Chapter 16
Evie dabbed a wet washcloth on the dried blood trailing down her chin, careful not to press too hard on her swollen lip. Experience had taught her the wonders of a little bit of peroxide to clean up blood. And the power of frozen peas to shrink a swelling eye.
The woman staring at her in the mirror had gone from drug-rehab actress to black-and-blue housewife. Not someone she didn't recognize, just a familiar face from her past she'd hoped never to see again.
The sight sobered her.
She rinsed the cloth in the sink and watched the water turn from clear to pink. Her dad's blood had looked almost black in the video.
And here she stood, alone, wiping blood off her face, wishing Hunter were still there. Something she'd done a lot of in the past.
Then, as if she’d summoned him with her thoughts, there he was. Brown eyes. Bare chest. Beyond-sexy face.
Evie spun around so fast she had to grab onto the bathroom counter to keep from falling. "I thought you left."
His expression looked different. Fine lines seemed to have cropped up around his eyes and mouth. Her fingers tingled with awareness.
"I almost did."
The words hung between them, heavier than the humidity.
"I almost got in my truck and left. But then I walked out to the river. And I thought about what you said. And I realized you were right. I should have stayed. I should have trusted you enough to talk to you about it.”
Her thoughts faltered. Hunter, a man who never apologized, who never screwed up, was admitting he'd been wrong.
She'd been prepared to yell at him. To argue and tell him what an asshole he'd been. But she hadn’t been prepared for this. He'd yanked her anger out from beneath her feet, leaving her on shaky ground.
Hunter took the washcloth from her hand and dabbed at her cheek. And Evie let him.
He rinsed the cloth and pressed it to her lip again, so gently, his touch nourishing some empty part inside her.
"I want another chance, Evie. I know I don't deserve it, but I want it."
She flinched and he pulled back, concern written across his gaze. "Did I press too hard?"
Not on her bruise. On her heart. He'd left her raw and aching. Aching for something she didn’t believe she could ever have again.
But by God, she wanted it. Wanted him at that moment more than she wanted to breathe.
Could she risk it? If he hurt her again, she'd never be able to patch her heart back together, not even with gorilla glue.
"You hurt me." The words tumbled out with the force of an avalanche.
Hunter's gaze turned fierce, eating her up with its intensity. She expected him to take her into his arms and devour her mouth, as he’d wanted to do all night.
But he kept smoothing the washcloth down her face and neck. Like he was contemplating some life or death decision. "I know. I was stupid. We were both young and stupid."
And then the cloth was gone and his palm was in its place, cupping her cheek. Evie leaned into his touch.
Hunter closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She saw his hunger. His need. But she saw something else too. Control.
"I will never hurt you like that again. Never,” Hunter said. But was he really being honest with her? Why did she feel like he was holding something back?
“Thinking about causing you pain rips me apart.”
His words broke past her defenses. She was left with an undisguised hunger. “Hunter."
He snagged her hand and twined their fingers together. Then he rested his forehead against hers.
Evie melted. That small, binding touch warmed her from her fingertips to her toes. “Come on, let’s get you some aspirin and something for that shiner.”
She followed him down the stairs and into the kitchen.
As he rummaged in the freezer, the smell of burnt food hit her. Oh no, the cheese. She raced to the stove, only to find the pot in the sink to her right, filled with water.
"When I pulled my head out of my ass, I realized what the burning smell was coming from." Hunter directed her to sit and draped a bag of peas over her eye.
"Thank you. I'd completely forgotten."
She sat down at the breakfast bar and he took the seat next to her, pulling it close so he could press the frozen bag to her eye. She took it from him. "You're welcome."
Heat stole up her cheeks and she was grateful for the bag covering half her face. His deep voice did all kinds of strange things to her insides.
He traced a figure eight on her knee—a motion that mesmerized her. Chills spread up her thigh and moisture formed between her legs. She swallowed but didn't pull away. His touch felt too good.
