Reforming Hunt

by Jules Barnard

  “Nah,” he said, and grabbed a blanket from a small chair in the corner. He lifted it. “You mind?”

  “No, but are you sure you’ll be comfortable?” She worried her lip as he laid the blanket in a makeshift pallet on the floor.

  “Perfectly,” he said, lying down and tucking his arm behind his head, his biceps bulging.

  Abby quickly looked away. This was too intimate. Too intimate!

  She hurried to the closet, grabbed an extra pillow, and pulled a fresh pillowcase over it.

  She handed the pillow to Hunt and frowned. “I don’t feel right having you sleep on the floor. What about the couch?”

  Hunt shook his head. “We need to get used to sleeping in the same bedroom. Without Noah around, this is the perfect opportunity to get comfortable with the idea.”

  Abby got the feeling that Hunt was too comfortable with the idea of sleeping in her bedroom, and all of this was for her sake. “That makes sense.”

  She slid back the blankets and climbed into bed, trying not to look at the handsome man on the floor. “Good night.”

  A manly yawn rose from the side of the bed. “Night, wife.”

  Chapter 19

  Abby woke in a cocoon of warmth. She smiled, wiggled her toes, and then froze. Her eyes flew open.

  Hunt was in bed with her.

  She vaguely remembered him returning from the bathroom and half consciously sliding into bed with her last night. He’d been out of it, and she couldn’t bring herself to send him to the blanket on the floor.

  In the middle of the night, it hadn’t seemed like a big deal. Only it was morning now, and instead of sleeping on his side, his back to her, one large leg was now tucked between hers and his arm was around her waist, his face snuggled between her breasts.

  Oh God. Why did he have to be a cuddler on top of everything else?

  Abby looked down at his light brown hair cut close, the top slightly longer and ruffled from sleep. The scent of her shower soap and his clean skin wafted to her nose, and she breathed it in. Hunt smelled really good. And he was super cuddly, even if his cheek was smashed on top of her breast.

  She glanced up and considered her options. Slide out from under him and try to not wake him? He’d still realize he’d gotten into bed with her—a reasonable mistake in the middle of the night—but better if he didn’t know the compromising position their bodies had inadvertently sought.

  Before Abby could figure out the most strategic escape route, Hunt breathed in, his head rubbing her breast, mouth fluttering over her nipple.

  A sharp spear of arousal hit Abby square between her legs where his warm thigh rested, putting pressure to the heat. She sucked in a breath, her body freezing in place. She needed to wake him.

  Only his hand began roaming down her leg now, and his leg slid up, rubbing the spot where she pulsed with need.

  Her mind spun. On the one hand, her body craved him. It had been so long, and Hunt was incredible, inside and out. But…

  What were the buts?

  They were married. And they needed to make this relationship look real. Sex would definitely bring them closer.

  Oh right, but… What happened when Hunt left her and Noah to continue on with his life?

  Abby knew herself. She liked Hunt. She’d always liked him. Well, after she realized he wasn’t simply some hot guy trying to pick her up at a club for a casual fling. He was a genuine guy who cared for her son. So much so that he was willing to marry her to keep Noah safe. And the way Hunt looked at her made her tingle, wishing to be closer. Of course she’d fall in love with him if she let things progress. Which was why she couldn’t allow that to happen.

  Hunt moaned and pulled down her T-shirt, peppering the space between her breasts with soft kisses, his long fingers brushing over her nipples.

  “Oh,” she said, a breath escaping her mouth.

  Hunt froze. He lifted his head and stared at her with half-lidded, groggy eyes. He glanced down at her body, and his hands on her body, and pulled back as though he’d been burned.

  “Morning,” she said.

  “Morning,” he said hesitantly. He looked around the room toward his pallet on the floor. “I have no idea how I ended up here. I’m really sorry.” He stared at his hand. “And sorry for this…”

  She grinned, trying to make light of an awkward situation. “Don’t be. It was the most action I’ve gotten in years.”

