by Fall, Lucy
I took him in my hand and closed my lips over the head, gently sucking. Hunter grunted and leaned back against the counter. With my other hand, I cupped the root of his shaft.
His hand balled into my hair and he thrust his pelvis forward, deep. He didn’t slow his thrust, fucking my mouth. When I could I began jerking his shaft faster and faster in time with his increasing hip motion, and it only took him a short time before he arched back, teeth clenched and he shot come down my throat. He continued pumping and I milked his cock, until he finally pulled away from me, turning to lean against the counter.
“Goddamn it woman, you’re not afraid to take it all.”
I ran my hands up his strong back, enjoying the feel of his skin. “I’ll take whatever you want to give me.”
He looked at me. His face stricken, shocking me. “I know. It scares the fuck out of me.”
Chapter 6
Two weeks later, I sat across from Sophie at the restaurant Hunter had first walked into almost a month ago.
“Let’s go do something,” Sophie said before shoving a forkful of her salad in her mouth.
I wasn’t sure what to say as I scrambled for a reason not to go out. Not that I really didn’t have a reason other than I was waiting to see if Hunter texted me. He’d been acting weird ever since that night at his apartment.
We still got together, pretty much every night. But it was always at my place. I mentioned getting together at his, but he said he didn’t like it there and preferred my place. After his suffocating statement, I didn’t doubt that.
But with him staying at my place, he should be relaxed, but it was like all the tension was back. Other than when he was seeing to my needs, he was distant, like something very heavy was on his mind. He wouldn’t share with me what, but there was a part of me that worried he was rethinking us.
I was supposed to be his secret person with whom he could relax and he now seemed just as tense with me as he did with everyone else in this town.
“So? What do you say?” Sophie asked.
Why should I wait around for him to contact me? It might do him good to realize that I did have a life outside him. I was getting antsy staying in all the time and that was a pretty big statement for a homebody like me. As much as I loved being with Hunter, I was very quickly wanting more than he was willing to give. I wanted to go out to eat, to a movie, hell, shop—with him. In. Public.
I wanted to be a true couple, but I was beginning to think that I was more of a distraction for Hunter to escape his demons than a place for him to find himself again. It didn’t seem healthy.
Maybe a night out would do me good.
“What do you have in mind?” I replied.
She shrugged. “I’d like to go see that new Jennifer Lawrence movie.”
I blinked at her. Sophie never wanted to go to the movie. When she said go out, she meant clubbing. “Are you okay?” I half-jokingly said.
She startled. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
Everyone seemed to acting weird lately. “You seem…I don’t know…a little off.”
She shrugged again. “Hunter issues.”
My stomach twisted. So far I had been able to avoid that topic. This morning when Sophie had texted me wanting to get together, I had wanted to see my friend. I missed her. So I had agreed, knowing that I was putting myself in an awkward situation.
“What’s going on?” I said, dreading her answer.
“Hunter leaves for New York on Monday.”
He still hadn’t told me a thing about that. The only tidbit that I had gotten about the trip had been through Sophie.
“Okay….”
“He’s been real busy this week,” Sophie continued, toying with her salad. “The man has been amazing, Daddy is thrilled with him, but he works all the time. I’ve stopped by his place a couple of times and he’s never home.”
My breath caught. Was that the real reason Hunter had been staying at my place? What would happen if Sophie ever stopped by there when we were together?
“I just can’t seem to nail him down. I’m going to have to figure out something. I’m starting to get impatient.”
I wasn’t sure what it was going to take to get her to give up. But there was a part of me that hoped that her giving up was exactly what happened. That way, if things between me and Hunter ever went public, she would’ve already moved on.
And then maybe her realizing that I hadn’t been totally honest would sting less.
That was best-case scenario.
Worst case was that she refused to take the uninterested hints Hunter kept tossing her way. And grew more and more aggressive.
“Maybe just give him space, Sophie.”
“I have been. I’ve been giving him so much space I might as well be living in another state. No. I think it’s time to step up my game. I just need to figure out how.”
Well, I definitely needed to make sure it wasn’t tonight.
“I’m game for that movie tonight,” I said, trying to switch the subject.
She brightened. “That’s awesome. I’ll meet you there for the seven showing.”
We parted ways after that. I had the day off, so I went back home and cleaned. I kept glancing at my phone and nothing. By the time I was driving to meet Sophie, I was starting to get angry.
Not one text all day from Hunter. What the hell were we doing?
I couldn’t call him my boyfriend. Hell, I couldn’t even call him my lover. I had no idea what we were to each other.
As I walked up to Sophie, I pushed thoughts of Hunter out of my mind. I needed a break from the man. While I waited in line to get a drink and popcorn, Sophie went to the bathroom.
My phone vibrated. I tugged it out of my pocket. I bit my lip when I saw Hunter’s name on my screen. I flicked my thumb across the screen then tapped the text icon.
Where are you?
Chewing on my lip, I debated how to answer. I really didn’t owe him an explanation. I had been at his beck and call for almost two weeks now. And I was tired of it. I felt like a twenty-four-hour booty call. Hooking up anywhere and everywhere, talking dirty in between, but it never went any further than that. No dinners out, catching a movie or hell, even holding hands.
