More Exposed (The Exposed Series, #4)

by Deborah Bladon

  He grabs my hips and pumps himself into me, each thrust harder and faster than the last. "Fuck, I've missed you. Christ."

  I love the sound of his voice like this. It only makes me want more. I push back, trying to pull all of him within me. He's so large, pulsing, wanting.

  "I'm going to fuck you forever, sunshine." Each word is louder than the last. He's lost in the pleasure. His uncontrollable grunts and groans only spurring on my own desire.

  "God, please." I push my hips farther into him. "I'm so close."

  He moves faster, his cock ramming into me over and over. So much, so fast, and so good.

  I scream loudly as I come hard. He slows and pumps his body into mine. I hear my name softly glide off his lips as he fills me with his own intense orgasm.

  Chapter 17

  "I want you to take one of the cars." His breath runs hot over my back and I feel my nipples instantly harden. We've been in bed for the last few hours leisurely enjoying each other's bodies. Making love again has helped me feel closer to Hunter than I've felt in weeks.

  "You're trying to get rid of me?" I giggle as I ask the question. I may have thought that when I woke up this morning but he's proven to me now that he can't live without me. The hunger in his body when he took me shows me that he still wants and needs me.

  I hear him chuckle softly. "You have to be with me forever. My life is nothing without that."

  "I can't be without you," I confess. "I hate the thought of us apart."

  "You'll marry me then?" I can hear the smile in the words.

  I twist quickly around so I'm facing him. I run my finger over his brow. "Is that a proposal?"

  "Will you say yes if it is?"

  I purse my lips together and shake my head slightly.

  "It's not a proposal yet then." He laughs. "Cory told me you're going to train him to be an artist."

  "He what?" I pull back and cock a brow. "I'm training Cory to be an artist?"

  "That's the word he's spreading around." I can tell that he's trying desperately hard to hide his amusement.

  My eyes open wide as I realize what he's talking about. "I'm taking him to the art store this afternoon. That's what you mean?"

  He nods softly. "You're teaching him to paint a giraffe."

  I smile at the mention of Cory's latest interest. His love of giraffes is quickly overtaking his fondness for toy trains. Today we're going to an art store near campus to get him supplies so he can paint some pictures of his new favorite animal.

  "He's going to teach me," I correct him. "I'm just letting him choose his implements of creation at the art store."

  "You're going to be an amazing mom." He pulls his gaze down but not before I see tears welling in the corners of his eyes.

  I reach to tilt his chin back up. "If I'm half a good of a parent as you are, I'll be really lucky." I mean each and every word. He's an amazing dad. He's willing to sacrifice so much for Cory.

  "You'll take the car then?" It's a statement that's faintly veiled as a question.

  "Why? Cory loves the bus." He really does. It's always an adventure taking him with me on the bus. He loves interacting with everyone we meet and he always brings a smile to the people around him. Who wouldn't have their spirits lifted by a beautiful little boy with red hair?

  He bends his elbow so he can rest his head in his hand. I stare at the way his arm flexes. "Sadie. I have someone tracking Peter's movements."

  My eyes dart to his. "Why? Where is he?"

  "In Memphis right now. He's got family there."

  I feel a shudder race through me when I realize that Hunter really does feel threatened by this man. "Isn't there something you can do? Can't you call the police?"

  He tries to raise a smile to his lips but I can tell the worry is overshadowing everything else. "He's dangerous, volatile and I don't trust his motivations."

  I respond without any hesitation. "You're worried about what he's going to do, aren't you?"

  He pulls me into his chest. I feel his strong arms surround me. "I love you and Cory too much to take any chances."

  Chapter 18

  "You might as well just hire us a bodyguard," I tease as I enter the kitchen.

  He raises a brow without even the hint of a smile on his face.

  "No." I reach to grab hold of the counter. "You're not serious?"

  "I haven't yet." He hands me a cup of coffee. "If he gets any closer to Boston, I'll have no choice."