  Hunt’s eyes narrowed. For the longest moment, he didn’t say anything. And then his leg shifted ever so slightly between her thighs.

  She sucked in a breath. “Hunt.”

  His eyes darkened and sparks ping-ponged between them. Why did the man have to be so sexy?

  “You know,” he said idly, touching the edge of her lip with a lightly callused finger, “we could consummate this marriage. Make it official.”

  Her chest fluttered, despite all the reasons it should stop acting stupid and keep itself cool. “That would complicate things.” No way was she mentioning her real fear. The one where she fell for the handsome player who was merely doing her a favor and helping her out of a tough situation.

  “It’s really the right thing to do, if you consider it,” he said. “If the grandparents ever suspect our marriage is fake, they can’t say it isn’t legitimate, and you and Noah will be safe.”

  “True,” she said. “But then we’d have to deal with the aftermath of having sex.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “There’s an aftermath?”

  “Yes. We might want to do it again. And we’re not in a real relationship.”

  “Hmm…” His gaze was on her chest and moving lower. “I’m willing to take a chance if you are.”

  She didn’t respond, because her brain had locked in a hormone haze.

  He leaned down and touched his lips to hers, softer than he had at the chapel. He cupped the side of her head, giving her ample time to pull away.

  That infernal leg nudged between hers ever so slightly, and he kissed her again. This time, it was a real kiss, with genuine passion behind it, sending her into a lust spiral.

  Abby wrapped her arms around Hunt’s broad shoulders and kissed him back.

  He didn’t rush things and take advantage, but his hand wandered slowly, leaving a wake of fire in its path.

  Hunt dragged his lips down her neck, his fingers grazing over her nipple until she thought she would lose her mind. Finally, he palmed her breast, and her body arched.

  He slid her T-shirt up. “Okay?”

  They were getting to know each other. That was good, right?

  Abby raised her arms, and off went her T-shirt, leaving her breasts bared.

  Hunt took in a deep breath and touched the underside of one breast, kissing the top at the same time. “You’re a beautiful woman, Abby. Have I mentioned that?”

  His large leg was still between hers, and her eyes were going crossed with the double stimulation of his mouth and hand on her breast, and his leg nudging ever so often the apex of her sex. “Uh, I don’t think so.”

  Could a woman climax from a minute of touching? Because she was beginning to feel flutters of an orgasm, and she’d swear she was close. This was what happened when you didn’t have sex for an ice age. “Maybe we should stop.”

  “Do you want to stop?”

  “I don’t want to have sex.” Even if her body was calling out to him, a part of her brain was clear enough to know some boundaries. Not many, clearly, but some.

  He lifted his head. “No sex, then. How about I pleasure you?”

  Her eyes widened. “Um,” she said, and he smiled.

  “When you think about it, it’s my job. You know, as your husband.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “What?” he said, a lock of soft brown hair brushing his forehead. “This is the least I can do for my new wife.”

  “You’re crazy, Hunt Cade.”

  “You married me, Abby Cade.”

  Did that have to sound so sexy and possessive?

&nbs
p; She reached up and kissed him. Hard.

  Hunt shifted, removing his leg, and she nearly whimpered in regret. “Just getting into a better position,” he said, and touched the inside of her thigh with his warm palm.

  There went the flutters, her abdomen contracting. This wouldn’t take long. And was having an orgasm with your husband really such a bad thing? “More,” she murmured.

  Hunt kissed her, gripping her hip, his massive erection against her leg indicating his arousal. And then his mouth trailed over the swell of her breast.

  He tongued her nipple and slid his hand beneath her shorts, caressing up and down the crease between her thigh and her sex, not quite touching any of the good parts.

  He was killing her.

  Abby ran a hand down Hunt’s bared chest, momentarily got distracted by the ridges of his abs, and made her way to the waistband of his boxer briefs.

  He froze, staying her palm. “We can’t do that or I might lose it. And I really don’t want to lose it until you do, wife.”

  There he went again, with the sexy fake-husband talk.