Out, I typed back.
I waited for a response, but my phone remained silent. Sophie came hopping up beside me and I quickly shoved my phone back in my pocket.
Throughout the movie, I waited for my phone to shake, but it never moved. I didn’t know what to make of Hunter’s silence. And on the drive back, I debated the notion of stopping by his place. I decided against it. If he wanted to see me, he would have said so.
As I walked up the stairs to my apartment, I saw a black shadow push off the wall by my door. A large, muscular shadow.
“Where’ve you been, Eliza?” Hunter asked softly, quietly. But even the low volume of his question didn’t hide the anger in his voice.
“Like I said, out,” I went to walk around him, but he moved in front of me, blocking my way.
“With who?”
Irritation spiked through me. “Honestly, that’s none of your business. I’m not dropping everything every time you call, Hunter. I need to go out. You won’t do that, so I went with someone who did.”
He stiffened. “You know my reasons, Eliza.”
“Yes, I do.” I shrugged. “I agreed to stay quiet. But my life has to be more than going to work, coming home and us fooling around with each other. You still want to fool around with each other. Great. I’m game. But I want more than that sometimes.”
He allowed me to walk past him. Just as I was about to insert the key into the lock, he said, “Do you know what I’ve been doing all day?”
Sighing, I closed my eyes and lowered my hand. I just wanted to go to bed. This was exhausting me.
“What?” I finally said.
He turned to face me, pulled out an envelope from his back pocket then held it out. I stared at the offering. “What is that?”
He shook it at me. “Open it.”
Hesitantly I took it. I don’t know why I was afraid of what was in the packet, but I was. After unlocking the door, I stepped inside and said over my shoulder, “Come in, Hunter.”
I tossed my purse on a side table then walked into the middle of the living room. I slid my nail under the glue, ripping open the flap. Then I peered inside.
My breath caught at the sight of an airline ticket—to New York—with my name on it.
I spun around. “You want me to go to New York with you?”
“Yeah, I do.” He stepped up to me. “It’s only one night. They’re flying me out Monday, setting me up in a swanky hotel, and my meeting is first thing Tuesday morning. I think we both need to get away from this town and just relax. What do you say?”
Unbelievably, I was torn about the suggestion. On one side, hell yeah, I wanted to go to New York with Hunter. On the other, he was making sure to take me far away from everyone here.
However, this could be a very good turning point in our relationship. Maybe I would see a different side of Hunter that would make keeping us secret easier.
As it was, continuing to keep Sophie in the dark about all of this was starting to gnaw at my insides in a way that was becoming distinctly unpleasant.
But I didn’t want to lose Hunter either.
Maybe this was a step towards us doing the right thing and coming clean, going public. Maybe this was progress.
And maybe he’d have so much fun with me doing things in New York City that the idea of shutting ourselves away in my apartment wouldn’t appeal to him anymore.
Either way, a trip together sounded like the best solution for our current issue.
“I’d love to,” I said, and my smile was genuine.
Chapter 7
The taxi driver weaved through the countless vehicles congesting the city road like he was coming from behind on the last lap of the Daytona 500. Closing my eyes, I gripped the edge of the seat, trying to keep myself from having a panic attack.
Strong fingers pried my hand from the leather seat then intertwined mine with a reassuring squeeze. Opening my eyes, I sent Hunter a strained smile.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Perfect.”
“This is totally normal city driving,” Hunter told me.
The taxi driver sharply veered into the next lane, almost clipping the front of another car. I squeezed my eyes shut again. “Oh. God.”
A tug on my hand had me pressed against Hunter’s side as his muscular arm settled over my shoulders. Yeah, that was definitely better. This was yet another first. I’d never taken a cab ride before, much less a cab in Manhattan. It was definitely a new experience, as was the flight here.
I was still on the fence about how I felt about flying. I wasn’t a big fan of the taking off, landing or turbulence.
“We’re almost there,” Hunter whispered into my hair.
Thank God. I wanted to get my feet on the flat land and have them stay there for a while. A few minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of The Manhattan at Time Square hotel. As I took Hunter’s offered hand to help me out of the car, I stared at all the high-rise buildings and colorful billboards surrounding me.
“There’s so much to look at,” I whispered.
“We’ll take it all in together.”
I shot him a glance. “Wait. You’ve never been here?”
“Nope.” He winked.
I smiled. I loved the idea of us experiencing this for the first time together. I hated it would only be for tonight. We flew back out at 2 P.M. tomorrow.
Check-in was quick and painless. Hunter had our room card within five minutes. The room was located on the twentieth floor, which was awesome. I couldn’t wait to see the skyline view from up high. On the elevator ride, excitement made me fidgety. Hunter sent me an amused look, but didn’t say any more about my eagerness.
I was almost coming out of my skin by the time he inserted the card and pushed open the door, holding it open for me to step inside before him.
“Whoa,” I breathed, awed.
A king-sized bed with a bright white down comforter sat in the middle of the room. A flat-screen television sat on top of an expensive looking mahogany dresser. I walked over to the picture window that ran the length of one of the beige wall. As I suspected the view was amazing. Time Square jumped and jived far below.
