Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters Collection (Eight Fun, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors)
Page 64
How can he do this to me? My mind races as I struggle to pull myself back together again. Every time, itâs stronger, deeper; the pleasure more intense. Itâs like nothing Iâve ever felt before, and I realize with a heavy heart, Iâm never going to find this feeling again.
âYouâre so beautiful when you come,â Hunter whispers, gently tugging my dress back up and smoothing my hair down. âThe look in your eyes, itâs like youâre flying.â
âThatâs because I am.â I take a shaky breath, still clinging to him. My body still aches, but itâs a different throb from before. This one is deeper, sweeter, thick with the echo of pleasure but still unfulfilled.
Wanting him.
All of him.
I find my keys and open the door, then I turn to him, looping my finger down over the neckline of his shirt and tugging him towards me. âNow itâs your turn,â I say, with a seductive smile. âCome on. Itâs time I pay you back for all the good times youâve been giving me. Even the score.â
Thereâs a pause that lasts an eternity, then something shutters closed in Hunterâs eyes. âNo,â he says softly. He squeezes my hand, just once, then drops it and takes a step away from me. âNot tonight.â
My heart drops. I look up at him in confusion. He said he wanted me. That I drove him crazy.
âYou think Iâm a gentleman.â Hunter slowly refastens a button Iâve pulled loose, and adjusts his jeans. I can see him slow his breathing, like itâs taking everything he has to get himself back under control. âSo Iâm going to live up to that.â
âButâ¦â I canât find words, or sense, or anything in his denial. Iâm still reeling, breathless from his assault on my senses, weak and wet and aching with desire.
âI thought you wanted this.â I finally manage to stutter. âMe.â
Hunter reaches out, and softly tucks a stray lock of hair back behind my ears. âI do. But not like this.â
I blink at him. How else is there?
His lips curve, as if heâs heard my silent confusion. âWhen I take you, youâre going to want it.â
I try to interrupt, but he presses a finger to my lips. âNot because you think you owe me, or you get carried away, and one thing leads to another,â he corrects me, dipping his mouth closer so I can feel the shiver of his breath, hot against my cheek. âBecause you want me. Because Iâm all you think about.â
His voice is low and thick with desire, whispering relentlessly in my ear. âEvery day, and every night, just imagining what Iâll feel like inside of you. Touching yourself, imagining your hands are mine, until you come crying out my name.â
I shudder, my legs weak. Iâm hypnotized by his voice, caught up in the forbidden image of desire heâs painting with his words.
âIâm going to wait for you,â Hunter promises, âIâm going to take you there. And then, when you want me so much, you think youâll die without me inside youâ¦â He pauses, pulling back to look me straight in the eyes. âIâm going fuck you like youâve never been fucked before.â
I gasp, my lips dropping open. Hunterâs fingertip slips into my mouth, and I instinctively close my lips around it to suck. A shudder rolls through me. Hunter watches, his eyes never leaving my face. âYouâre going to feel me for days,â he whispers, âIâm going to own you, every part of you. Even your heart.â His lips curl up in a heartbreaking smile.
âEspecially your heart.â
As I try my best not to melt into a pool of pure longing right there on the porch, Hunter drops a kiss on my forehead and turns to leave, crossing the front yard in long strides. This time, I donât wait to watch him go. I know my legs arenât going to hold me up much longer. I stumble inside and slam the door behind me, sliding down so Iâm sitting in a tangle on the floor.
Even your heart.
He wants more than just a fuck, I realize in a daze. Heâs not like all the other guys who only want to use me up and throw me away without a second thought. Hunter wants something real, something more than desire, and the quick thrust of our bodies coming together. He wants all of me, even the dark, bruised places I never let anyone see. And he wonât let me have himâlet me feel that body plunging into me the way I dream aboutâuntil I give him everything, body and soul.
And thatâs when I know Iâm doomed.
I can fight this, kicking and screaming. I can pretend Iâm immune, and in control, and I can walk away any time I choose. But the truth is, I realize, I donât stand a chance.
Because Hunter Covington is the most noble, sweet, gorgeous, sexy man Iâve ever met. And Iâm falling in love with him.
I let my head fall back against the door, the truth crashing over me, as sweet and dangerous as the orgasm that just left me breathless.
Me, Brittany Ray, in love with the golden boy of Beachwood Bay⦠I would laugh at how crazy it is if I wasnât so weak with wanting him. Deep down, I still know he canât be mine, but it doesnât matter anymore. Iâd break my heart a hundred times over, just to feel his arms around me again; taste the perfection Iâd sworn was just for one night, all those years ago.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Sleep tight. Dream of me.
Hunter is miles away now, but he gets his wish. I fall asleep to the memory of his whispers, so sweet, and the distant crashing of the waves against the shore. I fall asleep, and I dream only of him.
*
3 years agoâ¦
WE WALK A MILE along the shoreline, Hunter keeping pace with long strides next to me. My heart is pounding the whole time, a voice in my head screaming at me to get the hell away from him, but I canât go back now, not with him so close, his sweater wrapped around me: still warm from his skin, still smelling of him.
