by Melody Grace
“How do you do it?” I whisper along with the lyrics, wishing I could keep this moment frozen in time forever. “It’s better than I ever knew…”
We stay on the rooftop for hours, just talking and laughing, sitting on the far perch looking out at the lights across the bay. I want to stay here forever, but too soon, Hunter is packing up his things and driving me home. All the way back, I try and picture the rooftop: framing it in my mind to capture every detail and moment, for all the lonely nights I know I have ahead of me.
“You’re quiet. Sleepy?” Hunter asks, as he pulls out of the parking lot.
I nod, not trusting myself with words right now. Hunter turns his attention to the road, one arm slung over the back of my seat as he drives through the still, silent town. He doesn’t seem to realize just how special this night was for me, but then, he’s probably used to staging amazing dinners for the girls he’s dating; going out of his way to come up with thoughtful little gifts.
He doesn’t know that this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
I gaze out of the window at dark shadow of the bay, trying to calm the maelstrom of emotions rising up in my chest. I’m not used to this, to feeling so much hope and awe and confusion—like my heart is just overflowing with emotion with no time to process it or take a step back from it all. I’ve spent so many years building a solid fortress around my heart, keeping everyone out with sarcasm and bitter detachment; using every betrayal and disappointment to build my walls higher, forge the steel stronger.
Now, Hunter is blowing all that to pieces.
When I’m with him, I can’t help but want the things I taught myself to never want, dream of a future I know is all a lie. It’s like my head knows the dark truth, that I can never be the girl who gets this life of easy, sweet affection, but my heart is falling over itself to believe him all the same.
But what happens if I fall too far? What happens when Hunter slips off his pedestal, and reveals that he’s just the same as every other guy after all, and leaves me alone with nothing but my memories?
We pull into the driveway at the beach house. Hunter helps me down from the truck and we walk slowly to the front door. I pause on the front porch step.
Silence.
“Thank you,” I say softly, trying to fit all my emotions into just two words. “Tonight was amazing.”
I look up into his eyes and have to catch my breath. Hunter is standing in the shadows, looking like a dangerous angel as the light cuts across his cheekbones; blue eyes shining so strong and true I would gladly drown in their depths.
The edge of his lips quirk upwards in a playful smile. “The night’s not over yet.”
I catch the glint in his eyes. My heart skips. “It’s not?”
“Uh huh.” he shakes his head, reaching to trace up my arm and around the thin straps of my sundress. I shiver. “We’ve still got a while before this truck turns back into a pumpkin.” Hunter gently backs me up against the wall. “And every Prince Charming needs to kiss his princess goodnight.” He dips his head to kiss along my jaw and down my neck.
“It’s way past midnight,” I point out, teasing. My pulse kicks as his tongue laps at the delicate hollow of my collarbone.
“Not in Hawaii.” Hunter replies, his mouth muffled against my skin.
I laugh. “Is that official fairytale time then?”
“Sure.” Hunter lifts his head so I can see his expression, full of amusement. “Everyone knows.”
“I must have missed that week in school,” I murmur, and then the words go out of my mind because Hunter is sliding his hand around the front of my chest, teasing and toying with my nipples through my dress.
I groan with pleasure. Hunter’s eyes flash dark, and then his lips are on mine again, but there’s nothing gentle about this kiss. It blazes, hot and hard, demanding my surrender. I’m trapped up against the wall, but I give in willingly; locking my hands up around his neck, and pressing myself to the hard contours of his body in an eager embrace.
The feel of him against me is heaven. My breasts ache, crushed against his chest as Hunter’s tongue works its wicked magic in my mouth. He licks and probes, demanding, and I arch up, desperate for more. His hands rove across my body, sending shivers of sensation rolling through me as he caresses my bare shoulders, down my chest, dragging his thumbs across my hard, aching nipples.
God yes.
