The Hastings Series

by Vanessa Siena

  “We’ll find a way to make it work. You guys go ahead and have fun. Try to be careful, though.” The last sentence was directed to me and I knew Jagger was talking about Dean. Anything could happen and we couldn’t be sure if he wasn’t going to follow us out of Hastings.

  I hadn’t told Harlow where we were going yet. It was a surprise and I hoped it was good enough for her birthday. She told me not to organize anything too big, and that she was okay with just dinner. But I couldn’t do that. I wanted her to feel relaxed for once. She deserved it.

  I was taking her to Sutton, a small town just thirty minutes away from Hastings. I booked a room at the Fox Hollow Motel, including a spa, dinner, and breakfast. It wasn’t too fancy, but it had great reviews.

  “You be careful too, okay?” Harlow told Jagger and stood up to hug him. “No need to worry about me, sweet girl.” After their long hug, I promised Jagger to have her back home the next day around two.

  “You ready?” I asked Harlow as we put our seatbelts on. She nodded with a big smile, looking over at me with bright eyes. “I’m excited to find out where we’re going to spend the night. It’s going to be amazing. How long until we’re there?”

  “It’s a half an hour drive. Oh, and I got something for you,” I said to her and turned onto the main road. “But you have to open it later when we’re there.”

  Harlow wrinkled her nose and then nodded. “I don’t like presents. Jagger got me an old record player. It’s beautiful but I bet he spent a lot of money on it. I love it, though,” she said with a smile.

  “And did he get you any records to play?” I asked, reaching over to put my hand on her thigh.

  She shook her head and started playing with my fingers on her lap. “No. But I can get them myself. He said he has no idea what type of music I like,” she said with a laugh. I chuckled, threading my fingers through hers and glancing over at her quickly.

  “So what will be the first record you’ll buy?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “Probably R.E.M.,” she said, puckering up her lips and studying my hand. “I think Automatic for The People was the very first full album I downloaded on my phone.”

  I nodded, remembering all the times she talked about the songs on that album, telling me how good they were. I didn’t really listen to many artists, and most of them were either already dead or just not very well known. But Harlow’s playlist was incredibly interesting. From rock music to indie, some rap, and even country.

  “When we get back tomorrow, we can go check out the record store.”

  Harlow nodded in agreement and I was getting impatient, wanting to give her my present already.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Harlow

  The motel parking lot was full of cars when we arrived, and I was surprised that Hunter didn’t mind all those people at all. He explained to me that the motel had a golf course in the back and even a lounge with a pool and cocktail bar. He wanted to do something fun with me, he said, and I loved his idea. We never got to go out and have some fun, and even if I only turned twenty, I wanted to find out what it was like to go out and dance or have some drinks.

  “You’re not twenty-one yet, sweetheart. Alcohol’s gotta wait,” Hunter said after I asked him if I could get a cocktail.

  I sighed and stepped on the small balcony of our room, looking over the pool area filled with young people dancing and having fun. “I had alcohol before. Besides, I bet half of those people down there are not allowed to drink either.”

  “I don’t care about others. You’re too young and I know for a fact that Jagger wouldn’t allow it, either,” he said seriously. I rolled my eyes, turning to look at him while he unpacked the duffel bag with our clothes in it. We didn’t bring much since we were only staying one night, but I wanted to look good tonight. For him.

  “One drink. Just one,” I begged, stepping closer to him and stopping in front of him. “It’s my birthday,” I pointed out, wrapping my arms around his waist to get his attention. He looked down at me, letting go of the pants he was holding in his hand and dropping them on the bed next to us.

  A serious expression covered his face. “No.”

  “Hunter,” I sighed, letting my head fall back while closing my eyes. “Come on.” I looked back up at him and let my hands travel up to his shoulders, holding on tightly and pulling him closer. “Just agree on one drink and I won’t bother you about it anymore.”

  Hunter let out a laugh, shaking his head and pushing me to the side to keep on unpacking. “Bother me all you want, love. You’re too young for that shit and I don’t need something to happen to you tonight.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed him for a while. “When did you become such a rule-follower? I thought you were more fun.” I was mocking him now and my goal was clear: get at least one cocktail before going to bed.

  “I am fun,” he said in an almost hurt tone. I tried not to laugh and to sound just as serious as he did. “Hell, I’m a fun guy.” Now, his expression was filled with confusion and he seemed offended.

  “Not right now,” I told him, holding back laughter. “Or else you would just let me drink.”

  Hunter looked at me and his expression changed immediately. “Stop it,” he ordered, and a deep crease appeared between his brows. “I said no, and I won’t change my mind. Now, sit down at let me give you my present.”

  I was messing with him and I soon remembered that I probably shouldn’t. Hunter was quick to explode, and I could tell he was starting to lose his patience with me. There was nothing wrong with pushing him to his limits, but only if I knew how far I could go.

  ***

  Hunter

  “I didn’t want a present,” she said quietly and sat down on the edge of the bed. I knew she was trying to make me mad, see how far she could actually go by not accepting a simple no.

