Payton and I have hung out a few times, but I told her I wanted to take this slow so we have not done anything more than just kiss. I know I lost a big part of her trust the night I left her alone and I will win all that trust back. She is making me realize that I love the feeling I get when I am around her.
Tonight Payton and I are sitting in her apartment going through wedding stuff. With how much wedding shit I have looked at in the last month you would think I was planning my own wedding. She would ask me what I thought about colors, cakes, and tuxedos. You know, shit that would have me running about a month ago, but I am comfortable with her.
I look up at her, watching how focused she is. She has no clue I am watching her. She has her feet pulled up on the couch, looking at a bridal magazine. All I can think about right now is how damn beautiful she is with her hair pulled up in a messy bun, wearing my baggy sweat pants and a tank tank top. Now that I am watching her, all I can think about it getting her out of those clothes and running my hands over her smooth skin. Hearing her moan my name as I touch her and savor every part of her body. Damn I need to stop thinking about this. I clear my throat and look away, maybe wedding stuff will help the bulge that is growing in my pants settle down.
She looks up at me and smiles. The smile is not helping my case at all right now. “What are you doing over there? You’re making weird noises.”
I have to clear my throat again and I try to hide the smirk. If only she knew what I was thinking. “Looking at wedding stuff. You know this lacy shit with all the flowers. It’s hard to keep track of. It all looks the same.”
“You don't have to help me with this stuff Hunter.”
“Yes I do. I am going to be the best man, I need to help. I am also trying to think of Matt’s bachelor party. We are having it this weekend. He doesn't want the normal fun stuff you do at bachelor parties. He told me I better keep it low key. So low key it will be.”
“Normal stuff like strippers?”
I cringe as she asks it because I was thinking about getting one.” No strippers. Matt said no.”
“OK good. I was going to get one for Em, but her and Matt made a pact that there will be no strippers. I think it’s sweet.” She smiles at me but then look down at her magazine.
Sweet is what she tastes like not what the pact is. That is just controlling on both parts. But Payton is sweet. She is fucking delicious.
Growing irritated with my thoughts and needing to do something about it, I move closer to Payton, pulling her legs out from under her. She laughs, dropping the magazine she is holding on the floor.
“What are you doing?” She gasps out as I pull her towards me. I fit in between her legs, pushing her back so she is lying down on the couch. I lean down and kiss her, pulling her bottom lip between my teeth and nibbling it.
“Hunter” she moans out. I run my hands up her stomach and stop at her chest. Cupping one of her firm breasts lightly. Keeping my hand over her shirt, I kiss her deep and hard, pressing my groin into her. She moans out again as I break the kiss.
“This is what I was thinking about earlier. I have a problem that needs to go away. All I can think about is you naked and me deep inside of you.”
She looks shocked and then shoots me with an innocent, shy look. The color of blush that creeps up on her cheeks makes her even sexier. She fists my shirt and pulls me to her, kissing me. I kiss her lips feverishly and then slow it down, kissing down her neck, lightly biting it. I grab the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head. I lay kisses on her shoulder and over her collarbone. I make my way closer to her breasts with each kiss. She arches her body into me causing me to moan and nip her tender skin with my teeth.
Her hands come up and run under my shirt, pulling it over my head and tossing it onto the floor by her shirt. She places her hands back on my chest, running them up my body as I continue to kiss down to her chest. Kissing each breast over her lacy bra, causing her to arch more into me and whimper out lightly. I start to kiss back up her chest to her mouth, teasing her.
Her hand that is on my chest travels down and starts to undo my pants as she runs her other hand through my hair, causing me to kiss her deeper. We are so lost in each other we don't hear the door open. I thought I heard something, but it didn’t register until I felt myself going airborne off Payton and landing on the floor. I look up at the ceiling, confused for a minute. Until it hits me that Matt and James are both looking at me like they could kill me?
All I can think at this point is I am glad they didn’t show up ten minutes later.
Chapter 11
Payton
One minute Hunter is on top of me, making my body come to life, making me feel like I could break apart with need at any minute. I needed him to be inside me to finish off what he started. My body is on fire and I need it doused. I had my hands almost down his pants and was going to go all the way. Before I get further down his pants, Hunter is being ripped off me. I scream, completely freak out, thinking maybe its Keegan.
I look up and see my older brother James’ face. I look down at Hunter laying on the ground and then back up at James. Realizing I don't have a shirt on I quickly sit up and grab the throw blanket that’s on my couch and cover myself up.
“What are you doing?” I yell at Matt and James. Not caring that James is home.
Matt walks over and helps Hunter off the ground.
“What am I doing? Payton what are you doing?” James looks back at Hunter. I swear if looks could kill Hunter would be dead right about now.
“James you have no right walking into my place without knocking. That goes for you also Matt.” I look over at both of them, shooting them disgusted, dirty looks.
