by Smith, Megan
I took a seat and let him be in silence. I had no idea what I wanted to say.
His voice was low. “I’m sorry, MacKenzie. I didn’t mean for this to happen to us. I never wanted to hurt you. You were my everything.”
“I know.” I said, barely above a whisper.
“When I left home, I was so excited to be on my own and with you in the same building every day. As the first few weeks passed, things changed. I started drinking almost every day, and going to parties with the guys. I didn’t really think about anything other than that. Then the girls started throwing themselves at me. I got careless. I don’t remember what happened. I came back the night after your brothers’ surprise party, and she started flirting with me. Things got out of hand. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
I nodded. He sighed.
“I told her it couldn’t happen again. She was pissed and said I was only using her. We had a big fight, and I haven’t talked to her since. When you said you needed your space, I knew I had to give it to you or I would lose you. During our time apart, I realized what I had and I wanted you…forever. That is when I realized I wanted to marry you. I figured if I could get you to agree to marry me, then we could get over what I did.”
How could he think that? Did he think I would just look the other way?
He reached for my hand. “When I showed up at that party and she told me she was pregnant, I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I didn’t even care about my football career anymore. All I cared about was you. I knew I had hurt you and that was the last thing I had wanted. You were always there for me, cheering me on.”
The tears started. As much as I had wanted to be strong, I couldn’t prevent them anymore.
He rubbed his thumb over my ring finger. “I still love you, MacKenzie. I think I always will, but I know I need to let you go. I know you are in good hands. Just look what those hands did to me,” he said with a chuckle.
I laughed; yeah, I was in good hands all right. I just hope they wanted me as much as I wanted them.
“I love you too, Dominic. Thank you for not involving the police in all this. I hope everything works out for you.” I gently kissed him on his forehead.
Mason, Hailey and Hunter waited for us at the house. We got his truck all packed up with our stuff and said goodbye to everyone. I was going to miss being here and miss Alex too, but winter break was only a few weeks away.
The dorms were gloomy. I didn’t really want to be there. It brought back too many memories.
Hailey sighed behind me; she must have been thinking the same thing. “Do we really have to stay here?”
Hunter glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “You guys can always stay with me. You know Bentley doesn’t mind.”
“You would be ok if we stayed the night?” I asked.
“Of course, or I wouldn’t have offered.” He leaned over and whispered. “I get you in my bed. I’d be a damn fool to pass up that opportunity.”
Hailey groaned from the backseat. “Will you two please knock that shit off.”
Later that night, Hunter set Hailey up in the spare room. I took a long hot bath. I had my iPad playing music, a candle, and a glass of wine.
Hunter knocked before coming in. He bent down and captured my lips.
I pulled back and he moaned.
“Get in with me?”
I should feel nervous since I was naked in front of him but I wasn’t.
He didn’t move at first. I was expecting him to fight me, but he slowly stripped. Hunter had no reason to be ashamed. His body was perfect, all the way from his perfectly messy hair, his defined chest, his abs to that V between his hips. He was watching me rake my eyes up and down his body. I felt the flush reaching my cheeks, but he was too sexy for his own damn good.
Smirking at me with those bright blue eyes of his, he said, “See something you like?”
“What isn’t there to like? You are absolutely gorgeous.”
He stepped into the tub, and I scooted up so he could sit behind me. Oh God, maybe this was not such a good idea. Hunter pulled me back against his chest. I moaned at the contact of our skin.
We sat there for a while, maybe a little unsure of what the other wanted. Hunter took the lead by helping me sit up. He reached behind him to grab the body wash, poured some in his hands and started washing my back. He rubbed circles from my neck all the way down my back to my ass. I whimpered a little when he stopped, but then he pulled me back against his chest again and started the same process again on my front. He caressed my shoulders, and paid special attention to my breasts, lightly pinching my nipples. When he did that, I arched my back at the sensation. Sliding his fingers up and down my stomach, I shifted my hips and tried to get him to go down further to the spot I wanted him the most.
When my hips shifted, I heard him take a quick breath. He grabbed my hips to keep me in place. “CC, don’t move, baby.”
“Please. I need you to touch me. This is killing me.”
He chuckled. “Not tonight, babe. You’re not ready.”
Not ready, is he kidding? I was more than ready.
He kissed my shoulders and neck for a few minutes before he reached down, let the water out of the tub and then turned the shower on. He helped me rinse the soap from my body and helped wash my hair. As much as I wanted Hunter to touch me, he never did.
I used the body wash to massage Hunter’s body. He had me so worked up. If he refused to touch me, then I’d leave him wanting this as badly as I did. I started at his broad shoulders, moved down his pecs, and then traced his well-defined abs with my fingers before following the V between his hips. I met his hooded eyes.
He looked so intense that I knew he would not stop me so I took my chances. I wrapped my hand around his length. His head fell back, and a hiss escaped through his teeth. I stroked him a few times before I continued down his legs and then back up and washed his hair.
We dried each other off and Hunter gave me one of his shirts to sleep in. We climbed in bed and fell fast asleep, cuddled in each other’s arms.