One night. Thatâs the only way this will work. One night, as Susie, and Bob, or whoever else weâre pretending to be. Just a game, I tell myself. Itâs only just a game.
Hunter reaches out, and casually takes my hand.
Heat blazes through me at his touch, an inferno. I trip on a pebble with the shock of it, and almost fall flat on my face.
âI got you,â Hunter laughs, pulling me up before I fall. His hand closes around mine, strong now: lacing his fingers with mine.
âThanks,â I whisper. I can barely hear the crash of the waves over my heartbeat, and I glance over, wondering if he can hear it too.
Hunter catches my glance, and smiles at me: so full of golden confidence, it makes my pulse skitter with panic all over again.
What the hell are you doing, Brit? Once you do this, thereâs no going back.
âSo, Susie, tell me about yourself,â Hunter says, casual. âWhat brings you to Beachwood Bay?â
âIâm just passing through.â I tell him, conjuring up a different life for myself. âIâm⦠really from the city. My parents have a place there. Iâm starting fashion school soon.â
âOh yeah?â Hunter asks, like he hasnât heard a thing about the infamous Ray family. âWhat do your folks do?â
âMy momâs a designer, too,â I lie, ignoring the sudden ache of sadness in my chest. âAnd my dad⦠heâs just a regular guy. He works in an office, but heâs always home for dinner at night.â
âSounds nice,â Hunter takes a long breath. âMy parents are pretty regular too. Theyâre teachers,â he adds. âWe live in the middle of the suburbs, with a dog and a minivan.â
âWhatâs your dogâs name?â I ask.
âHans Solo.â
I laugh. âYouâre a Star Wars geek, huh?â
âYup.â
Hunter falls silent, and I realize for the first t
ime that maybe this game isnât just for me. I figured he was taking pity on me, giving me a way around my reputation here in Beachwoodâa way to pretend Iâm someone elseâbut seeing the wistful expression in his eyes when he talks about a regular old life in suburbia, I can see, this game isnât just for me.
Hunterâs running from something too.
âBut enough about everyone else,â I say brightly. âTell me about you. Favorite ice cream flavor.â
âYou know that.â Hunter gives me a sideways look. âI order it every time.â
âChocolate fudge,â I laugh.
âAnd you like those milkshakes, with mint chocolate chip.â Hunter says.
I feel a thrill. âHow do you know that?â
Hunter gives me a crooked grin. âI see things.â
âLike what?â My voice is casual, but I can barely breathe.
âLittle things.â Hunter shrugs, looking embarrassed now. âLike, you always wear so much black, but your favorite color is purple. And you never keep your hair the same way for more than a week.â
âOh.â My cheeks are flaming now, so hot they could light up the beach. Heâs noticed me? Heâs been watching, all summer long, the same way Iâve been watching him?
âIâm not stalking you, I promise,â Hunter adds in a strangled voice. âI just notice you. I canât not.â
I want to look over at him, but I canât. Suddenly, Iâm painfully aware of the space between us, and the dark, empty beach. And the sound of his breath coming, steady and slow beside me.
Hunter Covington notices me.
I swallow a shaky breath, part relieved and part terrified to find weâre here, at the familiar cluster of rocks right on the far edge of the bay. âThis way!â I yelp, my voice coming out too loud. I drop his hand and scramble on ahead, up the rough granite and over the crest of the small cliff. I donât look back to see if Hunterâs following me.
Part of me wishes he wouldnât.
I donât know what made me falter, and cut out my bitchy act. My sarcasm was my only weapon against him and all his perfect, gorgeous charm. But it turns out even acting like a total psycho bitch wasnât enough to shut him down.
And then he smiled at me.
God, never mind Helen of Troy and all those angry Greeks we learned about in school: that boyâs smile could start a war. So open and easy, with just a hint of danger gleaming in the slow burn of those blue eyes.
Nobodyâs ever smiled at me like that.
Face it, Brit, I tell myself as I scramble ungracefully down the rocks. You were doomed the minute he swung a punch at that asshole, Craig. Riding up to the rescue like I was some damsel in distress and not the town slut… I was done for right then. And all of this? This is just me pretending like my heart didnât flip over in my chest. Like his touch doesnât make me tremble, and his smile doesnât start a fire burning, hot and bright and hopeful behind my ribcage.
âWhat is this place?â Hunterâs voice comes from behind me, and I finally come to a stop. Weâre in a secret hidden cove, sheltered from the winds by the outcroppings of rocks on either side, with a view clear out across the bay.
âItâs my place.â I tell him, feeling weirdly selfconscious. I could have taken him anywhere, but for some reason, I wanted him to see this: the place I come to, when it all gets too much. âNobody knows about it, but I like it here. Everythingâs so peaceful.â
I settle on my favorite rock, worn and smooth and still warm from the summer sun. Hunter sits beside me, and watches the lights shine, bright across the shadow of the dark shore.
âJust you and the ocean.â He says it quietly, and I feel something release in my chest. A tension, melting away. He understands.
I reach down and take a handful of sand, letting it filter slowly through my fingertips.
