HUNTED

by C. Luca

  There’s not much to choose from. He knows I’ve grown bored with reading, and watching TV or movies. “Probably a nap, another shower, a walk, and another nap,” I joke. I don’t want to come off as whiny by complaining too much about the lack of activities to do around here. I made my bed, so to speak. Now I have to lie in it.

  “I picked up a few word puzzles at the store,” he offers.

  “You did?” I ask with a hint of delight. “Why didn’t you mention it yesterday?” I love word puzzles. They seem to make time go by faster when your mind is distracted.

  He looks amused over my excitement about something so trivial, but I can’t help it. Anything to help keep boredom at bay is worth getting excited over. “It slipped my mind when I no sooner walked in and you took the chocolate ice cream from me,” he informs.

  I look at him with confusion. “Why does that matter?”

  “You put peanut butter on your ice cream,” he says, making a pained face.

  Ah. That. “What’s wrong with the way I eat my ice cream?” I ask innocently.

  “Everything,” he replies. “I’ll go grab those word puzzles.”

  I’m amused as he rises to his feet and disappears down the hall to his room. He comes back a moment later with a handful of word puzzles and a pen.

  I brighten as he hands them to me. “Thank you. How did you know I like them?”

  He shrugs and sits back down, reaching for his glass of orange juice. “Lucky guess.”

  “Did they have more?” I ask curiously as I flip through one of the thin booklets to see what types of puzzles are inside.

  “You don’t think those will last long?”

  “What else am I going to do?” I ask mildly.

  “If there’s anything you want to order, I can try to get it delivered without drawing suspicion,” he offers.

  I look up at him and shake my head. I’m not risking innocent lives just because I’m bored. “These are great, Kane,” I assure.

  He nods. “I’ll grab more if you run out.”

  I give him a cheeky look. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  * * *

  I spend the morning doing laundry and working on word puzzles while Kane does his thing on his laptops. Then, for lunch, I make us BLT sandwiches since it’s too hot to be cooking. Plus, Kane really likes bacon. He’d eat it with every meal if he could.

  We’re currently taking a break and eating the BLT’s in the kitchen. “Do you ever get bored?” I ask after I finish chewing a mouthful of sandwich.

  Kane had just taken a bite of his, and I patiently wait until he can respond. “Bored with what?” he asks, looking at me questioningly.

  “With being on the computers all day.”

  He shrugs. “Not really. It’s part of the job, and there’s a lot that needs to be monitored,” he says before taking another big bite of his sandwich.

  “Do you enjoy it?” I ask once he’s finished chewing.

  “It’s for a good cause, so yes.”

  I would like to ask again how he’d become involved in the business of hiding people, but I don’t want him to shut me out, so I decide to ignore my curiosity. Eventually, when the time is right, I’ll ask again.

  “How often are you in contact with the others?” I ask instead. “The people you work with, not others like me,” I amend, wiping my mouth with a piece of paper towel.

  “Pretty often.”

  Naturally, he doesn’t elaborate, which is understandable. I let the subject rest and polish off my sandwich while he finishes his.

  When his plate is empty, Kane pushes it aside and stands. “I’ll be right back. Stay put,” he orders.

  I watch him cross the room and disappear down the hall. This is new, and I hide my uncertainty. He’s up to something, and I don’t know if that’s good or bad. With Kane, I never really know because of the direness of my situation.

  Needing to busy myself, I pick up our plates and glasses and walk to the sink, setting them down. When I turn back to the table, Kane is standing beside it with a round, plastic container with what appears to be a chocolate cake inside.

  I go completely still.

  He clears his throat a bit awkwardly. “I’ve had it hidden in my room, so it’s looking a little melted. The clerk at the store insisted it didn’t need to be refrigerated…” his voice trails off as he notes my expression.

  It’s a birthday cake.

  The colors from the flowers have run together, and so has the writing, but it’s still easy to see the festive, ‘Happy Birthday Tessa!’