I could only hope that whatever was going on between us lasted, but for now, I would take anything he would give me.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Three weeks had passed since Hunter kissed me in the rain on Thanksgiving and things had been blissful, perfect really. Hunter and I have practically been joined at the hip. Christmas was a little less than a week away and I was looking forward to going home. I wanted to spend time with my family, especially baby Alex. Chloe, Jackson, and my mom were always texting me cute little pictures of him.
More importantly, I couldn’t wait to get away from school and spend some alone time with Hunter. We only saw each other when we are on our lunch together during the week and on Sundays. He worked nights at the bar every night except Sunday and I worked Monday thru Thursday night at the library. Hailey still hung out with Zeke, so he kept us entertained when Hunter couldn’t.
Hailey and I decided to hang out the Friday before we headed home. We asked a couple of girlfriends if they wanted to come along too.
Hailey and I took a cab to the bar. We passed a couple fighting in the parking lot—the typical college drama—but the two looked almost like Logan and Brittany. I ignored the shouting and we headed to the door.
Hunter spotted me the second I was in his view, and a shit-eating grin spread across his face.
“CC, what are you doing here?”
I shrugged. “The girls and I wanted a night out, so what better place to come than here?”
He waved to everyone behind me. “Hey, girls, give me your hand, and I’ll stamp you in.”
After dancing for a little while, we went to the bar for a drink. Hailey and I ordered a soda since we were not old enough to drink, but the bartender made us our own real drinks and refused our money, pointing towards the door.
Hailey cleared her throat from beside me. She nudged me with her elbow. Brittany and Logan sat at the end of the bar. What in the hell w
as she doing here?
“Hails, isn’t that Logan? What’s he doing with Brittany?” Gracie asked.
“Yeah, and I have no idea and I don’t really care.” Hailey responded back to her.
“I thought Britt was pregnant? Why in the hell would she be here?” Zoey asked.
I shrugged. I wasn’t here to worry about Brittany and Logan. I grabbed Hailey’s hand and started back towards the dance floor. While Hailey and I danced with Gracie and Zoey, Hunter stood, watching my every move. I decided to tease him a little and give him a show. I grabbed the guy who had tried to dance with me all night and started grinding on him, throwing my head back, and crawling up and down his body with my own. I stared back at Hunter.
My dancing partner shouted over the music. “Is that your boyfriend? He’s been eye fucking you all night.”
“Nope.” I told him as I turned him and circled around his body until I could get Hunter back in my view.
“You sure?” He leaned in to ask me.
“Yeah.”
Suddenly, the guy I was dancing with disappeared, and I was in Hunter’s arms.
I was completely shocked at what happened. He dragged me to a back room, away from the dancing and lights.
“What the fuck was that, CC?” Hunter said through clenched teeth.
“Nothing, I was dancing.” Shit! I didn’t mean to piss him off.
“You call that dancing? It looked like you were about ready to fuck him out there.”
“Far from it, did you not notice I was looking at you the whole time?” This was not going how I planned it.
“Yeah, I did, but that guy was enjoying himself too damn much. Did you even notice how close to kissing you he was? If I didn’t shove him back, he would have made a move.”
Damn it!
“No, I guess I didn’t. He knew I was watching you, though.” I said, and then looked down to the floor. “And that you were watching my every move.”
Hunter took a deep breath. With his fingers under my chin he made me look up. “You got me all hot and bothered, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it while I’m working.”
Now that’s what I’m looking for!
I smiled and stood up on my tiptoes to place a kiss on his lips. Hunter walked us backwards and pushed me against the lockers. He reached down and grabbed the back of my legs, pulling me up to him. I wrapped my legs around his waist. Hunter slid his hands up and down my ass. I needed more, so I pushed myself until I felt his length pressed hard against my middle. He stopped moving his hands and pushed back against me.
Hunter started kissing from my lips down to my neck before he started nipping on my shoulder. We continued like this for a few minutes before he started sliding me down his body.
“You’re gonna kill me, you know that?” He placed another kiss on my shoulder.
“That would be a shame.”
“Such a smart ass.”
“Learned it from the best!”
“Alright, let’s get back out there before someone comes looking for us. I’m sure Zeke had to save my ass tonight.”
“Sorry, I guess I wasn’t thinking.” I said bashfully.
“Just don’t do that shit to anyone else unless it’s me.” He placed another kiss on my lips before he pulled the door open. I walked through the door and he smacked me on the ass.
Hailey, Gracie, and Zoey called me over. We danced for another hour or so, and then Zeke took us back to the dorms.
My phone woke me early the next morning.
“Morning, Sunshine, get your ass out of bed. I’m outside.” Hunter said. Too chipper for so early.
I groaned. “What the hell are you so happy about? And what time is it anyway?”
“It’s nine a.m. and I want to get home, so get your hot little ass out of bed and get down here.”
I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands and hung up the phone.
“Hails, get up; Hunter is here.” I said, walking towards the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, Hailey and I lugged all our stuff out to Hunter’s truck to head home for Winter break.
***
I woke the next morning with a fever and an earache. Not how I wanted my break from school to start. I went downstairs and asked my mom to make me a doctor’s appointment.