I turned and was surprised to find Hunter watching me with a look I couldn’t decipher. He rarely showed any emotion other than anger, lust and the occasional amusement, but this time I swore I saw softness directed at me.
“What?” I asked.
As he shook his head a smile played on his lips. One he was definitely fighting not to let me see. “Just you. Watching you take all this in amuses the hell out of me.”
I strode over and playfully popped him on the arm. He laughed, a rich wonderful sound I wished he’d do more often. Something about this trip had already lowered the barriers that he’d erected around himself again this past week. He seemed to fully be here with me and not lost so much in his thoughts.
Hunter wrapped his arms around me, tugged me to his chest, then kissed me gently, slowly, before pulling back. “I have the afternoon completely planned.”
His admission warmed my heart. “Oh really? And what are we doing?”
“You’re going to have wait and see.” He swatted me on the ass. “Go get in the shower.”
As I walked toward the bathroom, I looked over my shoulder and pursed my lips. “You can come with me.”
Lust darkened his green irises. “Oh, I plan to, just giving you a head start.”
Once I stepped inside the bathroom, I glanced around. The oversized marble shower with a large rainfall showerhead hanging from the ceiling was so inviting. I couldn’t wait to wash away the stress lingering from the plane and taxi ride.
Quickly, I stripped off my puzzle piece leggings and red t-shirt. After turning on the water and letting it warm, I stepped inside. Warm water cascaded off my hair and down my body and I groaned as it really felt like I was caught outside in a summer shower.
Running my hands over the top of my hair, I closed my eyes, tilted my head back, and let the water hit my face. When I opened my eyes, my gaze connected with Hunter standing on the other side of the glass door. His entire body was rigid, gaze locked on me.
Something wicked grabbed hold of me. I wanted to tease him. Turn him on. Grabbing the soap off the ledge, I ran the bar over one of my shoulder as I slowly turned my back toward him, coyly looking at him over my shoulder.
Hunter remained still, watching intently.
He made me feel so damn sexy, like I was the most gorgeous creature on earth and it gave me confidence. Turning my face away from him, I raised my arms above my head. I ran one soapy hand slowly down the length of my other arm and over the top then back of my shoulder. I repeated the sexy lathering with the other arm.
Hunter remained silent, not making a peep. His silence didn’t make me hesitate. I had no doubt that I had his complete attention, his eyes following my every move. Thinking about the look on his face made my clit pulse to life and my nipples bead into tight buds.
I turned around and his expression was exactly like I knew it would be. Intense, dark, hungry. He finally moved to open the glass door, but I wagged my finger at him. He jerked back, seemingly shocked that I had denied him entrance.
“Watch only.”
Both his brows rose high on his forehead, but he lowered his arms then crossed them across his chest. “By all means, entertain me.”
Keeping my gaze locked with his, I slid my soapy hands over my breasts. His eyes left mine to lock on my tits. I rubbed, massaged, and then pinched the erect nipples. Pleasure shimmied through me and I gasped softly.
Hunter shifted, then reached down and adjusted the front of his jeans.
I smiled. “Getting uncomfortable, big boy?”
He pressed his lips tightly together and I gave a throaty
chuckle. God, he made me feel so good, so wanted. I moved my palms over my belly then teased the top of my mound with my hands, making sure the soap had time to completely wash away.
“Touch your pussy, baby,” Hunter said in a thick, rough voice. “Touch it for me.”
I slipped one finger between my pussy lips and stroked over my aching clit. It felt so good, I added a second finger, rubbing harder.
“That’s right. Make yourself come. I want to watch you come.”
Hunter’s encouragement only turned me on more. Widening my legs, I braced my other hand against the stationary part of the glass.
“Mmm,” I bit my lower lips, closing my eyes, I increased the pressure of my strokes.
“Fuck. Yes.”
His obvious enjoyment sent me right over the edge. I moaned my release, rubbing my clit until it became to tender to touch. As I removed my hand, I opened my eyes.
A gleam that made the man seem darker and more dangerous than ever before shined in his eyes. “You’re going to pay for that later.”
Oh I was counting on it.
* * *
An hour later, I smoothed the chiffon fabric of the crimson halter dress. The hem came to mid-thigh and the dress was backless. Casual, but still sexy. I wasn’t sure what we were going to do while we were here, or if we’d even leave the hotel, so I hadn’t wanted pack something overly dressy. At the same time, I didn’t want only bring my usual jeans and blouse. So I’d bought this little gem on a whim yesterday.
I fluffed my dark hair around my shoulders. I’d taken the time to actually curl it. Now the strands bounced and waved around my head. My makeup was on fleek.
Preparing to do an elaborate entrance, I stepped out of bathroom, but then I saw Hunter and my breath caught in my chest. Hunter was in front of the window, hands stuffed in his front pockets, staring out onto the city. He’d traded his jeans and t-shirt for a pair of dark fitted slacks and a blue plaid dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up his forearms. The shirt hugged him perfectly, accentuating the strength of his body.