, and I want more than what I’ve got right now.
I smash the timber in two and grab another piece. I swipe the sweat out of my eyes and keep taking all my frustration out on the wood pile.
Until a week ago, I never figured I was missing out on much. I hate the city with a passion. Hate crowds. Hate the smog. Hate the noise and pollution.
Up here, I can live off the land; I can hunt, I can keep my sister safe, and avoid the conflict and drama that entanglements with women always bring.
But this woman. This crazy redhead is doing my head in. She’s worked her way inside. She’s dominating my thoughts, making me half crazy.
I snort a laugh, breath misting in the air as I smash the axe into the wood. I hate Eddie Falcone. I hate his son Bobby. I hate myself. I hate that I want Natalie more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
I smash the wood into pieces, swinging the axe like a maniac. I was fine up here, moving from place to place until Natalie turned up and ripped my heart wide open.
I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. I’ve screwed plenty of women, left them satisfied, always wanting more but I’ve always been able to walk away.
Not this time. Not this woman. I want her and not just for a few weeks of more great sex.
I want to put a ring on her finger and rub her ex’s nose in it.
I want to be able to tell my sister I finally met a woman I want to commit to.
I want to meet her father and ask for his blessing.
What the fuck is happening to me?
I scowl at the wood and keep smashing and splitting, not taking a break until my blisters are raw and bleeding.
I thought I was okay with being a ghost. I thought I’d accepted that putting Grace through the funeral was worth it to keep her safe.
I throw the axe to one side and take a seat on the ground. I have to pull it together. Natalie is as out of reach as contacting my sister is.
Eddie Falcone’s fingers stretch into too many places. His reach and influence extend over the entire country.
I thought faking my death would give me a chance to live. But this was always supposed to be temporary. I was supposed to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But instead of hope, all I can see is an unending exile with no company excep
t for the wacko residents who give me food in return for odd jobs.
Aside from Jack, and a couple of the old timers who live up here like hermits and a few random encounters with hikers and hunters, I’ve lived up here almost devoid of any contact with people.
I bite back a sigh as Jack comes ambling towards me. His gummy smile as he gestures to a pile of rabbits on the table letting me know he’s got more work grunt work for me to do.
When the feds approached me and offered me a choice, testify, or jail for the robbery, I seriously thought I was escaping by coming back up here.
But as I pull out my pocketknife and start to rip the fur off the rabbit, blood staining my hands, I know that nothing has really changed.
I’ve been kidding myself to think this is better than my old life. It’s almost the same as being a criminal in the city. I’m still nothing more than muscle for hire.
All I’ve done is replace the environment and my employers.
Chapter 8.
Monday 9.37am
Natalie
The coffee shop is quiet when I slide in the booth. I tap my fingernails on the table-top and stare at the window to watch the street as I wait for Jed to arrive.
I timed it perfectly. In twenty minutes, people will start to converge on the coffee shop, desperate for their mid-morning caffeine fix.
It gives me the perfect excuse to leave. I don’t want to linger and answer what are likely to be questions and judgments I have no answer to.
The waitress takes my order, and I smile and nod as she asks me how my day is going. For her, it’s an ordinary Monday morning. Her routine probably hasn’t changed. She’s worked here in my neighborhood coffee shop for as long as I can remember.
Mine, however, now includes looking over my shoulder and staring at my cell phone wondering if it’s bugged.
I can’t imagine what it’s been like for Hunter all this time. I’ve barely slept, and I’m so distracted at work, my boss thinks it’s down to worry over Dad.
I didn’t correct him. I didn’t tell him that my father is already back at home and doing better. I can’t even tell Dad what I found out about Hunter, so I’ve just said I’m not sure where he is, which at least is partially true.
Jed walks through the door right on time, looking just as slick and handsome as the day I married him.
His eyes find mine, and he gives me a warm smile I’m not sure I want to analyze. He orders at the counter before taking a seat opposite me.
He’s dressed in his casual clothes. Jeans and shirt that hides his badge and gun he’s never without.
My eyes stray to the finger where his ring used to sit. I fold my arms in my lap and try not to sound as frightened as I am. “Thanks for coming.”
His blue eyes narrow, a faint expression of concern flickers over his tanned face before he nods. “What’s up?”
I take a breath and prepare for his consternation. We haven’t spoken since Hunter chewed him out, so I can only imagine what must be going on in his head. “Um, so. Firstly, this has nothing to do with us. This is me asking you to do me a favor, um, as a friend.”
He sits back a little and eyes me. “What’s going on, Natalie? Who was that guy on the phone?”
The waitress arrives with my order, and I smile benignly until she walks far enough away for me to speak. “That guy is called Hunter, and he’s why I asked you here.”
His eyebrows shoot upwards, and he leans forward. “You’re not serious about him?”
I frown, then shake my head though I’m pretty sure I am serious. “That’s not why I asked you here. He’s in some trouble, and I want to help him.”
Annoyance flickers over his face then he uses his cop voice. “What kind of trouble are we talking about here? Parking tickets kind of trouble or stabbed someone kind of trouble?”
I take a sip of my coffee while I try to collect my thoughts. “Witness protection kind of trouble.”
