Broken for Me_Be for Me_Hunter

by Natalie Anderson

  The first night for new guests was always busy. In a small window of quiet, Luisa placed a dish of nuts in front of him.

  “To keep your energy levels up,” she murmured coyly.

  The blackness in his eyes burned hot. “Thank you.”

  “I did it to please myself really.” She shrugged impishly. “You’re such a people watcher.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  “You’re quiet, but you’re not a complete introvert,” she mused. “I think you actually like being around other people.”

  “Why do you feel the constant need to analyze me?” he drawled.

  “Because you fascinate me,” she answered— with simple, revealing honesty.

  Something changed in his expression and for a split-second he looked vulnerable.

  Her heart lurched. “Hunter?”

  He leaned close and whispered. “I find it very difficult to stay away from you.”

  Her pulse skittered. Even though she knew that. Even though she felt the same about him. She drew in a deep breath and warned herself to pull it back, keep herself together. She needed to keep this just about the pleasure in the present.

  A honeymooner waved for her attention. Pleased for the respite from Hunter, she made even more of an effort to tease and draw them out. A large, happy group formed and they danced from cocktails to shots. Laughing, Luisa flicked her wrists and poured them a dozen.

  Hunters lips twisted wryly when she briefly walked back to his end of the bar to pick up extra slices of lime and floral decoration.

  “You attract everyone around you,” he said, his expression intense.

  She shook her head. “Oh please.”

  “You do. You draw people near. You’re vivacious. You’re the light in the room.”

  While she found him the velvety darkness—the soothing rest that she so badly needed. They fitted—complemented each other. But she turned back to those honeymooners—joking endlessly with them. He remained, silent, watching with that small smile on his lips. But it was different again now—a connection had been forged between them, that meant that even in this separation, they were still together.

  She made another round of layered shots for the raucous group. One of the brides—with strikingly blue eyes—glanced down the bar at Hunter and then back at Luisa.

  “Your man’s the strong, silent type isn’t he?” she said saucily as Luisa lined up the drinks along the bar. “Sexy as…”

  Luisa was startled that she’d noticed—not about Hunter’s sexiness—but that they were a couple.

  “I bet he’s dynamite. Got that edge of danger.” The bride knocked back her shot and dragged in a deep breath to recover. “Still waters run deep and all that.” She giggled and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’ll have another shot thanks, lucky lady.”

  Luisa arched an eyebrow, determinedly maintaining her ‘customer-is-always-right’ smile. “And you just got married.”

  The woman looked coy. “Doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes anymore.”

  Hungry ones.

  “What’s wrong?” Hunter asked as she walked back down his end of the bar a few moments later.

  “Nothing.”

  “A scowl is a very rare expression on your sweet face and you look thunderous,” he said skeptically. “What did she say to you?”

  “Nothing.” She didn’t want to confess her jealousy.

  He kept staring at her, his eyes boring right into her soul.

  Luisa sighed. “She thinks you’re hot.”

  A started expression lit his face. “And you disagree?” He laughed.

  “Her husband of three days is less than five feet away.”

  “You’re jealous?” His smile was abominably smug and he leaned closer. “Want to stake your claim?”

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. She could kiss him now and let every woman and man in the room know he was taken. But while this might be an adults-only honeymoon island, she was not a guest and extremely public displays of affection were frowned upon— that’s what the huts were for.

  “I have no claim on you,” she muttered softly.

  Her scowl deepened as she realized the uncomfortable truth—the even more ugly future. Other women wanted him. Other women would have him.

  Hunter watched the shadows flickering in Luisa’s eyes and wished he could read her beautifully complex, infuriating-as-fuck mind. He still couldn’t quite believe she’d said yes to their affair. Though he could understand why—the way they moved together and the pleasure they achieved was mind-blowing. No question, she gave him the best sex of his life. They were explosive.

  He’d learned long ago not to expect anything more from anyone. Even if this affair was only sexual and only short, that was enough, wasn’t it? He was just glad that driving urge, the niggle in the back of his mind that wouldn’t let up had been right. When he’d first arrived he’d watched her closely and seen heat sweep across her features. If her reaction had been anything else, he’d have turned around and gone straight back to the mainland and never bothered her again. But her reaction had been too clear. She wanted him with the same single-minded intensity that he wanted her. Now he’d had her, he wanted more.

  And there were the beginnings of a problem. Because she was resistant to anything more complicated. Those secrets—that hurt—held her back. She was still limiting this. Still denying there could be any future. She’d put a finish-date on them. Why? What was she so afraid of? Because she was afraid—he’d seen fear in enough people to recognize it now.

  But all he could give her was time. And let himself enjoy the moment too. Because shit could hit real quick, he knew that too.

  “You’re still annoyed,” he said a half hour later when he walked her to his hut and she’d fallen silent after her talk-a-thon with her customers.

  In some ways he took her jealousy as a good sign, but she was tense about it. Which meant she didn’t like the jealousy she felt. She didn’t want to feel for him. He could relate to that sentiment.

  “Yes,” she admitted in a low mutter.

