“He’ll do it. He’s got that look in his eyes,” she whispered, never letting her gaze leave Hunter’s until Hunter turned away and began to warm up, jumping high in the air in place, working out his legs.
“What look is that?” Mace asked, leaning closer to her and placing his hand on her knee.
“The eye of the tiger,” she said, just as the announcer asked all runners to take their positions.
* * * *
Hunter was shaking. He had trained for this race for over a year’s time. Last season he failed to even come into the semifinals because his mind wasn’t focused. He thought when he broke things off with Ray Anne months ago that once again he would lose his focus, but surprisingly he hadn’t. Instead, as he looked up into the crowd and saw his brothers, his friends, and Ellie and her friends, he felt motivated. He wanted to prove to everyone, including himself, that he wasn’t an invalid, a pity case, but instead the same strong, determined fighter he always had been despite the missing leg.
As he prepared to race, he focused on what he needed to do. As the gun fired he took off, knowing that he had worked so hard to succeed.
* * * *
They were all caught up in the action and excitement of the race. Five miles, twenty times around the large track and it was torture to watch. She felt just as nervous as Justice, Seno, and Mace when they watched runners slowing down, losing their positions. When Hunter and Theo were neck and neck, and Hunter was the last amputee with a chance at winning, never mind placing in the race, the crowds grew louder. By the final two laps they were all standing, chanting, yelling Hunter’s name.
As they hit the final lap, Hunter’s silver leg, like some bionic instrument that allowed men like him, heroes, to continue to strive for success in life, pounded against the red racetrack. Theo was falling slightly back as they rounded the last turn and Hunter started sprinting. Justice, Mace, and Seno were yelling his name, chanting him on, and so were their friends and others around them.
She knew in that moment that it would come down to the man who was most hungry for the win. The one destined to take first place and stand on that podium of champions and know that he was the best of the best. A warrior, a fighter, who never gave up.
As Hunter’s chest hit the red ribbon stretched out across the track, they all screamed and cheered his name and Hunter bent down, catching his breath but also covered his eyes with his hand, bringing tears to Ellie’s.
He was an amazing man.
They all made their way down to the racetrack as the runners took their positions on the podium. She took pictures with her cell phone as he received his medal and a huge trophy. She watched in awe as so many people came up to congratulate Hunter and then it was their turn.
As she approached, watching his brothers hug him and then Sam and his friends, she smiled.
“That was amazing, Hunter. You are amazing.” He nodded his head at her as they held one another’s gaze a moment while everyone around them talked and laughed.
“Let’s keep this celebration going. Our place ASAP,” Sam said and the guys all cheered.
Ellie stood next to Mace as she watched Hunter pull off his drenched T-shirt. He was covered with muscles and tattoos grabbing not only her full attention, but also the attention of a number of young women who watched him and whistled.
She felt that instant sting of jealousy, just as Mace placed his hand on her hip and whispered down low next to her ear. His warm breath tickled her neck, as his lips touched her skin.
“Don’t worry, Ellie. We only have eyes for you.” He gave her hip a squeeze and then took her hand and walked hand in hand with her as the others headed out toward the parking lot.
Chapter 6
Hunter watched Ellie talking with Sam’s brother, Link. He was the CEO of a large advertising firm outside of Dallas. He was laughing at something she said, and then he reached over and clutched her elbow. He recognized the feeling that hit his gut. He knew himself well. The possessiveness he had when he found something or in this case, someone, who interested him. That jealous feeling that some other guy would impress her more, make her see his imperfections. He was compelled to demand for her to pay attention to him and see him for more than what was right before her eyes. An amputee and a cripple.
“What’s that look for?” Seno asked as he approached Hunter.
Hunter glanced at him and then nodded his head toward Ellie and Link.
“They’re getting along well. She’s very likable,” Seno stated.
“More than just well. He’s touched her elbow or nudged her shoulder several times in a short period of time,” Hunter replied.
“First of all, he’s got his eye on Moira, just like his brothers Vin and Sam. Secondly, she’s not biting on any invites from any men. I was talking to Moira in the stands at the races, after I saw three men approach Ellie and hug and kiss her.” Hunter squinted his eyes at Seno, instantly feeling jealous again.
“Ellie didn’t look too happy, and when Justice interrupted the conversation, Ellie and her friends were more than eager to get away from the three men. Then when I asked Moira about them, she said the three men were cousins of Ellie’s ex.”
“What?”
“Yeah, and get this. The three cousins are interested in Ellie, but she isn’t. She keeps blowing them off. I tried to find out more about the ex, but basically Moira wasn’t budging. She hinted that Ellie went through some nightmarish experience and she asked that we all take our time with Ellie and to not be overly commanding. Seems something bad happened to Ellie.”
“Hey, you two, are you going to join in the party or what?” Sam asked, approaching them from behind.
“Sure are. This is great. Thank you for inviting us,” Hunter stated.
“Inviting you? Hell, this party is for you. I knew that you would kick that Green Beret’s ass,” Sam said and then smiled. Hunter and Seno chuckled.