  "Hunter." I lean back against the granite of the countertop. "There has to be a way to make him go away. Isn't he on probation or something? How can he just roam around the country?"

  "He's served his time. He's allowed to live his life according to the courts." He shrugs his shoulders offhandedly as if I'm supposed to believe this isn't eating him alive inside.

  "His name isn't on the birth certificate. He has no rights." I feel the need to point that out even though I'm certain Hunter has already thought of everything.

  He walks over and brushes his hand across my chin. "I love when you're on fire like this. You're so strong even in the face of a threat."

  "I'm not threatened by him," I lie. The truth is that since Hunter told me about Peter earlier, my heart has been racing.

  "Taking extra precaution right now is smart, sunshine." His tone is direct and stern. "You can't risk yourself or Cory."

  "I would never do anything that would put Cory in danger." I'm mildly offended by the suggestion that I would. He knows I adore Cory. He knows I would do anything to keep him safe. I'm the one who cuts his food into such tiny pieces because I'm fearful he'll choke.

  He effortlessly glides his lips across mine. "I trust you completely with my son. There isn't anyone I trust more."

  "Just give Peter what he wants so he'll disappear," I plead. I want this to be over. I don't want the shadow of this stranger to be chasing after us a minute longer.

  "He has proof that he's Cory's dad now so he's demanding a lot more."

  "Proof?" I scoff. "What proof?"

  He closes his eyes and draws a heavy breath. "Christina helped him with DNA when he was released. She got involved with him again."

  I feel a rush of rage through every cell in my body. "She wouldn’t do that?"

  "She did." His voice cracks. "She gave him some of Cory's hair from a hairbrush she had with her and Peter ran the test."

  "This is a nightmare," I say as my eyes scan his face. "Hunter, we have to do something."

  "We are." He pulls my hand to his lips. "I am. I'll give him whatever he wants. I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family."

  ***

  "Are these all the colors you want?" I survey the small paint cups in our basket before looking over at Cory.

  "That's it." He points one of the paintbrushes he's clinging to in my direction.

  "Your giraffe is going to be purple?" I have to work to stifle a laugh. Every color he's chosen is a hue of purple. Obviously it's his new favorite.

  "Purple's best." It's simple. I like it. He's right. Right now, purple is best.

  "Paper." I point towards a wall covered in samples of papers and canvases. "We need to pick some of that."

  He races away from me and I feel a shot of panic course through me. "Don't let him out of your sight, sunshine." Hunter's words for me just before we left the apartment bolt to the front of my mind.

  I take off after him and I almost run squarely into the back of a woman he's talking to.

  "Sadie." His voice is filled with joy as he bounces up and down. "It's your mom."

  I stand silent as I watch the woman turn. "Sadie." A wide smile overwhelms her face.

  "Mom?" It's much too loud. The shock I'm feeling isn't about her being in this space, it's about the smile. My mother rarely smiles unless it's in an effort to impress one of her friends.

  "You must be Cory." She turns and bends down to grab his hand.

  "That's me." He ignores the offer and wraps his arms around her neck.

  She
hesitates only briefly before pulling him into a tight embrace. She wobbles on her heels and I have to reach out to steady her balance. I'm tempted to pull my smartphone from my bag just to get a picture of this. This was something I never thought I'd see.

  "How did you know she was my mom?" The question is directed at Cory but I anticipate my mother putting her two cents in before he has a chance to answer.

  "She comes to the park." He pulls back from their embrace and grabs her hand. "I talked to her."

  "Wait. What?" My attention has turned to my mother now who is still standing with her back to me.

  "I was curious." The words float from her mouth and are meant for me even if she's not going to turn around.

  I take the lead and walk around her to stand behind Cory. I rest my hands on his shoulders. "You've met him?"

  "Not officially." Her gaze is set on his beautiful little face. "I go to the park sometimes and sit on a bench. He came to talk to me."

  "She told me you were her daughter, Princess Sadie." I jump at the mention of my nickname. He rarely calls me that anymore.

  "When?" The pieces of this puzzle aren't fitting together.