Matt turns a few shades of red and looks away from Hunter as he fastens up his pants. “Hunter said he was busy tonight and James came home today. We wanted to surprise you. But it looks like you surprised us.” He busts out laughing. “That is one sight I never want to see again. Hunter I can’t even look at you right now without wanting to blush. You know Em and I are kind of kinky.”
Hunter gives him a little shove “This is just payback from when I walked in on you and Em.” The smile that was on his face a few seconds ago fades when he looks back at James.
James just stands there with a pissed off look on his face. I can tell he is trying to reel in his temper. I need to defuse the situation before James does something stupid.
“Matt that is something I do not need to know.” I throw my hands up to my face and try to wipe the image out of my sight.
With my hands still up to my face, I feel something soft land on me and the hear James gruff voice. “Payton put on your damn shirt.”
I peel my hands off my face and grab my shirt. My attempt at humor did not work with James I can see. I pull my shirt on over my head and look at James.
“You really should have knocked. It’s not a big deal James. You have caught me making out with other guys before and never had this reaction.”
He sighs and grabs my arm, pulling me up off the couch. “Payton those other guys were a hell of a lot better for you than Hunter. He.” James says pointing to Hunter. “Is the type of guy who will have sex with a girl and then leave them the next day? How he stayed with Kelly for so long, I have no clue. But I will not let this happen.”
“You won’t let this happen?” I scream pushing him back a little. “Really, James? Matt is okay with this so why are you so against it? Oh and we had sex already and look he is standing right here with me now. He did not run off.” I bite my tongue because technically he did run off. He left me during the middle of the night after having sex with me, but they don’t need to know that. I should take James words to heart, but I can’t do it.
James turns around and looks at Matt, who is now standing there with a look of horror. I put that look on his face because I threw him under the bus and confessed that Hunter and I had sex.
James walks over to Matt and shoves him. ”You knew they were fucking and you didn't stop th
em.”
“I di…” before he can finish what he was going to say Hunter gets in between them.
“Look none of this is your guy's business,” he spins on James. “I would not call it fucking because if I remember right I made love to your sister.”
I look up at Hunter, stunned that he said that. Knowing it was not the right thing to say to James.
James says nothing. He just stands there stunned for a minute then reels his fist back and hits Hunter right in the jaw. I can hear the sickening sound of flesh on flesh as Hunter stumbles back a few steps. He brings up his hand to touch the spot where James hit him and then glares up at James.
“That my friend was not a good idea.”
I scream “stop,” getting in between them. I push James farther away from Hunter before James can hit him again or before Hunter goes after him.
They both look at me like I have lost my mind. “Both of you stop.” I look up at James. “You have no right to be mad about this. Hunter is a good guy. He saved me from a lot of shit this month and I won’t let you chase him off. You don't get to choose who I love and don't love. That is my choice to make and you can choose to support it or not.”
James runs his hand over his head, debating on what to say to me and sighs. “I don't like it. I come home and find out you got the shit beat out of you Payton. I am so pissed off about that and now this.” He looks at the ground, then back up at me with a look of disappointment. “I am not happy with you right now. I thought you were smarter than this than Keegan and Hunter. You are acting like a whore. I know Matt, Dad, and I have taught you better than this.”
I can feel the warmth of the tears that are now running down my cheeks. Hearing that my brother is disappointed in me was not what I wanted to hear when he came home. I look at the ground, feeling utterly deflated. I feel Hunter walk over to me and wrap his arms around my mid-section. I lean back, resting my head on his chest, wanting his warmth and strength right now.
“James I think you said enough. It’s time for you to go. I don't need you to be against me also. I have enough people trying to knock me down.” I look past James, not wanting to meet his eyes. I don’t want to see the disappointment again.
Matt signs and finally speaks. “Come on James. We will go see dad. He will be happy you are home. Maybe after we all calm down, and I get the images out of my head that I should not have seen, things will be clearer and we can talk then.” He tried to lighten the mood as he walks over to where James is standing.
He puts his hand on James's shoulder, but James shrugs it off. “Fine let’s go.” He glares once more at Hunter and takes off for the door, slamming it shut behind him.
Matt looks at Hunter and me with a sympathetic look. “Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to ruin your night. I thought this would have turned out better. James wanted to surprise Payton. He is only here this weekend then heads back.”
“You know better than surprising me. I always find a way to surprise you instead.” I force a smile at him.
“That you do Pay, that you do,” he walks over and hugs me tight. “Don’t take what he said to heart. He is tired from the flight and I think in shock. He will get over it.” He gives me another comforting hug, squeezing me tightly.
He looks at Hunter and slaps him on the back. “It’s about time you go after her. I know you’re a good guy and the right guy for her. But please, I never, ever want to walk in on that again.”
