Blow

by Fall, Lucy

  He looked so handsome, rugged and sexy even as he appeared refined.

  He turned toward me and whistled.

  “Goddamn, you’re beautiful. I’m going to tear that ass up later.” Hunter strode over to me then wrapped his arms around my waist. Once his palm touched my bare back, he said, “Oh yeah, I like this a lot.” He nipped my neck then pulled back. “Come on, let’s get this started so we can get back here before too long.”

  As much as I was looking forward to being with him later, I didn’t want to rush through the next few hours either. We never went out, just fooled around. Everything was based around bedroom activities. I was excited that tonight wouldn’t be focused on just that. This was the “more” I needed, and I hoped it was enough to tide me over for a while.

  Once we made it downstairs and outside into the warm air, he took my hand in his and we walked down the sidewalk like that.

  My heart squeezed hard. He had no idea how much that simple gesture meant to me. Way more than it meant to him, I was sure. It really didn’t matter though. What mattered was him treating me as a girlfriend, someone really important to him and not just a sex toy for the first time since we’d started this rollercoaster ride of a relationship. I was going to eat up every minute of him and this city.

  The warm breeze between the tall buildings blew my hair back. People crowded the sidewalk, rushing off to wherever they were going. To my left, someone laid on a horn, tires screeched then angry cursing filled the air. A few seconds later, someone walked out in front of a car and the screeching and cursing started all over again.

  There was so much going on, so much to look at, that it was so hard to process it all. I didn’t feel like I was just in a different city. I felt like I had gone to a whole new planet.

  Jesus. New York City was overwhelming.

  Coming from small town USA to one of the largest cities in the United States was going to take some serious adjustment. Everything was chaotic. So different from the slow pace of home.

  Besides the overwhelmed feelings, I couldn’t imagine sharing this experience with anyone else and I was so thankful that Hunter had invited me along. He made me feel safe among the chaos. If something were to happen, he’d protect me.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  I gave him an annoyed look, which only caused him to chuckle. I liked this laid back Hunter. We walked for about twenty minutes when I noticed the long line of tall trees.

  “Oh my God. We’re going to Central Park!”

  He didn’t say anything, but a small smile came to his lips. He did that a lot. Tried not to smile when something he’d done for me made me happy. I decided then and there that Hunter Rhodes liked pleasing me, and not just sexually.

  As we neared the park, I noticed a beautiful white horse-drawn carriage parked outside the entrance. That would be so much fun, and I wanted to suggest we take one, but was worried it would be too romantic for Hunter. I didn’t want to feel the disappointment when he said no.

  A few minutes later, Hunter stopped in front of a carriage right in front of driver, who wore a long black jacket with matching top hat. He bowed. “Mr. Rhodes, I presume?”

  “I am.”

  The man then turned to me. “And this must be the lovely, Miss Garrett.”

  “Y-yes.” I hated that I stuttered, but I was having a hard time processing that Hunter had taken the time to make reservations for a carriage ride in Central Park. Not that he wasn’t capable of something like that.

  But I supposed I wasn’t sure he truly was capable of it, either. At least, not with me.

  “We’ve only got a few hours here,” Hunter said. “I thought a carriage ride would allow us to see the most we could.”

  I pressed my fingers to my lips. “That’s so sweet.”

  Swallowing, he shrugged and glanced away toward the trees. “Yeah, well, you deserve a night out and I’ve been a dick about going public. I’m still not ready, but here, it can be all about you.”

  I ignored the ‘still not ready’ part of his little speech, focusing instead on the thoughtfulness of his actions. To do otherwise would only put me in a bad mood.

  Lifting up on my tiptoes, I kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Hunter.”

  Grunting, he nodded but avoided meeting my eyes. Frustrated, I blew out a breath. The man was so uncomfortable with intimacy. He could hold me in his arms after he’d thoroughly eaten my pussy, but Heaven forbid I kissed his cheek in appreciation. Though holding my hand today had been a huge step for him. So he was trying. I had to remember that.