  "A few weeks ago," my mother offers. "I saw you and Hunter with him at the grocery store one day. I followed you to the park."

  "Mom," I spit the word out in utter surprise. "You should have just called me."

  "And said what, Sadie?" Her eyes finally settle on my face. "I want to meet the child you live with?"

  I cover both of Cory's hands with my ears." Try to be sensitive."

  He shakes his head pulling my hands into his. "She sometimes brings me candy."

  I'm angry. I'm angry that she's been forging a relationship with him and I haven't heard anything about it. "Where's the nanny when this is going on?"

  "I explained to her who I was," she says flippantly. "She understands discretion."

  "Hunter won't like this." I struggle to hold onto Cory's hand as he plays with a row of paintbrushes sitting on a shelf next to us.

  "Daddy knows her." Cory points to my mother.

  "What?" I bend down so I'm eye level with him. "Daddy knows her?"

  "They talk at the park sometimes." He nods his head before he kisses my cheek. "Daddy says she's not a stranger."

  "I'm not sure about that," I whisper in a muted tone.

  "I didn't want your father knowing." It's a confession I didn’t see coming.

  "I asked Zander to let me tell you."

  "Hunter," Cory blurts out. "Call him Hunter."

  We both smile at this declaration.

  "Hunter it is." She reaches to tap him on the top of his head.

  Chapter 19

  "I found out today that you and my mom are besties." I try not to let a laugh pop out with the words.

  His fork drops onto the plate. "We're what?"

  "You and Sadie's mom. Besties." Cory pipes up.

  We both stare at Hunter and his eyes drift from me to Cory.

  "He didn't tell me." I reach out my palm and Cory slaps it with his. "He's excellent at keeping your little secrets."

  "It's the candy," he confesses.

  Hunter and I both burst out laughing.

  "He will do anything for candy." Hunter nods in Cory's direction. "Your mother told you?"

  "We saw her at the art store. Apparently she's taken up painting again." I hear the words and I'm still shocked by the meaning. My mother gave up painting when I was very ill. The fact that she's taken it up again speaks volumes about her state of mind. She loves it. It's always been something that she wanted to do.

  "Cory recognized her?"

  "He practically ran into her arms." I smile at Cory as he picks at the sweet peas on his plate.

  "I like hugs." He doesn't break his gaze from his plate.

  "How long have you known that she sees him?" It's not confrontational. Since I've gotten back from the store I've been slowly absorbing the fact that my mother sought out a connection with Cory and with Hunter. It's sinking in how profound that really is.

  "A few weeks." He looks down, sheepishly. "She wanted to tell you in her own time. I didn't push that."

  "It's a pretty big deal." My tone is serious. "Was that what you thought I was talking about when I told you I went to see her?" I suddenly realize that Hunter must have assumed my mother told me about her stolen visits with Cory in the park.

  "Exactly that." He tips his head towards me. "She's really trying."

  I know he feels that. I'm still trying to catch up to everything that's happened today. "I want her to know Cory."

  "She knows me." He pulls on my arm. "Today she said my name."

  "Yes." I reach down to run my hand along his forehead.

  "Why didn't she tell him who she was sooner?" It seemed as though today she was finally ready to share that she was my mom.

  "I introduced her as a friend. I didn't want small ears to tell you before your mom was ready." He motions towards Cory.

  "Daddy, my ears aren't small." He taps the edge of his fork on the table in mild protest. "I like Sadie's mom."

  "I'm really glad." I feel my breath skip. Maybe Dylan was right. Maybe family did mean everything.

  ***

  "Please don't worry, Donna," I say into my phone. "I've got this."

  "You're saving my life, Sadie." I can hear the appreciation in her tone.

  "Just take the time to get better." I hang up the phone and realize that now that Cory's nanny is sick, I'm on duty for the day. I'll only miss one class and Hunter will be back by the time I'm expected at the bistro.

  "Where's Donna?" Cory pops around the corner still dressed in his pajamas. "She's going to take me to the park."