His eyes widen, and he sucks in a breath just as the waitress puts his coffee in front of him. He waits until she’s back behind the counter before leaning closer. “What the hell have you gotten involved in?”
I swallow and tell him everything I know. With every word out of my mouth, his expression darkens until he’s glowering at me. He flicks a look around the coffee shop and lowers his voice. “And you spent the weekend with him? What were you thinking?”
I have nothing to say that won’t condemn me further, so I just glare back at him. “Can you help me?”
He chokes on his coffee. “I’m a cop, not a feeb. And even if I could do something, why would I encourage my wife to carry on a relationship with a criminal?”
I grit my teeth at his use of the word wife. “Maybe he is a criminal, but he’s given up his life because of one mistake he made. His own sister thinks he’s dead and he’s been living rough in the mountains for two years. That’s enough punishment, isn’t it?”
Jed looks down his nose at me the way he always did when he told me I was being melodramatic. But he’s not saying anything which means he’s at least thinking about helping. “You know how insane you sound right now?”
I slump back in my seat. “Yes.”
He doesn’t say anything as he sips his coffee and looks around the mostly empty coffee shop. I’m readying myself for more disapproval to be heaped on when he gives me a half smile. “You look good Nat. Tired but good.”
The compliment is as unexpected as it is unwelcome. “I haven’t been sleeping too well.”
His hand goes to his gun, and he rubs a finger over the handle. “If you like I could sleep on your couch for a while?”
I blink twice as my mouth opens and shuts. “What?”
He gives me the grin that used to make me weak at the knees. “I’m glad you called me. Even if it was to talk about another guy. I miss you.”
I’m so stunned I just gape at him. He misses me? We signed the divorce papers and he just now realizes he misses me?
“You have got to be kidding me?” I splutter.
He doesn’t even have the courtesy to look ashamed. “Why don’t I come around tonight?”
Anger is starting is build, heat coiling through me as I see why he’s suddenly so interested again. “And this sudden desire to spend the night with me has nothing to do with the phone call you had with Hunter?”
His smile falters slightly. “We were good together. You have to admit that?”
“I don’t have to admit anything of the sort.”
He laughs like I’m a silly woman who amuses him. “Okay. I’ll help you, but you have to agree to at least have dinner with me.”
I finish my coffee and place the cup on the saucer a little too forcefully. There’s no point answering him, so I just pull a bill out of my purse and leave it on the table.
I slide out of the booth and am out the door before he can say another word. I step out into the bright sunlight and turn on my heel so I can walk back to my apartment.
I hear him call my name before he comes alongside me and grabs my arm. I shake off his arm when he steers me out of the way the foot traffic. “I’m not having dinner with you.”
His brow knots together. “Okay. I was being a jerk. But you’re scared, and I can help with that part at least. Let me take a look at your apartment; see if your security is good enough.”
Where was he six months ago? Didn’t he care about my safety when I had to find a new apartment?
I huff a breath. “Will you help me find out more about his case?”
He doesn’t look at me, just stares at his badge. “I’ll help you. But only so you understand why Hunter is bad news.”
It’s not exactly what I’d hoped for, but I need his help, so I nod.
He follows me to my apartment, hovering over my shoulder as I unlock the door. He steps inside and glances around. “Nice place. It’s bigger than I thought.”
I frown as I close the door, feeling more irritated by his presence here. He walks around, inspecting the windows and
locks. When he’s done, he shakes his head. “I should have done this sooner. You need deadbolts and locks on the windows. I can get a guy to come around and do it tomorrow, or I can run out and grab everything and do it now.”
He cocks his head at me, and I’m rendered mute by his eagerness to help. I have no idea how long I’ll have his attention, so I shrug. “I’d really like to get that info first. You’re due at work in a few hours, aren’t you?”
He scratches his smooth chin and smiles. “You still know my roster?”
My smile is too weak as I sit on my couch. “Old habits.”
He nods and sits alongside me, so close that I can smell the cologne I bought him at Christmas. Cologne he never even unboxed while we were together.
My nose wrinkles as Jed pulls out his phone and dials. “I’ll ask Deb in records to email his case file, but it’ll have to be sent to my account,” he says.
His hand slides closer to mine while he asks Debbie for the information I need. I can see where this is heading, or where he wants it to head, so get up off the couch and open my laptop.
He’s still on the phone, so I make more coffee and try to stem the growing irritation that he feels so at home here. He’s leaning back on the couch, his legs stretched out, ankles crossed like he isn’t the reason I had to leave the house we spent countless weekends searching for.
What does he think I’m going to do? Have sex with him for old times’ sake? Am I suddenly so alluring just because I slept with another man?
If I’d known getting him jealous would work, I would have tried it while I was actually married to him. I slam the mugs down on the counter-top and scowl at the sugar as I spoon in two for him.
He’s probably going to take me remembering how he takes his coffee as further evidence I still want him. I have to force the scowl away when I hand him the mug of coffee.
I’m not risking sitting anywhere near him, so I take the only other available seat in my tiny apartment, which happens to be at my desk. “How long will it take?”
Jed snorts a laugh. “I forgot how impatient you are. My password is still the same, go ahead and log in. I have nothing to hide from you. No secrets.”