Hunter laughs and gives him a hug. “Thanks, man.”
Hunter walks Matt to the door and lets him out. I just stand where they left me, trying to be strong and hold in the emotions I am feeling right now. But as soon as I hear the door shut behind Matt I let go of the overflow of emotions and cry. Letting down your brother who helped raise you sucks and hurts.
I feel Hunter come behind me, lifting me up. Cradling me to his chest holding me close to him and carry me to my room. He lays me on my side on my bed. Walking away from me to the other side of the bed. I feel the bed dip from his weight and then feel him behind me pulling me close to him. We lay there for a while saying nothing. He just lets me cry and release my sadness. Letting me let it all out. After what feels like a lifetime of crying I just lay there and drift off to sleep. I know I should talk to Hunter about what was all said, but I am too tired. I close my eyes and let sleep claim me.
***
Hunter
If James were not her brother, I would have killed him for the way he talked to Payton. He had no right to call her a whore. What kind of brother does that? I don't care if he was stressed or upset about seeing us together. I lay there holding Payton. She finally stopped crying and began breathing steadily, letting me know she finally fell asleep. I pull her closer to me and feel her snuggle up closer and grip my hands tight, almost like she is afraid I am going to leave her again. I squeeze her hand lightly, reassuring her while she sleeps nuzzling my head into her hair and against her neck. Holding onto something that I care about truly and would kill to protect.
The next day I spend the morning with Payton before I head into work, wanting to make sure she is okay. She keeps telling me she is fine. I have a feeling she is putting up a front, not wanting to show her true feelings. We made breakfast together. She cooked the eggs and bacon while I was in charge of the toast. After we finished breakfast, Payton walked our plates to the sink and started rinsing them off. Having the urge to touch her and feel her softness, I get up and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I can help you with those but first I want a kiss.” I murmur in her ear. Pulling her closer to me.
She turns around without hesitation, placing her lips on mine. I love the feeling of her lips on mine. I pull her in closer moving my hands to cup her face, tilting her head back a little giving me a better angle to deepen the kiss. After a few seconds, I feel her smile and then pull away.
“As much as I love kissing you we need to get the dishes done.”
I am pretty sure I pouted. I love kissing her and I want to say ‘fuck the dishes.' I kiss her again and then pull away, grabbing a dish towel to dry with.
I found that the simple task of doing the dishes together is one of my favorite things to do. I am pretty sure she will blush every time she walks into her kitchen. The things we did in there might even put a blush on my face. The table was put the use, as well as the counter. My pants twitch thinking about it.
“What are you thinking about?” Don asks.
I give him a sly smile. “Nothing, just thinking about how lucky I am.”
“You had a good night last night.”
I laugh to myself thinking of how last night went down. “Not really, last night sucked. It will go down as one of the worst nights of my life and a night I don’t think I would ever want to relive. But this morning was great.”
He looks over at me with a knowing look but doesn't say anything for a while. We just finished with a call and are now heading back to the station. My mind is still on Payton. Hoping she is safe. I can’t wait until Keegan messes up and does something stupid that gets him arrested again. I worry about when this is all over and she realizes that I am not good for her. I don’t think I would be able to take losing her. James is right though. I should listen to him and walk away from her and let her be. But I am selfish and I won’t leave her.
We pull into the station and head inside. I head into the office that Don and I share and sit at my desk not wanting to talk to anyone, even Don. The thoughts that are running through my head are making it hard for me to do my job. I need to focus and forget about things.
After an hour of sitting and keeping myself busy with paperwork that I have to do. I get up and tell Don we are going to patrol. We drive around for a while just bullshitting with each other. I am glad that Don is doing well. He and his ex-wife are on talking terms now, which is huge news considering a few months ago she would not talk to him at all, she was only talking to his lawyer. He is a good man and a devoted person to the badge and to friends. I know if I am
ever in a shootout, he is the person I want to have my back. Each night we get to ride together I think about how thankful I am to have him as a partner.
“I want to thank you Don for always being there for me and having my back.”
He looks over at me and smiles. “Look at you getting all sentimental,” he nudges me with his elbow.
“No, I have been thinking a lot about stuff lately. I don’t want you to think I take you for granted, you are like a father to me. Your ex-wife was stupid to leave you. You are a good man Don.”
“So are you Hunter.”
I nudge him back. “If you say so. But I don’t think I am.”
“Don’t be dumb Hunter. Is this about Payton? Do you feel like she is too good for you?”
I knew he would catch on, he is too smart to not get what I am talking about. “No. Yes it is.” I look at him, thinking what I want to say next. “Don she is the perfection to my life. Something I don't want to taint. Her brothers James and Matt walked in on us last night as we were making out on her couch. He said some things that I know are true. I wish I could walk away from her, but I can’t, not with Keegan out there giving her problems.”
Everlasting Page 10
