Crossed

by Lacey Silks

  “Help!” I yelled out before Scar’s smoke-infused fingers grasped around my mouth. All I could do now was pray that Hunter had heard me.

  Scar flipped me onto my back with ease and sat on top of me with his legs around my waist. A loud rip sounded as part of my sweatshirt got caught under his knee.

  “Shit, what did you do that for, Gracie? I thought you’d understand. I just wanted to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say to you. You tried to rob me and kill me, asshole!”

  Seeing as he was the one on top of me, maybe insulting him wasn’t the best idea.

  “I’m sorry, Gracie. It wasn’t like that. Not everything is the way it looks. I wish I could explain more. But since your persistent boyfriend is on his way here, I gotta go. I’ll see you soon, sister.”

  He got off me and left with his buddy. I propped myself up on my elbows, feeling something trickle down my forehead. I drew my hand up to find a small cut that bled as if it were a main artery. The gash that had barely had time to heal from when Scar attacked me in the salon had opened up.

  Crap! Lilly will have some photoshopping to do on her wedding pictures.

  I heard my name being called out from the outside, and soon after Hunter barged into my condo in nothing but his boxers. He ran to my side and knelt at my head, asking, “Are you hurt?”

  He didn’t wait for my reply. Within seconds Hunter had a wet towel in his hands and began gently wiping the blood off my forehead. I winced a few times.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t think my fingers are as magical as yours.” His mouth tugged upward. “What happened, Grace?”

  “He was here, Hunter. In my apartment.”

  “Fuck! How did he get past security?”

  “I don’t know.” I shook my head, feeling my cheeks moisten.

  “Did he hurt you?” He began scanning my body from the bottom up, noting my ripped sweatshirt. The thick vein at his temple pulsed.

  “No, not physically at least.”

  “What did he say?”

  I repeated the few words we’d exchanged.

  “I didn’t think the fucker would come here,” he said under his breath. “But I haven’t exactly made it easy for him to do business.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let’s just say I’ve set up a maze for him with one exit. If your brother takes the bait, we’ll have all the Wagners.”

  I didn’t know why, but it made me feel a bit uncomfortable hearing Hunter speak about my family like they were criminals—which they were, of course. And they were only my family through blood and papers, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.

  “Come on, Grace. Let’s get this place cleaned up and alert the building security. What time are you leaving with Emma?”

  “Two o’clock.”

  He regarded his watch, asking, “And would she be able to drop you off right after?”

  “I think so.”

  “Good. Because I can’t wait to spend some alone time with you, away from all this crazy shit.”

  “Me too, Hunter.”

  * * *

  “This is the first and last time I’m letting you spin me round and round after a night of drinking,” Emma whined as she pulled into the garage.

  “Oh, please. This wasn’t even half as bad as skydiving.”

  I’d tried to pull myself together this afternoon, but I had to admit that while it was fun, next time I’d prefer to do it without a headache.

  I took my friend’s hand. “Emma, you’ve been distant the past few weeks.”

  “It’s not me, Grace. You have a boyfriend now. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

  “You know you’re always my number one, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I know.” Emma lowered her gaze. For a brief moment, I thought I saw sadness pass over her eyes.

  “And he’s not my boyfriend.”

  “And I saw a unicorn flying in the sky today. Oh, and he was farting out rainbows!”

  “He’s not!”

  “Grace, wake up. He’s taking you to meet his mother. I better get shopping at a jeweler’s. If I’m going to strip, it will be in style.”

  The confidence in Emma’s voice surprised me. Had it almost been a month? I had only one week to go to win the bet. Yet the prospect of a true, happy relationship still scared me.

  “I don’t know, Em. It just all seems too good to be true. It’s like we’re living in this bubble, and with everything going on I have a feeling it will soon burst.”

  “If it does, I’ll be right there on the other side, Grace. Always.” She leaned over and hugged me tightly. “Enjoy your weekend. One day I’ll get me a serious boy too, and then I can ask you for advice.”

  “And I’ll be here.”

  I waved to Emma as she stayed on the elevator, and I headed toward Hunter’s apartment. In a few hours, I would be at his childhood home. Why in the world were my nerves making me nauseous?

  CHAPTER 14

  By the time we arrived at the Reeve household, the sun had already set. If it hadn’t been for the lights in the house, I’d have thought Hunter had just driven me to the middle of the desert to be buried.

  “Why are the lights on?” I asked.

  “Mom left them on. She always does when I come home. I don’t know why.”

  “So, we’re all alone?” I scanned him from the bottom up. The idea of going away together had been running through my mind the entire four hour drive it took us to get here. While Hunter had mentioned that his mom wouldn’t be back until Sunday afternoon, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Lilly had told me so many stories of her mother walking in on her and her fiancé, and I would have died of horror if that had ever happened to me. I guess living at her parents’ house until she got married would increase such probabilities.

  “Yes, we’re all alone. And I already like where your mind is going.”

  “It’s been going there for a while, Caveman,” I teased.

