Hunter's Mark

by Wendy Smith

  I trace my hand down over his smooth chin and up the other side of his face.

  “I’m not sure if I like this.”

  He chuckles. “Lily said the same thing.”

  “You showed Lily?”

  “I was in town getting it done. Figured I’d drop in and see how the wedding preparation was going.”

  She saw him first.

  I have no doubt Lily’s in love with Adam and not Corey, but my thoughts are tinged with jealousy.

  “You could never play poker.” He says it so gently. “There’s nothing to be jealous about. I didn’t go there to show her what I’d done. I dropped in to see my brother.” He turns his head, planting a kiss on my palm. “And then I came straight home to you.”

  I catch his gaze as he looks at me, and for the longest moment, we just stare at one another.

  Corey licks his lips. “Look, I don’t know what to call this thing between us yet, but I do know that you are who I want to be with. This is the clearest my path has ever been. And if you stay, I’ll give you everything I can.”

  “I just want you.”

  “You have me. You have all of me.” He’s so sincere, and my heart swells at the earnest expression on his face. If I know anything, it’s that Corey’s honest with me.

  And that’s why I love this man so much.

  19

  Constance

  It wasn’t just the dresses that were drab back home.

  When we went shopping, Lily helped me find two beautiful lacy nightgowns. I’d never owned anything like them in my entire life—and I haven’t worn either of them since trying them on in the store.

  Later that night, I stare into the flames, sighing a contented sigh as Corey covers my body in kisses. It’s hard to stay focused when his tongue skirts my bellybutton.

  “We should just give up and bring the mattress from the bedroom in here.” He laughs against my skin.

  I reach for him, running my fingers through his hair. “It’s not a silly idea.”

  “Do you remember the night we met?” He plants gentle kisses on my stomach.

  “How can I forget? You threw me over your shoulder.”

  He chuckles. “Remember how we argued over the odds of being struck by lightning?”

  “Of course.”

  “I don’t know about you, but that night, I was.”

  For a moment, I’m confused. “You were what?”

  “You’re my lightning bolt.”

  My heart melts at his words. I don’t even notice my tears until Corey kisses them from my cheeks.

  “Don’t cry, sweetness.”

  Sighing, I stroke his face. “I’m just so happy.”

  “I am, too. You make me happy. I can’t even imagine what my life was like without you.” He sucks in his bottom lip. “I’ve also got other news.”

  “What’s that?”

  He runs his hand up my stomach, cupping my breast. “My check-up was fine. If, and only if you decide to, we can ditch the condoms.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Doc Paton says the contraceptive injection lasts three months, so if you had it the day you came here, you can go and get it again when the time comes. If you want to.”

  I smile. “It doesn’t seem to disagree with me so far.”

  “All I want is to bury myself deep inside you. Become a part of you. With nothing between us.” His lips brush my neck. “I want to come in you.”

  “Yes.” The word comes out as a breathy whisper.

  “What was that?”

  “I want you inside me.”

  He doesn’t wait. Holding my leg up, he guides himself into me. This is the two of us with nothing between us. He fills me as he always does, driving in deep. Nothing’s ever felt so good.

  “Fuck, you feel amazing,” he says.

  I moan as he thrusts slowly.

  “Sweetness,” he moans. I arch my back, needing every little bit of him.

  Corey’s mouth covers mine, and I fall apart underneath him. This is what I’ve spent my life waiting for—him. We’re in our own little bubble where the outside world can’t touch us. I want it forever.

  “Constance,” Corey moans in my ear.

  I’m undone. I push up to meet him as he slams into me one last time.

  We both breathe deep as he slowly pulls out and rolls to my side.

  He pulls me toward him. His tongue runs across the seam of my lips before he kisses me again.

  “Every time it gets better,” he whispers.

  “For me, too.”

  “All I know is that I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like this before. We’re so in tune. It’s been a long time since I felt anything, really. Not since …” His voice trails off, but I know what, or rather who has crossed his thoughts.

  “Lily,” I finish his sentence, and he raises his head. He has such a wounded expression, but I’m not sure if it’s because of his pain, or my own at knowing.

  “How did you …?”

  “The way you were with her that first day I met her. I know now that you had feelings for me, but the way you felt about her was written all over your face.”

  He swallows, and it only confirms what I thought. “Constance, I swear it’s only you. It’s been you since the night we met.”

  I nod, running my fingers through his hair.

  “I already knew I was over my feelings for her when she took you shopping.”

  My eyebrows shoot up of their own volition.

  “I’ll always love Lily. But as a sister, not as anything else. The day before she came over, we had coffee and I knew then. Because all I could think about was you.”

  Tears fill my eyes.

  “You’re my girl, Constance. And the only one I want.”

  “I know,” I whisper. “I know.”

  20

  Corey

  I hate being away for the night. It’s the first job I’ve been on since Constance arrived. I’m mindful of the fact that I’ll have to work more often now I’m supporting both of us.

  While I don’t mind working, I’m not enjoying being away from her.