I whimper against his mouth, loving the feel of his hands, hot and demanding as they cup and squeeze at my tender breasts. He drags my dress lower, exposing me, and lowers his head, sucking at one bare nipple. I cry out and fall back against the wall. My legs are weak, but he locks one arm around my waist, holding me up as his mouth continues its glorious assault on my breasts and his other hand slides lower, reaching between us to find the wet, aching heart of me.
Oh!
A sob rises in my throat. His fingers find me through the thin fabric of my dress, rubbing gently in slow, even strokes that send wildfire racing through my blood. I buck against him, mindless, but he won’t speed up his touch. His tongue lazily circles my nipple, licking in tandem with the slow pressure between my thighs, building, rising, until I’m left panting in his arms.
Hunter lifts his head and licks across my lips. “Do you feel that?” he whispers, his fingers fluttering against me.
I moan.
“How about now?”
Hunter eases up my dress, and slips his hand beneath the fabric, his skin hot against my bare thighs. His fingers find me again, rubbing gently, just my panties between us now.
“Oh god,” I whimper, straining against his touch. The heat is building in me, a thick, low ache that cries out for more. For all of him, inside me. Hard and full. “Hunter,” I gasp. “God, don’t stop.”
Hunter takes a labored breath. His eyes are dazed, fixed on mine as his fingers drive me wild. “Jesus, Brit,” he groans, capturing my mouth again in a punishing kiss. “You’re so wet. So fucking perfect.” He slips his thumb under my panties, pushing them aside, and I let out another cry to finally feel his skin, hot on mine. He slides one finger up inside me and I shudder, pleasure rolling through me, heady and sweet. “I want you,” he growls, low in my ear. “God, you make me crazy.”
His thumb circles my clit, stronger now, slick with my desire. I gasp ragged breaths, my whole body trembling, strung out on his touch, and his scent, and the wave of emotions rising, ready to crash, ready to drown us all. His fingers surge faster, pressing harder.
“Come for me, Brit.” Hunter fixes his gaze on mine, dark and demanding.
“I can’t,” I sob, “I’m not there.”
“Yes you are.” Hunter suddenly slows his hand, and I’m left gasping, bereft. “You’re there because I say you are.”
I writhe in his arms, desperate for his touch again. “Please, more,” I beg.
Hunter slowly shakes his head. “You’re going to come for me,” he instructs, a thrilling domination in his tone, “because I’m stopping. In five seconds, I take it all away. So you better come.”
I’m still reeling from his words when he starts the countdown.
“Five, four…” he whispers. My body is aching, my blood boiling in my veins. I see the look in his eyes, determined, and my pulse kicks with fear. I know he’s not playing with me now. He’s going to stop. He’s going to leave me like this, so close, on the edge. He’s going to take it all away.
“Three…” Hunter whispers, stilling his hand and giving one, slow sweep of his thumb. I shudder, desperate, but caught here, frozen, so close.
“Two…” He pulses his fingers inside me, featherlight.
Oh God.
“One.”
And then his hand is gone, and I’m left trembling, on the edge, staring helplessly into his eyes. I’m mindless, in agony, my whole body tense and wanting.
“Come.” Hunter growls the order, taking my face in his hands and slamming me back against the wall. His hips grind against me as his tongue plunges deep in my mouth; his ha
rd-on pressing with glorious sharp pressure between my thighs, overwhelming. Obliterating. My body rises to his command and I break, my orgasm sweeping through my body and leaving me gasping into his mouth as I shudder and ache and he kisses me to heaven and back.
I surface from the darkness, limp in his arms. Hunter kisses the corner of my mouth tenderly, holding me up until I can find the strength to stand again.
How can he do this to me? My mind races as I struggle to pull myself back together again. Every time, it’s stronger, deeper; the pleasure more intense. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before, and I realize with a heavy heart, I’m never going to find this feeling again.
“You’re so beautiful when you come,” Hunter whispers, gently tugging my dress back up and smoothing my hair down. “The look in your eyes, it’s like you’re flying.”
“That’s because I am.” I take a shaky breath, still clinging to him. My body still aches, but it’s a different throb from before. This one is deeper, sweeter, thick with the echo of pleasure but still unfulfilled.