"So, why the muumuu? You that hard up for money?" Hunter's voice came as if from a distance.
She was still under the trance of his fingers, but she managed to croak out a few words. "Just haven't bought clothes in a while."
"What made you buy it to begin with?" His face scrunched up.
"It's comfortable." Weak response. She knew it. He knew it.
"Keep the peas on your face." Hunter disappeared outside and returned, with a green duffel bag draped over his shoulder. She'd almost forgotten how tall he was. He had to duck his head to get through the door. And when he stood up straight, she got a good look at his rippling chest, narrow waist and broad shoulders. Muscles outlined even better under his rain soaked shirt. His skin was sinfully tan, and those jeans fit him just right.
And here she was. Bruised. Bloody. In a muumuu. She wanted to cry.
Hunter plopped his duffel on the floor and rummaged through it. “Sorry if I get your floor wet. The rain started back up. I’m assuming this type of nightgown is all you own?"
He looked up and Evie nodded.
"Well, as a token of our renewed friendship, I'm going to make one request. Burn it. Burn every last nightgown you own." Hunter held out a bundled up piece of green material and Evie took it.
It unfurled into a T-shirt. Hunter's T-shirt.
"You can sleep in that. I'll take you shopping for something new tomorrow."
Evie swallowed. He wanted her to sleep in his T-shirt, surrounded by his scent. The small amount of moisture between her thighs doubled.
"Okay." Jesus. She was going to have to get control over her mouth.
Chapter 17
Hunter woke to filtered sunlight streaming across his face and warmth no blanket could ever provide cuddled against him. He lay on his side, Evie spooned into the curve of his body, her bottom snuggled against his dick.
She scooted backward in her sleep, wiggling her too-tempting behind against him. His hand covered her hip and pulled her closer. Her T-shirt—rather, his T-shirt—rode up to her waist, revealing white cotton panties and long lean legs. Raw need slid down his spine.
Hunter's hand trailed from her waist down her thigh, then back up again, marveling at her quiet beauty. She was the most naturally sexy woman he’d ever met.
Hunter propped himself up on his elbow and studied her peaceful expression. The graceful curve of her nose. Her lush, parted lips. Perfect golden skin. Her hair mussed from sleep, spread around her in wild tangles. She took his breath away.
Hunter eased her shirt to her ribcage, stopping when she rolled onto her back and stretched, arching into his touch. His fingers splayed wide and he marveled at how his hand spanned her flat belly and small waist. Her toes didn't even come close to the end of the bed. His hung off the edge.
The river rushed outside, but he ignored the sound. It had probably risen more last night.
He checked his watch. It was pushing one p.m. They'd slept all day. He hadn't slept past six a.m. since joining the military. Evie was getting to him in ways he couldn't even understand.
She opened her eyes.
"Good afternoon, sleepyhead," Hunter said.
Evie froze in mid-stretch and turned her head in slow motion in his direction. He smiled.
She stuttered. "What are you doing in my bed?"
He'd gone to sleep on
the couch, but her screams had awakened him soon after. It had taken him a full ten minutes to calm her down and a full ten seconds to decide to slide into bed beside her.
It only reinforced his decision when she immediately quieted and draped her body over his. He considered the torture of his painful arousal a worthy sacrifice.
Especially since he got to hold her. All night.
"You had a nightmare. Holding you was the only way I could get you to calm down." The truth. Mostly.
Evie wiggled and froze. Her hip had come into contact with his hardness. Damn if she wasn't hot when she got all flustered.
"You slept in that? In my bed?" Hunter glanced down. He had on his underwear. So did she. What was the big deal?
"Yep."
"But...but..."
Hunter took pity. "This is more than I usually sleep in, so count yourself lucky. I could have gone commando."
Her already pink cheeks turning bright red, she jumped from the bed and tugged her shirt down in one motion.
He frowned at the loss of her lovely ass.
"Did we...do anything?"