  As Hunter set down our bags I gawked around the home, definitely not expecting someone in her sixties to have all the latest technology, with sleek furniture and clean-cut corners. From stainless steel kitchen appliances and quartz countertops to a television set that was lowered from somewhere in the ceiling, this open-concept home had every single toy a boy could dream of. Something told me it hadn’t been long since Hunter had moved out. And here and there, an odd artifact was set on a shelf or hung on the wall, from a bowl full of fishing bobbers to a Big Mouth Billy Bass that completely stood out. A fishing rod was encased in a glass cabinet, and a net decorated part of a wall.

  “My father loved the modern look but he also loved to fish.”

  “It must be hard on your mom, having all these memories around.”

  “She says it helps her remember and keep going. He was the love of her life. She never wants to forget him.”

  Hunter pressed a button on a remote, lighting a fireplace. He followed me as I admired his mom’s home. Another click and the tinted windows in the back lightened.

  “What did your dad do for a living?”

  “Online trading.”

  “Wow, and you guys lived here?”

  “This was originally my grandparents’ house. My parents renovated it to what it is today. I don’t think there was ever a question where they wanted to raise their family. It’s where my parents met, white river rafting in the canyon below.”

  “There’s a canyon?” I asked

  “Here.” With a click of another button the glass door slid open. The soft hum of rushing water sounded from below. I stepped out onto the covered patio, where perfectly sculpted shrubs and trees overtook the landscape. And of course this home couldn’t be complete without a swimming pool—except this one was indoors, beyond a glass wall connected by a corridor to the main house. Bright lights illuminated the aqua water from underneath. The home was unbelievable. To my left, right between decorative greens, was an in-ground Jacuzzi with a waterfall landscape.

  “This is beauti
ful, Hunter. Why did you move out?”

  “Work, I guess. But I do miss this place. Want to take a dip?” he asked.

  “Heck, yes. Wait… I didn’t bring a bathing suit. You never said to bring one.”

  “Grace, how long do you think your suit would last on you anyway?” The coy look in his eyes confirmed his intentions for tonight.

  “All right, I guess I’ve been skinny-dipping before, so this would be fine.”

  “Grace”—he shook his head—“next time you’re thinking of getting naked, or being with someone who’s nearly naked, please make sure that it’s me.”

  I laughed. “Jealous?”

  “Extremely. Now get those clothes off.” He started helping me undress. A few minutes later we sat in a bubbling Jacuzzi with nothing else above us but the stars.

  “I bet your parents fell in love at first sight,” I said.

  “Why would you guess that?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. I can just picture it, you know. And I can sort of feel it here—the love. It’s odd.”

  “That’s the way they told it, too. And I don’t think it’s odd. I can feel the love too.”

  Was Hunter still talking about his parents? Was it possible that I was actually falling for this guy? Could he have fallen for me?

  I cleared my throat before my mind ran away with me. No one fell in love that quickly, right? Besides, we’d never even defined our status as a couple. Was that even important?

  “I heard mine had an arranged marriage. Hence their success,” I blurted. “I don’t think my mother ever loved my father. Well, maybe in the beginning she did. Before he changed and started cheating, scheming, and making way too much money. I think the money ruined him. It takes a strong person to know how to deal with fortune.”

  “It does.” Hunter got lost in a forgotten memory before smiling. “Come here, Magic Fingers.”

  He swooshed closer to my side in the Jacuzzi, creating a wave. I snuggled into him, my hand inadvertently lowering to his thigh.

  “How was it growing up?” I asked. “You know, with both parents. A perfect family.”

  “I was lucky and had the type of a childhood every kid should have. You seem to have quite a lot of questions tonight.”

  “That’s because you know more about my family than I do, and I know nothing about yours.”

  “We’ll have to change that, then. How about a toast?” He swiveled in the tub, producing two wine glasses. “To new beginnings.”

  I raised my glass and clicked his, saying, “To new beginnings.” The red liquid flew down to my stomach, instantly fizzing in my mind. I leaned my head on his shoulder. Tonight was so perfect, nothing could ruin this moment. If there was ever any doubt in my mind as to how Hunter felt about me, I think tonight was pretty self-explanatory.

  “I need to ask you a question. And you may think it’s stupid,” I said.

  “Those who ask questions are fools for five minutes. Those who don’t remain fools forever.”

  “Wow, where did that come from?”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s a Chinese proverb I once read.”

  “Hmm, you’re not only handsome and strong, but also smart. That’s a rare combination.”

  Hunter looked right into my eyes and smoothed my hair back. “I totally agree. Now, what did you want to ask?”

  “Well, we’re sort of living together and sleeping together and spending a lot of time with one another. And I’m so grateful you’re looking out for me. I’m pretty sure I’d be dead if it weren’t for you. With everything that’s been going on and the circumstances of our meeting, I’m just not sure where this is going—and I want to be sure.”

  “Are labels important to you?” he asked.

  “Not usually. But this one is.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve been waiting for someone like you for a long time, and I’m afraid if I’m honest with myself and acknowledge how much I like you and how much you mean to me, you’ll disappear.”

  “Grace, I’m not going anywhere. All I know is that I want to be with you for a long, long time. What’s happening between us has nothing to do with Scar or your family. You interest me and intrigue me. I’ve never been this happy in my life, Grace. I’ve never wanted to stay with one woman for longer than a blink. But with you—I want to be with you until I can no longer see.”