  He. Was. Trying.

  After helping me up into the carriage, Hunter sat down beside me. The driver climbed in front, took the reins, clicked his tongue and the horse started walking. The clack, clack, clack of the horseshoes filled my ears and leaned back against the red leather seats, sighing.

  Hunter tugged me until I was close against his side, nestling me under his arm. I loved the weight of his arm around me. I didn’t think I could ever get tired of it. Holding me like this was getting easier and easier for him. All the fooling around we did and late night talks afterwards had a lot to do with it, I was sure. But I wasn’t complaining. I loved these moments, just as much, if not more, than I did our sexual moments.

  Warm air breezed past us as we rode passed Wollman Memorial Rink. Being summer the ice rink had been transformed into a carnival style amusement park. As the ride continued, we saw an area where people gathered to play chess, and then the Central Park Zoo. The tree lined road was so peaceful, so opposite of the chaos just outside the park.

  We didn’t talk. There was no need. This was what I wanted with this man all of the time. That feeling of peace, being with someone and not needing to say a word. Just enjoying each other’s presence, feeling complete just because we were together.

  I could live in this moment forever, but in just a few short hours it would end, and I would be back to being the big secret again. My stomach soured and I cursed myself for ruining this with dark thoughts.

  I had agreed to this arrangement. But I feared that I was going to get my heart broken, sooner or later. I craned my head to look up at Hunter. He gently kissed my lips then turned back toward the scenery. My chest tightened that he hadn’t hesitated to kiss me. Yeah, I was going to get my heart broken for sure.

  Because I was falling hard for this man.

  * * *

  I tore a piece off my pretzel and offered it to Hunter. He opened his mouth and I popped the salted bread in. The day was almost over. The sky was darkening. The lights through Time Square shined brighter now.

  After the carriage ride, much to Hunter’s horror, I asked for a hot dog for dinner. He apparently had plans to wine and dine me. I didn’t need some expensive dinner at some restaurant where I wouldn’t be able to pronounce most of the things on the menu.

  For one thing, I didn’t want to embarrass myself like that in front of him and remind him how far from his world I normally resided. Two, how could we come to New York and not get the famous food cart hot dog?

  Hunter finally relented and then said it was the best fucking hot dog he’d ever had.

  Now we were walking down the street, sharing a pretzel, and I was wondering when we’d start making a beeline back to the hotel. With all the things we’d done today, I was really hoping tonight was the night Hunter thought I was ‘ready.’ I didn’t know how much longer I could take having him bring me to release over and over again to only leave my pussy empty.

  Maybe I needed to push for us to move in the direction.

  “Are we ready to go back to the hotel?” I asked, keeping my voice light.

  “I have one more stop.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke, just kept his gaze straight ahead. But there was a tick in his jaw I hadn’t noticed. What was going on inside his head?

  That was something I thought a lot lately. Hunter could be so hard for me to read. One moment it was like he was letting me in, then the next I’ve
been banished to outside his protective wall. It was highly frustrating.

  Maybe everything we’d done today was starting to overwhelm him. One thing I’d learned about Hunter was that he liked his routine. I figured it made him feel in control after he’d been out of control of his life for so long.

  I brushed his arm with my fingers. “Hunter, you’ve done more than enough tonight. We can go back to the hotel.”

  “I’m not done.” Again, he didn’t even give me a sideways glance. I blew out a frustrated breath. I’d just drop it. He was going to do what he wanted to do, no matter what.

  I finished off the pretzel just as Hunter stopped in front of the Empire State Building and opened the door. I stared at him. This was what he’d gotten so quiet about?

  No. Something else had to be on his mind.

  “The top of Empire State building, huh?”

  He shrugged. “Thought it was something we should see before we leave.”

  “I like how you think, Mr. Rhodes,” I said, running my finger across his chest as I passed him.

  Those lips twitched, but he pressed them together. One day he wouldn’t fight that smile. One day he’d not even think twice about it.

