“Earth to Annie.”
She blinked rapidly, her vision focusing on Hunter as he waved his hand in front of her face.
“You still with me?”
She flushed, heat rising to her already too-warm face. “Sorry. Um. Zoned out. I think I’d rather ride with you.” The admission on the heels of her sex fantasy sent her mind straight back to the gutter, and she imagined Hunter’s fingers gripping her ass, urging her to go faster, harder.
Hunter gave her a funny look and she prayed he couldn’t read minds. He put their lunch in a pack attached to the back of the saddle, then mounted the horse.
Reaching down, he offered her a hand. “Put your left foot in the stirrup. I’ll pull you up.”
She placed her hand in his, marveling at the strength in his grasp. She’d never known such a physically powerful man. The men she’d dated in the city tended to be slimmer, more lean than muscular. Their hands hadn’t been rough with calluses, like Hunter’s.
His skin wore a natural golden tan she suspected was there year-round. She bet he never succumbed to the winter-white complexion that plagued most New Yorkers during the long, snowy months.
Once she was seated behind him, she knew she was in for a long afternoon of unending horniness. Her crotch was snug against his far-too-sexy ass and when he grasped her hands and pulled them around his waist, she clasped them together quickly, lest she be tempted to rest them somewhat lower.
“All right then?” he asked.
She nodded, tightening her grip as he flicked the reins and the horse began to move. They rode in silence for several minutes as Annie tried to batten down her physical urges. Hunter had made it clear nothing could happen between them. She’d come here to meet Dylan, though that reason seemed to matter less with each passing hour. In fact, she’d tried to call Monet the previous day, but the time difference and life weren’t being very kind to her. She recalled the message she’d left on Monnie’s machine and winced. Her friend would think she’d gone mental.
“Hi Monnie. I just…I just wanted to say hi. Australia is amazing. Hunter is…has been showing me the station. I hope Dylan is okay. I really need to talk to him. There’s something I need to… I really need to talk to him. Please tell him I said hello. I hope you’re looking after him. Love you.”
While she and Dylan had formed a fun friendship, complete with flirting, she didn’t think either of them had seriously engaged feelings. At least, she didn’t. She wasn’t sure about Dylan, but she needed to find out…and soon. Hunter’s hesitance to give in to the mutual attraction between them made her wonder if Dylan had said something about their online relationship being more serious.
Annie had jumped at the chance to travel to Australia because—in addition to wanting to meet Dylan in person—she’d wanted to get the hell out of the city before the Thanksgiving holiday kicked in. She needed a break from her family, her job, the paparazzi.
She glanced around. There wasn’t a single camera pointed at her, no one following her, shouting questions and inappropriate comments. For the moment, it was as if she and Hunter were the only two people on the planet.
Despite the ungodly heat and flies, she was starting to believe she’d found heaven on earth.
Hunter broke the silence first as he gestured to some outbuildings, explaining the purpose of each. As they rode, he pointed out various things—fencing, cattle grazing, trails they used for four-wheeling. The land was beautiful, isolated but useful. Everything seemed to have a purpose, a reason for being, and once again Annie felt like the stray piece of a puzzle, the one that didn’t fit.
She pushed the thought away. There wasn’t room for that today. She was too happy and unwilling to let go of that emotion.
They rode for nearly an hour as Hunter told her stories about growing up on the cattle station. She’d been shocked to learn he hadn’t gone to a proper school. Instead, his education had been achieved by some School in the Air, a rather bizarre concept where all the kids communicated with their teacher via radio. As he spoke, she marveled over how different their lives were. And yet, for some odd reason, she felt more connected to this stockman than she did with her friends from home, or even her sisters.
“Oh look,” she said, pointing to her right. “A lake.”
Hunter glanced over his shoulder. “That’s where we’ve been heading all this time. And love, that’s a billabong.”
