by Virna DePaul
I push hard against his chest, sending him to his ass against the gravel. He jumps back to his feet and rushes me.
It literally takes nothing to knock him back on his ass. “You’re drunk and you need to go home before you get hurt,” I say, looking down at him as he scrambles backward against the gravel.
“What the hell is going on?” Dani screams from above, leaning over the metal stairwell outside her window. Once she sees the two of us, she charges down the metal ladder. “Okay, Taylor, you need to leave. Now.”
“Dani—”
“Now, Taylor, and don’t fucking come back or I’ll have you arrested.”
“Oh, princess,” he says with a sloppy grin. “Don’t threaten me with a good ass time.”
“You’re drunk.” She grabs the back of his jacket, spins him around to face the alley, then pushes him forward, where he stumbles, almost landing face-first against the gravel. “That’s nothing new though, is it?”
He cranes his head over his shoulder and his face is suddenly bitter. “Maybe not. But a guy walking away from you isn’t anything new either. He’ll do it soon enough when he finds out.”
“Fuck you,” she says, but not before I see a stricken look of pain flash across her face.
Taylor blows her a kiss and walks away. Dani watches him until he disappears into the city streets out front.
“He come around here often?” I question, annoyed and losing patience.
“Often enough.”
“For what?”
“Sex.”
“Seriously?” I glare at her.
“Oh my god,” she exclaims. “I don’t have sex with him.”
“Oh. Well, good. About what he said—”
She shrugs. “I wasn’t the one he wanted to marry and have kids with, but apparently he can’t get over me. Funny, huh? Since I was never great in bed.”
So that’s what the guy had been saying? That I’d find out she wasn’t good in bed and leave her? Fucking idiot.
I shoot her a look, eyebrows raised in disbelief.
She smiles slightly. “Well, I was never great in bed until you.”
I can’t believe how fucking amazing it feels to hear her admit that out loud. Suddenly, I’m not torn about whether I should leave or stay anymore. “You know what? I’m wiped. And I’m not convinced asshat won’t try coming back here. Can I spend the night?”
“What about your meeting?” she asks, raising her eyebrow.
“Meetings can be rescheduled.”
“You sure about that? It seemed mighty important to me.”
“Nah, I can think of more important things I'd rather be doing...” I lean in to kiss her. By the time I’m done, we’re both breathless.
“Admit it,” I tease. “You want me to stay. No matter how hard you try, you just can't say no to me, am I right?”
“No. See, I said it.”
“Does that mean I can't stay?”
She studies me. Sighs. Then motions for me to follow her back upstairs.
“Would you like something to eat?” she asks. “I’m sure fighting with Taylor worked up an appetite.”
“Meh. But I can eat. Why don't I cook something up for us?” I look around her place. Of course, I’d seen it earlier, but I hadn’t actually been taking it all in because all I’d been focusing on was getting in her. True to form, there’s nothing overly feminine or frou-frou about her décor, yet her personal space is as sexy and vibrant as she is. Photos of her and her brother line the walls, and I love the images that show her laughing and relaxed. I want to see her that way more when she’s with me.
“Because my cabinets are bare,” she laughs. “I was thinking we'd order in.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say. “Chinese or pizza?”
“You pick,” she says, tossing me a few takeout menus. “Surprise me.”
She walks into the bathroom and shuts the door; a moment later I hear the shower. No way. She's showering without me? I put in a quick order at a Chinese restaurant then walk to the bathroom door, opening it up without a hesitation. Dani is gloriously naked, but to my surprise, she screeches and wraps her arms around herself in a poor attempt to cover up.
“You could have knocked!”
I cock an eyebrow at her. “You could have told me you were showering,” I say, stripping off my clothing.
“There are some things I figure I can do alone, thank you very much.”
“Yeah, I agree,” I say as I drop my pants. “But showering isn't one of them. Not while I’m here. Besides, showering together will conserve water.”
“Who knew you cared so much about the environment,” she laughs, but it sounds forced and she doesn’t move, simply stands there with her arms around herself. I walk toward her and wrap my arms around her instead.
“Who knew you were so scared to shower with a man,” I tease.
“I'm not scared to shower with you,” she says, holding her head up high, but I can still see the self-consciousness in her eyes.
“Why is me seeing you naked in here any different than me seeing you naked when we have sex?” I ask.
“Because…” She bites her lip then shrugs. “I guess it's not. It’s just so bright in here. And well, I suppose I’m not used to a man like you appreciating a body like mine, that's all.”
“What's not to appreciate?” I say, stepping away to take in her beautiful curves, including bouncy tits. The barbells through each of her nipples just add to her sex appeal, and those tats... Yummy. I hope she can see my appreciation for her beauty in my eyes, because I know first hand that sometimes saying it isn't always enough. “You're gorgeous, Dani Cross. Absolutely, fucking gorgeous. Or trust me, I wouldn't be fucking you.”
“And there he is,” she says drily, but I can tell she’s pleased.