  After Hunter bought the tickets—he’d splurged on the admissions that allowed us to skip the long line waiting to go to the top—we boarded the elevator. As we rode to the 86th floor, Hunter took my hand in his.

  I stared down at his large hand engulfing mine. Why did we have to leave tomorrow? I wanted this to continue so badly. Wanted him to stay mine like this forever.

  When we stepped out on the observation deck, wind whipped my hair into my face. I pushed the strands back as Hunter led us to a corner. He tugged me in front of him. Strong arms then wrapped around my shoulders and hugged me against him.

  Leaning the back of my head back against his chest, I took in the breathtaking view before me. Miles of lights were displayed before me. It looked like the city went on forever.

  “It’s beautiful,” I said softly.

  “Almost as beautiful as you.”

  My stomach fluttered and I rested my palms on his biceps. This was the most intimate Hunter and I had ever been. This was how a couple stood. A familiar loving embrace. How could I let this go once we got home?

  We stood like that for a long time. Him holding me, kissing my temple, the top of my head, whispering sweet words into my ears. The beauty of this moment brought tears to my eyes, and I blinked them back. Hunter had no idea how bittersweet this was, for he believed he was giving me everything I wanted. He had no idea that when he took it away tomorrow he’d be hurting me deeply.

  I was ready to go. I needed to get back to the hotel, make this about what it always revolved around. I couldn’t take much more of this loving stuff.

  I squeezed his bicep. “I’m ready to go back to the hotel, Hunter.”

  He stiffened behind me before saying, “Okay.”

  Was that it? Was he nervous about going back to the hotel? Why? When it came to us fooling around, he was never hesitant.

  Pushing my questions aside, I let me him pull me back to the elevator. As we rode down, I sneaked a peek at him. That twitch in his jaw was going a mile a minute.

  When we stepped out on the sidewalk, Hunter turned to me. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of walking. Want to grab a cab back to the hotel?”

  My feet were aching to high hell. “That sounds wonderful.”

  On the taxi ride back to the hotel, I dug my phone out of my purse to make sure I hadn’t missed any calls. My heart stopped for a second at Sophie’s name displayed on my screen more than a few times.

  I unlocked the screen and checked the text messages.

  Tonight’s the night, girl. I know exactly how I’m going to nail that man down. I’m surprising him in New York. Wish me luck!

  Sent three hours ago while we were on the carriage ride. I re-read the words over and over again before it really sank in.

  Sophie was here in New York. And she was coming for Hunter.

  There was nothing I could do to stop it. Hell, she may have been waiting at Hunter’s door when we got back.

  Would that be so bad?

  I was so tired of the secrecy. Not that I wanted Sophie to find out that way, but at this point just having our relationship out in the open would be such a relief.

  “What is it?” Hunter asked.

  Should I tell him? Maybe I should let things unfold as they happened tonight without warning him. I immediately rejected the weak thought. That would just add another deceit on the pile of deceits I had already committed.

  As I showed him my phone, I watched his face carefully. His body stiffened and his lips flattened into a seriously annoyed look.

  “Fuck.” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.”

  All right. I’d let him. But I decided his handling better include coming clean about us.

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, I was flicking mascara on my lashes, sprucing up a little after a long day. I’d bought a silky peach nightie trimmed in black lace especially for tonight. Not that I needed to buy something like that to get Hunter’s motor going, but I still loved the idea of coming out of the bathroom and seeing his reaction. I could just see the lust in his eyes.

  Plus, I needed his ass to relax, he’d been pacing the room since he got back. He was like a caged animal. My guess was that his tension was regarding the text I’d showed him earlier and now he was trying to figure out how he was going to explain all this to a woman he should’ve made it crystal clear to he wasn’t interested in weeks ago.

  Thankfully, when we’d gotten back to the hotel, Sophie had been nowhere in sight. It didn’t mean she wasn’t here, but it was getting later, so it was possible she’d changed her mind. I snorted at myself. That wasn’t Sophie at all.

  No, she was definitely going to show up at some point. I just hoped it wasn’t in the middle of me and Hunter getting it on.