He directed the horse toward a clearing. Hopping down, he reached up for her. Annie leaned forward, placing her trust in Hunter as he caught her, delivering her safely to the ground. He kept his arms around her as she struggled to find her footing.
“My legs are wiggly.”
He laughed at her description. “You’re not used to spending so much time on horseback. It gets easier.”
Once she’d gotten her sea legs back, Hunter released her, grabbing their lunch and a large blanket from the pack.
Annie walked closer to the water, enjoying the fresh, clean air and smell of wet earth. It was a welcome change after several days spent in the dry heat surrounding the homestead.
“It’s beautiful here.”
Hunter spread out the blanket and sat down. He patted the spot next to him. “Hope you’re hungry. Mum packed enough food for an army. You like roast beef sandwiches?”
She nodded.
“After we eat, we can take a dip if you want.”
“I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”
Hunter gave her a wicked grin. “Skivvies work just as well.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You expected me to swim in my underwear?”
“Why not? What’s a bikini if not a bra and undies? Of course, if you prefer, skinny-dipping works too. I just figured you might be a bit modest.”
She picked up a grape and threw it at his head. He dodged the tiny missile. “We’ll sort out the details after we eat. I’m starving.”
They chatted easily as they consumed Hazel’s delicious food, but Hunter had planted a dangerous seed. Too many times during the meal, Annie wondered if Hunter was serious about skinny-dipping. Would she do it if he asked? Could she? She didn’t consider herself shy by any stretch of the imagination, but Hunter wasn’t exactly a friend daring her as a lark.
She’d seen the way he looked at her, knew his feelings were no more platonic than hers.
“So what made you pick Dylan out of all the men in that online dating pool?”
Hunter’s question caught her off-guard, but suddenly she felt grateful for the chance to explain her reasons for signing up. He’d said enough over the past two days to give her the feeling he wasn’t a fan of finding true love virtually.
“Actually, I didn’t. My friend, Monet, was the one who spotted him. We were having a girls night, drinking wine, commiserating over my latest in a long line of shitty boyfriends. Next thing I know, Monet’s signing me up for the service, insisting that there was someone, somewhere in the world, who could love me for me and not my family’s money.”
Hunter scowled. “You been dating gold diggers?”
“Well, not by choice. Usually their true natures and reasons for going out with me don’t come out until much later in the relationship. Might be better to say I date actors. Even if they have other jobs, I always manage to find men who are very convincing when it comes to their interest in me.”
“New York men sound like wankers.”
She glanced at the lake, grinning. “Not all of them. I’ve actually dated some really nice guys too. Unfortunately those are invariably the ones I feel zero attraction to.”
“So if Monet picked Dylan, how did you end up talking to him?”
“She picked him out for me. We were three sheets to the wind and Monet gave him my email. One thing sort of led to another and before I knew it, we were emailing back and forth every day.”
“What did you two talk about?”
Annie shrugged. “Nothing deep, really. Our jobs, families, what we ate for breakfast. Silly stuff. Dylan’s a really easy
guy to talk to. He was nice and,” she paused, trying to find the right word, “safe.”
“What’s that mean?”
Annie wiped her mouth and pushed away the paper plate. Once again, she’d eaten enough to choke a horse. If she stayed in Australia much longer, she’d have to start jogging to keep off the extra weight. “Dylan was half a world away. It’s easy to flirt with someone you run very little risk of ever seeing in person.”
“But you agreed to meet him.”
She nodded. Dylan’s invitation had come on a very bad day. Her boss had called her “Princess” during a staff meeting, Joel had found a new rich girlfriend, telling the tabloids Annie’s cold-fish tendencies in the bedroom led to their breakup, and her sister, Cindy, had called to inform her that their Thanksgiving meal was going to be recorded for a special holiday event on the reality show. “When I read that IM from Dylan, I was feeling pretty lonely. Getting out of town seemed like the answer to a prayer.”
Hunter began clearing up their food, placing the leftovers back in the bag. “So did you come here for Dylan…or a vacation with benefits?”