The beast in him enjoyed her worry. "Honey, I don't take advantage of sleeping beauties. Believe me, you'll know when we do something. That's a promise."
She seemed to settle down some, but she didn't quit tugging down on her shirt. Which was pointless. His T-shirt practically touched her knees, completely protecting her from his gaze. But something about seeing Evie in his clothes made him want to beat on his chest caveman-style and shout, “Mine!”
"Did I say anything? Last night? In my sleep?" She was looking at the floor, but she kept making covert glances at him through her thick black lashes.
"No." Unable to stand the distance between them, Hunter tossed the covers back and got out of bed. He tipped her chin up. "And if you don't quit looking at me like that, I'm going to make good on that promise."
She bit her lip and he groaned. "What if I want you to make good on that promise?"
Every muscle in his body went taut. She wanted him too?
"Make sure of that, Evie,” he forced himself to say. “Because when I start, I don't think I'll be able to stop."
Hunter held himself back, clenching his hands at his sides to keep from touching her.
Evie stared at him, her gaze swallowing him whole, and stepped forward, placing her hands on his bare chest. She rose up on her toes, eyes wide open. Hunter met her halfway. Their lips melded together, her hands circled his neck, and he carried her back to the bed.
He broke contact with her mouth for as long as it took to rip his T-shirt from her body. They fell to the bed and Hunter braced his weight on his elbows to hold himself over her. Her legs spread for him and his hips nestled between her thighs. Her breasts were pressed to his chest.
Need like he'd never dreamed of filled his blood. His veins. His pores. Until he was nothing but lust.
Evie moaned into his mouth and he deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth over hers. He needed to get deeper. To take all of her.
One hand drifted down to cup the heavy weight of her breast. He teased her nipple, rolling the dusky tip between his fingers. When she arched, he lowered his mouth to replace his hand and took her in between his lips, sliding his hand beneath her back and lifting her for his enjoyment.
Her taste was intoxicating. Crazy. His blood licked through his body, burning his skin from the inside out. All other thoughts, sounds, and plans vanished.
There was only Evie.
"Hunter." His name was a plea on her lips. Rich and wild. Her hands wound behind his head, holding him to her. His lips closed on her other breast, licking and nipping until she begged him once more.
Then he trailed down her navel, stopping to plant a small kiss. Then he went lower. She sucked in a breath, her stomach hollowed out between her hipbones. His chin hit the top of her panties.
Her innocent white cotton panties. Fuck.
It took all his control not to rip them right off her body and plunge into her.
Instead, he rose and took her mouth once more. Wanting to drive her wild, he slid his fingers up her thigh, pushed her panties to the side, and found her soaking wet.
For him.
His woman.
She wanted him.
Her hips bucked, seeking pleasure, and he grazed a finger over her clit. She gasped. He repeated the motion with light flicks until she was rocking her hips to his rhythm.
She tore her mouth from his. "Hunter, please." She was panting, her gaze pleading.
And he was running low on control.
She didn't protest when he ripped off her panties and pushed her legs wide. Or when he stared at the prettiest sight he'd ever seen.
Unable to resist for another second, he lowered his head and tasted her. He was lost.
* * *
Evie's head dropped back on the mattress, her body bending under the onslaught of Hunter's tongue. He flicked with light, short strokes. Teasing. Taunting. Torturing.
Then his lips closed over that centermost part of her and sucked her between his lips. The air left her body. She couldn't breath. Couldn't move. Couldn't do anything but tangle her fingers in the sheets and hold on.
He launched her higher. Past the clouds. Into the ozone.
She shouldn't want this. Shouldn't crave his touch. But what she felt right now was beyond wanting. Beyond needing. His finger slid inside her and stroked her like a master musician.
"You taste like heaven." His low growl had her panting harder, riding his finger.
"Hunter, please. I need..." She didn't know what she needed, only that he—and only he—could provide it.