Hunter watched Ellie excuse herself from her conversation with Link and then head inside, answering a call on the way.
* * * *
“Hello, Detective Ramirez. How are you?”
“The question is, how are you? Unc called and said that Paul has been texting you. How long?”
She took a deep breath and released it as she walked toward the side of the cabana and away from the music and people.
She took in the tropical décor and the large sitting area and couch. Her back was toward the door as she spoke to the detective.
“Do you know where he is? I mean is he local again? Because I saw his cousins today, and they were aggressive in their comments.”
They talked about what he knew and how Paul was reinstated into the corrections job he had before the assault.
“Are you kidding me? How could they hire him back? After what he did to me? I was in the hospital for weeks.”
He went on about him serving part of his time, about the community service Paul did, and about presenting his case to the board about his counseling for anger management.
“He has a lot of friends, Ellie.”
“Well that’s great, Detective Ramirez, now isn’t it? So I have to worry about these text messages, and the fear I’ve had to deal with for over a year that was beginning to lessen has just skyrocketed again because of this conversation. Goddamn it. It isn’t fair.”
She heard a sound and turned to see Hunter standing there leaning against the door frame. He looked so pissed off. She could hardly focus on what the detective was telling her. He said something about getting an order of protection.
“An order of protection cannot be obtained because of text messages. Besides, I’ve been there and done that, and look where I wound up. I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing. Watching my back, looking over my shoulder, and living my life. Thanks for nothing, Detective. I suppose I’ll call you if something more takes place.” She ended the call and then collapsed down onto the bench right behind her. She covered her face with her hands and growled low. She was so frustrated.
>
Plus now Hunter heard part of her conversation. This was all she needed.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he took the seat next to her. She shook her head.
He reached over and moved her hair from her face. She turned to look up toward him. The man was so damn sexy and attractive, but she couldn’t take the chance her mind was begging her to take.
“Want to talk about it?” he asked.
“Absolutely not. I’m frustrated, angry, disillusioned, and mostly fucking scared. I can’t believe that this is happening. A year. A Goddamn year and just when I’m feeling back in control and stronger mentally, this happens?”
She crossed her legs and leaned back against the bench seat. Hunter didn’t say a word. He just seemed to watch her. She tried closing her eyes and breathing through her anger and her outburst. It seemed to work and she opened her eyes and released a long sigh.
“I’m sorry. I totally didn’t mean to just blurt all that out, or to have you overhear my conversation.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I saw you head this way and wanted to talk to you. Then I heard you mention a detective, an order of protection, and something about you being in the hospital for weeks. I was concerned.”
Her eyes widened when he said hospital for weeks. She didn’t want to tell him about Paul and about the assault. She didn’t want any of this crap to be part of a potential relationship. But now, after talking with Ramirez, her hope of there being any possible relationship just diminished. She couldn’t get involved with the Lawson brothers. Not if Paul was going to pursue her again.
She stood up, but Hunter grabbed her hand. She turned toward him and he pulled her closer and between his thighs. Surprisingly she wasn’t turned off by the prosthetic device he wore from his knee down. The masculinity of his muscular thighs, and his sexy chest she had gotten a glimpse of uncovered, aroused her.
“Don’t run away from me, from us,” he whispered.
She licked her lower lip and he pulled her onto his upper thigh.
He placed one arm around her waist to hold her in place on his lap and the other hand he placed on her thigh just barely below the hem of her dress. She wondered what it would feel like to be caressed by such large, capable hands.
“God knows we all have secrets, or experiences we’d like to keep hidden, but, baby, you look more scared than angry, and that just isn’t sitting right with me.”
“Hunter, it’s not your concern.”
He gave her hip a squeeze. “You are my concern, and my brothers’. If this situation you’re in is what’s keeping you from being with us, then I think it’s something you, Seno, Mace, Justice, and I need to discuss.”
She shook her head and turned further into him to face him.
“Please, Hunter, just leave it alone. It’s not a situation, yet. It may never become one. It’s just something that happened to me.” She lowered her eyes. She felt his palm caress back and forth over her thigh and then under the material.
She held his gaze, his expression serious, but also the sadness in his green eyes so apparent. It tugged at her heart.
He moved his hand from her thigh, she felt the loss of his touch, but held his gaze. He placed his hand against her cheek, and she absorbed the feel of his masculinity and the scent of his cologne, fresh soap and enticing to her senses.
“A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be afraid.” They stared at one another and she glanced at his lips as he glanced at hers. She wondered if he would kiss her and she hoped that he would.
His lips softly touched her own and they both closed their eyes.
Ellie was lost in his hold, his kiss, and the connection she felt to Hunter. He was different right now then the other times she had been around him. He wasn’t fierce, confrontational, and angry. Instead he was calm, empathetic, sexy, and macho in every sense of the words. He used his tongue to explore her mouth and then moved his hand back against her thigh, pulling her harder against his chest.
She kissed him back, battling for control and then indulging in his taste, his commanding kiss, and the power and safety she felt in his arms.