  Sure, we were pretty much in a city no one really knew about and I was positive too that most of the kids down there weren’t twenty-one yet. I didn’t care about them though. When it came to Harlow, I wanted her to understand that even if I was doing illegal stuff, she shouldn’t follow my lead. Or her brother’s.

  I wanted her clean and innocent. Well, as innocent as it could get after our many nights of ridiculously great sex.

  “I know. But on birthdays, gifts are a must. Now, close your eyes,” I told her and waited until she stopped looking at me like she was mad and covered her eyes with her hands.

  “No peeking,” I said, and pulled out the present from the duffle bag. I had to hide it underneath my clothes, and I was glad she didn’t look through the bag during the car ride.

  “All right, you can grab it.” I held the present in front of her and she reached out her hands, keeping her eyes closed. The second she held it in her hands she smiled, and I knew she would love it.

  “Can I look?” she asked excitingly. I sat down next to her and nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.

  “Yes.”

  She opened her eyes, looking at the large thin square in her hands with a huge smile. “I think I know what this is,” she said and then looked at me. “I think it’s a vinyl record.”

  I chuckled and shrugged, not wanting to disappoint in case it was something different. But of course, it wasn’t. “Open it,” I said to her with a smile.

  She didn’t hesitate, ripping up the wrapping paper. Her eyes went wide when she saw what was written on the record and she suddenly seemed speechless. “How…” she stuttered, taking a good look at her first-ever vinyl.

  “Hunter, how on earth did you get this?” she asked, obviously shocked. I shrugged, leaning back on my elbows.

  “That’s a secret,” I told her with a grin and got a slap on my knee as a reaction to my answer.

  “Hunter, I need to know if this was somehow illegally smuggled or stolen or if I can keep it with a good conscience.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Oh, so now you’re worried about the legal stuff?”

  “Tell me,” she ord
ered, still in shock and not taking her eyes off of her new R.E.M., Automatic for the People LP, which was signed by each band member. “This is the best thing ever and I need to know.”

  “I bought it. That record store I want to take you to tomorrow is filled with rarities like this one. The guy who sold it to me was the one who got it signed. He went to their concert in Phoenix, Arizona in 1995.” That guy also wanted a fair amount of money for it, but it was the perfect present for Harlow. Hell, if that band was still going on tour, I would even go with her just to see her this happy.

  “This is incredible,” she whispered, her eyes now filled with unshed tears. For me, this was a small present. I should’ve gotten her something bigger, but for now, and with everything happening around us, I thought this was enough for now. And I knew she appreciated the smaller things more. She wasn’t into money, which was one thing I adored about her.

  “Thank you. I love it. And I love you,” she said, turning to me and leaning toward me to kiss me. I returned her kiss, sitting back up and cupping her face in my hand to keep her close.

  This was all I cared about. Her love and her being happy. She deserved the world and so much more. I often wondered what life would be without her. Just the thought of it made me feel empty. Luckily, I had her. For now, and hopefully forever.

  Chapter Thirty

  Hunter

  Initially, I wanted to have a nice dinner with Harlow before attending the party outside. I didn’t know there would be so many people at this motel, but it didn’t bother me. Harlow never got out and the sight of young people dancing and having fun was intriguing her. A lot.

  So I decided to just skip the romantic stuff at dinner, thinking after the party ends I would get her all alone in bed, stripping her down naked and enjoying every little inch of her body.

  It was her birthday, and other than the alcohol, there was nothing I wanted to keep from her tonight. Well, besides other guys. Some time ago I realized that I got jealous quickly as soon as some guy just tried to speak to her, even if she was just taking orders or greeting customers.

  I tried to ignore those feelings, knowing she was mine and no one could ever take my spot.

  The dress she was wearing didn’t really help though. It was hitting a few inches above her knees, getting tighter toward her hips and hugging her waist perfectly. She looked stunning with her hair down, long curls falling over shoulders and the bright smile she was wearing was the best thing about it all.

  I noticed some guys staring at her, then the second I wrapped my arm around her waist, they turned their heads. Good. She’s mine. Everyone should know.

  We stood next to the bar and I looked around to find ourselves a table. I got myself a beer and for Harlow a sweet tea. The bartender didn’t take his eyes off Harlow, asking her multiple questions about how her night was going. I was fine with him ignoring my presence, but I’d much rather have him ignore Harlow too. He didn’t stop, instead, he kept on flirting with her right there, in front of me. Luckily, Harlow was visibly uncomfortable. I stared him down, telling him to give me my drinks and to fuck off afterward.

  I heard Harlow chuckle, putting her hand on my back. “Be nice, Hunter. He’s just being nice,” she told me and fuck me, at this point in our relationship, she could tell me anything and I would obey her like a puppy.

  I nodded toward a table and Harlow followed me to stand by it. There were several high tables around the pool, most of them filled with empty glasses and bottles. I pushed the ones on our table aside and made room for us.

  “I don’t really like the music,” she said, looking around and taking a sip of her sweet tea. Her wrinkled nose told me that she not only didn’t like the music, but she hated it with all her heart. A DJ was hired to take care of the mood for the party, but I couldn’t agree more with Harlow. He played early 2000’s music, mixed with some annoying EDM. Electronic dance music, my ass.

