A Paradox of Fates

by Rebecca Hefner

  Hunter collapsed on the bed, hands resting on his thighs as he exhaled a large breath. “You really are something, woman. I swear to god.” He rubbed his eyes with one hand in a frustrated motion. “Where in the hell do you get the idea that I’d even think of another woman when I’m with you? Are you fucking insane?”

  “You spent the entire inception of our acquaintance talking about your wife, Hunter. It’s only natural to question whether I’ll be compared to her in your mind.”

  He muttered something about stubborn women and rubbed his hands over his face. “I won’t let you castigate me for loving my wife, Lainey.” The words burned, the irrationality of the reaction causing her jaw to clench as she observed the anger in the set of his broad shoulders. “I loved her for the time that we had, and I spent years gathering the fortitude to forgive myself for moving on. For surviving when she didn’t. Years, damnit!”

  Standing, he pointed a furious finger in her face. “And the one woman who I have the courage to even attempt to open my heart to accuses me of being stuck in the past? Well, excuse me, but I think you’ve got it turned around here, duchess. I moved on because I had to. Because I was so tired of feeling dead inside. You hold on to this past relationship like a sick vice around your neck. I’m sorry love didn’t work out for you that time around. News flash, love hurts, and it sucks sometimes. It ripped my entire soul open when I lost Kara, and I sure as hell won’t let you do the same. Screw you, Lainey. You’re a coward, and frankly, a pretty big asshole to accuse me of comparing you to her.”

  His words were so pointed, so deep, she felt terrible for even bringing it up. She’d only wanted to state a point since he’d confided in her that he’d been celibate for so long. She didn’t want him to expect some fantastic lovemaking session, as he’d most likely had with his wife all those years ago.

  Instead, she’d hurt him tremendously. The man who’d pledged his loyalty to her and her cause and who’d been nothing but a gentleman each time he’d touched her. Shame washed over her as he stewed.

  “Screw this,” he muttered, shaking his head and starting for the door.

  “Wait!” she cried, grasping his forearm. “Hunter, please.”

  “Please, what? Stay here and let you tell me what a jerk I am? No, thanks.” He tugged, attempting to pull from her grasp.

  “Stop,” she said, holding him tight. “Just stop. I—” Rubbing her forehead with her fingers, she struggled with what to say. “I’m sorry,” she said, eyes closing as she searched for the right words. “I don’t know how to process it when you speak about her sometimes. I wonder about your relationship and how connected you must’ve been. I don’t understand that type of connection. It’s just so foreign to me. I’m sorry.”

  He sighed, resting his forehead in his hand. “You talk about yourself as if you’re a damn robot, Lainey. That’s just programming. I assure you, you’re as capable of passion and intimacy as anyone else.”

  “Uh, yeah, not to beat a dead horse, but I’m pretty sure I suck at all that crap.”

  Breathing a laugh, he sat on the bed, tugging her to sit beside him. “I don’t think so, sweetheart,” he said, taking her hand. “Lewis really did a number on you, didn’t he?” He placed a kiss on her knuckles.

  “I don’t blame him. It’s just how I am.” She shrugged. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be an asshole. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “Disappoint me? I’m mad for you, woman. It’s baffling to me that someone as brilliant as you doesn’t understand that.”

  “I want to understand,” she said, turning to face him. Bringing both legs on the bed, she laced one behind his back and glided one over his thighs. Sliding her palms over his pecs and shoulders, she clutched her hands behind his neck. “It’s just all so unfamiliar to me. My feelings for you confuse the hell out of me,” she said, nuzzling the stubble by his ear with her nose, “but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you. Don’t make a liar out of me, Hunter.”

  His head slowly rotated so that his lips brushed against hers. “Tell me, Lainey,” he whispered against her lips. “Tell me what you want.”

  She licked her lips, reveling in his shiver when the tip of her tongue barely grazed his. “I want you to take me to bed.”

  His teeth nipped her lower lip. “Are you sure? I don’t do short-term, Lainey. Making love is a commitment to me. If we do this, you’re mine. Do you understand?”

