Flirting with Deception

by Ava Catori

  He caught me by the arm and asked, “Where are you going?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “No problem, I can take you there.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the parking lot.

  I followed him silently. This was not the place to make a scene. He opened the door of his truck and caught me by the waist to help me climb up. I didn’t really need help but it was one of those tiny gestures he liked to do. It used to melt my heart a little.

  But instead of turning around and walking to his side of the car, Hunter stopped and looked at me. “This is one of those days where I’d love to strangle my brother. He’s a meddling fool who should really mind his own business.”

  He gave me a quick peck on the lips and after making sure my seatbelt was on, closed the door and got behind the wheel.

  Sadness overwhelmed me. I hadn’t misread Hunter’s expression. He had indeed been upset by the wedding suggestion made by his brother.

  So when Hunter asked me, “Where to, madam?” tipping an invisible hat, I forced myself to smile. “I’d like to go home, please.”

  Hunter smiled at me and drove back to Ocean Crest. We remained silent, lost in our own thoughts until I realized he hadn’t taken the direction of my rental.

  “You took a wrong turn,” I said.

  “No, I didn’t,” Hunter answered. Before I had the chance to protest he explained what he meant. “Your home is with me now.”

  * * *

  32

  Hunter

  “Your home is with me now,” I said.

  Gia pulled her arms around herself. “I can take care of myself, you know.”

  “Can’t I want to keep you safe? Okay, how about this, for those rare moments in time when you decide to let down your guard, you know I’ll be there for you.” I shook my head, half frustrated, half laughing. “I get it. You’re independent, strong, and capable. I don’t doubt any of that. You’re the most resourceful woman I know, but underneath it all, you’re still a little girl who likes reassurance as much as the next person. You relax when I wrap my arms around you.”

  Gia shrugged, as if to jump to her defense.

  I stopped her before she could respond with a finger to my lips. “Shush, before you get defensive, I meant that in a good way.”

  “Did you just shush me?” Her head snapped up and turned toward me like I’d stabbed her with a steely blade.

  I loved that woman, but she could be exhausting at times. She was so used to proving she was “more than capable” of handling anything, she couldn’t see it as the simple compliment it was. “Babe, relax. I think you’re perfect. Don’t get all uppity. I just meant I want you with me. Better?”

  “As your equal?” She glared at me playfully.

  “Of course, have I ever treated you as anything less?” I sighed. She got it. She was tiring me out with her invisible battle.

  “I’m sorry,” she answered and turned to look out the passenger’s side window. “It’s an automatic response. I’m so used to being like this.”

  “And I get that. You’ve lived a different kind of life with your family. It’s just I want you to be a part of my family, too.”

  She cocked her head. “Wait, what?”

  “Sweetie, if you’d give me an opportunity, I’d do this properly.”

  Her hand shot up over her mouth. “Oh, my god, do what properly?” She was shaking her head no.

  I cut the wheel and turned the truck down another path. This isn’t how it was supposed to happen. If I went down my intended path, she’d see the billboard I’d taken out, asking her to be my wife. She obviously wanted no part of that. Had I been mistaken? Was I a fool for love? Why did she make it so difficult? “Nothing,” I grumbled. I had the time of the red light to make a life changing decision.

  “Tell me,” Gia insisted. “Hunter, what’s going on?”

  “Gia, I love you, but sometimes you can be a real-”

  She looked down. “I’m sorry. I’m really edgy, after everything we’ve been through recently.”

  “And that’s okay. It’s natural to bunch up inside, but it’s me. You’re safe to be yourself, without worrying that I have an agenda. Well, I sort of do, but not like what you think.” The light changed. I took longer than usual to get the truck back into gear. I’d take her flustered, angry, frustrated, joyful, or confused. I loved her.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get a bite to eat,” I said, knowing it made no sense.

  “You just ate. How could you possibly be hungry?”

  “Gia, you’re exhausting sometimes,” I said, stifling a laugh. She didn’t find it amusing, but I refused to be pulled out of the moment I wanted, needed, and craved. Of course, the timing wasn’t great – but I had no idea it would be such a bumpy ride.

  “I am,” she said sheepishly. “My father used to say the same thing. He said I was bullish, always trying to have things my way. I guess the modern term might be ‘control freak.’”

  “Might be?” I couldn’t help laughing. I pulled alongside the curb and parked the truck.

  “Did I do something?”

  “No, I did,” I said, and pointed to the billboard. I thought it would have gone differently. I pictured romance, but life was life. It happened the way it was supposed to, I guess.

  Her jaw gaped. A small gasp slipped out of her, but she said nothing.

  I watched her reaction. “Are you…crying? Too soon? It’s okay, I’ll--”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Too much pressure, I’m sorry…”

  “No. Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said slowly turning toward me. “You mean it?”

  Relief washed through me. “Dear goodness, yes. You’re my entire world. I should have fixed things earlier. I waited too long, I made a mess, I don’t seem to be as smooth at these things as other people, but there is nobody, and I mean nobody, I want in my life more.”

  “Really?” She seemed dazed, as if it couldn’t be possible.

  I awkwardly dug through the glove box. She shifted allowing me space. “One sec,” I said.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What I should be doing. Stay there.” I hopped out of my truck, ran to the other side, opened her door, and got down on one knee. “Gia, will you marry me?” I opened a velvet box that hosted the diamond ring I’d picked for her. It was a simple princess cut, but with stunning sparkle and clarity. I wanted as much quality as I could afford.

  She nodded her head, her hand over her mouth. She was rarely speechless, but this was one time I knew I wasn’t in trouble. This was no silent treatment, this was awe.

  I slipped the platinum engagement ring onto her finger, realizing we’d need to get it fitted properly. “I wasn’t sure what size to get,” I offered.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, staring at the new ring on her finger. “Are you sure about this?”

  “As sure as I’ll ever be,” I said, as if there was even an ounce of doubt, which I had none.

  “People will say we moved too fast,” she warned.

  I simply shrugged. “I don’t care what they say. I only care that you’ll be by my side for the rest of my life.”

  She hopped out of the truck, right there on the side of the road, and wrapped her arms around me. “I love you.”

  Everything felt right in the world. Maybe it wasn’t, but you couldn’t convince me otherwise when Gia was with me.

  We finally made it back into the truck and headed home. She’d stay with me from now on. I wasn’t letting her out of my sight. We managed to stumble out of the truck and made a mad dash for the door. The urgency to be naked together was calling to us.

  We barely got in the door and closed it before the first of our clothes came off. I pinned her against the wall. Her sensuous skin beckoned me. I licked and stroked her neck, as she tilted to the side allowing me to nuzzle closer. We tore at our clothing. I wanted her – now.

  She was the most beautiful girl I’d
ever seen. I’d stop just to look her in the eyes, get lost, mesmerized, and then find my way back to nuzzling her neck, or nibbling on her lips while kissing her. She set me on fire in the most delicious way. My insides smoldered and burned with desire.

  “I love you so much,” she murmured between each kiss.

  Gia’s hands were in my hair, grabbing, tugging, as I buried my mouth on the curve of her shoulder where it met her neck. I loved how she rolled her head to the side, purring with delight. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. “I love you, too,” I uttered back. Her skin tasted sweet and salty, so perfect, so succulent. I could barely pull my lips from her body.

  Her hands moved out of my hair. “I want this off,” she said, tugging at my shirt. “I want to feel you against me.”

  I stopped what I was doing only long enough to rip my shirt off. As I arched to pull my arm out, her fingers stroked my bare chest. She leaned in to kiss my neck as her fingertips grazed across me. I tingled at her touch. It felt like every bit of hair stood on end. My cock begged to get free, but I couldn’t stand to see her naked skin and not kiss it more.

  When we’d shed more of our clothing, still pressed to the door, it was with baited breath and hunger. We stopped the urgency for only a moment as she stroked my face. I leaned in to kiss her. Gia parted her lips, opening her mouth to me. I drank in her kisses, my hands now caressing her arms and shoulders, slowly finding their way lower. I cupped her soft breasts from the side as our kisses grew hungrier.

  Lowering my head, I moved to her breasts. I played with the pink tip of her nipple as it pebbled. I nipped at it, gently teasing her. The more I did, the more she moaned. Every time she let out a little gasp, it made me want to hear another. I suckled her nipple harder and reached for her other with my fingers.

  I forced myself to stop for a half of a second to help her strip off the remainder of her clothing. She was down to her panties. I slipped my hand over the silky material, and rather than under them, I teased. Her soft moans grew louder and her panties grew wetter. Sinking down to my knees I inhaled her scent and pressed my nose to her lingerie.

  With a jerk, I slid them over her hips and then down her legs. She stepped out of them, freeing herself. Her sweet aroma spoke to me. With her legs parted, I pressed my tongue against her body and traced her opening, pushing my tongue between her lips, while spreading them open with my fingers. I honed in on the small nub that was most sensitive and circled it before suckling. She grabbed my head and pulled it tighter to her, not shy about her pleasure.

  As I flicked my tongue and soaked in her sweet juices, she started to squirm as an orgasm rose inside her. She was grinding her hips, aching for more. I slid two fingers into her to heighten her ride, and teased her clit with my tongue until she bucked and groaned with release. I held on for the ride until she forced me away to find her sense of calm. Bathed in release, she was even more beautiful than when we started. We’d only just begun. I needed all of her, and my own desire was getting harder to ignore. My cock wanted to tear free and feel her warm, wet naughty bits.

  I took Gia’s hand and led her to the bedroom, not bothering to sweep up the clothing that was now tattered about on the floor. Stripping off the last of my clothes, I tossed them aside. Gia moved onto the bed and parted her legs to me. I was torn between going in for another taste and pressing my cock into her.

  I climbed between her legs and pressed into her. As I penetrated her warm velvet box, a groan came from my belly. She felt so tight, like a glove. Her body gripped me, sensuous pleasure. I thrust forward, each time moving faster and harder, unable to stop the groove I was in. It felt too good, too perfect, too incredible to pace myself. I wanted to last longer, to hold out, but I was beyond any measure. With a guttural grunt, I gripped the comforter as my seed unloaded. The orgasm tore through me and left me exhausted. I’d take care of her again, but this moment, the calm that I bathed in was pure splendor.

  I rolled off of her and dropped to my side of the bed. She stroked my cheek, waiting quietly for me to come back to reality. “I could do this all day,” she said softly.

  “I intend to do this all day,” I answered with a silly grin. “If you give me a few minutes, I’ll be ready to go.”

  She rolled over onto her side and I spooned against her. My dick had deflated, but pressed against her ass, it was finding new life. My arousal was noticed, as she teased me and wiggled her bottom against my cock.

  I pulled back just enough to slip my hand between us and stroked her ass cheek. It was soft and round. I stroked then held fast, squeezing her sweet flesh and thinking of how good it would feel to be between her soft ass cheeks. My cock jerked at the thought, as if dancing.

  “Something going on there?” she asked, knowing more than full well there was.

  “Mmm, might have to take this model for a ride,” I said with a tender slap to her ass.

  She turned her head back a bit, and laughed. “That ride will cost you.”

  “Oh, really?” I was amused at her answer.

  “Yep, it’s going to cost you a lifetime of love,” she said.

  “Oh, well, that’s a steep price, but nothing I can’t handle.” My fingers traced the shape of her curves, and then met and settled along the space between. I grazed her skin with only the tips of my fingers, enjoying her sighs.

  I was about to part her cheeks and take her when somebody decided now of all times to come banging on our door. I groaned. Come on! Now?

  * * *

  33

  Gia

  Saved by the bell!

  I had no idea who was behind that door, but whoever it was would get a lovely Christmas present from me. I wanted to explore, I really did but what Hunter had in mind scared me. I had never done it before. So yeah, time to give it more thought was welcome. Whoever was at the door would get a big enough treat from me to compensate for the reception he or she was about to get.

  Cursing under his breath, Hunter jumped out of bed, grabbed his pants from the floor, and walked to the front door.

  Curiosity was eating me up, but I couldn’t follow him, all my clothes were on the floor, most of them in the living room…a regular erotic breadcrumb trail leading to the bed. Our bed.

  With no desire to expose myself, I laid back under the covers while listening to see who would get flowers or chocolates from me.

  Through the door left ajar, I heard Hunter welcome the visitor. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?”

  In all the months I’d known him, I never heard him so angry.

  “Oh, honey, I know you’ve missed me!” The sweet drawl of Tiffany’s voice made my skin crawl.

  The good news was that I wouldn’t be spending a fortune on chocolate. The bad news was that now I needed to get out of bed and set her straight about coming to visit Hunter again.

  Yanking the bedsheet from the mattress, I wrapped them around me and marched into the living room ready to confront the bitch.

  “I see you have company,” Tiffany said, her eyes following the track of my discarded clothes. Her gaze stopped at my feet and slowly climbed up to my face. She recognized me and hissed. “I can’t believe you replaced me with this … cow!”

  Hunter’s hand balled into fists and then opened again very slowly as if it took all his willpower not to punch her.

  With a deadly calm tone, he said, “Get out of my house. I’ve never struck a woman in my life, but I can’t promise I’ll be able to hold back much longer if you say another word.”

  Instead of retreating, Tiffany took a couple of steps toward me kicking the door shut behind her. Shaking a menacing finger in my direction, she growled, “Listen you, conniving, little, goody two shoes - don’t look at me that way! Yeah, like you’re better than me. That’s a laugh. You’re nothing but Italian trash!”

  She turned her back to me and looked at Hunter. “Do you even know who you’re sleeping with? She acts like she’s a princess, but she’s nothing more than a Mafia bitch.”

&
nbsp; Unlike Hunter, my moral compass didn’t prohibit me from hitting members off the so-called weaker sex, but before doing so I decided I’d give her fair warning.

  “You’ve overstayed your welcome, Tiffany. It is time to leave,” I told her trying to hide the bubbling anger threatening to overflow. My martial art instructor would have been really proud of me. Years of self-control lectures were paying off.

  Without even looking at me, she barked, “Why don’t you pick up your clothes and get dressed. If anyone’s leaving, it’s you, not me. Hunter loves me, not you. He’s mine, I got him first.”

  I shook my head. A fair warning had being given and ignored. If she was stupid enough to turn her back on someone she threatened, more power to me.

  Standing behind her, I kicked her at knee level. The fact that she was perched on high heels made it easier. She lost her balance and fell face forward, stumbling out of her shoes. I wasn’t quite finished. I bent over and grabbed her ponytail, pulling her in the direction of the door.

  “Darling, would you mind opening the door for me? I have some trash to take out,” I asked with the sweetest voice I could muster.

  Hunter looked at me for a few seconds with an ear to ear smile, and then snapped out of it. He made room for me to pass with my special cargo. I dragged a hissing and cursing Tiffany out to the front porch too quickly for her to get up.

  Retreating back into Hunter’s house, I kicked her shoes out the door and realized that my boobs had escaped from the bedsheets as I was manhandling the bimbo. I pulled the material up and delivered the kiss of death. “Just FYI, you just lost all chances of being invited to the wedding. You have a good day now.” I smirked.

  Hunter was laughing as he closed the door. Picking up my clothes on the way to the bedroom, I returned with Hunter in tow.

  “I never saw it coming,” he said. “How did you learn how to fight like that?”