Late at night when I want to talk to mama, I talk to her about him. I wonder what she’d think about me going to him and giving in to the feelings that I have for him.
One of the last things she told me was to follow my heart.
Right now it’s pulling me in two directions, and I don’t know which to run toward. I feel like I should be in pain. And that I should hang onto it. Hunter would ease it, but for how long, I don’t know. And he could cause me more pain. If he did, I don’t know how I could possibly survive.
I’m too raw and fragile and I don’t know that I trust him.
“Violet, how are you?” Mr. Graves says to me, stirring me from my thoughts.
His face is worn, but he looks just like Hunter. Or I suppose Hunter looks just like him.
“I’m alright, thank you,” I say softly, moving the crushed cans and trying my best not to break down again.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he says and it causes me to focus back on him.
“Thank you,” I tell him just like I’ve told everyone else.
He starts to walk past me, but then he stops and he turns to me. “You know,” he starts to say and then shoves his hands in his pockets, “I remember when I lost my father. It was Vietnam.”
I watch the old man talk. I’ve never said more than a few words to Mr. Graves. Not even when Hunter would bring me home for dinner. I’m surprised he’s talking to me now.
“I’m sorry,” I say the words softly. He doesn’t acknowledge them, he’s looking past me and down the street.
“Messed me up pretty good to lose him. My mother even more. I was young, and I remember him, but not much,” he says, then scratches his face and his brows furrow. “My mom of course, she wasn’t too well after that. Didn’t live much longer either.”
My lips part and I try to say something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to say, other than that I’m sorry.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I know it hurts,” he says and finally looks at me, the same hard expression he always has, still on his face, “but time heals a lot of things.”
He nods his head and doesn’t wait for a response before heading inside and leaving me alone to think on what he said.
I look down at the plastic bottles and metal cans and toss the one in my hand down, not caring really where it lands.
“Violet,” my body jolts as Mr. Graves' voice comes out of nowhere and scares the shit out of me. I put my hand over my racing heart.
“Sorry,” he says, his forehead scrunched. “I just… I owe you an apology.”
The old man surprises me again. I stand there shaking my head. He hasn’t done anything wrong.
“I thought I was doing you a favor. I swear I did.” He pauses and looks at the front door before looking back at me to say, “I didn’t know I was splitting up something real.”
Chapter 63
Hunter
Sweet Treats Bakery is sitting in front of me. I’ve been sitting in this truck, trying to get my ass out and moving. I was on my way to the garage, but I saw Violet’s light on. She’s home. It’s the first time I passed the bakery and saw that she was home.
I pulled in without thinking twice, but I haven’t gotten out yet. The keys are in my hands, but I wish they were sunflowers. I wish I had something for her. But I don’t.
I have to try though. I’ll never stop trying.
I get out of the truck and take large strides over to the side of her building where her door to the apartment is.
There’s a doorbell, but I don’t see it until I’m knocking my fist against the door.
I wait there, shoving my hands in my pockets and watching my breath turn to fog in the air. It’s cold, winter’s approaching. I take a step back and look up, the soft yellow light illuminating the windows on the second floor. She’s home, and awake I’d imagine.
I take a deep breath and step forward to push the doorbell, but before I do, the door opens.
Vi’s standing there in those penguin pajama pants and that same soft cream sweater I first saw her in when I came back.
Her hair’s a mess and she looks tired and worn, but never more beautiful in all the times I’ve laid eyes on her.
“Hunter,” she says my name softly and leans against the door for a second before seeming to snap out of it and push the door open wider. “You wanna come in?” she asks.
Her demeanor is different, like there’s no fight left in her. I’m happy she’s letting me in, but she’s not alright and that’s all I can see right now.
“Yeah,” I say and walk in and shut the door behind me in silence.
She takes a few steps up the stairs before turning around for just a second to ask me, “You want something to drink?”
She’s just going through the motions, I think. I don’t answer her, I just stare up, watching her walk up the stairs until she pauses, realizing I’m not following her and she turns to look at me.
She grips the railing and looks down at her hands and then back at me. “You coming up?”
“Yeah,” I answer softly and make my way up behind her. She doesn’t move until my body’s close to hers and then she reaches for my hand.
I clasp her hand in mine on the narrow stairway and follow her up to the little apartment. I’ve never been up here. The door opens to her kitchen.
She releases my hand and walks to the cupboard, standing on her tiptoes to reach a mug.
“I hope I didn’t wake you,” I say, taking a seat at a tiny table across the kitchen. This place is small, but it’s spotless, not a thing out of place. I wonder if that’s what she’s been doing, busying herself to keep her mind off things. “I know it’s late.”
She shakes her head, filling the mug with water and then putting it in the microwave. The beeps seem loud as she punches in the time.
“No, I was up.” She finally looks back at me and I see the dark circles under her eyes. “It’s been hard to sleep, you know?”
“Yeah,” I say and hold her gaze. “I know it’s gotta be really hard for you right now, Vi.”
I almost cringe at the use of Vi. She’s told me so many times not to use it, and I don’t wanna make her angry. I don’t wanna upset her when she’s finally letting me in. But she doesn’t react.