  “Who else’s would I be?” she asked, smiling against his smooth skin. “I don’t know anyone here.”

  “Funny,” he said. His tongue darted out to swipe her lower lip, causing a rush of moisture deep at her core. “I mean it, Lainey.”

  “Okay, but I’m not marrying you. I don’t want to get married.”

  His grin was so sexy, she dug her fingernails into her palms, attempting to squelch the throbbing at the juncture of her thighs. God, he was gorgeous.

  “We’ll see, sweetheart. Now, be a good girl and open those pouty lips. I’m going to fuck that smart mouth with my tongue.”

  “Wow, someone likes to talk dirty,” she teased.

  “Just wait, duchess. I’m only getting started.” Spearing his hands into the hair at the base of her neck, he opened his mouth over hers and consumed her.

  Chapter 24

  Hunter breathed in the scent of her, desire flooding every pore in his straining body. For so long, he’d imagined this. Holding Lainey. Touching her. Making her scream his name as he loved her gorgeous body.

  Celibacy had been relatively easy, although he desperately missed being touched. He’d met women along the way and had considered lying with them in an attempt to prove to himself he’d let go of the past, but he’d never been able to carry through. Never until her.

  The high-pitch whimpers she made as his tongue searched the depths of her mouth sent sparks of arousal to his shaft, straining and hungry under his black pants. Pulling her close, he thanked every god above that she’d already straddled him and situated her atop his straining erection. She squirmed, the opening of her center straight above his cock, and he rested his forehead against hers.

  “Don’t stop,” she said, searching for his lips with hers.

  “I don’t want to blow it,” he said, jutting into the juncture of her thighs. “It’s been so long. I usually use my hand for this, and it’s definitely not as pretty as you.”

  Her smile was so cute that his heart melted, causing his chest to heave. “I’ve always wondered if I was attractive. I have a symmetrical face, and that’s usually the first factor in human attractiveness.”

  “Are you going to spout science to me the entire time we do this?” he asked, teasing her. “Because I can’t decide if it’s hot or if I need to practice counting on my fingers faster. That’s how I do math, by the way,” he said, feeling his lips twitch.

  Lainey laughed, her head falling back, exposing the smooth skin of her neck. Unable to resist, he pressed his lips there and began to trail kisses along her vein. “Oh, god,” she breathed, clutching him closer with the fingers threaded through his hair. “Science is lascivious, my friend. I assure you, it’s hot.”

  Lifting his head, he grinned. “Show me.”

  She bit her bottom lip, the action causing his dick to twitch in his pants. Fuck, she was so damn sexy.

  “Well, most sexual reactions are purely scientific.” Reaching to grab the hem of her shirt, she pulled it over her head, tossing it to the floor. Her bare breasts jutted toward him, small and round, with hardened nipples begging to be touched. He realized she must sleep without a bra, since she was in her pajamas, and growled in approval.

  “You see,” she continued, cupping one breast and lifting it. The areola was dark against the surrounding pale skin, the tiny nub in the center puckered and hard. “My breasts grow heavy when you kiss me. It’s a result of blood rushing toward the erogenous zones in my body. Nipples possess clusters of nerve endings, which is why they’re so sensitive. And why it feels so good when they
’re licked and sucked.”

  He may not be a scientist, but Hunter was no fool. Listening to his lover’s words, he lowered his head, nudging his nose against her nipple. She breathed his name, the word a plea from her lips, and he opened his mouth. Rimming the soft skin of his lips around the little bud, he felt her shudder in his arms.

  “You’re teasing me,” she said, nails digging into the back of his neck, driving him wild.

  “Yes,” he said, blowing on the sensitive spot. “I want you dripping and mindless before I ever push one inch inside you.” Extending his tongue, he swiped against her nipple, causing her to moan. “If you can still recite science, I’m doing something wrong.”

  He licked again, feeling small drops escape the head of his shaft at her high-pitched mewls. Deciding he’d teased her enough, he slid his lips over her areola, closing down on the tight nub. Hollowing his cheeks, he sucked her, back and forth, his tongue working a frenzied pace as his mouth created suction.

