by Melody Anne
“I’m beginning to wonder,” Hunter replied before he turned toward Becka. “Do you mind exploring with Lizzie while I go for a walk with Luke?” He realized if she said she was uncomfortable with that, he wouldn’t leave her. She really did have power over him.
“Not at all, that sounds great,” Becka said. She seemed nervous, but not afraid.
“I’ll take her to the cabin and she can get settled,” Lizzie offered.
“We’re in one cabin?” Becka asked.
“It’s the only one available. We’re doing a special package this weekend and it’s only available because we save that one for family,” Lizzie said.
“Oh, uh, okay,” Becka stuttered.
Hunter let out a breath of relief. He didn’t want them in separate quarters. Hell, he didn’t want to be away from her at all.
“They’re good. Let’s go,” Luke told him with a knowing laugh that made Hunter want to clock his brother.
They walked away from the girls as Luke chattered about some of the changes he’d made at the resort. A couple was down at the river fishing with their kids, and another couple was getting a horseback riding lesson, while a bunch of teens were off to the side playing a game of volleyball.
“You’ve done well here, Luke,” Hunter told him. “How can you stand to stay in one place though?” he asked as they made a circle and came around to the back of the lodge, where a huge fire pit sat.
“I didn’t think I could,” Luke told him. “But the thought of not being with Lizzie is unbearable. And now I’m responsible for her niece, Kaitlyn, as well. I love them both. That’s what makes it possible.”
“But to sit in one place…” Hunter said again.
“I don’t. When Kaitlyn isn’t in school we will go on adventures. I just won’t do it alone anymore.”
“Not ever?” Hunter questioned.
“Sometimes I’ll need to take quick trips, but I find that I want them to be with me.”
“What in the hell has happened to you?” Hunter asked.
“Are you afraid it’s happening to you as well?” Luke asked. The seriousness in his brother’s tone scared him more than if he were kidding around.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“You can’t force it, Hunter. Dad sent us all on these missions, gave us a final legacy in life. What it means is different for all of us, but he knew me better than I realized and I have more respect for the man than I thought would be possible. I miss him — wish I could thank him.”
“He didn’t even give us a chance to tell him goodbye. We don’t owe him anything,” Hunter said with anger.
“He gave us everything. We just have to open our eyes to see it,” Luke said.
“I don’t know if I like this new you,” Hunter grumbled.
Luke laughed. “Hell, it took me a while to get used to it too. If I get too annoying, just push me off a cliff.”
Hunter finally laughed. “You’d just open a magical parachute, film the entire thing and make a million bucks,” Hunter told him. “Don’t think I’m helping to boost your fame.”
“Looks who’s talking. You’ve taken pictures all over the world. Didn’t I read an article in a magazine about one of your signed prints hanging in the president’s private living room?”
Hunter shrugged, feeling slightly uncomfortable. It wasn’t that he was humble or anything like that, it was just that he tended to take the pictures, send them where they needed to go, and move on to the next adventure. When a staff member had come to him on request from the president and asked him to sign a copy for the big man himself, Hunter had been too shocked to consider refusing. He hadn’t told his siblings. They’d found out anyway.
“It could have been taken down by now,” Hunter said with a shrug.
“Come on, Brother, don’t be getting all modest on me now. It’s going to ruin your rugged reputation,” Luke said with another laugh. Hunter couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a conversation with any of his brothers, let alone the one he’d competed with most.
“Don’t worry. That will never happen,” Hunter said as he sat down. “When are you going to get me a beer and light this fire?”
Luke rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir. My aim is to please,” Luke told him before he disappeared.
It was odd that his adventurous brother was so settled down that he was actually worried about his guests having a good time. Maybe the world had turned inside out. Hunter knew he certainly had.
Luke returned with the beer and actually did start the fire. As they continued to talk, Hunter relaxed. He stopped trying to analyze everything that was being said, and instead let go and allowed himself to enjoy spending time with his brother. In Hunter’s line of work, he didn’t allow himself friendships, but the more they talked, the clearer it became to him what a fool he was.
Luke wasn’t only his brother, they also had a lot in common and the two of them — hell, his entire family — had wasted a lot of years trying to forge their own paths. Maybe they should have done more together.
“I hope we aren’t interrupting, but we brought food,” Lizzie said as she stepped out to them and set something delicious-smelling on a nearby table, Becka at her side.
“You could never interrupt,” Luke said, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her down into his lap, kissing her with open abandon.
Hunter’s gaze met Becka’s with so much heat, the fire seemed cold in comparison. Her eyes dilated as she took a step toward him. He was more than ready to find that cabin.
“Eat first. You’ll need it,” Luke said with another laugh. Hunter broke his gaze with Becka and took his first breath in several moments. Then he laughed with Luke.
“Are you a mind reader now?” Hunter asked.
“Hard not to read your mind when the sparks are flying so high you’re about to start a forest fire.”