Two hours later, manned with antibiotics and fever reducer, I hunkered on the couch. Hunter came by to see how I was doing.
He walked in with chicken noodle soup and a movie. My heart melted a little more for him.
I curled up on the couch and rested my head on Hunter’s lap. Hailey, Mason, Cooper, and Jaylinn came home.
Mason narrowed his eyes. “Get up.”
“Mase, don’t start. I don’t feel good.”
“I don’t give a shit. Lay your head on this end.” Really? Is he kidding me?
“Just let her be, man,” Hunter warned.
I tried to defuse the situation. “Are you girls all ready for Christmas tomorrow? All your stuff wrapped?”
“Yeah, we just got back from the mall, getting our last minute things.” Jaylinn said.
“I still have a few more things to wrap. Kenz, come help me with this last one I have,” Hailey asked.
I followed Hailey and Jay upstairs. She pulled me into my room and shoved a bunch of papers under my nose.
Ski passes? The Poconos? This coming weekend.
New Year’s Eve weekend.
The weekend I was going away with Hunter.
She winked at me and said. “I have to keep him busy somehow. There’s only so much I can handle of him before I can’t walk.”
“Oh my God, Hailey! I don’t want to hear about that shit!”
“No really, I told Hunter I would help him. I’m not sure this is going to work but it should since he has no idea you are going away with him.” Hailey said.
I glanced at Jay. Her lip tucked into a frown.
“I don’t have any plans,” she said. “Cooper said he was busy.”
“Coop doesn’t have shit planned, Jaylinn. You guys are coming with us. Just don’t tell him I told you. It’s supposed to be a surprise. And you,” Hailey said pointing at me, “better make this time worth it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
I woke up Christmas morning feeling slightly better, my fever gone at least. I was so excited; I loved Christmas and I got to spend it with my little nephew. I made it downstairs as Jackson and Chloe arrived, little Alex in tow. I took the car seat from my brother; I couldn’t wait any longer to get my hands on Alex.
“Merry Christmas to you too, Kenzie.” Jackson grumbled.
“I need my nephew first.” I unfastened Alex from the car seat and picked him up. He was so much bigger than the last time I saw him just a few weeks ago.
“Merry Christmas, baby Alex.” I cooed to him, and he grabbed a hold of my finger. He was so sweet and handsome. He looked so much like Jackson, with a little touch of Chloe.
A knock echoed over the living room. Cooper swooped in and grabbed Alex from my arms, so I greeted our guest.
Dominic.
Shit!
“Merry Christmas,” Dominic said.
“Um, Merry Christmas. What are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t need there to be a fight on Christmas.
“I just wanted to stop by and say thanks.” He ran his hand over his jaw.
Huh? “What are you talking about? Look, Hunter is going to be here any minute and I don’t want there to be another fight.”
Cooper came up behind me. “What the fuck are you doing here? Did you not learn your damn lesson over Thanksgiving?”
“I’m not here to start any shit, Cooper. I came by to let your sister know that Brittany isn’t pregnant. She lied about the whole damn thing.”
Wow, I’m not really surprised by this. Brittany was the type who seemed like she always needed attention. I’m glad for Dominic that this wasn’t true but it wouldn’t change my feelings for him.
“That’s good and it explains why she
was at the bar the other night with Logan.”
“She was at the bar with Logan? You sure?” Dominic asked.
Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. “Yeah. Look, you really should leave before Hunter shows. I’m glad you got an extra Christmas present this year.”
I shut the door and spun to face Cooper. “Not a word that he was here, got it?”
“Whatever.” Cooper snorted, stalking off towards the kitchen.
Hailey was helping my Mom and Chloe make breakfast.
“Merry Christmas, Hails.” I kissed her cheek.
“Get off my girl,” Mason said, sneaking up on me.
“Your girl? I think she was mine first.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Kenz. What are you doing for New Year’s?”
Shit! “Umm, I don’t have any plans just yet; maybe hang out. ”
“Maybe we should invite everyone over here and have a party. I don’t really feel like going out anywhere.”
Hailey didn’t look up from her pancake batter mixture.
”Yeah. Maybe.”
Hunter, Mrs. McCormick, and Jaylinn eventually visited, armed with gifts.
Alone in the pantry, Hunter wrapped his arms around me. “Merry Christmas, CC.”
“Merry Christmas.” Turning around in his arms, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. He grabbed the back of my head with one hand and let his other slide down my sides and around my waist to caress my ass. His tongue brushed my lips, wanting access into my mouth.
“What the fuck!” Mason yelled.
Hunter and I broke apart but Hunter grabbed my hand, started pulling me back in the kitchen, towards Mason. Mason stopped us from passing.
“I told you to leave my sister alone, dude.” Mason gritted through his teeth.
Hailey came up behind Mason and tried to grab his hand, but he moved his hand away from hers. Looking at me with his jaw set, he was waiting for one of us to answer him.
No one said anything. It was Christmas. I didn’t want there to be a fight. Hailey walked away. Jackson came up behind Mason and put his hands on Mason’s shoulders, pulling him backwards. Hunter and I walked out to the dining room, still hand in hand.