It was a good question. She wished she had a better answer. “Both, I guess. I thought I’d see if the fun that Dylan and I had online translated into real life, and I wanted to get away. Desperately.”
Hunter studied her face for a long time and she wondered if her response pissed him off. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to wonder if Dylan’s feelings had been more strongly engaged. What if, by admitting her real reasons for coming, Hunter now saw her as a user? A woman looking for a fling while escaping her real life? She hadn’t painted a very pretty picture of herself.
The silence unnerved her. She stood and walked back toward the lake. Taking off her hat, she fanned herself with it while finger-combing her hair. A rumble caught her attention and she glanced up to discover a dark cloud overhead.
“Damn. Storm coming.”
She turned, surprised to see Hunter standing so close behind her. A quick look showed that he’d folded up the blanket and put it and the food back in the pack.
She was sorry to leave. “I guess we should head back.”
He nodded, looking up. “Not sure we’re going to beat it. Think we’re about to get pissed on from a great height.”
As if he’d dared the gods, rain began to fall. Unlike the storms at home, this one skipped the drizzle and got straight to the good part.
Sheets of water fell, soaking her in an instant. The quick, unexpected change caught her unaware and her mouth fell open.
Hunter wiped his eyes. Grinning, he shook his head and shrugged. “Looks like a belly washer.”
Annie had never found pleasure in rain. In New York, the skies would go dark and gray for days on end, never producing more than a few measly icy-cold drops at a time. This rain felt different. It cooled her overheated skin, washing away the sweat, the grime, the smell of the horse. It was like bathing in a beautiful waterfall.
She lifted her arms and spun around. “It’s incredible!”
Hunter watched her with humor in his eyes. “It’s just rain, you bloody crazy Yank.”
“Maybe. But it feels so good.”
Hunter’s laughter died as his eyes drifted over her body hungrily. She glanced down and suddenly understood why men loved wet t-shirt contests so much. Her white shirt was sheer and it clung to her body, revealing every curve she possessed.
Her nipples were dark and erect. She wanted to blame it on the sudden chill, but she knew it had more to do with arousal.
Hunter had removed his hat and his hair was slick, wet. He pushed it away from his face.
She lowered her arms as both of them continued to stare at each other.
Then they moved at the same time.
Annie didn’t have time to consider her actions when Hunter’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. She gripped his face, forcing his lips to hers.
Hunter’s kiss was hot and deep, passionate. Annie turned her head, trying to get more of him. They’d curbed one hunger with food. Now they were satisfying a different kind of starvation.
She ran her hands over his shoulders, dragging her fingers along his muscular arms. Hunter lifted his palms to her breasts, encapsulating her flesh with his large hands. He squeezed them and she moaned into his mouth.
The storm continued to pound down, but the force of the rain only drove their needs higher. Annie reached around Hunter and grasped his ass, her fingers digging into his jeans, pushing his erection against her stomach.
She longed to feel him inside her. Hunter pinched her nipples, the sharp, pleasurable pain sending shards of arousal to her pussy. She pulled away from the kiss slightly and gasped, but Hunter drew her back, refusing to free her lips.
Water dripped from their clothing. Annie gripped his soaked jeans tighter. She needed more than this. Tugging at the hem of his t-shirt, she untucked it and slipped her hands beneath. Bare, smooth skin met her fingertips. Hunter hissed when her chilled hands stroked his nipples, but he didn’t break the union of their lips.
His tongue tangled with hers, then he nipped her lower lip. She returned the sensual attack. Hunter’s fingers twisted in her hair. He tightened his hold, pulling the tresses until she thought she’d explode. So fucking good. So hot.
She’d spent a lifetime dreaming of a kiss like this, never finding a man who wanted her with a mindless, uncontrollable passion that could match hers. Annie dragged her nails along Hunter’s chest, desperate to mark him, to scratch this moment permanently into his skin, his memory.