Wanting him.
All of him.
I find my keys and open the door, then I turn to him, looping my finger down over the neckline of his shirt and tugging him towards me. “Now it’s your turn,” I say, with a seductive smile. “Come on. It’s time I pay you back for all the good times you’ve been giving me. Even the score.”
There’s a pause that lasts an eternity, then something shutters closed in Hunter’s eyes. “No,” he says softly. He squeezes my hand, just once, then drops it and takes a step away from me. “Not tonight.”
My heart drops. I look up at him in confusion. He said he wanted me. That I drove him crazy.
“You think I’m a gentleman.” Hunter slowly refastens a button I’ve pulled loose, and adjusts his jeans. I can see him slow his breathing, like it’s taking everything he has to get himself back under control. “So I’m going to live up to that.”
“But…” I can’t find words, or sense, or anything in his denial. I’m still reeling, breathless from his assault on my senses, weak and wet and aching with desire.
“I thought you wanted this.” I finally manage to stutter. “Me.”
Hunter reaches out, and softly tucks a stray lock of hair back behind my ears. “I do. But not like this.”
I blink at him. How else is there?
His lips curve, as if he’s heard my silent confusion. “When I take you, you’re going to want it.”
I try to interrupt, but he presses a finger to my lips. “Not because you think you owe me, or you get carried away, and one thing leads to another,” he corrects me, dipping his mouth closer so I can feel the shiver of his breath, hot against my cheek. “Because you want me. Because I’m all you think about.”
His voice is low and thick with desire, whispering relentlessly in my ear. “Every day, and every night, just imagining what I’ll feel like inside of you. Touching yourself, imagining your hands are mine, until you come crying out my name.”
I shudder, my legs weak. I’m hypnotized by his voice, caught up in the forbidden image of desire he’s painting with his words.
“I’m going to wait for you,” Hunter promises, “I’m going to take you there. And then, when you want me so much, you think you’ll die without me inside you…” He pauses, pulling back to look me straight in the eyes. “I’m going fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.”
I gasp, my lips dropping open. Hunter’s fingertip slips into my mouth, and I instinctively close my lips around it to suck. A shudder rolls through me. Hunter watches, his eyes never leaving my face. “You’re going to feel me for days,” he whispers, “I’m going to own you, every part of you. Even your heart.” His lips curl up in a heartbreaking smile.
“Especially your heart.”
As I try my best not to melt into a pool of pure longing right there on the porch, Hunter drops a kiss on my forehead and turns to leave, crossing the front yard in long strides. This time, I don’t wait to watch him go. I know my legs aren’t going to hold me up much longer. I stumble inside and slam the door behind me, sliding down so I’m sitting in a tangle on the floor.
Even your heart.
He wants more than just a fuck, I realize in a daze. He’s not like all the other guys who only want to use me up and throw me away without a second thought. Hunter wants something real, something more than desire, and the quick thrust of our bodies coming together. He wants all of me, even the dark, bruised places I never let anyone see. And he won’t let me have him—let me feel that body plunging into me the way I dream about—until I give him everything, body and soul.
And that’s when I know I’m doomed.
I can fight this, kicking and screaming. I can pretend I’m immune, and in control, and I can walk away any time I choose. But the truth is, I realize, I don’t stand a chance.
Because Hunter Covington is the most noble, sweet, gorgeous, sexy man I’ve ever met. And I’m falling in love with him.
I let my head fall back against the door, the truth crashing over me, as sweet and dangerous as the orgasm that just left me breathless.
Me, Brittany Ray, in love with the golden boy of Beachwood Bay… I would laugh at how crazy it is if I wasn’t so weak with wanting him. Deep down, I still know he can’t be mine, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’d break my heart a hundred times over, just to feel his arms around me again; taste the perfection I’d sworn was just for one night, all those years ago.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Sleep tight. Dream of me.