  Kane’s brows edge into a frown. “Tessa?”

  I don’t know what to say. I never celebrate my birthday, and I certainly didn’t expect Kane to make a big deal of it.

  My chest tightens as old memories come back to haunt me. After the car crash, I’d been sent to boarding schools, but I hadn’t had friends. The only people to recall my birthday throughout my childhood and teen years were my teachers.

  I’ve never had anyone to celebrate with, so I usually try to block out my birthday.

  Kane, realizing that something is wrong, sets the cake down on the table. “Hey, what are you thinking?”

  “Nothing,” I say, pasting a smile on my face as something thickens in my throat. I swallow around it and say, “Thank you, the cake looks lovely.”

  His eyes narrow. “Bullshit. Try again.”

  I release a resigned sigh and sit down on the nearest chair. Somehow, he knows me all too well, and it’s useless trying to brush off my initial reaction to the cake.

  Kane sits down as well, eyes focused on me intently as he waits for me to explain.

  The last thing I want is for him to feel sorry for me, so I am hesitant to divulge why I’m so caught off balance over his thoughtful gift.

  “Out with it,” he orders, his eyes telling me that we’re going to have this conversation one way or another, even if he has to drag it out of me.

  “I don’t celebrate my birthday, “I say lightly, hoping he won’t want to delve too deeply as to why.

  His razor-sharp gaze remains locked on me. “Why not?” he asks promptly.

  My lips tighten. He’s not going to relent until I tell him the truth. “Because there has never been a reason to. I’m always alone.”

  His expression slides back into a frown. “I know things have been tough the past few years, but that doesn’t mean—”

  “Kane, there’s never been anyone,” I cut in, just wanting the conversation to be over. “I never made friends at the boarding schools.”

  “Of course, you had friends. You were a child—”

  “Who was teased and laughed at. No one wanted to be friends with the shy, crippled girl who walked funny,” I finish flatly.

  Kane falls silent as his eyes darken, and his expression grows heavy with emotion before he swiftly hides it.

  I glare at him. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me,” I threaten.

  He sighs and rubs his hands over his face. “Trust me, the last thing I ever feel is pity for you.”

  “Then what was that look for?” I challenge.

  “What look?”

  My eyes narrow. “The one you just tried to hide.”

  “I didn’t try to hide anything,” he says levelly.

  I don’t believe him.

  “I bought that for nothing then?” he asks gently, nodding to the cake.

  My defensiveness quickly begins to fade, and I glance at the cake. It really was a thoughtful gesture, and I’m being ungrateful. “I didn’t say that,” I say quietly.

  His eyes return to mine. “But you’re uncomfortable with it.”

  “You just caught me off guard.”

  “I couldn’t tell,” he says dryly.

  “I’ll get us plates.”

  “Stay, I’ll do it.” He stands and walks to the cupboard.

  I silently watch him retrieve new forks and plates, setting them down and opening the lid of the cake. He then goes to a drawer and comes back w
ith a knife.

  As he cuts into the cake, I find myself desperate to lighten the situation. “Can I put peanut butter on it?”

  The knife pauses in mid-motion, and Kane shakes his head with bemusement. He pulls out a slice and sets it on a plate. “I’m way ahead of you this time. I had them put a layer of peanut butter inside.”

  I stare at the slice of chocolate cake with the narrow strip of peanut butter in the middle. Much to my horror, tears spring to my eyes. No one has ever done anything nice for me before—not like this.

  The knife clatters to the table as Kane catches sight of my unshed tears. He steps close and hauls me to my feet, pulling me to his chest and holding me. “Ah, Tessa,” he says softly.

  I sniffle against his chest and inhale his comforting scent. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually like this. I’ve cried more in the past few weeks than I have in years.”

  He remains silent, rubbing my back in soothing circles.

  I look up at him through spiky lashes. “Really, I love the cake,” I insist.

  His eyes search mine intently. “Then why cry?”

  “Because it’s my first birthday cake since my mom died, so it means the world to me,” I confess sheepishly.