She playfully smacks my ass as she steps into the shower, and I follow. Pulling the shower door closed, I kiss her long and hard. She kisses me back, and my cock is already standing to attention, but the poor girl has likely had enough. Her pussy has to be sore after all we've done already, but Dani doesn't disappoint. She drops to her knees, the water running over her face and skin, and takes my dick between those sexy lips of hers.
“Fuck, yes,” I groan as I lean against the shower wall. Nothing better than having a sexy woman sucking your dick, and God, Dani’s mouth and tongue are exceptional.
Dani
As Hunter buries his hands in my hair, I drag my lips down one side of his shaft, then the other before suckling on the head of his cock. He gasps, drawing his breath in sharply.
“Take it all, baby,” he says, exerting pressure on the back of my head to guide me the rest of the way down.
I cup his balls, squeezing gently as my mouth slides down to take the rest of his shaft. I feel him pressing into the opening of my throat, but I calmly breathe through my nose, controlling the sensation and opening my throat wider to receive him.
He holds me down and pushes himself against my mouth, pressing my face into the dusting of hair above his manhood. My nose is filled with his warm scent, and I feel myself getting lost in my desire for him. It’s a sensation I welcome, especially after I’d made such a fool of myself, trying to shield my body from his gaze when he’d first walked in the bathroom.
He’s never done or said anything less than complimentary about my body, yet I continue to be insecure around him. It pisses me off, even as it worries me, because I know where my insecurity really stems from—it stems from the knowledge that Hunter Kiss can hurt me, in a way that I’ve never let anyone close enough to hurt me before. Part of me senses that, so I search for ways he’ll find me less than perfect.
It has to stop. I need to maintain my confidence with Hunter.
I need to remember that as much power as he holds over me, I hold power over him, too. Power that even now I’m wielding to give him pleasure.
I slide my mouth up and down his cock. I want him to fill me. I want to drink him in.
He rocks his hip
s. “Oh, that’s good, Dani,” he moans. “Let me fuck that mouth.”
Fuck it, Hunter, I want to tell him, but I don’t want to let him go long enough to utter the words.
He grows harder against my tongue and against the back of my throat, and I know he’s working himself closer and closer to orgasm. I revel in how quickly I can bring him to the edge of his control.
“Swallow me,” he pants.
I brace myself with my hands against his legs, and he tightens his grip on my head. Then my mouth is filled with his thick, warm, salty flavor. I suck every last drop from him, relishing the taste.
Relishing even more the feeling of intimacy that warms me when he pulls me to my feet, kisses me, cups my chin so I’m looking into his eyes, and says, “You are fucking beautiful, Dani. Don’t ever doubt it. Don’t ever try to hide from me again. Understood?”
Still breathing hard from having him in my mouth, I swallow hard, then whisper, “Understood.”
Hunter
After our shower, Dani is quiet. Contemplative. I can practically see the gears turning in her head, but what she’s thinking exactly, I’m not quite sure. All I know is I saw her vulnerable in the bathroom, and as much as I like seeing the softer side of her, I didn’t like seeing her doubt herself. Her body is banging; fucking her does it for me every single time, and I never want her to doubt it ever again.
The Chinese food I ordered is delivered, and we eat while watching TV. Eventually, Dani yawns. “Shall we get some sleep?” I ask her, and she looks up at me, smiling sleepily.
She hesitates for several beats, making me wonder if she’s actually going to kick me out, before she quietly says, “Sure.”
We head into the bedroom and several minutes later, we’re settled in her bed. I wrap my arms around her, then kiss her temple. “Good night, Dani.”
“Good night, Hunter.”
13
Dani
Chad’s right beside me as we make our way up the long, winding driveway of Thomas and Angela Clarkson’s gargantuan mansion. We make our way up the asphalt landing, and as the directions described in the E-invite, we make our way around a path that leads out back. Once we arrive there, it’s a bustling scene with about fifty or so guests. Somehow, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
“I’m going to pass out,” Chad mutters.
I smirk. “Seriously? You need to act cool.”
“That’s a little difficult, you know.” He rubs his hands nervously together. “I think I just need a drink or two to calm my nerves.”
“You and me both.”
“Why are you nervous?”
I smile tightly, then lie through my teeth. “Just anxious about meeting a bunch of strangers.”
The truth is that after Hunter stayed the other night, with his arms wrapped around me and holding me tight, I’m feeling things for him that scare me more than ever. I’m afraid seeing him today will bring all those feelings to the surface.
“This place is amazing. Check out that pool,” Chad says. Just behind the exterior of the mansion is a huge pool, with a sectioned off hot tub on the far end. There are just a few people in the pool, splashing around in the water.
“There you are,” Hunter yells and heads toward us. I plaster a polite smile on my face, expecting him to act friendly but distant. Instead, he throws his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. Behind him, Chad’s eyes widen. Finally, Hunter pulls away and shakes Chad’s hand. “You guys are welcome to help yourself to anything. Food, amenities, facilities, whatever. Don’t be shy. And remember, Chad, this could all be yours someday.”
I frown slightly, but don’t say anything. After all, I promised Chad signing with Hunter was his decision.
“Speaking of which, there’s someone here who’s really interested in meeting you,” Hunter says to Chad.
