Hunted (Love like Yours Series Book 3)

by Nicole S. Goodin

  I’d told him that I’d take care of it, and when I’d emerged from downstairs carrying a stem-less glass, not a beer, holding it out and grinning, he’d taken it like a trooper and poured himself a glass.

  We’d spent the last few hours talking non-stop, filling each other in on our lives. There were no awkward pauses or silences. Any gaps in the conversation were filled with heat and lust filled tension. It had taken every ounce of self control I had not to jump him.

  He’d told me about his family, how he didn’t have an overly close relationship with either of his parents, that his brother Mitch was in the army, and he told me stories about how he and his brothers were growing up. I hoped to god I didn’t end up having three sons one day – they sounded like little hell raisers.

  I’d only spent a few hours with him and I already knew more about him than any other man I’d ever been with.

  “You’re surprising me.” The truthful words fell from my mouth.

  He grinned triumphantly. “Because I’m drinking wine?” he chuckled.

  “Because you’re different then I thought you’d be.”

  His laughter died, but his smile remained.

  “Good different?”

  I nodded. “Really good. I never thought you’d ask me on three dates in one day.” I told him honestly.

  “I never thought you’d say yes.”

  We sat like that, looking at one another and smiling, me sitting up against the head of the bed, him laying back, his head at the foot of the bed, his head resting on two of my pillows. He looked one hundred percent at home there, and I had no doubt I’d ever look at my bed the same way again.

  “Can I ask you something?” He asked me, his expression serious.

  “You can ask me anything… but there’s no guarantee I’ll answer.”

  He shook his head and laughed, exasperated. “Will you answer me something?”

  I laughed. “Yeah, yeah… okay. Hit me with it.”

  “How did you end up in my hospital room?”

  I’d been waiting for him to ask about this again. He was far too curious of a man to just let it go.

  “I told you –”

  “You told me you were reading to me, but you didn’t know what made you come back.” He interrupted me. “How did you know where I was? What made you come the first time? I don’t get it.”

  I sighed.

  Time to spill it.

  “The first time I saw you, you were unconscious. It was New Years Eve and you hadn’t been in hospital long.”

  “Why were you there?”

  “It was Ellerslie and Lawson’s wedding reception. Colt and I were there together. I came with him, Reeve and Lisa after they got the call saying you were badly hurt.”

  His lip twitched at the mention of Colt and I together, but I ignored it.

  “ICU only lets in family.” He stated, turning on his side, his weight resting on one elbow.

  “And family can open the blind on the window if they like.”

  He grinned at me. “You’re a sneaky little thing aren’t you?”

  I held up my hands in defense. “I swear, I wasn’t even going to look. Colt went back in to sit with you, so he opened the blind for Reeve. He and Lisa were looking through the window, and when I went to say goodbye to them, you just… sort of… caught my eye.”

  “You must have seen my good side.”

  I smiled at his teasing, but the thought of him lying there in that bed made me visibly shudder.

  “That bad huh?”

  I looked into his eyes and shook my head. “Worse.”

  He glanced down at his arm, now free of his cast and flexed his fingers.

  “But I don’t regret seeing it. I can’t even explain it to you, it was like a feeling of familiarity washed over me. Like I knew you, or needed to know you… I don’t know. I just felt this inexplicable pull.”

  “I get it.”

  “You do?” I shuffled down the bed, wanting to be closer to him.

  He nodded and moved so he was sitting right next to me. He took my hand in his. “When I opened my eyes and saw you sitting there, you were all I could think about.”

  I squeezed his hand. “I know it doesn’t matter now, but I want you to know I was going to end things with Colt after the wedding. Properly this time too. I’d made a few half ass attempts, but seeing my brother and El so happy made me realize how much I wanted that too.”

  He leaned in closer to my face and my heart raced in my chest. “Are you happy Quinn?”

  “I’m happy right here with you.” I replied quietly.

  I was losing focus, his mouth was so close, his smell was invading my senses.

  “Quinn.” He murmured.

  “Yeah?” I breathed.

  “If you don’t cover up those sexy legs, I’m not going to be able to keep myself together.”

  A smile tugged on the corners of my lips. I could feel my robe around the sides of my thighs, wide open in the front. Another inch and he’d be seeing underwear.

  I reached down and swept it open further.

  His eyes darted down. “Fuck.” He growled before claiming my mouth.

  I gasped as his hands pushed on my shoulders, pressing me down onto the mattress, his weight on top of me now.

  His kiss was urgent, rough and frantic. I could barely keep up with him.

  He was literally kissing the crap out of me.

  “Harrison.” I panted as he broke free from my lips.

  He moved his mouth to my neck, my jaw, kissing and biting gently into the soft skin, and then almost as fast as he’d pinned me down, he pulled away, dragging me back up with him.

  Running his rough jaw against my ear he whispered huskily. “I’m staying the night.”

  I nodded, holding back a moan at his sweet torture.

  “And even though this is our third date, I’m not having sex with you. I’m more of a ‘get to know you first’ kind of guy.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

  I was disappointed and thrilled at the same time.