âSo, Bob,â I say, stressing his fake name slightly, showing him Iâm OK to play along. âWhat is it you want?â
He startles slightly. âWhat do you mean?â
I shrug. âNow, tonight, in life? What do you want?â
Thereâs silence for a moment. Hunter stares out at the ocean, and when he speaks, thereâs a note of wry loss in his voice. âI canât remember the last time someone asked me that. Everything I do, itâs like itâs all been planned out for me, and Iâm just⦠walking in someone elseâs footsteps.â
âYou mean your brother?â I turn. Iâve seen them together, him and Jace. They seem close, nothing like my brothers Emerson and Ray Jay.
Hunter shakes his head. âNo. Maybe,â he corrects himself. âBut mainly itâs my parents, and their parents, and their parentsâ¦â He sighs, such a heavy breath I want to wrap my arms around him and take the weight for myself. I curl my fingers into my palms to keep from losing my mind and doing just that. âIâm lucky, I know.â he adds quickly. âI have so much opportunity, I just⦠I guess what I want is for someone to ask what I want, once in a while.âHe finishes with a smile.
âThen I guess you got what you wanted tonight,â I tell him, glancing up.
I catch my breath. His gaze is fixed on mine, so clear and piercing, I swear, he can see right the way to my soul. âNot yet,â Hunter says softly, and then he lifts his hand and slowly reaches out to touch my face.
Gentle. Itâs so gentle, the touch of his fingertips against my skin, that I shiver. My eyes fall shut, just so I can take it all in, the feel of him, featherlight, barely cupping my cheek.
Men donât touch me like this. They grope, and slam, and grab at me, like my body is something rough and durable. I always felt a flash of victory at their manhandling, that Iâd inspired a lust so strong it couldnât be contained.
I know now I was wrong. Force isnât the measure of desire. Hunter touches me like Iâm delicate china, like I could break at any second, but thereâs nothing delicate about the look in his eyes: blazing fire, stark with need.
I tremble under his touch. His thumb slides softly over the plump of my bottom lip, sending sparks shimmering in my bloodstream. Iâm suspended, wanting so desperately to reach out and hold him for real, but terrified that my slightest movement might shatter this dream into nothing.
âWhat do you want?â Hunterâs voice is a low murmur as his gaze searches mine. Heâs holding himself back, waiting for me. He echoes my question again, neither of us moving. âWhat is it you want tonight?â
I look at him, a golden angel in the moonlight, and itâs not even a question anymore. Itâs certainty, as real and true as the ground beneath our feet and the waves crashing, steady on the shore.
âYou,â I tell him, my voice shaking with an emotion Iâve never felt before. Something so pure and bright, it almost breaks my heart. âI want you.â
Hunterâs eyes widen with realization, but I donât take it back. I donât look away. I finally let myself reach up and touch him, stroking gently at the strand of golden hair fallen over his eyes. And then heâs leaning closer, closer, until his lips find mine in the sweetest kiss Iâve ever known.
And I fall.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THIS TIME, I DONâT let the shadows of doubt creep into my mind. When Hunter calls me the next day to make a date for Friday, I know deep in my bones, heâs going to show.
âI wish I could see you sooner,â he says, the sexy drawl on the other end of the line making me smile despite the fact Iâve got two dozen ketchup bottles to refill.
âSo why donât you?â I hop up onto the table and swing my legs, feeling like a little kid.
Hunter groans. âThings are crazy here at the ranch, Iâve got two new horses arriving, and Iâm trying to train Jake to p
ick up the slack.â
âAll work and no playâ¦â I tease, sing-song.
Hunter laughs. âOh, Iâm going to play. You can bet on it, darlinâ.â
I feel a thrill of anticipation. âSo, Friday night then?â
âActually, I was thinking Iâd pick you up at noon.â
I pause. âDaytime?â
âIf you can swing the time off work,â Hunter adds. âWould that be OK?â
I already know I would turn around and quit if it meant I got to spend the day with Hunter and his glorious smile, but I still tease him, sounding undecided. âDepends what forâ¦â
âWell, that you donât get to find out just yet.â Hunterâs voice is playful. âYouâre just going to have to trust me.â
âI seem to be doing a lot of that these days,â I reply, getting a sudden flash of him advancing towards me with the leather bridle flexed between his strong hands.
âAnd itâs been worth your while, wouldnât you say?â Now Hunter is the one teasing, his voice a delicious low rasp down the line.
âMaybe,â I whisper back, but Iâm already turned on, just from the memory of him. The stables. My front porch. The Ferris wheel.
Damn, but heâs good.
âSo Iâll pick you up at noon,â Hunter says, and although I havenât agreed yet, we both know itâs decided.
âSee you then.â
I hang up and take a deep breath, my whole body already buzzing with excitement. I donât know what heâs got planned for us, but it doesnât matter. As long as Iâm with him, I know, itâll be the best day.
âAww man, not you too!â Garrett comes in from the back hoisting a keg. He takes one look at me and sighs.
âWhat?â I bounce down and get back to work, fueled by a new energy.
âFirst your brother, and now you.â Garrett gives me an exasperated look. âWandering around, looking all moony and loved up. Itâs sickening.â