by Karin Baine
Sleeping with Hunter was a bigger event than she could ever imagine for who he was now, not who he had been. This wasn’t about a teen fantasy come true, this was a real desire to be together, a connection between two adults who needed to get this attraction out of their system so they could get back to who they were outside it.
Okay, so she was trying to have her cake and eat it but she had a very sweet tooth and a libido that apparently wouldn’t quit around him. Except every second she spent with him claimed a bigger piece of her heart with his name on it.
She mightn’t be ready to be part of a family, or want to get hurt again, but it didn’t mean she was made of stone. In these few moments of peace there was no talk of work, family or the future, only the silent acceptance of attraction. Here, away from the messy reality of getting involved, it seemed possible they could be together without causing some sort of cosmic fallout to rip the universe apart.
Watching each other undress was somehow as erotic as tearing their clothes off in haste. Perhaps it was because they never broke eye contact, the moment more significant than simply getting naked. They were stripping away the layers of their past, the outside influences they had no need for in the bedroom and concentrating on what it was they wanted here and now. Each other.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t see the impressive evidence of his arousal. It was difficult to miss.
She was only self-conscious about standing here stripped bare before him for a few seconds because when he started kissing her she didn’t care about anything else. He guided her towards the bed and she took him with her down onto the mattress, body to body, mouth to mouth, heart to heart.
With his finger and thumb he pinched her pebbled nipple and made her gasp with delight. Now he was aware that was her weak spot, he latched on tightly, sucking her into his mouth until she was bucking against him with unbridled lust.
She reached down and gripped his erection, sliding her hand along his shaft until she made him equally as breathless.
‘As much as I don’t want you to stop what you’re doing, we need some protection.’
It was understandable he’d be more careful after having one unplanned pregnancy but she was restless against the sheets, waiting for him to grab the condom from his nightstand.
He lowered himself between her thighs and kissed her on the mouth as he joined his body to hers. Their breath mingled with a mutual gasp of relief now the veil had fallen. There was no more pretence that this wasn’t what they’d been waiting for, regardless of all the obstacles in their way.
Charlotte hitched her knees up to her waist, drew him deeper inside and lost all inhibitions in favour of revisiting that place of utter bliss he’d taken her to earlier. She was close to the edge again already when she should have been exhausted after the last time, not coiled and waiting for more.
So far Hunter had been a gentleman. If that gentleman was a sexy stud acting out all of her very grown-up fantasies at once. She wanted him hard and fast, slow and steady, every which way he would oblige.
He filled her, stretched her with every stroke, and she rode with him, watching the intensity of the moment play across his features. The way he looked deep into her eyes every time he joined his body to hers, the breathy sound of her name as he buried his head in her neck and the tender kisses he placed on her skin said this was more than sex for him too.
If that was all this had ever been about they could have ended this in the kitchen or on the stairs, but he’d taken his time to make this right. It was as perfect as she could ever have hoped, except for one tiny flaw. She didn’t want it to be over.
This feeling of completion was to be cherished, not thrown away because she was afraid of being hurt again. Regardless of the lectures to herself on the contrary, she’d fallen for him, again, and she wondered if she was hurting herself more by denying them a future together if there could be one waiting.
Hunter panted close to her ear and prevented her from over-thinking when it was far more enjoyable just to feel. She clenched her inner muscles as another wave of arousal crashed over her and clung tighter to him, her groans matching his as they reached breaking point together. Her cry filled the room as he fulfilled the promise to make her scream and she surrendered her body, her heart, once and for all.
After what they’d just shared it was going to be harder than ever to maintain that emotional distance she’d been clinging to desperately since he’d appeared in her life. She’d given him everything of herself now and she was trusting him not to fail her when she was taking the greatest risk of them all. Her heart.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HUNTER FOUGHT CONSCIOUSNESS because that meant leaving the warm, comfy confines of his bed and he wasn’t ready to tear himself away just yet. He was happy where he was, thank you very much, with Charlotte’s naked body draped across his, her hair splayed over his chest keeping him warm since the covers had hit the floor long ago. Probably some time in the early hours of the morning when his amorous companion had given him the best early-morning wake-up call he could ever remember.
If rendering him immobile with exhaustion was her ploy to keep him here as her sex slave he wouldn’t have a problem with it.
Last night had been amazing on so many different levels. He was making such great progress with Alfie he’d been afraid to push for more time in case he upset Sara’s parents, but Charlotte’s support had given him the courage to move things forward and it was beginning to pay off. His dream of being a proper, twenty-four-hour father to Alfie was within reaching distance. What part in that picture Charlotte was going to play he wasn’t certain but their time together recently had convinced him it could be a possibility.
‘I suppose we should really get up,’ Charlotte mumbled into his chest, letting him know she was awake too and they had responsibilities other than their libidos.
He grunted his displeasure at the idea because talking took energy that could be better spent with one last period of play. Charlotte reached across him to turn the alarm clock around, her breasts squashing against him and reawakening a certain part of his body.