“It really is.” She nods her head. “It’s been really hard,” her voice wavers some, but she leans back against the counter and calms herself. My fingers itch to reach out and touch her, but I stay in my seat, not wanting to ruin the little bit she’s giving me.
“One of the last things she told me was to follow my heart.” She talks while watching the numbers on the microwave count down for her tea. She noticeably swallows and reaches for the door before the microwave hits 0:00 and can beep.
“Your mama was a sweet lady, smart, too. She liked to yell at me some, but that’s okay.”
She smiles and laughs a little as she sets the mug on the counter and dips her tea bag in the hot water.
“You wanna talk about it?” I ask her, leaning forward some in my seat.
She shakes her head and picks up her mug with both hands, turning to face me but keeping her eyes on the mug. She brings it to her lips, leaning against the counter, but doesn’t drink it. Instead she blows softly and finally meets my gaze. “I don’t think I wanna talk.”
I nod my head and say, “I get that.” She takes a small sip and then another. “I’m here for you, Vi,” and this time when I say her nickname, I say it deliberately. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“I don’t know what I need, though.” Her words are practically whispers.
“You don’t have to know, just feel.”
She gives me a soft smile. “I know what I feel, Hunter,” she replies as her eyes heat and her voice turns husky.
She sets the mug on the counter and stalks over to me. I’m taken aback as her small hands push against my chest and she crushes her lips to mine with a primal need, climbing into my lap. My heart beats faster as her warm curves fal
l into my arms and she moans into my mouth.
“Hunter,” she breathes my name, breaking our kiss.
Her breasts press against my chest and I lose control, my dick instantly hardening, begging to be inside her warmth.
My hands cup her ass and then travel up her back, under her sweater.
“Vi,” I say her name reverently. My eyes open as my body heats and I pull away from her slightly. Her eyes are closed and she leans forward for more, her nails softly scraping down the back of my neck. I don’t give her more though. “Vi,” I say, pulling back from the kiss. She opens her eyes with a look of vulnerability.
“Are you sure?” I ask her. I know she’s hurting, and I don’t want her to regret this. It’ll kill me if she ever looks back and regrets what’s between us.
She stares deep into my eyes. “I’m sure.” She pauses for a moment and then adds, “I love you, Hunter,” she says confidently, her hand running through my hair. My grip on her tightens, and I almost don’t believe the words. “I’ll love you all my life,” she says as her voice goes soft and I can hear her vulnerability. “Please don’t hurt me. I don’t think I can take it again. My heart can’t take it.”
“Vi,” I say and my voice is pained. I take her head in my hands and kiss her with every bit of passion I have. I pull back, breathing into the hot air between us, “Never again. I promise you. I love you, and I always will.”
I stare into her blue eyes, and she stares into mine. She gives me a sad smile and leans in for a sweet kiss. It makes me feel weak. It makes my chest tighten with pain.
“Tell me you believe me,” I say.
“I do, Hunter. I believe you.” I can hear the sincerity in her voice.
“I love you, Vi,” I say and crash my lips to hers and pull her into me so her chest is forced closer to mine. She moans into my mouth and lets her hands grip onto my back.
My heart hammers in my chest. Her warmth surrounds me.
“Please,” she says in a pained voice.
“Please what?” I ask her breathlessly.
“Take it all away, Hunter,” she says and sounds so weak as she opens her eyes. “Please,” she whispers.
I crush my lips to hers and grip her ass in my hands as I move us to the floor. I know what she needs. I’ll take all the pain away. I’ll get lost in her love, and she’ll be lost in my touch.
Her hands tear at my shirt, desperate to get it off. I pull it over my shoulders and toss it to the floor. She does the same with her sweater as I pull her bottoms off with her panties and shove my own pants down while on my knees. We’re frantic and frenzied to get undressed. As I step out of my pants and kick them off behind me, I look down at her and see the girl I was in love with long ago.
Only now she’s different.
The youthfulness is gone, replaced with the body of a woman.
I’m mesmerized by the subtle changes. My fingers linger over her soft skin. Her breathing slows and vulnerability is visible on her face. I’m quick to alleviate it.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper. Her face softens, and the trace of a smile shows before she reaches up, cupping the back of my head and pulling me down to her for a kiss.
Our tongues mix in a heated dance as my hands slowly move down her sides and over her hips. I spread her legs for me as my tongue massages strong strokes against hers. When I cup her pussy, she’s so fucking wet I have to groan into her mouth with wonder.
It’s the last straw in my ability to control myself.
I line my dick up and slam into her tight heat, buried to the hilt. She gasps, breaking our kiss and arching her neck so her head is facing away from me. She’s so tight. Fuck! So fucking tight. Her pussy strangles my dick, and I wait for her to get accustomed to my size.
I can’t stop kissing her, I need every inch of her body touched. The need to claim her, every bit of her taking over by instinct. I leave open-mouthed kisses on her jaw, her neck, her chest as her nails dig into my back and her own back bows with the need to escape.
As soon as she takes a breath, I move and I can’t stop.