  I’m just grateful that I told Graham about Constance. At least he knows she’s there and maybe he can protect her, should anything go wrong.

  I should have got another dog.

  The thought twists my stomach.

  For the first time in a long time, my head is back home and not where it’s meant to be. I almost miss the sound I’ve been waiting for.

  The branch above me creaks as the possum lands on it. I don’t have to see it to know it’s there.

  I aim my rifle, using the night vision to locate him. In the silent night, the gunshot sounds like an explosion.

  A thud comes from the forest floor, and I grab the torch, quickly finding him.

  “Last one for the night I think.” I mutter to myself.

  I carry the possum to the back of the truck and drop him. Tomorrow, I’ll take them to show the landowner. Then, I’ll be off to Carlstown to see my contact who takes it from there. I’m paid for the pest eradication, and then I get paid for the fur, and sometimes for meat from the pet food factory.

  It’s not a nice business, but this land should be full of native birds. The possums kill everything they come across. The guy who farms this land has cattle, and the possums can carry bovine tuberculosis.

  Our arrangement works out well for me—I’m just glad it’s one night this time.

  As I crawl inside the tent, my thoughts return to home. What’s Constance doing? Is she buried in a book? Or has she gone to bed, too?

  I check my watch. It’s a little after two. I laugh, still not knowing the answer. She loves having so many books to read, and I love having that in common with her.

  I’ve never really missed anyone like this before.

  She’s on the couch when I walk in the door. My heart sings at the sight of her.

  This is what I always wanted: someone to come home to. Someone who belongs here.

&n
bsp; Nothing has ever felt as right as this.

  “Corey?” Constance smiles, dropping her book to the floor. She runs toward me, and I let my bags fall to the ground.

  I need a shower, and sleep, but for now I wrap my arms around my girl and hold her, closing my eyes. She smells like my shower gel, and I bury my nose in her hair.

  “Are you okay?” she asks.

  “Never better. This is what I need.” I let her go enough that she can look at me. Her eyes are full of affection, and I don’t have to ask to know she’s feeling the same way I am. “I’ve got a present for you.”

  “You do?” Her smile widens.

  “I do, but I want a kiss first. And after I’ve given you your present, we can take a shower before bed.”

  Con snuggles into my chest. “I like that idea.”

  “I just need to go and get your present from the car. I couldn’t carry it in with everything else.”

  Suspicion is written all over her face.

  I grin as I grab the box from the car. She’s gonna love this.

  I get just inside the door, and she’s by my side. “What’s in the box?”

  “Take a look and see.” I hand it to her.

  She opens the holey lid of the box, and the look on her face is priceless. Her mouth falls open, and I swear I can see the awww before she says it. “Chicks?”

  “Trevor was frantic to get rid of the possums pestering his chickens, among other things. Spring chicks.”

  “This is my present?” She’s completely focused on them, running her fingers over their fuzzy little yellow bodies. They don’t have a lot of room, and they’re jostling for space, making those high pitched chicken cheeps.

  “We can find a bigger box for them for tonight, but we’ll get something permanent in the ground in the morning. I figure they’ll need plenty of space to run around, and we’ll need somewhere for them to roost.” I nudge her arm. “One day, we’ll have fresh eggs every day.”

  “We will. Oh, Corey, they’re gorgeous.”

  “You asked me once before about keeping animals here, and I told you I can’t leave them alone for days. But you’re here now, and I figure you’re sticking around for a while.”

  She pecks me on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  I shrug. “Maybe I should have done it a long time ago. I’m sure Lily or one of the others would have been happy to check on any animals I had.” I sigh. “I’m sure it gets boring being up here with just the two of us.”

  She shakes her head. “Believe it or not, I prefer it. I love being with you, and I miss you when you’re not here, but for the first time ever I can hear myself think.”

  “That’s why I like it, too.”

  “Let’s go find a bigger box for them, and get in the shower. I could do with getting clean, and touching you.” Con shivers, the smile on her face widening. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Missed you, too.”

  She’s still fussing with the chicks when I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower.

  I sigh as the hot water hits me. My body aches from walking through the bush, and I know sleeping won’t be an issue tonight.

  Constance slips into the shower beside me.

  “Let me show you just how much I missed you.” I wrap my arms around her waist, and she giggles as I run my hands down to her thighs, pulling her legs up so she hooks them around me. I press her into the corner of the shower, cupping her arse, and kiss her, my tongue lashing over hers. This is turning into the perfect homecoming.

  Dropping my head, I nuzzle her neck. I’m rock hard, and my cock is pressed against her pussy. I want in.

  “I’m glad you’re home,” she whispers in my ear.

  “Me too. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive a week away.”

  Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I raise my head. Her eyes search mine. “A week?”

  “I’ve got a client that has trouble not just with possums, but stoats. And the area’s so big, there are a couple of us who spend the week out there clearing it. I do it twice a year, and it pays well. It’ll keep us going for the next six months, Con.”

  “Us?”

  I press my forehead to hers. “Yes, us.”