He ran his hand over her pert backside, wondering if he could manoeuvre her into another performance of her cowgirl routine.
‘I wanted to check in on Anderson today and see how things were between him and Maggie before he’s shipped off to Nottingham.’
‘You’re thinking about another man already? You really are insatiable,’ he teased. It was unsurprising she was starting the day with work at the forefront of her mind when she was so emotionally attached to the team. Her dedication was just one more thing to admire in her. Even if it did come at the cost of his comfort.
She smacked his chest. ‘As much as I would love to lie here with you all day, we have jobs to do and people who need our help. You need to get up.’
‘I’m nearly there,’ he grumbled, knowing she was right even if his idea of how to spend these last moments alone sounded more fun.
‘You can stay here if you want or meet me over at Anderson’s in about an hour. I need to go home and get changed. It’ll only cause a stir if I turn up in last night’s clothes.’
Hunter watched with growing admiration as she walked around the room, still naked, collecting their discarded clothes from the floor. He propped himself up on his elbows to better enjoy the scenery.
‘I think you missed something down here.’
His shirt, followed by his trousers, landed on his head, obscuring the view, but he could hear her tutting nearby.
‘As soon as I put my mind to rest that everyone is match fit for the play-offs, I’m all yours. In the meantime, you need to be a big boy and get yourself dressed.’
‘Spoilsport.’ Though he hated to agree and deny himself these remaining moments with her, he had a few last-minute tasks to do himself, including saying goodbye to his son. Wh
ich he wasn’t looking forward to. Even a couple of days apart was going to be quite a wrench for him.
By the time he’d taken his blindfold off, she’d wrapped the smooth curves of her body in the bulky quilt off the bed. Playtime was over.
He was aware her job and her reputation were everything to her but that didn’t mean he’d go quietly. Sleeping together marked a change in their relationship and not something they should simply walk away from without acknowledging it. She clutched her quilted modesty tighter as he crossed the room towards her.
‘I had a good time last night.’
‘Me too.’ She watched him through lowered lashes, surprisingly coy after everything they’d done together, to each other.
He wanted to tell her that he didn’t want it to be over between them, that they should make a go of this, but those past mistakes haunted him still. Sara had had to deal with the mess he’d left behind for years and he didn’t want to do the same thing to Charlotte if he wasn’t one hundred per cent certain this was going to work out. The only definite commitment he was able to make was to his son.
‘I guess we should face the outside world, though. I’ll grab a shower and meet you at Anderson’s. You can let yourself out, right?’ He walked out of the bedroom towards the bathroom because he was having serious thoughts about throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to bed, pretending there was nothing to keep them from being together.
‘Right. I’ll see you there, then.’
Hunter didn’t want to think about how small her voice seemed as he shut the bathroom door on her because he knew whatever happened next someone was bound to get hurt.
* * *
Charlotte was almost praying Hunter wouldn’t be at Anderson’s house as she walked the short distance from her place to his. It wasn’t that she still wanted proof he didn’t have her commitment to the job, she needed a time out when she could think clearly without their naked bodies getting involved. After last night she was risking her peace of mind more than ever by continuing to be with him. This wasn’t just about him now, he came with an Alfie attachment, and she was fast falling for them both.
‘Good morning, Dr Michaels.’ Hunter joined her on the doorstep, waiting to be permitted entry to Anderson’s personal life.
‘Morning, Mr Torrance.’ Pretending they hadn’t just spent the last twelve hours naked together was going to be tough when her insides were already dancing with glee at the sound of his voice.
‘Thank goodness you’re here, Doc. There’s something wrong with Maggie.’ Anderson opened the door so quickly they were almost sucked inside by the vacuum he’d created.
‘Where is she?’ Charlotte pushed past him in search of the patient.
‘On the couch. We were just talking and she collapsed.’ Anderson and Hunter followed her into the living room where the red-headed Maggie was slumped in her chair.
Charlotte hunched down beside her as she started to come around. ‘Maggie? My name’s Charlotte. I’m a doctor. Gus said you aren’t feeling too well.’
‘Just a little woozy.’
Charlotte checked her pulse and felt her forehead but there were no obvious signs of anything serious.
Anderson appeared at her side, clutching at Maggie’s hand. ‘Is she okay? Is the baby going to be all right?’
‘How far gone are you, Maggie?’ There was already a small bump visible under her tight tank top but she wanted confirmation.
‘Coming up on three months now but I only found out a few weeks ago.’
Which coincided with Anderson’s descent into madness.
‘How have you been feeling generally? Any nausea? Tiredness?’
Maggie nodded. ‘Morning sickness, although it seems to go on for most of the day. I can’t seem to keep anything down.’
‘The first trimester is generally the hardest. It should start to get better from here on.’ Not that she knew, or had ever intended to find out.