  "Get your clothes on, mister." I clap my hands together. "It's just you and me today."

  He jumps up and down, squealing in glee. "This is the best day ever."

  It was. I was going to do my best to make sure that every day from now on would be the best day ever for Hunter, Cory and me.

  Chapter 20

  "Push me higher." His legs kick frantically as I push on the swing.

  "Higher." I give the swing a hard thrust and move out of the way as he glides into the air.

  "So high," he screams at the top of his lungs. I reach into my pocket for my phone. I want to take a picture of this for Hunter. I want him to see the joy in Cory's face.

  "My phone," I mutter under my breath. I left it on the counter. I remember putting it there before I slipped a sweater on. Dammit. We'll just have to come back later this afternoon so I can recreate the moment for Hunter.

  "We should get ice cream." Cory points towards an ice cream vendor near the edge of the park.

  I fumble in my jeans pocket hoping I have some money.

  "It's my treat." My mother's voice is behind me.

  "Sadie's mom," Cory giggles as the swing slows.

  "We have to come up with a better name for you than that." Part of me wants to embrace her. I want to thank her for being here, for coming to see Cory.

  "Grandma is nice." She pulls her lips into a tight smile. "He can call me that."

  I stop on my way to retrieve Cory from the swing. "What?"

  "You're going to marry his father." Her tone is calm and controlled. "I'll be his grandmother."

  "You're my grandma!" Cory struggles to get out of the swing. "I have another grandma?"

  I arch a brow in her direction.

  "You do." She races past me to pull him free of the restraint that is holding him firmly in the swing. She cradles him to her chest as he kisses her cheek. I can't do anything but stare at the two of them.

  "How did you know we were coming?" He's pulling on her hand leading her in the direction of the ice cream vendor.

  "I was hoping, " she says to him before she turns to me. "I want to do better this time, Sadie. I'm trying to make up for all my mistakes with you. "

  I watch as she races along behind him, her designer loafers picking up sand as they scurry together through the dus
t.

  "Sadie, what do you want?" Cory calls back towards me as my mother pulls a bill from her wallet.

  "Nothing." I can barely form the word. I feel as though I've stepped into a dream.

  "My grandma is having an orange ice pop." Cory points to my mom. "I'm having grape."

  "It's purple." I point at the ice treat he's holding in his hand.

  "It's my favorite."

  I follow as the two of them walk towards a bench near the edge of the grass. I settle in next to Cory listening as he tells my mother a story about giraffes.

  "We should take him to the zoo tomorrow, Sadie."

  "I have school tomorrow." I wish I didn't. Right now I just want this moment to last. I want to stay on this bench with these two people for days and days.

  "I can take him. Do you think Zander would mind?"

  "Grandma." Cory taps her knee through the beige slacks she's wearing. "It's Hunter."

  "Hunter." She reaches to hold his hand in hers. "Sadie will ask him if we can go to the zoo."

  "Are there giraffes?" His entire mouth is stained purple from the ice treat.

  "Lots of them."

  I giggle when I notice that her tongue is now a bright shade of orange. I can't ever remember my mother like this. I don't know the last time she was so carefree, so happy and so willing to embrace another person.

  "Let's go now." Cory's up on his feet and bolting across the playground before either of us can react.

  We both jump and I race after him, the sound of all of our laughter filling the air.

  Chapter 21

  "Who the hell are you?" I'm startled by a man's voice behind me. I tense as I feel my elbow being pulled back. I have to struggle to maintain my balance.

  I turn sharply trying to break free of his grasp. "Let go of me."

  "That's my boy, isn't it?" He points with his free hand towards Cory who is now back near the swings. My mother is frozen behind me. I can see the fear on her face.

  "Get Cory, mom." I call to her in panic. "Take him, go."

  "Sadie," Cory screams when he realizes the man is grabbing me. "Stranger, Sadie. It's a stranger."

  Peter lets go of me and lunges towards Cory. I have no time to react. I jump from my feet and onto his back. We both tumble to the grass.