  “First date.” I corrected him, my voice breathy.

  “First… third…same thing.” He murmured in-between trailing kisses down my neck.

  Goosebumps covered my skin as he pulled back, giving me space to form thoughts again.

  “I might have to tell that girl you’re dating that you’re awfully cocky.”

  “Knock yourself out. While you’re at it, tell her she’s mine now.”

  I leaned back against the headboard and slid my robe back together.

  “You don’t own her.” I was trying to be serious, even though my expression was anything but.

  He huffed out a laugh. “Like hell I don’t.”

  “You’ve only gone out once, that’s a little presumptuous don’t you think?”

  “What makes you think I give a fuck?” His hair fell forwards, nearly into his eyes. His grin was boyish and sexy and I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

  “Tell her yourself.”

  “Okay I will then.” He stood up and pulled back the covers. He undid his jeans, sliding them down his legs as he toed off his socks. He left his shirt on.

  I shrieked as he grabbed me by the ankles and yanked me downwards so I slid under the sheet.

  He straddled me, his legs on either side of my thighs. His hands slid the robe off my arms, leaving it underneath my body.

  “Your mine now Quinn.”

  I couldn’t find words. The sight of his muscular legs in his Calvin’s, hovering above me was messing with my head.

  His eyes raked hungrily over my body, now only covered by my underwear and a tank top.

  “Your mine. And right now I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off what’s mine.”

  He rolled off and lay next to me, both of us on our backs, looking at the ceiling.

  He chuckled and pulled the blankets up over us.

  I felt him turn his head to the side to look at me, and I did the same.

  “Goodni
ght Quinn.” He leaned in and softly pressed his lips to my cheek, the sweetness a total contradiction to his dominant display.

  “Goodnight.” I reached out and flicked the light switch off.

  We lay silent for a few minutes.

  “Harrison?”

  “Yeah?” He murmured, his voice sounding sleepy.

  “You’re going to have to put in more than one day to claim me.”

  I felt his body shake with laughter. “It was worth a shot.” He yawned and tugged on my arm until I was tucked into his side. “I’m coming for ya.”

  I didn’t know whether to be excited or afraid.

  I drifted off to sleep in his arms.

  I’m coming for ya…

  ***

  I pulled two coffee cups from the shelf above my head and filled them both.

  “So… stayed the night then did he?”

  His voice took me by surprise and I jumped, sloshing the coffee over the edge of the cup.

  “Jesus Logan.” I complained as I mopped up the mess with a towel. “You can’t sneak up on me this early.”

  “It’s ten in the morning.” He replied with amusement.

  I turned around to face him; he was regarding me with curiosity.

  Ah crap.

  Logan was as bad as my brother; he was probing, protective and didn’t miss a damn thing.

  “Well I only just woke up.”

  “Y’all have a late night huh?”

  “Not the way that you’d be thinking, but yes.”

  “What way would I be thinkin’?” He drawled.

  I took a moment to look around and appreciate Logan’s newly renovated kitchen, he’d done an amazing job on the craftsmanship. It was certainly better than looking at his accusing stare.

  “How’d you know anyone was here anyway?” I asked, meeting his eyes finally.

  He raised an eyebrow at me. “It’s my place Q, I make it my business to know whose comin’ and goin’. And besides, I heard y’all talkin’ till pretty late.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”

  He shrugged and his eyes gleamed. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “Logan! I’m a grown woman.”

  “I’ve been looking out for you since you were wearing diapers Q. Nothin’ you say is gonna stop it from happenin’ now.”

  I was wasting my time arguing with him. We both knew it.

  He might be worse than Lawson after all.

  At least my brother wasn’t living under the same roof.

  “This is not going to be like that time in junior high when you and Lawson gave Henry Black a ‘talking to’ and he avoided me for the rest of the year is it?” I pleaded with him. “I really like this guy.”

  He barked out a loud laugh. “Shit, I forgot about that guy.” He shook his head, amused by the memory.

  “Logan!” I whined. “Can you promise me you’re not going to be an ass about this?”

  “Relax Q. You know I’d never mess up a good thing for you.”

  I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

  I turned around and picked up the coffees.

  “But you tell him I wanna meet him. Ya’ll don’t have to be sneakin’ around.”

  “Christ it’s like being a teenager all over again.” I muttered as I walked out the door.

  “My house, my rules Shorty.” He chuckled. “You can always buy your own place.”

  I climbed the stairs mumbling a string of curse words.

  Law and Logan had been dropping hints, left, right and center for me to get into the property market. If I had to hear one more speech about investments or housing trends, I was going to scream.

  I knew they meant well, they always did. But I wasn’t letting them pressure me into something I wasn’t ready for.

  I slipped back into my room and pushed the door shut with my foot.

  The light was low, but I could see he was awake. I sat a cup of coffee down next to the bed and flicked the lamp on.

  “Good morning. I made coffee.” I sat down on the bed, folded my legs underneath me and held my cup in my hands.

  He smiled at me and slid closer, pressing a quick kiss on my thigh before reaching for his cup.