  Kane stares down at me, emotion flickering in his gaze. “I wish I could give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”

  Something inside me stirs. “Me too, because I can’t imagine anyone else doing the things to me that I want you to do,” I whisper.

  Kane groans.

  “I know that’s not what you’re referring to,” I say with disappointment. “It’s just that I trust you, and I want my first time to be with someone that knows me, the real me.” I try to give him a playful look. “Sometimes, I think I’m going to die a virgin.” Unfortunately, my tone comes across far from playful.

  I am really messing this up.

  I pull out of his arms, grimacing. “I am so sorry—”

  Kane’s mouth cuts off the rest of what I was about to say. His tongue strokes mine, and this kiss is different than the one we’d shared in the hallway last week. This is pure seduction, because the way his mouth is devouring mine makes me think of this going way farther than just one kiss.

  Kane abruptly ends the kiss and stares down at me, eyes dark with desire.

  “Kane?” I question.

  “I don’t want anyone else to be your first but me, but I can’t be more than that,” he says gruffly.

  Anticipation builds when I realize this really is going to lead where I am desperate for it to go. “I never asked for more.”

  “Good,” he says, pulling me in for another kiss.

  As his lips tempt mine, his velvet tongue stroking my own, I grip his hips and my heart quickens. Without breaking the kiss, Kane physically turns me and begins to back me up across the living room, maneuvering me towards my bedroom.

  The kiss only breaks when he begins pulling off my clothes. There’s not much to remove since I’m only wearing shorts and a tank. My bra and panties are soon tossed aside, and I find myself yanking on his shirt and tugging it off, anxious to get him naked.

  A second later, we’re falling to the mattress. Kane immediately has me on my back, his tongue stroking mine as his hand goes to one of my breasts, playing with the sensitive tip.

  I groan into his mouth, my hands running over his smooth back. I want to explore, but Kane seems to want to control this moment, and since I’ve never done this, I am going to take my cues from him.

  Kane breaks the kiss and trails his lips down my jaw, and then my neck, and down to my breasts. While his mouth closes over a taut nipple, his hand slides down between my legs. Instinctively, I open them wider for him, and his finger slides down my slit.

  I’m soaked already.

  “Ah Tessa,” he groans against my nipple before his hand leaves my folds and his mouth begins to travel downwards.

  My eyes widen as his tongue dips into my belly button briefly before continuing its southbound journey. Is he going to…? He plants a gentle kiss above my neatly trimmed pubic hair before going lower.

  I lie there, tense with anticipation as I wait for the first touch of his tongue. If it hadn’t been for the sexual encounter in the bathroom, I’d be more nervous than what I am. He’s already seen all of me, so I’m ready to simply enjoy everything he’s giving me.

  His tongue brushes my clit, and I hiss at the sensation. It’s much different than how he’d touched me. As his hands cradle my butt, his tongue begins to move faster, flickering against the sensitive nub.

  I gasp and stare up at the ceiling, my hands gripping the mattress. This is… I can’t even think.

  As his tongue caresses my most sensitive flesh, I can feel the roughness of his cheeks along my inner thighs. All the sensations are overwhelming, but in such a good way.

  Kane licks at my folds and clit, making certain I feel every touch and flick of his tongue. I am moaning uncontrollably now as he takes me to heights that I crave.

  When I go over the edge, his mouth never leaves my throbbing flesh. Not until I go limp. I lift my head to look down at him situated between my legs. He looks up at me and grins, wickedly licking his lips.

  I groan from the sexy sight.

  “No time to rest,” he teases as he reaches for the condom he had somehow managed to place on the nightstand without my noticing.

  I watch him tear it open and slide it onto his length. Finally, I’m going to know what it feels like to have him inside me.

  Kane shifts and comes over me, settling between my thighs. “You sure?” he asks softly.

  “More than sure.”

  His eyes search mine. “It’s going to hurt.”

  “It’ll be the sweetest pain ever,” I whisper.