When he moved his hand under her dress and up the back of her thigh, she felt her heart racing and her body tighten up. She was incredibly aroused as she explored his hair with her hand running her fingers through the blond, shoulder-length locks. They were moaning, or maybe it was just her as she felt embarrassed by her reaction to Hunter. She started pulling back and he pulled her tighter before gently releasing her lips and kissing along her jaw and then her neck. She was trying to catch her breath, feeling overwhelmed at her reaction to him.
Hunter didn’t move his hand from under her dress and against her thigh nearly to her ass. Just a few inches and he could caress her ass cheek and probably make her come right here on his lap. She felt her cheeks warm and he smiled.
“Damn, I could kiss you for hours, Ellie.”
She sat up and ran her fingers against her lips in an attempt to destroy any smudge marks.
“Oh God, we should probably head back to the party. They’ll wonder where we are,” she stated, preparing to move off his lap, but he held her in place.
She raised one eyebrow at him in question and he nodded toward the doorway.
There stood Mace. Crew cut blond hair, decked out in swim trunks and some T-shirt with what looked like John Wayne on it. It didn’t fit his macho, tough-guy attitude at all. She pulled her lip between her teeth as he walked closer.
“What are you two up to?” he asked as he reached out and cupped her chin. She tilted her head up toward him, holding his gaze.
“Just talking,” she replied, and he used his thumb to caress along her lips as if her lipstick were smudged.
“Just talking?” He raised one eyebrow up at her, as Hunter moved his hand up her spine, under her hair to the base of her neck. When his lips touched her bare shoulder she swallowed hard.
“Your lips look full and swollen, and your pupils slightly dilated. That could mean only one thing?”
“What’s that?” She asked as he lowered his face toward her.
“I’d have to be sure before I can state with confidence the reason for your swollen lips and arousal in your eyes.”
“Arousal?” she questioned just as Mace lowered his lips to hers and began kissing her.
* * * *
Mace was pleasantly surprised to walk in on Ellie and Hunter making out in the cabana. It was a relief and gave him hope that they had a chance to start something wonderful with her. But now, with his lips against hers, hearing her soft moans of pleasure as Hunter held her on his lap, he felt about ready to burst with desire. He felt that instant connection and desire. It felt right. Being here with Hunter and Ellie felt perfect.
He sensed her pulling back, and as to not overwhelm her he released her lips. He used his thumb to caress along them and smiled.
“You’re delicious,” he told her.
Slowly she stood up, with Hunter holding on to her hips from behind and standing along with her.
“I’m going to head back to the party.”
“Everyone is either in the pool or the Jacuzzi,” Mace told her.
“Then I guess I’ll join them.”
“We’ll talk later, Ellie, okay,” Hunter stated.
Her expression looked concerned but she gave a small smile and then headed out of the cabana.
Mace smiled at Hunter. “She’s incredible. How the hell did this happen? The two of you in here?” he asked. When Hunter explained about what he overheard and what little he found out, Mace was pissed off.
“We need to talk to Seno and Justice. She could be in danger, and we can’t just ignore this and what you overheard.”
“I know, Mace, but I don’t think she wants us or anyone else to know. She’s scared, and demanding she tell us will only have her pulling away. That’s not something I’m willing to chance. I care about her already.”
Mace held Hunter’s gaze feeling shocked at his profession of ca
re for her and also pleased that Hunter wasn’t running from it.
“Let’s tell the others and see what they think. In the interim, let’s enjoy the progress we’ve made today, and hope that it gets even better. I don’t like the things that you overheard. Weeks in the hospital, an order of protection, text messages from someone, and speaking with a detective don’t sit well with me at all. If she’s in danger, I want to know about it.”
“So do I. Let’s see what Justice and Seno say.”
* * * *
Ellie walked across the pool area some time later along with Donella. She explained to her about the phone call from Detective Ramirez and the latest news. Now even Donella was upset.
She could see Justice and Seno in the pool by the deep end talking to Sam, Vin, Mace, and Hunter. The moment she locked gazes with them and saw their expressions, she knew they were talking about her.
“Oh God, Donella. They’re talking about me. I’m sure Hunter told them about the phone call.”
“Honey, I don’t think that’s why they’re staring. I’d say it has something to do with your sexy body, your belly piercing, and that sexy tattoo of yours that disappears under your tiny green bikini.”
“Oh God. Maybe’s it’s your red bikini?”
“Nope. Don’t let on to their gawking. Let’s sit over there by the little end and just dip our feet in.”
As Ellie sat down on the edge, the heat of the paving stone was burning her but as she reached down to splash water onto the side so she could sit.
“I’ll grab a towel,” Donella said as she walked over to the bags. But before she returned, Justice and Seno joined her, swimming through the water, holding their beer bottles in the air.
She sat with her hands on either side of her trying to act relaxed. But nothing about seeing Seno and Justice bare-chested made her relax. In fact, she could feel herself begin to drool and then she licked her lips.
“Wow, you look gorgeous in green,” Seno told her as he eyed her body over, making every inch of her react as if he touched her. Justice, on the other hand, eased into position beside her and leaned his back against the side of the pool, inches from her thigh.
The American Soldier Collection 8: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