  “Corey.” There’s so much affection in her voice as she cups my face.

  I’m falling in love with this woman, and now is the time to show her that. “I want you to stay for good.”

  She nods. “That’s what I want, too.”

  “Good.” I shift my hand to her clit, and her lips part as I use my thumb to get her off. “Now that’s settled, I’m going to give you the good fucking I think we both need.”

  She blushes when I talk like that, and now’s no exception. Letting go of me, she slams her palms against the shower walls. Fuck, I love the way she looks when she comes. I might have given her multiple orgasms over the last few weeks, but it’s like each one catches her by surprise.

  “Come for me, Constance, and I’ll fuck you.”

  She lets out a loud gasp. I’ve got her completely under my control. She can’t move anywhere; she can’t wiggle out of my grasp. I need to taste her. But that’ll have to wait.

  “Corey,” she cries. Her body shudders, and she falls apart right in front of me. She hooks her arms over my shoulders, leaning her head against mine.

  I pull my hips back, line up my cock, and drive into her, not giving her a moment to recover. I thrust, pushing her against the corner of the shower. She moans over and over again. She’s so hot and tight around me, and I need my release as much as she needed hers.

  “That feels so good,” she says.

  “You feel so good.” I find her mouth with mine.

  She breaks away to cry out as I bury myself deep inside her. She hooks her ankles together, pulling me in tight. I grin at her need for me being as great as mine for her.

  I can’t imagine ever being without her now.

  When she giggles, I snap back to reality.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, really. Just that you’re strong enough to hold me up like this.”

  “You weigh nothing, that’s why.”

  She drapes her arms over my shoulders. When I look into her eyes, it calms me, brings me back to centre myself.

  I slow. Her breath catches, and I close my eyes as I come.

  Pulling out, I hold her while she drops down to stand in front of me.

  “I think I’m a bit wobbly after that.” She laughs.

  “Me too. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

  She picks up the sponge from the shelf, and squirts shower gel onto it. “Turn around?”

  “What are you up to?”

  “I thought I might scrub your back.”

  Her hand slides around my hip and I shudder. “Uhh, that’s not my back.”

  Constance presses her lips to my shoulder. “I’ll get to that. Promise.”

  I lean against her, closing my eyes as she runs her hands over me. It’s like she’s marking her territory, and I don’t mind that at all. I already belong to her.

  Afterward, she falls asleep first.

  By all rights it should probably be me. I’ve had no sleep for nearly forty-eight hours, but I’m running on adrenalin.

  I love watching her sleep.

  She looks so peaceful, and I hope to hell she always feels that way.

  This is it. She’s it.

  I slip my arm under her neck and curl my body around hers.

  I’ve never slept better.

  21

  Constance

  A party.

  I wasn’t sure when Corey first suggested we go, but it’s a chance to meet his friends. The thought of socialising terrifies me, but with Corey by my side, I’m pretty sure I can do anything.

  “If you feel uncomfortable at any time, we can leave,” he says for about the millionth time as we drive to his friend Rob’s place.

  “I know.” I pat him on the hand.

  “We’ve had this conversation, haven’t we?”

/>   I laugh. “Just a few times. It’s okay, Corey. I’ll let you know if I want to go home.”

  He grasps my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and grazing my knuckles with his kiss. “They can be a bit wild.”

  I take a deep breath. “I hope they like me.”

  “They’ll love you.” He pauses. “We’re here.”

  We pull up to a large, old cream house. It’s like a lot of the houses in Copper Creek—built a very long time ago, and taken care of. It looks like something out of the Victorian era, and it very likely is.

  The sound of rock music lingers in the air.

  Corey grabs my hand as I step out of the ute, and my stomach is a mess of butterflies as we walk to the front door.

  He doesn’t knock, turning the door handle and stepping inside, pulling me with him. “Hey guys.”

  I’m not surprised by the number of people here, judging from the cars outside, but for a moment, it’s overwhelming. Men cluster around the chairs, some drinking beer, others with glasses of dark-coloured liquid. A few women drape off some of the guys; none of them seem to look up as I walk in.

  “Come on. I’ll introduce you to Rob.”

  There’s a woman in the living room, sitting on the floor by the fireplace and talking to a guy. Her gaze flickers to Corey, and a sly smile appears on her face before she takes in the sight of him holding my hand. Her eyes narrow as she shoots daggers at me. I can’t pretend it’s not intimidating, but I know Corey will take care of me.

  We reach the kitchen, and he finds who he’s looking for. “Rob,” he says.

  Rob is around my height, with shaggy brown hair and a kind smile for me. The butterflies settle.

  “Corey. This is your lady, I assume?”

  Corey pulls me up next to him, hooking his arm around my shoulders. “Rob, this is Constance. Con, this is Rob.”

  “It’s really nice to meet you.”

  “Good to meet you, too,” he says. “When I ran into Corey the other day, I knew there was something different about him. I guess that’s down to you.”

  I shrug. “I’m not sure about that.”