  And then, just like that, it happened.

  A rapid succession of knocks sounded in the room. I froze mid-flick, then straightened as I shoved the wand back into the mascara container. This definitely wasn’t the entrance I wanted to make in my sexy lingerie. Opening the bathroom door, I stepped out.

  Hunter was standing a few feet from the door, scratching the back of his head, then he snapped his gaze over to me. His eyes rounded as they looked me up and down.

  “Jesus, Eliza.” He glanced at the door.

  Definitely not the reaction I’d been going for.

  “Stay in the bathroom, while I handle this.”

  I jerked back. He might as well have slapped me across the face with the way his demand hurt. “The bathroom? You want me to stay in the bathroom?”

  “For God’s sake, yes. The last thing I want is for her to see you.”

  He wasn’t going to tell her about us. Again.

  Mind numb, I returned to the bathroom on wooden legs. He’d actually looked panicked that Sophie would see me. He’d told me to hide.

  The asshole had told me to hide!

  Fury welled up in my chest and I fisted my hands. What was the excuse he was going to use to get her to go away? What lie would he say to preserve his secret?

  Having to know, I inched open the bathroom door until I could see Hunter.

  “Sophie,” Hunter said in a voice that was neither welcoming nor encouraging. “What are you doing here?”

  I could just peek a glimpse of her from my vantage point ensconced in the bathroom. The black dress that Sophie had on was damn close to indecent. The skin tight fabric barely covered her breasts while the hem hit the top of her thighs.

  “I thought I’d fly up here so if you needed me tomorrow, I’d be there for you.” She tried to step past him into the room, but Hunter shifted into her path. She blinked up at him. “Can I come in?”

  “I’ve felt like shit today. I’ve been puking since I got off the plane.”

&nb
sp; I clenched my teeth at the lie.

  “Oh, you poor baby. Let me take care of you.” She went to cup his cheek and he caught her wrist before she could. Confusion drew Sophie’s brows together. “What’s the matter?”

  “I just want to go to bed so I’m not a fucking zombie tomorrow for my meetings.”

  “Oh. Okay,” she said, disappointment clear in her voice as she reached into her purse and pulled out a plastic card. “Well, if you change your mind. Here’s my room key.”

  Hunter shook his head. “No, I’m definitely not going to change my mind. I feel like total shit.”

  She withdrew her hand with the card and made a grumbling noise. “You don’t look like you feel sick.”

  “Well, I am. I need to get some sleep now. Goodnight, Sophie.”

  As soon as he closed the door, I slammed out of the bathroom. I grabbed a t-shirt from my open suitcase and yanked it on over my head, then snatched a pair of jeans and tugged them on.

  Refusing to even acknowledge his existence, the same way he’d refused to acknowledge mine. I kept my gaze straight ahead, my jaw set as I snatched my purse off the bed and stormed to the door.

  As I shoved past him, he grabbed my arm. “Where in the hell are you going?”

  I yanked away from him and pointed at him, fury shaking my voice and body. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Jesus Christ. What’s got you so upset? I handled it.”

  “You handled it? Are you fucking kidding me? I just hid in a bathroom like a mistress would when the wife comes home unexpectedly. I’m not something to hide, Hunter. I’m sure as hell not meant to be made to feel like someone you’re ashamed of.”

  “I’m not ashamed of you,” he roared, his own anger spiking.

  “Really? Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel that way from my side. Am I just the fuck buddy, Hunter? Do you not care for me at all besides eating my pussy and me sucking your dick?”

  He yanked up the sleeve of his t-shirt. My name was crudely etched in his skin. “Does this look like that’s all I care about? A man doesn’t put a woman’s name on his body if he isn’t fucking serious about her.” He pointed to the letters. “I carved this into my arm to remind me to live through the torture—to make it out to find you. Regretting every day that I hadn’t responded to your letter. It was my motivation to stay alive when there was none.” He lowered his sleeve and held out his arms. “I’m fucking trying, Eliza. The only way I know how.”