  He slipped his finger between her legs, found her sex, and swirled light circles in the spot that had been shooting off sparks since she woke in his arms.

  She saw stars, but thought she could hold off orgasming and embarrassing herself after only a few strokes.

  Then his mouth came over her nipple and he sucked.

  She lost it. Screamed. Flailed on the bed—just totally lost it.

  And man, was it good.

  When Abby came down to earth from the best orgasm she could remember, Hunt was kissing her chest, finding her hand and twining their fingers together. “I think I’m going to enjoy my husbandly duties. Care for another?”

  She blinked, realized how far she’d allowed things to go, and couldn’t find it within herself to care. Still… “I don’t know if this was such a good idea.”

  “Regrets?”

  She shook her head slowly. “I should regret it, but I really, really don’t.”

  He sent her a crooked grin, and her gaze dropped to his mouth.

  Hunt was trouble.

  Chapter 20

  Abby was right. Hunt was fully committed to marriage for the sake of helping out her and Noah, but sex between them would change things. Not that it had ever changed things for him in the past, but technically, Abby was his wife. And he was really fucking attracted to her.

  He hadn’t been lying. He could give her orgasm after orgasm, and die a happy man. But she was smart to keep some distance between them. He couldn’t imagine himself committed to one woman for the rest of his life, and not because he needed variety, like he told his brothers. He didn’t have luck loving women, and he’d learned that the hard way.

  Hunt was helping out a woman and child in need, that was all. And, fortunately for him, she was incredibly beautiful, especially when her lips parted and she cried out her release. He might explode of sexual frustration if this was what he had to look forward to every morning, but what an incredible way to go.

  Now that he knew the way she tasted and the sexy sounds she made, he wanted to pleasure Abby and sink into her body. And he didn’t imagine he’d be over it after one night, like his normal pattern. He could see himself wanting her again. Maybe a lot—like, say, every day—and then where would they be? In a relationship neither of them had chosen for the right reasons.

  But this? Giving pleasure to a beautiful woman? Nope, not complicated. This was what Hunt had been born for, and there was no woman he wanted to please more than Abby.

  Abby showered, and Hunt pulled his dress undershirt over his head, yanking up his suit pants. Not the most comfortable morning attire, but all he had at the moment. Which needed to change. It was time he officially moved in with Abby and Noah.

  Abby exited the bathroom, rubbing her damp hair with a towel, her face flushed. “Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah, but I’ve got that covered.” Hunt walked into the kitchen to the fridge, reaching for a dish. He grabbed two plates and set out slices of chocolate cake with white buttercream. “Kaylee sent us home with a care package.”

  Abby stared at the food. “You want to eat our wedding cake for breakfast?”

  “Is there a better time?”

  She laughed and grabbed forks. “No, I guess not.”

  Abby sat across from Hunt and studied him. “Do you regret this morning? You’re stuck with me for the time being. From what I hear, you players regret taking things there, if you can’t make a smooth escape.”

  He snorted. “First of all, there’s nothing in life better than waking to a beautiful, sexy woman whose company you enjoy. Second, have you any idea who you’re talking to? What we did this morning, I could do all day and never grow tired.” He pointed his fork at her. “Keep that in mind. I aim to please.”

  She sent him a look. “You’re not here to please; you’re here to help me with Noah’s grandparents.”

  “You see, that’s where we differ. You see this as a single-purpose situation, and I see it as dual-purpose, even if we just realized the second, far more pleasing benefit of our arrangement this morning.” He winked. “I help you with the grandparents from hell, and we both enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company.” He shoved a huge bite of cake in his mouth and grinned.

  Her eyes held a spark of humor. “And the player has returned.”

  Hunt held back a frown. Abby thought what everyone did. That he wasn’t capable of a serious relationship. It was true, yet it bothered him. “Busted.” Hunt polished off his cake and stood.

  Abby looked up. “Where are you going?”