  He nods, and I feel his thickness press against my folds. Slowly, he begins to ease his way in, making room for his thickness. His eyes remain focused on mine, wanting to see how I’m reacting.

  It’s a bit uncomfortable, and I bite my lower lip as I feel a hint of pain.

  Kane pauses. “Ready?”

  I nod.

  He pushes in firmly, and I wince as I feel a burning pain before he slides in deeply. The pain immediately begins to fade, and I process the sensation of him inside me.

  Kane looks at me with alert eyes. “Doing okay?”

  “The pain is fading.”

  “Good.” He waits patiently, and then when I nod, he slowly begins to pull his hips back, nearly pulling out of me completely before carefully sliding back in.

  My eyes widen. Ohh…

  Kane grins down at me. “Yeah?”

  “More,” I breathe.

  His lips claim mine as his hips begin to move in a seductive rhythm that is bringing me more and more pleasure. With his chest pressed to mine, and his hips sliding his hardness in and out of me, I feel completely encompassed by him, and I love it.

  I wrap my legs around his hips, thrusting with him as I grip his shoulders.

  This is amazing, and I want more, so much more…

  Kane groans, breaking the kiss. “You’re so fucking tight…”

  “Faster,” I pant.

  He chuckles. “Gladly.”

  His hips move faster and faster, and I cling to him as sweat begins to break out across my body. Kane shifts slightly, his thrusting changing rhythm, and it’s enough to tighten my body as it begins to climb to pleasurable heights.

  “Kane…”

  “That’s it, come on…” he says, hips moving faster.

  My lower body explodes as I arch my back and cry out. Kane quickly swallows my cry as his hips pump a few more times before groaning his own pleasure.

  Eighteen

  Tessa

  I lie in Kane’s arms, content to stay like this forever. He doesn’t seem in any rush to leave my bed, so I remain pressed against his side as the sweat on our skin begins to dry. The sheets that had been on the bed earlier had ended up shoved to the floor, so our bodies are completely uncovered.

  I am
no longer a virgin.

  My teeth sink into my bottom lip to prevent my mouth from forming a goofy, happy smile. Kane had made it clear that this was a one-time thing, and I don’t want him to think that I am thinking otherwise.

  There’s a soreness between my thighs, but it’s a pleasant kind of ache, and I savor it. Sex is definitely as amazing as everyone says.

  Being with Kane…

  I can’t put into words how much it meant to me.

  Kane’s warm chest rumbles beneath my cheek as he asks, “What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

  It’s impossible to hold back my smile as I run a hand over his smooth, rigid abs, enjoying the fact that I can touch him as much as I want—for now. “I’m thinking that this has been the best birthday ever,” I murmur.

  Instead of responding, Kane remains silent.

  I tilt my head so I can rest my chin on his pectoral muscle, this way I can peer up at him. “It’s okay. I know this won’t go any further. Though if you want to teach me a few more things, I certainly won’t object,” I tease.

  Shoot!

  No, no, no. That was not supposed to come out of my mouth.

  Kane’s expression turns conflicted. “Fuck, you are so tempting,” he confesses in a gravelly voice.

  My smile widens into a grin over his response. “So don’t fight it,” I dare to suggest, gaining confidence. “We’ll have some fun, and when it’s time for us to part ways, we walk away.” I’d love nothing more than to explore sex with Kane.

  His expression sobers as a muscle works in his jaw. “Tessa, it’s easy to say now…”

  I give him a look and shift so that I can prop my chin on my hand, my elbow pressing into the mattress near his underarm. This way, I can see his face better and perhaps read what he’s thinking like he does with me.

  “I am not your average twenty-two-year-old,” I remind. “I’ve been through situations others will hopefully never experience. Yes, I was naïve in some ways before everything went down at my apartment, but I’m not the same woman anymore. The past few weeks…” my voice trails off. Everything has changed.

  Kane’s eyes soften. “You’ve been through a lot,” he agrees.