He withdrew from her, the loss leaving her empty and desperate. He rose over her, his face coming even with hers. His lips took hers then, possessing her mouth with force. His tongue plunged inside and she parted for the invasion.
He pushed her thighs farther apart and she felt him nudging against her core. She let her legs fall open, ready. Waiting.
“Shit. I don’t have a condom.” Hunter paused.
“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.”
“Thank God.” Hunter eased into her, teasing her by stopping when he was barely in and pulling out. She wrapped her legs around his waist, ready to pull him back to her, but there was no need. He slid forward again. Thrusting deeper this time. Stretching her. Pushing her limits. Deeper. Harder. Until he bottomed out and stole her breath.
He filled her completely, reaching places she hadn’t even known existed. She'd never felt so good. So complete.
She locked her heels together, holding him tight. He grabbed her arms and pinned them above her head, holding her gaze. He didn't speak, but she understood. He was in control. He would take what he wanted.
And she would love every minute.
Hunter pulled back and slammed into her, and the force of his thrust pushed her up the bed. Evie cried out, the pleasure bordering on pain as he pounded into her until she didn't know where she stopped and he started. He knocked down that wall she’d built inside her soul until she let loose and embraced Hunter with every fiber of her body.
He thrust hard. Fast. Deep. "Don't stop, Hunter. Please, don't stop," Evie sobbed, so close to climaxing.
"I won't, baby. I promise." Hunter took her until she screamed her release. He stiffened over her. "You feel so good. Better than I remember," he gritted out. And then his muscles pulled taut, and he shouted his release.
They collapsed onto her bed in a tangled mass of sweat and sex and satisfaction.
He fell on top of her, supporting his weight enough to be comforting instead of suffocating. Evie kept her legs locked around him, unwilling to break their bond.
He released her wrists and threaded his fingers through hers. The inferno simmered down to a more languid heat.
Evie became aware of the tenderness between her legs, feeling the fact that she had gone over two years without sex.
Hunter lifted his head, the lazy smile stretching his lips that
of a tiger that had just finished eating its prey. Only Evie was the one who had been devoured.
And she’d liked it.
"Wow," she said, unable to resist returning his grin.
"You’re welcome."
She laughed and punched him in the arm. The movement pulled her body to the side and she felt him shift inside her. Still hard. She gasped and grabbed his shoulders.
"You keep wiggling around like that and we're gonna be here all afternoon."
She wanted to be here all afternoon. All night. But she had a bar to run. And a mother to protect. Evie’s brow dipped as she felt the harsh realities of her life pulling her from the warm cocoon of Hunter James.
As if he sensed her pulling back, Hunter thrust forward, fusing them together. "How about we stay here." He thrust again. "All afternoon." Hunter repeated the movement and Evie grabbed his arms. "All night." Again he pushed inside.
He didn't stop. And Evie didn't want him to.
Chapter 18
Evie lay in bed, satisfied and replete. She'd forgotten how wonderfully relaxed good sex made her. Hell, she'd forgotten about sex completely. But the soreness between her legs and the man's arm pillowing her head brought that fact into sharp focus.
She rolled over, stretching, and her gaze fell on Hunter's black Seiko watch. Sixteen thirty-five. "Hunter, why doesn't your watch tell time?"
Hunter curled his body around hers, and she snuggled back into him, not surprised to find him hard and ready. Little zaps of electricity shot through her body, not the intense voltage from earlier, but still enough to make her wriggle her behind.
"It does tell time, honey. It’s military time."
"Oh, well, what time is it?" The damn sun had stayed hidden for so long it was hard to gauge how much time had passed. The river was rushing by so loud it sounded like it was in her front yard instead of across the road.
"Sixteen-thirty." She could almost feel his smile against her neck.
"I know." Evie threw an elbow back. Soft but with enough force to make her point. "Normal-people time please."
"Four-thirty." Hunter nuzzled her neck.
Men of Mercy: The Complete Story Page 13