by Mandy Harbin
Once he placed her on his bed, he made quick work of stripping out of his clothes and climbing onto the bed with her. No words were exchanged as he fished out a condom from his nightstand and rolled it on. He was so fucking eager to be inside of her he almost couldn’t stand it. He climbed on top of her, ready to possess every inch of her, but even in his haste, he found the strength to hesitate at her entrance.
“Tell me now if you don’t want this.”
“Don’t stop.” She shook her head, and that was all he needed to hear. “Please, I need—ahh.” He thrust into her, taking her, fucking her with every part of his being. His grip was so tight on her shoulder and hip that he knew he’d be leaving bruises.
He didn’t know where this deep-rooted need for her was coming from. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get close enough, deep enough. That didn’t stop him from trying.
“So good,” he growled, and slammed into her harder.
His name rent the air as she squeezed the ever-lovin’ shit out of him. He wasn’t going to last. Hell, it was a struggle to keep thrusting into her, she was so tight.
“Oh, god,” she groaned, and he could feel just how much wetter she got as she clamped down on his dick. “Yes,” she screamed.
“Fuck, baby. Come all over me.” He reared up on his knees and grabbed her thighs to keep her from sliding away with the force of his thrusts, all without stopping his torment. She’d come down from her high, but she still clung to him, greedy for more, and he’d give her everything she wanted. He held her there in his iron grip as he plowed into her over and over and over again.
“Please, oh god, please,” she begged as she slapped her hands against the headboard, pushed herself even closer to him, and arched her back, making him reach depths he’d never even dreamed were possible. Her perfect breasts bounced with each penetrative push. It was all almost too much. He threw his head back and groaned, squeezing his eyes shut, his neck straining with effort, as he fought his orgasm just a little bit longer.
Within moments, he got what he wanted as she screamed incoherent words, her body shaking with the force of her climax, and still he didn’t slow his pace. He was past the point of no return, taking her with a savage need.
“Oh, fuck, fuck.” He fell over her again, gripping the headboard beside her hand, and pounded into her, harder, deeper, practically fucking her into the mattress, its bounce working with him as he fed this primal pent-up need.
“Hunter,” she moaned, and he snapped at the erotic sound of his name on her pleasure-consumed lips.
“Take it, baby,” he said right before roaring out his release. He kept pumping into her, unable to stop himself as he kept coming, drawing out the peak of passion for as long as he could.
When the intense pleasure began to lessen, he finally slumped over her, sucking air into his heaving lungs.
“Goddamn,” he breathed.
His muscles screamed, and sweat trickled down his back from the force of his effort, but that wasn’t the only thing he felt there–her hands.
Gentle fingertips trailed lazy circles along his spine, and somehow, that minor touch did more to his heart than the mind-blowing sex they’d just had.
Lifting up, he looked at her. Really looked at her. Maya’s skin was pale, save for the red splotches he’d created and a few freckles here and there.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered before kissing her. Lightly. Reverently. She slipped her hands up his back and returned the kiss with the same meaning-filled emotion he was giving.
Already he felt the tingle at the base of his spine, his body trying to ready himself for another go. No way would it happen right now. Not yet anyway, but never before had the need been there so soon after spending himself. What was it about this woman? He didn’t know.
As he continued to kiss her slowly, he knew he was almost too scared to find out.
Almost?
He was scared shitless.
Chapter Thirteen
The sun shining through the window woke Hunter, but he was already smiling before he opened his eyes. The last several days had been nothing but laughing, eating, fucking, and sleeping. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much fun with a woman.
Or the last time he let one sleep in his bed. Yeah, it’d happened before. He wasn’t one of those assholes who kicked a girl out after sex, but usually, he tried working his way into their houses, not bringing them home to his. But Maya was stuck here.
Lately, he hadn’t minded.