  “As much as I like this suit, I need more clothes here if we’re going to live together. I’m heading to my place to grab a few things.” For a moment, Abby’s light expression fell, and Hunt worried he’d said something wrong. “Or I can go later…”

  “No.” She waved him off. “Go. I have house stuff to do before Noah returns. I’ll need to clear out a drawer or two for my new husband.” She smiled, but her eyes didn’t hold their normal spark.

  Hunt hesitated, then leaned over and kissed Abby on the mouth. “I’ll be back.”

  He’d show her there was nothing to worry about. He could keep things in check and still show Abby a good time. He had to, because he refused to let Abby and Noah down.

  Hunt went to the place he rented on the lake, complete with a boat slip for his new Cobalt. The townhome was triple the size of Abby and Noah’s house, yet he liked Abby’s place better. It was filled with Noah’s laughter, crispy bacon, and flowerpots that bloomed from Abby’s touch.

  Hunt scanned his home. Nope, not a damn thing lived in this place. It was where he showered and slept, and that was all.

  He quickly packed up his clothes and toiletries and closed down the house. He’d already given his notice to the landlord, so there wasn’t much left to do. The place had come furnished, and he’d already moved his Cobalt to the club dock.

  Hunt had sent out a text to his brothers this morning while Abby showered, asking to meet up. It was his honeymoon week; the least his brothers could do was meet him for an hour.

  His honeymoon… Okay, so he hadn’t thought that part through. Was that what made Abby unhappy when he’d said he was taking off?

  When Adam and Wes married their wives, Hunt and his brothers didn’t see them for weeks, due to all the honeymooning (sex) they were engaged in. They had gone off the grid, and here Hunt was, the day after his wedding, and already he’d left his bride behind. But she wasn’t in this for romance, though this morning’s activities were promising on other fronts…

  He scrubbed his fingers through his damp hair after the shower he’d taken at his old place. Somehow, he felt like he was already screwing things up. The meeting with his brothers was for her. Maybe she’d understand once he explained.

  Hunt pulled up to Levi’s house, all of his brothers’ cars parked in the front. He took a deep breath and stepped out of his Range Rover. Now or neve
r.

  He walked up the steps to the front porch and gave a courtesy rap on the door before stepping inside. “Greetings.”

  Hunt leaned down to pet Levi’s dog Grace, who’d run up to him and proceeded to lick the crap out of his shoe and pant leg.

  Wes yawned on the couch, and Levi had an arm around Emily’s waist near the kitchen island.

  Hunt did a double take. Huh. He’d never seen Emily in sweats and a T-shirt. She always wore work clothes, dressed in a skirt and blouse most days.

  Adam poured himself a mug of coffee, his hair sticking up at odd angles. Jesus, you’d think it was the crack of dawn. “Look’n good, everyone,” Hunt said.

  Bran kicked up his socked feet and leaned back on the recliner. “We all have plans. What’s this emergency about?”

  Hunt scanned their casual clothes and wrinkled T-shirts. Didn’t look like they had plans. “You don’t look busy.”

  “Some of us like to spend time with our women on the weekend,” Levi said. “What’s your problem, leaving your wife the day after your wedding? Didn’t think you’d be looking for an escape this soon.”

  There it was, the judgment. Levi assumed Hunt didn’t take the marriage seriously. He might not be doing it for the normal reasons, but he couldn’t be more serious about caring for Abby and Noah.

  Hunt pushed down the anger Levi’s words filled him with and focused on why he’d come. “Have any of you thought about the house and what we’re going to do with it?”

  As far as Hunt knew, none of them had set foot inside their family home since their father’s death two years ago. The only person who entered the premises these days was Esther, their father’s old receptionist.

  Esther had always maintained their father’s Tahoe mansion while he was alive. Made sense to have her check in on the place every once in a while, in between her “silver dating” life and senior boot camp classes.

  “Haven’t thought much about the old place,” Levi said. “Been too busy keeping the resort going. Besides, Esther has things in hand.”

  “She says it’s in good shape,” Emily said. “But Esther also told me that it’s pretty outdated. I’ve never personally seen the place.” Emily shot Levi a glare, and Levi’s eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights.