The Hunt - Monica James

by James, Monica

  “Why was Jim in New York?”

  The screen shifts. “Because I’m presuming you screened your calls because every time we called, we got a silent fuck you in response. I came to New York to find you, but I remember my father mentioning a redhead who worked in your office. That asshole, Gail, claimed she was his informant, but it took me a few seconds to realize her loyalties always lay with you.”

  Looks like I got egg on my face.

  “I tracked her down and we went out for drinks so I could explain everything. If it wasn’t for Mary, and the faith my father has in you, we would be giving our business to someone else. But it seems you grow on people like a benign tumor.”

  “Thank you, I think.”

  Mr. Yeong smiles. The first time I’ve ever seen him happy. That sneaky motherfucker. “I’ve just made you a very rich man. Don’t let me down.”

  “I won’t. You’re stuck with me now.”

  My head is reeling and I can’t keep up. But Mr. Yeong is a busy man and I know my two minutes are up. “There is an old Chinese proverb I want to share with you, Mr. O’Shea. He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. You’ve got one shot at life…so make it great.” The screen goes blank before I get a chance to thank him and apologize to Jim for being a dick.

  My brain plays catch up because there is a lot to catch up on.

  So, this entire time I was chasing this watch which actually belonged to Mr. Yeong. It was a test of strength, determination, and loyalty because he’s right—his empire is worth billions and he needs to trust the person he puts his faith in.

  This whole thing came down to one little word—trust. Something which was once foreign to me, now seems the ruler of my world. And that leads me to asking the one question on everyone’s lips.

  “Why would you help me, Mary? After everything I did and said, after the way I acted…why?” She is silent, lowering her eyes as she plucks at blades of grass. “You could have told Jim what a fucking asshole I am. That his business is better suited with someone else, but instead, you saved me…again.”

  Under the moonlight, I can see her lower lip tremble. She’s weighing up what to say. “Because…because I love you.”

  I thought I knew what loving her entailed, but this…this is something else. A miracle. “You love me?” I ask, in case my imagination has slipped into fantasyland once again.

  “Yes,” she replies, finally meeting my eyes.

  I don’t know what to say or do. I’m alive, electric, my heart backflipping in utter delight. “Are you sure?”

  She bursts into laughter. “Yes, I’m sure. I love and hate you all in the same breath at times. I’ve tried not to, believe me, how I’ve tried, but I just can’t stop… I think I loved you from the moment I met you. I mean, it’s perfect, like you said… the hunter and the lamb.” No more talking. I’m done for. Gone. Forever lost in this woman and I never want to be found.

  I lunge for her once again, but this time, there are no more reservations, no more what if’s. This is real. And she…is…mine.

  We kiss like starved animals, and in a way, I have been. She is my moon, my stars, my sun, and without her, life is not complete. I drag her onto my lap, owning that mouth and expressing just how much I’ve missed her.

  She threads her fingers through my hair, pulling at the strands, tiny mewls slipping past her lips as I hold onto her and never intend on letting go. “I love you,” I mumble against her lips, over and over again. Now that I’ve started, I don’t think I can stop.

  “I’m still scared you’ll break my heart…” she whispers, stoking my need to protect this woman with everything that I am.

  Pulling away, I nuzzle her nose with mine. I do the only thing I can. I kneel before her, surrendering. “I’m scared of my heart breaking too. But as someone wise once told me…it’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something brave. I have no fucking idea what I’m doing, but I’m willing to try.”

  Tears spill down Mary’s cheeks and she nods. “Me too.”

  I can’t believe this woman is willing to take me as hers. After everything, she wants to try. What a fierce warrior I’ve come to love. “Are you sure?” I ask again, because once she says yes, this is really it this time. “I’ll probably fuck up time and time again. And we will no doubt fight, and you’ll question why the fuck you gave me another chance. I’m also a stubborn pain in the ass, who will make stupid decisions now and again. Are you willing to accept all that? Because, Shortcake, I’m a virgin when it comes to love. Be gentle with me,” I say in a rushed breath.

  She smirks, shaking her head at my idiocy. Settling on my lap, she places both hands against my cheeks. “Yes. It’s hard to resist a bad boy…who’s a good man, and you, Hunter O’Shea, are a Prince Charming in disguise.”

  Be still my heart and loins.

  “Then it’s settled…I love you, and you love me.”

  “Looks like it.”

  “I don’t think I can stop smiling,” I confess, sounding more like Finch as each second passes.

  “I don’t think I can stop kissing you,” she counters, sealing her mouth over mine.

  My dick throws confetti as the drought is finally over, and it’s over for good. Just as I’m about to throw Mary onto her back, a voice douses my raging need to seal the deal in every possible way there is.

  “Excuse me, but if you two could please come up for air for a minute, we have a cake to cut.”

  Mary chuckles against my lips, untangling her body from mine. “Sorry, Maddy. We got back together.”

  God, that sounded good.

  “I can see that,” she replies. “I can also see Hunter is quite happy with that fact.”

  For the first time ever, I redden. Holy shit. What is this woman doing to me?

  We arrange our clothes and I stand, offering Mary my hand, which she accepts with a smile. When she doesn’t let go, I want to beat my chest in pride. Walking to where Dixon and Maddy stand, I can’t help but think how perfect this picture is. We don’t need a photographer to capture this moment, because it’s one I will never forget.

  “C’mon, let’s go to the bathroom before everyone knows you were rolling around in the grass with the best man.” Maddy loops her arm through Mary’s. She looks at me, biting her lip before pouncing forward for one last kiss.

  I give what my woman wants, because who am I to deny her?

  “Oh, god, you’re not going to be one of those annoying couples, are you?”

  “Yes,” both Mary and I say from around each other’s lips.

  When we’ve made our friends wait long enough, payback for all the times we’ve been subjected to their touchy-feely crap, Mary pulls away, blowing me a kiss.

  “I love you,” I state proudly, while Dixon almost falls over his feet. “Get used to it, ’cause you’ll be hearing it a lot.”

  “I love you, too.” Mary giggles, before she and Maddy saunter off, heads together as they no doubt gossip about the best day of our lives.

  Once she’s no longer in sight, I take a deep breath, unbelieving how fresh the air is. I feel like a newborn. “So…”

  “So…” I counter, unable to wipe my grin clean.

  “This is really it? No more fucking around?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “This is really it. This right here is a death of two bachelors.”

  “About fucking time,” Dixon says with an exaggerated sigh.

  “I thought I’d be mourning the day, but I’m not. I feel…”

  “Like you’ve just learned how to breathe again?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It only gets better, man,” he confirms, reaching into his pocket to pull out a cigarette. When he offers me one, I accept, seeing as I feel like I’m celebrating a birth—the birth of me.

  We’re both silent, no doubt cataloguing over events which got us here. At the forefront is the reason why I’m here. “Whatever happens…” I say, blowing a ring of smo
ke. “Remember, you’re always my soulmate, Dix. I love you, man.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The waterworks are bound to happen any time soon, but this time, I won’t hide because I’m full of love and rainbows and shit. Dixon butts out his smoke. Just as I’m about to get in touch with my inner Finch, he does something which just reiterates why I love this man.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, watching as he begins to unzip his pants.

  “Are you going to suck my cock now? I mean, that was some sentimental shit back there. I thought you were giving off a ‘I wanna suck your dick,’ vibe.”

  “Fuck you, you asshole. How about you come up with your own jokes and stop using mine? I know I’m funny, but please, it’s all about the delivery…” I say, as his words were the exact ones I used when we were off to save Maddy…another harebrained adventure.

  As he opens his mouth, I lunge forward and press my lips to his. It lasts for about two seconds, but when I pull away, he looks like I just deflowered him. “Delivery, Dixon, learn…”

  I never get to finish however, because he flicks me in the nuts. “How’s that for delivery, jackass?” With balls in hand, we walk, well, I stagger back toward our women, changed men.

  Who knows what’s next for us. Anything is possible. But what I do know is our women aren’t princesses that needed saving…they’re queens who saved us.

  You’d think I’d be used to these by now, but nope, they just seem to get harder. If I miss anyone, I’m sorry. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

  My wonderful husband, Daniel. I love you. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

  My ever-supporting parents. You guys are the best. I am who I am because of you. I love you.

  My brilliant agent, Kimberly Whalen from The Whalen Agency. You believed in me from the very beginning. Your constant support, advice, and encouragement helped me when times were tough and I’ll never forget it. Thank you for being so incredible.

  My editor, Toni Rakestraw—thank you!

  My proof-readers—Alissa Glenn and Rosa Sharon from iScream Proofreading Services. You guys are the best!

  Melissa Gill from MG Bookcovers & Designs. This cover was everything I wanted and so much more. Thank you for your patience. You’re a true genius!

  Tina Gephart— Thank you for saving me time and time again. If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably be wandering PV aimlessly… and pantless. You’ve got my back, always, and I love you for it.

  Lisa Edward— We’ve been friends for many years. Thank you for always being there for me.

  Louise Mercer—my beautiful angel. You are my most treasured friend. We have been through so much together and it’s been a crazy journey. Thank you for being my forever light.

  Gemma Cawley— Thank you for my mermaid blanket. And yes, for being my best friend.

  Christina and Lauren—You girls are everything and so much more.

  SC Stephens— Miss you!

  Heyne, Random House, Kinneret Zmora, Hugo & Cie, Planeta, Art Eternal, Carbaccio, Fischer, Harper Brazil, Bookouture, Egmont Bulgaria, Natasha is a Book Junkie, Maryse’s Book Blog, Aestas Book Blog, Talkbooks, All is Read, TotallyBooked Blog, The RockStars Of Romance, Gregg Sullivan, Caroline Laird, Giselle from RT Book Reviews, Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Ariana McWilliams, Nina Bocci, (I LOVE YOU!!!) Alice Clayton, Kylie Scott, Mia Sheridan, Audrey Carlan, Lexi Ryan, Geneva Lee, Kristen Dwyer, Michelle Stoeger, Franziska Kurra, Paula Nascimento, Hugues De Saint Vincent, Benita Rolland, Sylvie Gand, Melusine Huguet, Mary Matta, Nikki McCombe, Romance Writers of Australia, My Sinners—Worldwide, Bradley Cooper, Jared Leto, Zac Efron, PLL—Sending you all a big kiss. Thanks for the support and laughs.

  To the endless blogs that have supported me since day one—You guys rock my world.

  My beautiful family —Mum, Papa, my sister—Fran, Matt, Samantha, Amelia, Gayle, Peter, Luke, Leah, Shirley, Michael, Rob, Elisa, Evan, Alex, Francesca, and my aunties, uncles, and cousins—I am the luckiest person alive to know each and every one of you. You brighten up my world in ways I honestly cannot express. Samantha and Amelia— I love you both so very much. To my family in Holland and abroad. Sending you guys much love and kisses.

  My fur babies— mamma loves you so much! Buckwheat, you are my best buddy. Dacca, I will always protect you from the big bad Bellie. Mitch, refer to Dacca’s comment. Jag, you’re a wombat in disguise. Bellie, you’re a devil in disguise. And Ninja, thanks for watching over me.

  To anyone I have missed, I’m sorry! It wasn’t intentional! So to make amends, this part is for you! Please insert name for your personalised acknowledgment.

  Paris and New York— I can’t wait to see you soon!

  Monica James thanks _________________________ so very much! She’s owes you a coffee and a billion trillion hugs.

  Love M x

  Last but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU! Thank you for welcoming me into your hearts and homes. My readers are the BEST readers in this entire universe! Love you all!

  Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

  When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

  She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and The U.K.

  Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

  Facebook:facebook.com/authormonicajames

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  Instagram: @MonicaJames

  Website: monicajamesbooks.blogspot.com.au