The morning after he’d walked in on her in the shower might’ve been weird if he’d allowed it, but he’d fucked her well into the night. She’d been too exhausted to allow any embarrassment or whatever girly feelings were normal after having sex with a man for the first time. He’d slapped her on the butt and instructed her to get up to help him with breakfast. When she’d shyly helped pull out food from the fridge, he’d laid her on the table, taken the orange juice, and spilled it between her legs. She’d laughed and playfully fought until he’d began lapping it up around her clit.
After breakfast, they’d showered and had sex again. Pretty much the pattern for the last couple of days.
He rubbed his hand where she’d recently been beside him. The bed was still warm there, so she hadn’t been gone long. Tossing the covers to the side, he got up, not bothering to put on underwear, and walked out. He was going to head to the kitchen, hoping she’d put on some coffee, but he heard the shower running in the bathroom and turned in that direction instead. He smirked when he twisted the knob and found the door unlocked.
Stepping lightly, he made his way to the shower, quietly wincing at her horrible singing. Jesus, she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but at least it kept her distracted as he grabbed a condom from the drawer.
He pushed open the curtain. “Just how I like my women. Naked.”
“Hunter,” she gasped, covering her luscious breasts. He stepped in and pulled her hands free.
“Don’t hide from me, baby.”
“Did you not learn your lesson the last time you scared me while I was in here?”
“Mmm…I enjoyed that lesson.”
She swatted him. “Perv.”
His mouth descended on hers without any warning. She giggled at the suddenness, but any humor died as she began moaning. It was all he could do to get the condom open and on without breaking away from her. He pushed her against the wall, urging her to wrap her legs around him, and he sent a silent prayer up when she did. He didn’t know where his control was. He’d lost it days ago, but somehow, he’d found the willpower to rub against her, making sure she was as turned on as he was, while shielding her from the shower.
“Stop teasing me,” she breathed.
He smiled as he kissed down her neck and back up to her ear. “You like the things I do to you.”
Before she could respond, he thrust into her partway. She gasped and clawed at his shoulders as he pulled almost completely out and pushed all the way in.
“Fuck, but you feel so good,” he groaned, and began to move inside her.
She muttered something he couldn’t make out. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the blood rushing in his head, making it impossible to hear, or if she wasn’t being coherent. Either way, it didn’t matter. He was too focused on this, on her.
One of her hands tangled in his short hair, and she bit the side of his neck as she gyrated against him. It was so damn sexy the way she tried taking control when he was the one holding her, fucking her, but he knew how to take the reins back. He slipped a hand between them and lightly grazed her clit. She threw her head back, banging the tile. “Yes.”
“You like that?” he taunted as he barely stroked her. She groaned and tried following his finger when he retreated, but he held her still. “I asked you a question,” he said, tapping her clit as he fucked her.
“Oh god.”
“My name’s Hunter, though I understand your confusion.” He chuckled, enjoying her torment and not letting up
on it either.
“Yes,” she said, frustrated. “I like it.”
Another gentle swipe. Another gasp. Now she was quivering and he knew it wasn’t because she was about to come. It was because she wanted to. “Tell me what you like. Specifically, Maya.”
She whimpered and rotated her hips, trying to increase the friction where she wanted it. He moved his hand and pelvis away so she wouldn’t find any relief until she complied.
He swooped down and sucked a nipple into his mouth. She moaned and held him to her.
“All you have to do is tell me, and I’ll do it, baby. Just tell me. Tell me with that dirty little mouth of yours what you want.” He switched to the other nipple and tongued it rapidly.
“Ahh. I…I want you to make me come.” She panted now.
“How?”
Her scream was pure frustration, and he had to hold back a laugh.
“I want you to finger me fast and fuck me hard.”
All playfulness vanished at her words. His mouth slammed down on hers again. His finger flew over her hard little clit, and he plowed into her so hard, he wasn’t sure if he was going to last.
Tearing his mouth away, he said, “Come on, baby. Come for me.” He increased the pressure of his finger and held his cock still deep inside of her.