Hunter appeared at her side with a glass of water. ‘I hear ginger biscuits can help with that.’
She couldn’t help staring at him. That definitely wasn’t information generally found in anatomy textbooks.
He shrugged. ‘Internet forums. You know...’
She did know. Without a doubt he’d researched every aspect of parenthood the minute he’d found out about Alfie because that’s the sort of man he was now. A wonderful, caring father who wouldn’t leave anything to chance.
‘I’ll get some today,’ Anderson assured Maggie, still refusing to let go of her hand. At least they appeared to have patched up their differences and that was good news for everyone.
‘Have you had your scan yet?’ It would probably put their minds at rest if they could see their baby was all right and might help Anderson get used to the idea of becoming a father. Make it real.
Maggie checked her watch. ‘We were just on our way to the hospital for the appointment. We can still make it if we try.’
‘You need to take it easy. Tell her, Doc.’
‘Gus is right, you do need to take it easy, but I don’t think there’s anything serious going on. You’re probably a little dehydrated. Make sure you mention everything at your appointment. You are going too, aren’t you, Gus?’ Charlotte would be happier if Maggie was checked over at the hospital where they could run any necessary tests to rule out anything more sinister and it would be better if Maggie had his support.
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’ He rested his hand protectively on Maggie’s burgeoning bump, every inch the proud father-to-be.
Whatever had happened between the couple since Charlotte and Hunter’s chat, he appeared to have grown up overnight and accepted his responsibilities. It seemed some men were capable of changing and maturing when they became family men, even if her father hadn’t been one of them.
‘I have to make another house call but I can give you a lift to the hospital if it would help? Trust me, you don’t want to miss a minute of this pregnancy.’ There was sadness in Hunter’s voice and Charlotte knew all too well the reasons behind it. He’d been denied these early moments—the scans, the first kick and the anticipation of the birth. He was a good father and he deserved to have that chance all over again. That was exactly why this romance was never going to work long term. She wasn’t the woman he needed to complete his family.
‘That would be great, thanks. Are you okay to walk, sweetheart?’ Gus was on his feet immediately, clearly keen to see his baby and get the all-clear as soon as possible.
She knew very well the difference a couple of days could make when it came to relationships when her uncomplicated singleton life now seemed a long way away.
‘I’m fine.’ Maggie smiled at him, the look of a woman in love that said they’d worked on those communication issues.
Hunter chivvied them all outside to his car. ‘Are you coming too? I thought we could make that last house call together. We can both say goodbye before we leave for the play-offs.’
‘If that’s what you want...’
She knew exactly who and what he was talking about and damn if she wasn’t a little choked up. It was a step further into his life, and into Alfie’s, by taking her with him to say goodbye. That made this more than a casual affair. She knew he wouldn’t risk hurting his son with such a move unless it really meant something and it suddenly made her want to take a step back.
Perhaps the intensity of last night had made her too carefree with her heart because now she felt as though she was standing on a trapdoor, just waiting for the drop to certain doom. She wasn’t part of this family and that left even more chance she’d be the one left behind if things went wrong. As much as she wanted to be with Hunter, her self-preservation meant more.
They dropped Anderson and Maggie off at the hospital before they picked Alfie up for a spot of lunch since h
e was still on half-term holidays for school. If he hadn’t already phoned ahead and told him they were coming, Charlotte would’ve backed out there and then.
She remained in the car at the O’Reillys’ rather than cause any controversy by showing up on the doorstep and making any sort of claim on their grandson. In contrast, Alfie had bounced up as pleased as Punch to see her, and at any other time she would’ve been put at ease about joining them.
They called into the local fast-food place where the Torrance men devoured burgers the size of dinner plates before Hunter broached the subject of their trip.
‘You know I have to go away for a few days?’
‘With the team?’ Alfie asked through a mouthful of fries.
‘That’s right. It’s play-off season and we have to go to Nottingham for the weekend. I’ll phone you every morning,’ he promised, and Charlotte imagined it was as much for his own peace of mind as his son’s.
Alfie paused in mid-chew and flicked a glance between Hunter and Charlotte before he swallowed. ‘Is Charlotte going too?’
‘Hmm-mmm.’ She nodded then made a well-timed exit towards the bathroom, leaving Hunter to have that particularly delicate conversation with his son.
It was awkward on so many levels, not least because they hadn’t discussed this weekend away as a couple. They’d be travelling for work purposes but it would be naïve for either of them to think things would remain strictly professional between them for the duration of the trip now. At best she was hoping they could have a what-happens-at-the-play-offs-stays-at-the-play-offs attitude to save her from getting involved any deeper and still get to enjoy the physical side. Not that they could explain that to an eight-year-old boy and she wasn’t even going to attempt it. That was Hunter’s call and nobody would thank her for interfering.
Unfortunately there was a queue for the one bathroom on the premises and she was forced to stand in the hallway around the corner, where she could hear the conversation she’d tried to avoid.