  Her hips began to buck over his, and he grabbed her ass with his broad hand, attempting to hold her still. If she didn’t stop, he’d blow his load right there.

  “Hunter…I can’t…it throbs…”

  “I know, baby,” he said, kissing a wet trail to her other breast. “It’s supposed to. The build is the best part.” Closing around her other nipple, he began to suck, loving how she clenched his hair, his neck, his shoulders. Her hands slid everywhere, looking for a stronghold, but he wouldn’t allow her that. No—he wanted her off-balance, drowning in desire, so that when he was finally inside her, her walls would be down. Those gorgeous amber eyes were the windows to her soul, and he wanted them filled with hunger for him.

  As he flicked her nipple, she slid her hand down until it rested at the waistband of her shorts. Whimpering, she pushed her hand inside, beginning to rub herself as he lavished her breast.

  “Yes,” he whispered, securing an arm up her back and supporting her head, as he lowered his other hand to join hers. His fingers slid between the folds, finding her wet and slick, and he rimmed her opening with the tip of his finger while her own finger drew circles over her clit.

  “I like watching you rub yourself,” he said, inching his finger inside her tight channel. “It’s so sexy, sweetheart.”

  Her hips gyrated into his finger, undulating as she took it deep, the walls of her core squeezing him. Needing to see her face, he lifted his head from her breast, staring at her stunning features. Eyes closed, mouth open, breath panting from between her quivering lips… She looked like a goddess. One he’d worship forever if allowed.

  He retracted his finger and reached up, encircling hers, stopping the motions on the engorged nub. Her eyes flew open, and she whimpered. “No…”

  Gaze cemented to hers, he laced their fingers, his palm cupping the back of her hand. Drawing them lower, he urged her middle finger to the damp opening. Ensuring his finger was aligned with hers, he pushed them in, watching her reaction as he impaled her with both of their fingers.

  “Does that feel good?” he asked, searching her face for signs of pleasure.

  “Yes,” she whispered, her hips pushing back and forth against their two fingers inside. “I’ve never—”

  “You’ve never fucked yourself like this?” he asked, marveling at how responsive she was.

  “No,” she rasped, her cheeks flushed. “I usually just rub my clit.”

  “Hmm…” he said, increasing the pace of their fingers. Wanting to please her, he rested the heel of his hand against her swollen nub, grinding against it while he stroked her with their fingers. “Sometimes, there are spots back here,” he said, simulating a hooking motion so they massaged against the walls of her swollen core. “They feel good if stimulated.”

  Her head arched back so far he had a fleeting thought it might snap. Remembering to support her, he cupped her head. “You still with me, duchess?”

  “Yes,” she croaked, “oh, god, yes. It’s so…right there…please, Hunter.”

  “Fuck, you’re so close.” Increasing the hooking motion of their fingers against her innermost place, he intensified the pressure on her clit with the heel of his hand. “Let go, Lainey. I’ve got you. Come.”

  Lowering his head, he closed his lips around her nipple, sucking it so deeply it curled into his tongue. She gave a wail, her body still in a deep arch, and exploded all over him. Deep shudders wracked her body as moisture flooded their fingers, sweet and slick, as he continued pushing them deep. Growling against her nipple, he let her come apart, reveling in the beauty of seeing her so raw and open.

  When her tremors faded to quivers, and her muscles seemed to turn to jelly, he stilled his fingers and lifted his head. Her arms fell to the bed, limp and sated, and he chuckled as he laid her on the soft comforter.

  “You’re laughing at me,” she mumbled, eyes closed as she panted on the bed. “I don’t care. Oh, god, I might never recover. I’m done.”

  He stretched over her, resting his head on his hand, elbow on the bed, as his body bracketed hers on the side. Giving her time, he pushed the hair from her temple in a slow, gentle caress.

  Eventually, her eyes slid open, staring up at him with wonder and sated desire. “Wow.”

  He chuckled, lowering to place a peck on her lips. “I’ve imagined making you come so many times. I was dying to know if you were a screamer or a wailer.”