Hunter is miles away now, but he gets his wish. I fall asleep to the memory of his whispers, so sweet, and the distant crashing of the waves against the shore. I fall asleep, and I dream only of him.
3 years ago…
We walk a mile along the shoreline, Hunter keeping pace with long strides next to me. My heart is pounding the whole time, a voice in my head screaming at me to get the hell away from him, but I can’t go back now, not with him so close, his sweater wrapped around me: still warm from his skin, still smelling of him.
One night. That’s the only way this will work. One night, as Susie, and Bob, or whoever else we’re pretending to be. Just a game, I tell myself. It’s only just a game.
Hunter reaches out, and casually takes my hand.
Heat blazes through me at his touch, an inferno. I trip on a pebble with the shock of it, and almost fall flat on my face.
“I got you,” Hunter laughs, pulling me up before I fall. His hand closes around mine, strong now: lacing his fingers with mine.
“Thanks,” I whisper. I can barely hear the crash of the waves over my heartbeat, and I glance over, wondering if he can hear it too.
Hunter catches my glance, and smiles at me: so full of golden confidence, it makes my pulse skitter with panic all over again.
What the hell are you doing, Brit? Once you do this, there’s no going back.
“So, Susie, tell me about yourself,” Hunter says, casual. “What brings you to Beachwood Bay?”
“I’m just passing through.” I tell him, conjuring up a different life for myself. “I’m… really from the city. My parents have a place there. I’m starting fashion school soon.”
“Oh yeah?” Hunter asks, like he hasn’t heard a thing about the infamous Ray family. “What do your folks do?”
“My mom’s a designer, too,” I lie, ignoring the sudden ache of sadness in my chest. “And my dad… he’s just a regular guy. He works in an office, but he’s always home for dinner at night.”
“Sounds nice,” Hunter takes a long breath. “My parents are pretty regular too. They’re teachers,” he adds. “We live in the middle of the suburbs, with a dog and a minivan.”
“What’s your dog’s name?” I ask.
“Hans Solo.”
I laugh. “You’re a Star Wars geek, huh?”
“Yup.”
Hunter falls silent, and I realize for the first time that maybe this game isn’t just for me.
I figured he was taking pity on me, giving me a way around my reputation here in Beachwood—a way to pretend I’m someone else—but seeing the wistful expression in his eyes when he talks about a regular old life in suburbia, I can see, this game isn’t just for me.
Hunter’s running from something too.
“But enough about everyone else,” I say brightly. “Tell me about you. Favorite ice cream flavor.”
“You know that.” Hunter gives me a sideways look. “I order it every time.”
“Chocolate fudge,” I laugh.
“And you like those milkshakes, with mint chocolate chip.” Hunter says.
I feel a thrill. “How do you know that?”
Hunter gives me a crooked grin. “I see things.”
“Like what?” My voice is casual, but I can barely breathe.
“Little things.” Hunter shrugs, looking embarrassed now. “Like, you always wear so much black, but your favorite color is purple. And you never keep your hair the same way for more than a week.”
“Oh.” My cheeks are flaming now, so hot they could light up the beach. He’s noticed me? He’s been watching, all summer long, the same way I’ve been watching him?
“I’m not stalking you, I promise,” Hunter adds in a strangled voice. “I just notice you. I can’t not.”
I want to look over at him, but I can’t. Suddenly, I’m painfully aware of the space between us, and the dark, empty beach. And the sound of his breath coming, steady and slow beside me.
Hunter Covington notices me.
I swallow a shaky breath, part relieved and part terrified to find we’re here, at the familiar cluster of rocks right on the far edge of the bay. “This way!” I yelp, my voice coming out too loud. I drop his hand and scramble on ahead, up the rough granite and over the crest of the small cliff. I don’t look back to see if Hunter’s following me.
Part of me wishes he wouldn’t.
I don’t know what made me falter, and cut out my bitchy act. My sarcasm was my only weapon against him and all his perfect, gorgeous charm. But it turns out even acting like a total psycho bitch wasn’t enough to shut him down.