“Oh god, oh god. Don’t stop. Don’t–” She screamed as her pussy fisted him. He grabbed both of her ass cheeks and fucked her hard and deep, thrusting several more times until he was roaring out his own release.
The cool water stung his back, and his groan turned into a chuckle. “Jesus, woman, how long were you in here? Water’s gettin’ cold.”
“Part of the time is your fault,” she muttered into his shoulder.
He pulled away, wincing as his dick slid free, and helped her to her feet. “Gotta hurry before it gets colder than a polar bear’s ass in here.”
She giggled. “I’m done. Or was.” She quickly rewashed and rinsed before gripping the curtain.
“Hold up,” he said as he grabbed her arm. She turned a puzzled look at him over his shoulder, and fuck him, but that look was just as sexy as any other she’d tossed his way. Shaking the thought off, he said, “We’re going to the shop.”
Her eyes popped. “You mean we get to leave the grounds? No one will be waiting with handcuffs to haul me back here if I try to leave with you?”
He swatted her bare ass and she squealed, jumping out of the tub. He pulled the curtain to the side, ignoring the cold water, and watched as she dried herself. “Very funny. You’re not a prisoner here, though I can definitely arrange those handcuffs if you want.”
“Forget it.” She narrowed her eyes, and he winked at her.
“Seriously, though, I have a meeting. Instead of getting the intel secondhand, I’d rather just go. We haven’t had any issues, so I don’t see the problem going in for an hour or two.”
“Yay.” She clapped her hands and darted out of the bathroom, acting as if he’d told her they were going to Vegas or something. He suppressed a laugh and tipped his head under the showerhead. He cursed at the near-freezing water and turned the hot water all the way on. It didn’t help much, but when he saw a soapy handprint on the wall where he’d just pinned Maya and images of fucking her flooded his mind, he figured the temperature wouldn’t matter anyway.
He was going to need that cold shower after all.
Maya never thought she’d find riding in a beat-up truck so exhilarating. The trees zoomed by as gravel road turned to asphalt, and all too soon they were crossing into Mayflower city limits and pulling into the Bang Shift Garage.
“What does that name even mean?” she asked as Hunter parked.
He smiled. “It’s car-geek slang for shifting a manual transmission pretty fast.”
“Oh, like a four banger? I’ve heard that before, somewhere.”
“Not exactly. That’s an engine with four cylinders. But it’s all grease monkey talk.” She opened her mouth, and he put his hand up, chuckling. “That means mechanic. C’mon, college girl, you can learn more later.” He wagged his eyebrows and got out. Before she had a chance to open her door, he clutched her arm, pulled her across the bench seat, and helped her out through the driver’s side.
“I could’ve gotten out—”
“Look,” he started, his gaze shifting to the shop, his easy smile dropping. “What’s happening between us. I want to keep it between us. Understand?” He stepped back, probably putting no more than an inch of space between them, but it felt as if it were miles. Her heart ached, and she mentally blasted herself for letting things get this far. He was a bad boy. Of course he didn’t want her flaunting their fling. He was probably too worried about his image.
He growled—like seriously growled—at her. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop that shit right now,” he whispered heatedly. “I work with these guys. I don’t want to be ragged on. Not that it’d have anything to do with you,” he added quickly as she felt the blood drain from her face. Was he embarrassed by her? “Fuck, this isn’t coming out right. It’s just none of their business. Okay?”
“Fine.” She turned and walked toward the garage, though she felt anything but fine. She felt like a used piece of garbage. Why she expected Hunter to be any different, she didn’t know.
Because you like him, that’s why. Why were men such mean morons?
“We’re talking about this later,” he said as he caught up with her and opened the door to the shop before she could.
She didn’t respond.
“Well, look what the pus—I mean, cat dragged in,” the guy with dark hair said. She couldn’t remember his name. He hadn’t talked much the other night.