  She beamed at him, causing Hunter to wonder if he’d ever seen her smile so broadly. “Well, what’s the verdict?”

  “Wailer, for sure. So high-pitched and sexy. I didn’t know you had it in you, duchess.”

  “Should I be embarrassed? Because I literally don’t have the energy.”

  His laugh washed over them, and Hunter experienced the joy of sated sexual energy for the first time in twelve long years. It was beautiful, and he was humbled to be with her this way.

  “You don’t have to be embarrassed with me. But I do reserve the right to tease you.”

  She bit her lip again, causing his still-hard shaft to twitch. Her eyes darted to his crotch and back up again.

  “Hang here a sec, okay?” she asked.

  He nodded, wondering where in the hell she thought he’d go when she was half-naked in a hotel room. As far as he was concerned, this was paradise.

  She picked up her bag from the chair by the window and rummaged inside. Striding back to him, she held up a box.

  “Condoms. Claire stuffed them in here in case I couldn’t control my rampant desire for you.” The words held humor, but Hunter saw her gaze fill with worry at the mention of her best friend’s name.

  “Hey,” he said, maneuvering to sit on the edge of the bed and pull her between his legs. “I know. Tomorrow, we’ll begin the quest to save them. Right now, I need you here, so we can finish what we started and get some sleep. Okay?”

  She nodded, although concern still lined her features, which was entirely understandable. “Okay,” she whispered.

  Setting the box of condoms on the table in between the two beds, she latched onto the waistband of her shorts and shimmied them down her legs. Tossing them aside, she stood naked and unashamed in front of him.

  “I’m not twenty-five anymore,” she said, shrugging. “I have cellulite and stretch marks and a hundred other blemishes you’re going to see, so look your fill, and let’s get on with it. I hope you don’t mind I’m not perfect.”

  In response, he stood, pulling his shirt from his chest and throwing it to the ground. Kicking off his boots, he unbuckled his belt and divested himself of the rest of his clothing. Standing naked before her, he grasped her wrist, bringing her hand to rest on a large scar beneath his left pec.

  “I have blemishes too, duchess,” he said, studying her expression as she traced the scar. “And worse ones on my back. I haven’t lived an easy life.”

  “But you’re insanely gorgeous,” she said, fingers trailing down, over his six-pack, scratching the tiny black hairs that lined his chest and stomach.

  �
��So are you.” His hands wafted over her hips, thumbs tracing the thin white marks at her hip bones. “Stretch marks and all. Trust me, Lainey, a few flaws here and there won’t distract from the beauty I see when I look at you.”

  “You’re trying to make me feel better.”

  “Never,” he said, grinning down at her. It was true—she had some dimples around the tops of her thighs, and several small stretch marks lined her hips. The swell of her abdomen below her navel was a bit more pronounced than her flat stomach, but to him, she was perfect. Every dip and hollow was one he longed to taste with his tongue, and he committed to ensuring he would during the course of their affair. However long it lasted. Hopefully for a very long time, if he had anything to say about it.

  “I was shy around my first lover. I never let him see me naked. But with you, I feel…free. Open and unashamed. Why is that?”

  He lowered to the bed, sitting on the side and tugging her toward him. “Because we’re going to grow old together, Lainey. Haven’t you realized that yet?”

  Tears formed in her eyes as she smiled down at him. “You’re awfully optimistic for a man who’s stuck four decades in the past without a time machine in sight.”

  He winked. “It’s easy to be optimistic when an exquisite woman is standing naked in front of me. I like my chances.”

  Her lips quirked, and she reached over to grab the box, pulling out one of the condoms. “They’re lambskin, as all condoms from 2075 are. If we’re going to keep doing this, we should probably buy some latex ones. They’re more effective.”

  He took the condom, unwrapping it as he spoke. “Was that science again? I can never be sure with you.” His cock was semi-hard, due to the break they’d taken, and he stroked himself until he was stiff. Hands trembling slightly in anticipation, he began to roll the condom over the sensitive head. Lainey seemed enthralled, and he asked, “Do you want to do this? I forgot you like to study every damn thing imaginable. Have you ever put a condom on a man before?”