  “Good morning.” His eyes danced mischievously. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  He took a sip, still looking at me over the rim of the cup.

  I regarded him for a moment, his face half in shadow.

  “What are you up to Harrison Hunt?”

  He smirked but stayed quiet.

  What is that look about?

  “So you really like me do you?” He finally asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

  He heard?

  “Whaa–” I stuttered.

  “I was listening.” He interrupted, completely un-phased by his eavesdropping.

  You sneaky little shit.

  “Did I say that?” I feigned confusion. “I could have sworn I said I tolerated you?”

  He smiled wider. “You like me.”

  He sat his cup back down on the bedside table.

  “You’re alright.” I fought to hold back my smile.

  “You really like me.” He pulled my cup from my hands and sat it down next to his.

  “Maybe a little bit.” I shrugged.

  He tugged on my arms until I was straddling his hips.

  “Don’t be shy Quinn. I really like you too.” His expression was serious now. He wasn’t kidding around anymore.

  Holy hell.

  My heart raced.

  I trembled as he swept the hair from my face and kissed me, softly at first, but then firm and passionate. I moved with him, wanting even more than he was giving me. I found myself grinding at the hard bulge in his boxers without even realizing I was doing it.

  He was the first to break away.

  “Fuck. I’m hard as a rock.” He panted.

  I looked into his eyes and nodded. Slowly and deliberately I reached down between us and stroked him.

  I gripped the bulge firmly and he let out a growl.

  “Kiss me Harrison?” I whispered in his ear.

  He did.

  Fuck did he what…

  I’d never wanted a man more in my entire life.

  I worked the band of his boxers down so I could free him, but his hand caught mine and stopped me in my tracks.

  “Stand up.” He commanded in a deep voice I couldn’t refuse. “I want to see you.”

  Sweet baby Jesus.

  I was on my feet before my brain even registered what I was doing.

  I took two steps back from the bed, my eyes never leaving his. I undid the sash of my robe and let it slide down my arms to the floor where it pooled at my feet.

  His hungry eyes raked over my body.

  He pushed up, off the mattress, his muscles flexing and bunching.

  Prowling towards me, a deep growl escaped his lips. His hand wrapped around my neck and forced my lips roughly to his. His other hand found the hem of my tank top and pulled it over my head, our kiss breaking for only a moment before our lips fused back together.

  I grabbed at his shirt, wanting it gone.

  Pushing him away from me I reached for the hem. “Your turn.”

  He froze, his whole body going rigid.

  My eyes flashed to his, but his expression was unreadable.

  Fear?

  Worry?

  Excitement?

  I could see him debating with himself internally, and then ever so slowly he lifted the shirt as one side of him won the argument in his mind.

  I’ve seen it before…

  I knew what to expect, but yet I still wasn’t prepared. He had the hottest v, and a happy trail leading down where I desperately wanted to see next. That was all I could see for a few moments before I gasped.

  His new scars were brutal looking, I already knew they would be, but it was the assortment of others that took me by surprise.

  What the hell has happened to you?

  The tho
ught had barely left my mind when he spoke, his voice booming and dominant.

  “Not now.”

  My gaze met his and I understood.

  This wasn’t the time. He’d explain, but not now.

  I nodded.

  He was on me again in a flash, his hands making small work of my bra clasp.

  He dragged me back toward the bed, spinning me around and pushing me down to the mattress, his eyes all over my body.

  “Fucken hell.” He growled. “You are so damn perfect.”

  My hands trailed over his body, touching and feeling every inch of his back and shoulders as he held his weight up above me.

  His head dropped and he kissed roughly along my collarbone before taking my nipple into his mouth and tugging roughly.

  I let out a moan, it felt so good.

  “Harrison.” I breathed.

  His hands slipped down to my underwear and tugged them down my legs. His fingers found my clit, where he teased and rubbed, setting me on fire.

  I reached for his erection and stroked him hard and fast. He slid his boxers down his legs and kicked them away.

  “Christ.” He groaned. “Condom’s baby?”

  “Top drawer.” I pointed.

  I watched, barely able to stop myself squirming in anticipation as he tore the foil packet open and rolled it on, his eyes roaming my body.

  He dropped his mouth to my neck and kissed me roughly, driving me crazy.

  I slid my hands around his back and felt his muscles bunching and relaxing.

  “I want to be inside you.” He growled, lifting one of my legs up as he spoke.

  I needed him so badly.

  I nodded.

  “You ready for me baby?”

  I was more than ready.

  “Please.” I whimpered.

  He grazed his eyes greedily over my body again, before leaning back and lining himself up.

  He thrust his hips forward and filled me in one fluid stroke.

  “Mmmmm.” I moaned.

  We hadn’t even started and I already knew I wasn’t going to last long, he felt so damn good.

  “Jesus.” He muttered. “So. Good. So. Damn. Good.” He ground out in between thrusts.

  “Yes.” I cried out.

  So damn good.

  He pounded into me relentlessly, the noises of pleasure he was making quickly becoming my undoing.

  “Oh my god.” I moaned. “I’m gonna come.”

  “Not yet.” He replied with authority.