  “We’ll have to get through it. Or we can just leave and head up to the bedroom,” I suggested, finding that option was a better way to spend the evening. Harlow shook her head, looking up at me with shimmering eyes. “No. Other than the music, everything’s perfect.”

  I nodded and leaned over to kiss her temple. “You look stunning,” I whispered, needing her to hear it from me first before some random guy decided to hit on her. They were all still looking at her, acting like I wasn’t around suddenly.

  “You’re handsome as well,” she said with a smile and ran her fingers over my shirt. “White suits you.” She pressed her lips against mine. I loved black clothes. But I wanted to change it up for once. White was my only option.

  I returned her kiss, pulling her closer to make sure everyone saw that she’s mine. To make it even clearer, I cupped her ass into my hands and squeezed tightly, making Harlow moan with surprise. She liked it, pressing her body against mine and wrapping her arms around my neck. Her hands made their way into my hair, pulling them tightly to simulate my hands on her bottom.

  My tongue touched her bottom lip and she opened her mouth for me to deepen the kiss. With our tongues twirling around each other and our hands not stopping from touching, I couldn’t care less about the people watching. Hell, I wanted them to watch. The caveman in me was trying to get out again, but I wasn’t going to push this any further. If I kept going, I’d pick her up to run upstairs to the bedroom to make sure the need I knew was growing between her thighs was getting its satisfaction.

  She wasn’t making it easy on me since my cock started growing inside my pants. Her hands grabbed fistfuls of my hair, slowly making me crazy. I loved the way she touched me, knowing exactly what I liked.

  I needed to slow down, so I put both hands on either side of her waist, yet still holding her tight. “Wanna dance?” I mumbled into the kiss. Her lips left mine in an instant and surprise was all over her face.

  “You dance?” she asked, not quite believing me.

  I chuckled, nodding my head and straightening out her dress to make sure it didn’t ride up more. “I’m not the best, but I want to dance with you,” I told her, nodding toward our drinks. “But we gotta drink up first. Don’t need anyone to put shit into your drink.”

  Harlow grabbed her drink, downing it like a pro and then grinned up at me. “Come on!” Her excitement could probably be seen from miles away. I finished my beer, then took her hand and pulled her to what seemed to be the dance floor right next to the pool. When we found a good spot, I pulled her close again and started moving to the awful music coming from the speakers.

  The way Harlow moved made me regret the decision to dance. Her hips swayed from side to side and her ass looked better than ever in that dress. I grabbed her hand, turning her back to me and pulling her close by the hip. That’s better. Her ass not only was being hidden from others, but it also made my cock feel better. I was already hard, and I knew Harlow felt it. She moved her bottom against my hardness, and I helped her out to make it feel even better by pushing her into me.

  My eyes stayed on her the whole time and I started to decide whether or not to stay or leave. Release sounded better than this torture. I knew Harlow was teasing and the thought of that made my cock twitch.

  I leaned down, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck and licking a trail up to her ear. “I want to take you up to that room and fuck you,” I whispered. She shivered and I heard her breath hitch. Good, so she wanted the same.

  She turned around, looking up at me with her lids lowered and desire flashing in her eyes. “Okay,” was all she said and from that moment on, all I saw was her naked in bed with her legs spread wide open ready for me to taste her.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Hunter

  “Naked, love. I want you naked.” The second we stepped into the bedroom, her dress was off and thrown to the floor with no care and her bra followed right behind. Harlow laid back on the bed, holding herself up on her elbows and looking at me with big, lustful eyes. My eyes fell to her breasts, perfectly displayed for me.


  I slowly took off my shirt first, then my jeans, keeping on only my boxers. She was watching me but seemed a bit tense. “What’s wrong?” I asked, standing by the end of the bed and looking down at her beauty. She shrugged, then licked her lips slowly.

  “I’m just getting impatient. I want you inside me.” Her words not only surprised me but also herself. Harlow never really said much when we were having sex. She let me do the talking and I knew she enjoyed it a little too much. But this time, she was straight forward, and it turned me on even more.

  I let a grin appear on my face and I slowly pushed down my boxers to let my cock free. I was aching already, needing to get inside her as quick as possible. But I wanted to see what else she would beg me for if I kept this at a slow pace.

  “Is that so?” I asked in a low voice. The head of my cock was visible now that I let my boxers down some inches more.

  She nodded, letting her frustration show on her face.

  “Tell me again,” I ordered. Her lips parted slightly, and her eyes took in the sight of my half-covered dick.

  “Hunter, please,” she whispered, almost breathless. I raised an eyebrow, letting her know that I wasn’t playing around. I meant what I said, and I wanted her to listen.

  “Tell me,” I repeated.

  This time, she licked her lips again and her eyes met mine again. “I want you to fuck me.”

  Her voice was so damn innocent and my cock jerked at her words. Fucking hell. That was enough to stop my teasing. I took off my briefs quickly, then reached for her panties and ripped them off her legs. A surprised sound came from her and when I looked back into her eyes, I slammed into her, making her scream out my name.