“Let’s eat then. It’s been a long day and I’m ready for bed,” Hunter said.
Luke laughed. “That sounds like an excellent idea.”
It was a quick meal. Hunter was ready to get Becka to this magical cabin he’d been told about. It had already been too long since he’d had her in his arms.
Chapter Twenty
Rebekah felt as if she were floating on clouds as she and Hunter made their way to the cabin. She knew beyond a doubt she didn’t want to stop what was about to happen. Maybe it was more than a magical cabin, maybe the entire place was enchanted. She’d been feeling such strong emotion from the moment this trip had begun and she didn’t want to fight it anymore.
Not a word was spoken as they walked inside the small cabin, the bed taking up a lot of the space. They didn’t need anything more. Hunter looked into her eyes and she was lost to anything but him as he pulled her close and touched her lips with so much compassion it felt almost like love.
Their clothes melted away as he lay her down on the bed, then stood there for several moments gazing at her. Rebekah felt a tinge of embarrassment, a need to cover herself, but as she looked at his naked body, it was more than obvious how much he desired her. There was no reason for her to hide.
He joined her on the bed and a moan escaped her lips as he skimmed his fingers across her stomach, slowly moving higher to brush her breasts. He barely touched her and her heart thundered, her breath halted and her core heated.
Letting go of her worries and focusing only on Hunter and the pleasure he brought to her was all she could do. She needed him — wanted him — lusted for only his touch. It was just the two of them and nothing else mattered.
He leaned into her and ran his lips across hers — not long enough to satisfy the need within her, but long enough to stoke the flames ever higher. He kissed her cheeks, her neck, her jaw, then moved back to her lips, not connecting them in the way she needed them to connect.
He took his time, his lips and tongue whisperi
ng along her skin. She reached for him, tried to hold him in place, but he grabbed her hands and held them above her head as he looked down into her eyes.
“I have all night,” he promised, making her squirm beneath him.
“I want you now,” she told him.
“I want you always,” he replied before lazily running his lips across hers.
He moved his hands and she tried to reach for him, but couldn’t. Her eyes snapped open as she realized he’d tied them to the headboard.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a mixture of excitement and wonder.
“Anything I want,” he replied as he kissed her again.
“What if I want to do things?” she asked as she struggled against her binds. She wasn’t in too big of a hurry to escape though, not with him touching her like this.
“I’ll give you plenty of opportunities,” he told her.
Rebekah couldn’t remember ever being this excited. She fully trusted Hunter. There was nothing he would do to her that she didn’t love, didn’t crave. She wiggled beneath him, aching even more.
He scooted to the side of her and ran his palms from her breasts to the top of her core and back again. She arched against his touch, needing him to give her more. His hands made several more passes on her body before he leaned down and ran his tongue over her peaked nipple.
She cried out at the beautiful ache he was building within her. His lips circled her nipple and he sucked, making her core pulse as she sought sweet relief. He licked the nipple again before moving back to her neck and sucking.
“Are you pleased, Becka?” he whispered, his hot breath washing over her ear.
“Yes, but I want more,” she whimpered.
“What do you want?” he asked as he moved back down and sucked her other nipple, making her back arch off the bed.
“That,” she told him before another moan escaped.
“Only this?” he asked, sucking harder.
“No. I want it all,” she said.
His fingers moved down her stomach and brushed between her spread thighs. She jumped as heat flooded her and she felt herself grow even wetter.
He kissed his way down her stomach and she felt his hot breath on her core, felt his light kisses. It still wasn’t enough. She arched toward his mouth but he just skimmed his lips where she wanted them pressed.
“Please, Hunter, please,” she begged.
He ran his tongue on the outside of her folds, and she panted as he played her body like a musician would an instrument. Then he moved and kissed her thighs, making her groan in disapproval. She wanted him touching her in one place only and she was ready to beg if that’s what he demanded.
“Please, Hunter, you know what I need,” she told him, struggling against the binds at her wrists.
Her body pulsed with every touch of his tongue and fingers. Then he was finally where she needed him the most. A cry escaped as his lips clamped down on the swollen flesh of her core. He sucked as his tongue circled her pulsing skin.
“Yes … yes … yes,” she called out over and over again. He sucked harder as he dipped a finger inside her wet flesh.
It took only seconds before she went up in flames, her body clenching as a beautiful orgasm ripped through her. He continued sucking her sensitive flesh, making her scream in pleasure and pain. He didn’t stop until the last of her quivers stopped. Then he ran his tongue along her folds, making her shake beneath him.
Hunter kissed his way back up her body, his tongue circling her breasts before he kissed her arms then undid the ties holding her. She immediately reached for him, her fingers clenching in his hair as she felt the weight of him on top of her.
She was exhausted but as he pressed against her, she felt desire stirring again, building, heating, readying her for him.