“Shut up, Roc,” Hunter said, and this Roc man winked at her. Yeah, that was a little creepy.
“Told you it wasn’t necessary for you to come in,” Bear said as he walked into the open area they were standing in by the lobby. He smiled at her then. “Hi, Maya.”
“Hello.”
“We both needed to get out for a few. No big deal.” Hunter shrugged.
Bear nodded. “Brody’s heading in. Should be here any minute.”
The two guys continued to talk, but their voices drifted away as she saw something in the garage.
Up in the air.
“Is that my car?” she asked, walking toward it without thinking.
“Yes,” Bear said.
But why was it up there? The last time she saw it, it was a mangled mess—and in Texas. Besides, she couldn’t afford to get it fixed. Not without telling her parents or dipping into her savings. Even if she did that, her parents would know.
She had just opened her mouth to explain this—again—when the door dinged.
“Sorry we’re late,” Brody said. He flashed a smile at her as he held the door open.
“We?” Bear asked.
“Hey,” Xan said as she walked in with Roxie. The other woman smiled and waved, but quickly dropped her hand when she looked at Bear. She didn’t understand why she’d do that. She and Xan seemed friendly when they’d visited with her before.
Bear shifted his gaze, as though he couldn’t even look at Roxie.
“Let’s get started,” he said to Hunter. “Gauge is on a run, so he won’t be here for this.”
“Wait,” Xan said, moving quickly over to Bear. “I was thinking we could take Maya to Little Rock to shop for some wedding decorations.” Xan smiled and nodded at Maya before looking at Bear again.
It wasn’t the big bald man who spoke. “Absolutely not,” Hunter said.
“No way,” Brody said at the same time. “Is that why you wanted to come up here? I told you I’d pick you and Roxie up when I got finished and take you wherever you wanted to go.”
“She can’t go without protection,” Hunter said with a strange air of finality. It irritated her that he acted all protective now when just a few minutes ago he was ready to pretend she didn’t matter to him.
“Why?” Roxie asked, looking at each of the men, sav
ing Bear for last. When no one answered, she stomped over to the big bald man and got in his face.
Got. In. His. Face.
The woman was like half his height and no bigger than a minute, but she stared down the behemoth as if he was as harmless as a ant.
Bear gritted his teeth and his body grew stiff as stone as he stood there in silence. “Why can’t she go, huh? There has been nothing going on. Nothing. You’re all are acting ridiculous. My cousin said there hasn’t been anything–”
“Flint doesn’t know shit,” Bear roared.
Maya jumped and then inched behind Hunter. From the looks on everyone’s faces, they were as shocked as she was. Well, everyone except Roxie. That woman hadn’t even flinched when Bear yelled. She’d been irritated before, but now she looked downright pissed. If looks could kill, Bear would be in a bloody heap on the floor.
No one made a sound as the two of them glared at each other, which sort of freaked her out. It was as if no one even dared to breathe. The tension was so thick it was palpable. Maya didn’t know them very well, but it was obvious this wasn’t really about her.
Roxie shook her head and started to turn away.
“Don’t walk away from me!” The command was so forceful Maya had to keep herself from walking to him.
Roxie, though, she just laughed without any humor as she glanced over her shoulder at him. “You can get over yourself, or you can fuck straight off. I don’t even care anymore.” With that, Roxie tossed her fiery red hair over her shoulder as she gave him her back. She faced Xan and said, “I’mma be in the car,” before storming off.
When Maya looked at Bear again, his face was red and his hands were fisted at his sides.
“I’m going with them,” Brody said, obviously not sticking around for the meeting. When Maya looked at him, he’d put his arm around Xan. He shook his head lightly at her when it looked as if she was about to object. “You can fill me in later,” he said to Bear, not taking his eyes off his soon-to-be wife.
Bear didn’t say anything before he turned and walked off. The door slamming behind him made her jump again.