A flash of lightning pierced the darkness and Annie panicked. The bright light reminded her too much of a camera. It drove her back to the present, to reality, and she stepped away, glancing around. What if someone had seen? Taken a picture? Stolen the most precious moment of her life for their own financial gain?
“Fuck,” Hunter muttered. His chest rose and fell, his breathing as labored as hers. “I’m so sorry, Annie.”
Sorry? She was the one who’d had the ridiculous moment of panic. They truly were alone. As soon as she realized that, she regretted her foolishness. She missed his lips, his arms around her.
Before she could explain, Hunter bent down to pick up their hats, slapping them against his thighs. “I’d never do anything to hurt Dylan. It’s just…”
Oh God. Dylan. She’d completely forgotten about Hunter’s brother. “Hunter…” She needed to find a way around his feelings of guilt. She hadn’t gotten a sense Dylan’s feelings were any stronger than hers, but what if she’d misread their flirting, thinking it harmless, sexy, while Dylan put more stock into its meaning? What happened if he came home and expected more than she was able to give?
“We need to head to the homestead. The storm looks like it’s dying, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come back worse. We shouldn’t be out here in the lightning.”
She nodded, feeling very weary and confused. Her clothes clung to her, suddenly cold and uncomfortable. She needed a hot bath and a long cry.
* * * * *
When Hunter and Annie arrived at the house, Hazel was on the front porch. The rain had slowed down considerably during their return trip. Hunter stopped near the house and hopped down, helping Annie descend.
She hadn’t spoken a word since he’d kissed her by the billabong. Guilt lingered, but if given the chance, he’d drag Annie back into his arms again. He couldn’t resist her, the pull growing stronger with each passing day.
Hazel started to speak, but stopped as her gaze traveled from Annie to him. Hunter’s hands still lingered on Annie’s waist in a far-too-familiar way. He fought to restrain his wince as he released her and took one step away. His mother was far too canny, too clever.
He rubbed his jaw, his fingers grazing his own lower lip. For the first time he tasted the slight tang of blood and he remembered Annie biting him. She was a wildcat, and he ached to unleash the sexy beast inside her.
Hazel took Annie’s hand as she climbed the stair
s. “You’re soaked to the skin, dear girl. Why don’t you go to your room and take a hot shower, get some dry clothes?”
Annie accepted Hazel’s hand. “I might lie down too. Not sure when this jetlag will go away once and for all, but I’m sort of tired.”
Hazel smiled kindly. “A nap should do the trick. Why don’t you rest until dinner?”
Annie continued to the front door, turning before entering the house. “Thanks for the picnic, Hunter. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”
He smiled. He’d thought her silence was based on regret. Now he wasn’t so sure. “I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
Her words and her face, the direct way she looked him straight in the eye, told him she meant what she was saying.
She walked into the house.
He’d forgotten his mother was there until she spoke. “You need to call Dylan.”
“I know. I will.” Dylan had left a message on the answering machine the night before last, but Hunter hadn’t returned the call, uncertain what to say. He’d considered ringing Dylan at least half a dozen times yesterday, but he and Annie had been having too much fun, so again, he avoided the issue. What would he do if Dylan said he was on his way home…coming back for Annie?
Hazel wasn’t appeased. “When?”
“I need to take care of Jamboree first. The poor horse is soaking wet and—”
“Hunter. I’m not blind and I’m not stupid.”
He knew that. “Mum, I’m going to call him. I promise.”
Hazel nodded, then walked back into the house. Hunter led Jamboree back to the shed as he considered what he’d say to Dylan. How could he explain that the woman he’d accused his brother of acting like a fool over had shown up and tossed his world on its ear? Dylan wasn’t just his brother, he was his mate, his best friend. Was he willing to risk that relationship over a woman he’d just met?
The ache in Hunter’s chest made him very sad to recognize he might.
Misplaced Princess (Foreign Affairs, Book One) Page 6