“Take me, Hunter,” she said on a sigh as he leaned down and kissed her, his tongue sinking into her mouth as he slowly began pressing inside her body with his thick, hot steel.
“Oh, that’s so good,” she said as she threw her head back, enjoying every delectable inch of him pushing inside her. “So hard …”
She could barely utter words, but she had to tell him how she was feeling. She was so full, so happy. She could lie this way with him forever and be in perfect bliss.
He rested when he was fully sheathed inside her. She enjoyed the moment for a few seconds longer and then she wanted movement.
“Take me, Hunter. I want you to take me hard,” she demanded. Her body was hot and ready and she wanted another release. She wanted it with him. She wrapped her legs around his back, digging into him with her heels as she pushed against him.
“Yes, baby, I want you,” he said on a growl.
He grabbed her butt and pulled out, then slammed hard against her, shaking the bed in his force.
“Yes, more,” she demanded.
Their cries were mingled in the air with the sound of their bodies slapping together. He groaned as he picked up speed, taking her faster and harder as she cried out, her stomach tight, her core clenching around him.
And then she let go, shaking as her orgasm exploded through her. He made a guttural sound as she tightened around him and he slammed deep within her, his body pulsing and tense. They basked in the pleasure as both of them shook for endless moments in time.
Rebekah was exhausted, but she still didn’t want to let Hunter go — she never wanted to let him go. She was only truly home when he was buried deep inside her. It’s where they should always be.
“You’re mine, Becka,” he said as he pulled from her. Emptiness filled her at the disconnect and she reached for him.
“Always,” she whispered and he pulled her to his side — right where she belonged.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rebekah woke up to the smell of coffee, and the first thing she saw was Hunter sitting at the small table in the corner of the cabin. He was concentrating on the paper in front of him and she took a moment to study him, to appreciate the beauty of the man. Not making a sound, she watched him as he picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
She was tired, as the two of them had spent half the night making love, but it had been well worth it. She couldn’t seem to turn him down when she woke up with his hands and lips roaming across her body. She would take what she could get during the limited time they had left together.
She didn’t make a sound, but still he turned, his eyes connecting with hers. For a moment there was such softness there that she melted back against the bed, wanting to open her arms for him to come to her. How she could possibly even think about making love again, she wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t an unpleasant thought.
“Good morning,” he said in a voice that had her all tingly and warm.
“Morning,” she replied.
“I have your coffee,” he said as he rose and poured her a cup, adding just the right amount of sugar and cream.
She sat up in bed, the blankets held in place by her arms as she accepted the cup. Her first sip was heaven. He leaned down and brushed her lips before sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Hope you slept well.”
“Mmm, I seem to recall being woken up several times,” she told him.
He brushed her hair from her face as he smiled at her. Hunter was an intense man in every aspect of his life, but for this frozen moment in time, he looked utterly relaxed, and she felt peace at how perfect they were together.
That made Becka wonder how one day, or to be even more specific, one moment could be so right, and then how it could all go so very wrong in the next. Why didn’t people hold onto these moments, cherish them and never let them go? Was it pride that stood in their way? Maybe. Humans were foolish. An animal would never let something insignificant grow to the point that the situation was irreversible.
Sometimes things were truly out of a person’s hands
, and other times it would only take a kind word, a gesture of love or loyalty to make everything alright. Was Rebekah strong enough to be that person, willing to risk it all? She didn’t know.
“I can’t seem to get enough of you. I hope you feel the same way,” he told her.
“Oh, I definitely feel the same,” she said. “But we do have a busy day so I should finish this coffee, shower, and put some clothes on.”
“I don’t think you ever need to wear clothes,” he said.
She chuckled. “It might be awkward visiting with your brother stark naked. His fiancée might have a problem with it.”
Hunter’s eyes dilated at just the thought of that and she relished in his jealousy.
“You’re absolutely right. You’re only allowed to be naked when we’re alone,” he said. He pulled the blanket away from her chest and her nipples instantly peaked from his hungry look.
He bent down and ran his tongue over one and then the other. Rebekah forgot all about what they had to do for the day. He could have her anytime he wanted and she was perfectly okay with that. When he leaned back and looked at her wet chest and her hungry eyes, his own were dilated, dark and sexy.
“I don’t understand this pull you have over me,” he said as he reached for her, his fingers dancing on her skin.
“It goes both ways,” she assured him.
He leaned in again as she set her coffee cup aside, better desires awakened than the need for coffee, food, or a shower. But then there was a knock on the door.
“They’ll go away,” he told her, his mouth latching onto her breast again. She hoped he was right.
“It’s ten, Hunter. Let go of the girl and get your ass out here.”
“Luke,” Hunter growled as he let her go. She whimpered before she was able to stop it and he smiled at her. “At least I’ll know how hungry you’re going to be for me all day,” he whispered before he covered her back up and stood.
Hunter moved to the door and cracked it open to peer at his brother, who Rebekah couldn’t see.