  “That’s a long time.”

  “That’s a very long time.”

  I hoped that cataracts didn’t run in Hunter’s family.

  “Any other questions?” he asked.

  “Yes, one more.” My gaze lowered to the surface bubbles as I slid my hand from Hunter’s thigh to his cock. His response in my hand was immediate.

  “I definitely like where this question is going.”

  “Can you please sit up here for me?” I pointed to the ledge of the tub.

  For the first time since I’d met Hunter, I believe he was speechless. Without saying a word he lifted his gorgeous body out of the water and sat where I’d asked him. I licked my lips. He was so hard already, and I’d barely stroked him a few times.

  “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.” I looked from below, holding his gaze as I lowered my mouth to his heated crown. Touching his pink tip gently with my lips, I circled my tongue beneath his rim. By this point Hunter was as stiff as a branch. I held him in my hand, tasting him, sliding my tongue down along his pulsing vein before touching his soft sac. It contracted when I took the skin into my mouth. As I made my way back up, I licked his length from the very bottom, watching him bite his lip, his face twisting with pleasure and impatience. I finally took his cap into my mouth, taking him inside, sealing my lips around his throbbing cock as I swirled my tongue around his tip and stroked him.

  “God, Grace!” His voice sounded like I’d never heard it before—full of gratitude and desperation. I felt myself getting wet at the thought of how much pleasure this was giving him.

  My hand pulled his skin up and down as I stroked him, slowly pumping him in and out of my mouth. Hunter leaned back on his arms and closed his eyes. I felt him growing in my mouth as his hips began thrusting deeper. The need inside me to gratify him grew with each moan of his, and every squeeze of a muscle. I took him in until I could feel my gag reflex engage. I relaxed my throat, letting him go as far as he needed, but at this point the momentum picked up and Hunter had no time to go deep. I worked his shaft with my hand, squeezing my lips around him as his cock slid in and out of my mouth. The salty precum spread along my gums and I couldn’t help but lower my hand to my pussy.

  “That’s right, baby, come with me. Please,” he begged. “I’m too close.”

  So was I. I rubbed myself to the same tempo as my bobbing head, hearing him nearly grind his teeth the way he tried to hold his pleasure, waiting for me. I, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of him. The thought of his thickness inside me, where I was so ready for him, was overpowering my mind, and within moments my body spasmed. As soon as Hunter saw me climax he let go as well, erupting into my mouth. His warm seed pulsed against my gums and when he stopped, I licked him clean.

  Hunter’s erection had no time to rest as he lowered himself back into the Jacuzzi, took me into his arms, and kissed me with everything he had. I felt his hands weave up and down my body, until he found my breasts and cupped them, molding them. I turned around. My back pressed against his chest as my ass wiggled over his hips. Hunter sat down on the seat and I lowered myself onto him, letting him fill me. The waves clashed against our bodies and all along the edges as I rocked my hips. He held onto me, biting my neck, breathing heavily against my skin, pumping into me in a slow and torturous rhythm.

  “Hunter honey! I’m home!” A voice called out.

  “Holy crap!” I jumped off Hunter, ready to dive into the first bush as his mom stepped out onto the patio. Perhaps I should have stayed in the Jacuzzi? I bet I wouldn’t have flashed her as much if I’d just remained under water.

&
nbsp; “I’m so sorry!” She covered her eyes and turned around.

  I lowered myself back into the water, all the way down to my neck, wishing this was some sort of bad dream. Lilly had been right, and I had no idea how in the world she maintained a sexual relationship before getting married while living at her parents’ house.

  Hunter stepped out and passed me a towel. He held the corners out as I came out of the water and wrapped me into the fabric before covering himself up.

  “Hi, Mom. You can turn around. I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow.”

  “My trip got cut short,” she said, happily running toward her son. “I’m so glad you’re here, baby. And I’m so sorry I barged in like that. I’m so embarrassed.”

  “I’m sure not as much as I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Reeve.”

  “Please, call me Cindy. I have to unpack and then we can sit down and chitchat, Grace. I’m so glad that Hunter has finally brought you home.”

  As Cindy unpacked and began swirling her hips around the kitchen, I wondered how Hunter’s mom got so much joy and so much energy out of life. She looked as if she were dancing every time she took a step.

  “She’s so uplifting,” I said.

  “She’s my inspiration.” He leaned in to kiss me. “Mom, it’s late and you must be tired. How about we catch up over breakfast?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come back early. You needed this time and I ruined it.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything, Mom. I promise. You made the evening even better.”

  I regarded how loving Hunter was to his mom. I didn’t remember any of my brothers ever being that way to mine. None of them, except for Scar. He was the only one who ever had any respect for her. He went out of his way as if trying to win over her heart. They’d had their ups and downs, but the youngest Wagner brother had always treated my mom as if she were the queen, the way Hunter treated his.

  “We’ll see you in the morning.” He kissed her goodnight and led me upstairs. Her loving gaze followed us both as we disappeared around the corner.