  He moved swiftly, kissing her until her anger reshaped into passion. It took only moments. She was incandescent. So devastatingly responsive that he took her upright, hard against the door.

  “I am here,” he grunted, emphasizing exactly where with a fierce thrust of his hips. “With you. You have every claim on me. And I have every claim on you.”

  That was what he wanted. And she responded to his hard line—curling her leg around his hip and bucking against him—with him every thrust of the way to ecstasy.

  “Better?” he asked when he’d recovered the ability to speak.

  She nodded dazedly.

  “Bed?”

  She shook her head and walked into his room. “I don’t want to waste time sleeping.” She looked around and he suspected she wasn’t quite all better yet. Sexually satisfied for now, yes… but not relaxed. Her nerves were still jangling. Oddly, that made him feel better.

  “You carry cards?” She swiped up the worn deck from the open pocket of his hold-all.

  “Always.” He strolled over and levered himself onto the bed and watched her shuffle them with quick, restless hands.

  “I always do too,” she said.

  “I’m not playing strip poker with you,” he muttered.

  “You’re scared of losing?” She sent him an arch look.

  “I can’t be bothered getting dressed only to have to take them all off again.”

  A little smile flashed on her pretty face. “Wow, you’re in a lazy mood.”

  “I am supremely relaxed.” It was truth. He had her now—in his bed, in his hut for the next few hours, and she was shaken up enough to start sharing. But he wasn’t an idiot. He wasn’t about to immediately start prying. He’d let her settle some and inch by inch she’d eventually open up.

  “Then let me pit my rapier-like mind against yours just for the thrill of victory.” Her smile broadened.

  “You want braggi
ng rights?” he teased. He liked that she liked to win.

  “Absolutely. I’m claiming them. They will be mine.”

  “What’s your game of choice?”

  He knew her two favorites. After five minutes of debating some of the more detailed rules, she dealt their hands. It was a game of strategy and quick-thinking. She won the first round, he the second. Naked, snacking on fresh fruit at two in the morning, and playing cards, it was madness. And it was pure paradise.

  “You like games,” he muttered.

  “I do,” she nodded with doe-eyed look. “They’re fun and social and I like to win. But so do you. You’re a good challenge.” She shot him another look. “I bet you play patience, don’t you?”

  He smiled slowly. “What makes you think that?”

  “Just a hunch. I bet you’re happy taking your time and waiting for the cards to fall how you want them. So that in the end you win.”

  “I don’t win everything all of the time,” he pointed out somberly. “No one does.”

  “But you stack the deck in your favor,” she said huskily.

  “Sometimes,” he admitted and looked directly at her. “Don’t we all?”

  CHAPTER TEN

  LUISA DRAGGED HERSELF out of bed just before dawn and quickly showered. She was about to be late for work for the first time in years.

  She ran as quickly as she could, but by the time she got there, her boss Tamati was already at the counter. Just her luck.

  “I don’t need you to work this evening,” he said cheerily. “In fact, you can be done entirely, don’t worry about this morning’s shift either.” He smiled at her like he’d told her the best news ever.

  “Pardon?” She stared at her boss in confusion. “But I have just over another week to work.”

  She needed those shifts. She needed the money.

  “My niece has returned early from her studies and can take over your shifts. Seeing you have a friend staying, I didn’t think you’d mind having a few days vacation before departing. I’ll still pay you for the week of course.”

  “Wow.” Luisa faked a smile as she thought through what he was telling her. “That’s so generous.”

  “You’ve been such an asset, we’re going to miss you. But you deserve a break Luisa.”

  Ordinarily yes, this would be super-mega-awesome. But somehow it wasn’t. It was so unexpected. Had someone paid Tamati to do this for her?

  No prizes for guessing who’d put him up for this.

  White hot fury speared and she sprinted back to Hunter’s hut. She wasn’t having him interfering in her life. Certainly not this way.

  He was working out already, damn him. Doing press-ups on the sand next to his plunge pool. Sweat gleamed on his golden skin and made him look beyond fine—not at all like he’d had about ninety minutes sleep all night. She was more furious than ever.

  “Why did you do this?” When had he done it? Had he arranged it last night?

  “Do what?” He leisurely drew up to his full height. “Why aren’t you working?”

  She didn’t want to see ‘calm-and-in-control’ Hunter now. She hated how he was always so in control. She wanted him honest—not hiding behind questions or silence.

  “Why would I be working when apparently my boss no longer requires my services,” she said bitterly.

  “You’ve been fired?” Stunned, he reached for a towel.

  “Of course. So that all my time is yours.”

  His gaze narrowed on her.

  “You bought me,” she hissed at him. “So you’d better do what you want with me. Seeing you paid for me.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Shall I strip off now?”

  “You’re angry with me.”

  “Finally, the guy gets it.” She stepped up and jabbed him in the chest with her finger. “You don’t swoop in here and mess up my life and organize things to make your life smoother. You don’t control what I do with my time. That is unacceptable to me. I will not have you or anyone dictate what I can and cannot do.”

  “I didn’t pay anyone anything Luisa,” he said calmly.

  “No? So my boss’s niece just happened to come back early from college?”

  “You’d better ask him.”

  She shook her head. “He’s paid me off. Why would he do that?”

  “Because his niece has come back early?” Hunter muttered with the first hint of annoyance. “Maybe the man was being honest with you.”

  “So you didn’t…” she trailed off and took a moment to really look at him.

  He was frowning, but his eyes were clear. “No. I didn’t. But in a way I wish I had, it was a good plan.”

  She glared at him for another moment. He was being truthful. And damn it, she’d just ripped him out for no reason at all. Unsure of what to say she hesitated. He offered her that smile—that intimate one he reserved for only a few.

  At that, she ruefully laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m so… I’m not used to factoring in other people when it comes to my plans.”

  “Not used to considering other people’s lives and feelings.” He pretended to write a reminder on the back of his hand. “Duly noted.”

  “You make me feel like such a bitch.” She groaned. “And I’m not usually… such a bitch. I’m a nice person. I get on with everyone. I can talk to anyone. I’m like—”

  “The sunlight,” he said softly.

  Silenced, she stared at him. She felt the heat of a blush warming her cheeks. It was a simple compliment but heartfelt. Is that how he saw her? Like how he’d said she was the light in the bar last night? He was wrong really. She didn’t deserve that accolade.

  His smile deepened and he opened his arms. Unable to resist his magnetism she stepped close and let him envelop her in his warmth.

  “I know you’re not a bitch,” he said softly. “Let me make you feel something much better.”

  A hug wasn’t quite what she’d have imagined he meant. But being held like this—gently, safely…

  Her heart pounded louder the longer he remained silent. Slowly she lifted her head to look up at him. For a long moment she gazed into his eyes—so dark, they were warmer, softer than she’d ever had she imagined—and she wanted to dive right into their bottomless depths.

  A frisson of tension snaked up her spine. She needed to step back. But before she could he framed her face with his hands. So gently. And then the guy kissed her and she had no choice but to moan and lean closer. His kiss was pure sensitivity and gentleness. It was so different to the erotically charged, passionate kisses of before.

  “I wouldn’t ever try to control you Luisa,” he said quietly. “I get that you value your independence above pretty much everything else. I get that you don’t want your wings clipped.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to hold you back from anything.”

  “I’m sorry I assumed that you’d done that.” She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. “There was a time in my life when my every move was controlled by other people. I didn’t like that.”

  “Possessive boyfriend or those over-protective parents?” he asked.

  “The parents,” she admitted softly. “They thought they were doing the right thing for me.”

  “But it hurt you.”

  Hurt wasn’t the right word. “They frustrated me. In the end I ran away from it. I guess hurting them in the process.”

  She felt his shoulders lift.

  “It happens,” he said. “People miscommunicate. People want to care for each other in ways the other can’t handle. People get scared of losing the ones they love and they react unhelpfully. Even when they mean the best…”

  “You’ve seen a lot of the unhelpful in people haven’t you?” It was a wonder he wasn’t completely cynical and weary of the world in general. Yet he persevered. He was so strong. The strength he had was what she’d wanted. He both terrified and attracted her.

  “How do you cope with all that horror?” she asked.

  “It’s the small things.
The spring flowers. Or cute baby animals on the internet.”

  She laughed as she knew he’d meant her to. “You don’t watch baby animals videos.”

  “Course I do. Who doesn’t?” He raised his brows. “And it’s those little acts of kindness. Of fun. Of hope. The ability to make people laugh. To inject others with energy. That vitality that draws others near.”

  She shook her head, stiffening inside because she knew that was how he saw her—as a source of light. But she wasn’t. Not truly.

  “You can’t put all that on another person’s shoulders,” she whispered. If he did that to her, she’d only disappoint him in the end.

  “I’m not. It’s not about expecting a person to be like that all the time,” he said meaningfully. “To make another person the source of your own happiness isn’t fair on them. It’s about appreciating it when you see it. Enjoying the moment. Not putting on expectations or pressure. Just appreciating it when you encounter it.”

  Because moments pass. Because nothing was forever.

  Was that how he lived? He appreciated, but didn’t become too invested. She understood that hugely and tried to do the same. Her problem here was how ensuring she didn’t invest too much in him. Hence her time limits.

  “Stop being so nice,” she whispered sadly. “You make me want…”

  “Want what?”

  “Impossible things.”

  “Try me.”

  She chuckled a little. “You’re amazing Hunter Shaw, but this isn’t something you can fix.”

  “You lost someone.”

  “I guess it’s pretty obvious, huh.” She bowed her head, resting it against him again. “I’m such a cliché. And you’ve seen so much worse.”

  “There isn’t worse Luisa, we all have our own burdens. It isn’t a competition.” He rubbed her back. “Tell me about him.”

  She stilled. Hunter was so certain it was a him. He was partly right. But it was much more complicated than that. And while she wanted to share, she couldn’t tell him all of it, it was still too raw. “Boyfriend. First one of course.” Jack, confident and witty and fun. He’d caught her eye the moment she’d walked into the ward.