Chad smiles nervously and pats his hands across his jeans. “I’m afraid I’m going to look like an idiot.”
“Trust me, Thomas is a very personable guy and you’ll be over your nervousness in seconds.”
“Okay.”
Hunter puts his hand on my lower back as if to guide me along with them, but I shake my head. “I’ll see you around,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “I’ll just hang back and let you guys do your thing.”
This will give me a little while longer to collect my thoughts and to figure out my next move.
Hunter frowns, as if he’s going to object. Then with a very subtle caress to my back, he says, “I’ll be right back, Dani.”
Some time later, I’m dozing by the pool when a shadow passes over my closed eyes. When I open them, Hunter is standing above me.
“Are you just going to lie there all day and be a party pooper?”
I stretch. “I wasn’t planning on it, but now that you bring it up, it certainly sounds like a possibility.”
“Nope.” He shakes his head and grabs my hand in his. “Come on. You’re going to be social, even if it kills you.”
“Really?” I purse my lips. “You’d wish me dead?”
“Stop being dramatic.” He tugs me to my feet.
I let out a fake huff. “Fine.”
I follow him as he navigates around the pool. “The only difference between these people and you and your brother are they happen to have more money.”
“Oh?” I raise a brow. “Is that all?”
“For sure.” He eyes me. “You and Chad are good people. Thomas and his family and friends are good people. In the end, that’s all that matters.”
I come to an abrupt halt. “Am I missing something?” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
He swivels to face me. “What do you mean?”
“You just seem different today.”
He leans in close and whispers, “There’s more to me than a steel chest and amazing sex.”
The thing is, I totally believe that’s true.
Just then, a kid, maybe about four or five years old, runs up to Hunter. “Uncle Hunter,” the little boy yells as Hunter bends down to scoop him up into his arms. The kid laughs as Hunter spins him in a complete circle.
“Hey, buddy, how are you?” He places the boy back on his own feet.
The kid points at me. “Is she your girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” Hunter ruffles his hand through the boy’s hair. “What do you know about girlfriends?”
“Well?” he questions shyly. “Is she?”
Hunter looks back at me, almost as if he’s asking the same question. My eyes widen. I’m at a complete loss for words, but Hunter looks back at the boy. “This is Dani, and she’s a friend of mine.”
“Danny’s a boy’s name!” the kid says with wide eyes.
I can’t help it; I giggle then I drop down into a squatting position in front of the boy. “What’s your name?”
He smiles widely before saying, “Hunter!”
I look up at the other Hunter, my Hunter.
“Hunter is Thomas’s brother’s kid,” he explains. “They decided to name him after me…for some reason.”
“For some reason, huh?” I rise back to my feet with a smile. “This family obviously loves you. It’s like you’re one of them.”
“Nah. I’m just a friend.”
“A friend who made Thomas the millionaire he is today. A friend who made his dreams come true. It’s what you do every day of your life, isn’t it? Help others fulfill their dreams.”
“What’s your dream?”
My plan isn’t all that grand. I want to open up my own shop one day. I’m about to tell him that when—
“Hunter!”
A woman begins to approach from the near distance, cradling a newborn baby in her arms. As she gets closer, she begins to rush.
“Hey,” she says to Hunter, “have you seen Andrew around?”
“Actually, I haven’t.” Hunter responds. “What’s up?”
“I really have to pee,” the woman says as she passes the newborn baby to Hunter. “Can you hold him and I’ll be right ba
ck?”
“Sure thing, Mary.” Hunter handles the newborn with ease as Mary smiles at us, then rushes toward the house to take care of business. There’s just something so damn sexy, so damn charming about a man holding a baby. Even if it always reminds me of what I will never have.
He looks up to me to find me gazing at them. “You like kids?”
“I don’t have a lot of experience with them.”
“Here,” he says, passing me the baby. I start to protest, but before I know what’s happening, I’m cradling the baby in my arms.
“Be gentle now,” he cautions.
“I know how to hold a baby,” I scoff at him, and then drop my eyes to gaze at the precious child. His eyes are open, full of wonder and intrigue. Dark eyes that are somehow soft. His lips are curled into an irresistible smile; just the cutest damn little guy in the world. I look back to Hunter. “I’m terrible with kids.”
“You look like a natural.”
“You’re a natural. I’m…” I don’t know what I am, but I’m not a natural.
“I can’t wait to have kids of my own,” he murmurs, and I almost wonder if it was meant to be a private thought. “I can’t wait for the day I come home to someone that is and will always be mine.”
“You want to be a father?” I question.
He shrugs. “To be honest, I’ve always had a hard time imagining myself with one woman for the rest of my life, but babies have always been on my mind.” He reaches across the short span of distance between us and brushes the baby’s cheek lightly with his finger. “I’m close to my brothers but my dad, even though we know he loves us, he was always a bit distant. We were rich growing up, he gave us everything we ever needed, but he wasn’t exactly the type of guy to play ball in the yard with us. He’s still not. When I have kids, I’ll do it differently.”
That’s it. The tears come, slow at first but I’m unable to wipe them away because my hands are tied holding the baby. “Take him,” I say softly, choking on emotion.