I pound her hot pussy over and over. Loving how her pussy tightens around my cock, sucking me in deeper, craving more even though it’s already too much for her.
My forearms brace on either side of her head as she lets out a strangled cry of pleasure mixed with the sounds of my name.
Yes!
It spurs me to go faster, harder, slamming into her, wanting to hear those sweet sounds again and again. And she gives them to me, desperately crying out my name.
Her nails claw down my back as I grip her chin in my hand and stare into her eyes, never letting up on my relentless thrusts.
My balls draw up and I know I’m going to cum, but not without her. I need her with me. Always from now on. Always with me.
“Cum for me, Vi.” Her eyes close and her mouth opens in a silent scream of ecstasy as her pussy spasms around my cock.
My head lowers and I pump short shallow thrusts into her hot pussy as the tingling grows up my spine and my toes curl. I spill myself in thick streams, filling her until our combined cum is leaking down her thighs and onto mine.
Waves of pleasure crash through me as she trembles beneath me until she’s limp. Her arms fall to the ground and her head lays to the side. She's exhausted and sated, and I feel the same.
Her breathing is heavy, but slow as she pushes her hair out of her face and looks at me.
I kiss her with everything I have, as if I need her breath to stay alive.
She breaks the kiss, pushing me away with her small hands on my chest and my heart races faster with fear. But it’s only so she can whisper, “I love you, Hunter.”
Everything feels so right. Everything’s perfect in this moment.
If only we could just stay here.
Chapter 64
Violet
I’m snuggled up tight with Hunter. The two of us are taking up my whole bed, so much so that Boots is meowing pitifully from the floor.
The side of my face is pressed against Hunter’s chest. I listen to his heartbeat as we lie there, feeling really and truly loved. He’s dozing, as evidenced by his deep, even breaths. My heart swells in my chest.
I can’t sleep though, even as exhausted and sore as I am. I can’t go to sleep without washing my face and brushing my teeth. I sigh, then rise, heading to the bathroom. Hunter stirs, but I’m not going anywhere. He’s got me now, and I’m not letting him leave without a fight. He better never leave me again. The thought makes my chest hurt, but I ignore it. He promised me. He won’t break it. I know he won’t.
Just as I finish brushing my teeth, spitting out the toothpaste and putting my toothbrush up, there’s a loud knock on my apartment door. Who the fuck? My forehead creases in confusion. It’s late. There’s no reason for anyone to be here.
I pad out of the bathroom, looking in on Hunter. He’s awake, sitting up on his elbows, head cocked. He yawns and tries to hide it, but it only makes me smile.
He’s mine.
“Probably just one of my neighbors,” I say. Sometimes Mrs. Jones' cat gets loose. She lives across the street, but she always asks me to help find her cat if she’s gotten out. Especially since Boots can be flirtatious with her tabby. It’s gotta be her and not someone else coming to wish me condolences. It’s too late for that. “Stay put.”
Hunter nods, sinking back onto the bed. The knock comes again, loud and insistent. I put on my robe, running my hand through my hair to seem somewhat presentable as I walk to the door.
I open the door to find Slade standing there. My heartbeat pauses with fear, and my hand raises to my chest. He’s visibly drunk, leaning to the side and leering at me.
“There you are,” he says, pushing his way inside. He’s slurring a bit, but he's still understandable. “I called you.” I squeeze the edges of my robe tighter by my throat and take a step back, away from him.
“Slade—” I start to tell him to leave.
He reaches out an
d grabs one end of the sash that’s keeping the robe in place, tugging on it suggestively.
“You wore this for me,” he says, giving me a lascivious look up and down. “I knew you wanted me. I knew it.”
I shrink back a step, ripping the sash out of his hand. “Slade, I don’t want you. You need to leave.” My voice is hard and loud.
“I don’t think so,” he says, moving to trap me up against the wall. “You're a little slut, you know that? Get ready to spread your legs for a real man.”
His breath smells like straight whiskey. I squirm to get away from him, growing panicky.
“Get out, Slade,” I say through my teeth. “It’s over!”
“Like hell it is,” he says, trying to put a hand on my breast. When I push his hand away, he growls. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You think you’re too good for me? Everyone in town knows that you let Graves do whatever he wanted to you.”
I grit my teeth. I want to tell him to fuck off, but I don’t. “I’m never going to let you touch me like that, Slade. Get that through your thick head.”
“You bitch!” Slade growls, trying to wrap his hand around my neck. My blood heats with anxiety as my hands ball into fists.
“Leave her alone,” Hunter’s strong voice echoes with a threat.
Slade and I both look at Hunter, who has at least put on some pants. I’m relieved as hell, but Slade is pissed. He takes a step away from me, and toward Hunter.
“Hunter, Slade, stop!” I say. Hunter is making that face at Slade, the face that says Slade is a dead man walking. “Hunter, don’t,” I plead with him. Not in my house. I swear to God, I can not take it.
“She’s mine,” Slade says, ignoring me.
“Slade, we’re through!” I say, my voice rising.
Slade looks at me, a malicious smile twisting his face. “You fucking stupid bitch,” he sneers.
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