Warriors,Winners & Wicked Lies: 13 Book Excite Spice Military, Sports & Secret Baby Mega Bundle (Excite Spice Boxed Sets)

by Selena Kitt

  "Absolutely not. You guys are going to go back in there and have the night of your lives. I'm fine. I swear." I say and wink at Chance. He smiles back at me with relief and appreciation.

  I call a cab, and they all wait the ten minutes it takes for it to arrive. I have some great friends, and my heart swells with appreciation for that. I'm going to miss these guys. As the taxi pulls away, I see Hunter in the doorway watching. He waves at me, but I don't wave back.

  Fuck him. I'm done.

  Hunter

  I try to stay out of her way until she leaves. It's difficult considering that the weekend after prom is graduation. We put on our happy faces for our parents, but I can tell she's never going to forgive me for not putting Cynthia in her place at prom. I was frozen. For a moment, it felt like Allison and I were going to get back together. Then, it all fell apart and I honestly didn't know what to do. I screwed it up again, and I know there is no way Allison will give a shit about my excuses.

  This is what love does. I'm hurting all over again, and I know she is too. It's probably better for both of us if we just move on with our lives. We're star crossed, and I don't want to make her even more miserable by making some last minute, last ditch effort to win her back.

  I dumped Cynthia right after the prom. I'm leaving a couple of weeks after Allison to attend summer training camp at my new school. Graduation is over in a heartbeat, and I ignore the growing anxiety I feel about her leaving. I have to just let her go. In a few weeks, my life will be about football. Well, football and my degree in advertising. The fall brings the promise of sports glory, parties, and cheerleaders. Not the kind that hate me, but the kind that actually like spending time with football players.

  My mom calls me downstairs to say goodbye on the day that Will is taking Allison to the airport. I hug her, and she holds me a little longer than I expect.

  "Goodbye, Hunter." She whispers.

  "Goodbye, sweetie." It slips out before I can stop myself.

  She pulls back quickly like I burned her. Fortunately, our parents don't seem to notice the awkward exchange. I help her carry her suitcase to the car, but we don't speak again. I stand at the end of the driveway and watch the car pull away. I wave at her, and this time she waves back.

  That was the hardest goodbye of my life. Never again. Never ever fucking again.

  Chapter 6

  Four Years Later

  Allison

  Paris has been an amazing experience. I've learned so much and made so many new friends. I've been contemplating staying after I graduate from culinary school, but dad says I need to come home first. I think he's missed me more than he anticipated, and he's hoping that if I spend some time with family, I'll decide to relocate back to the U.S.

  He and Angela have rented a huge condo at the beach on one of the Caribbean islands. The vacation is supposed to be two weeks of family time so I can have some space to make up my mind about my living situation. I've been offered jobs in Paris, London, Atlanta, and New York City. Dad is hoping I take the one in Atlanta, although I'm not sure why. I think he and Angela are planning on moving there for some reason, but I'll have to get more details once we're all together.

  I haven't seen Hunter for four years. I've flown home every year to see my dad, but it's never at the same time Hunter is visiting. I guess he's been doing well. There's talk of him playing for the NFL after graduation, and Angela tells me he's maintained a 4.0 grade point average too.

  I'll admit that I'm nervous and excited about seeing him again. I've thought about him a lot over the past four years, and I've almost reached out to him a few times. I've dated a few men while living in France, but nothing serious ever came of it. Culinary school is intense, so dating has been about letting off steam and not about finding love. Imagine that, Allison Landry moves to the city of love and finds no love. It would be funny if it weren't so depressing. It's okay, though, because I'm going to be a chef and I've met so many interesting and extraordinary people.

  The flight to the island is long and boring. I have a hard time sleeping because I'm so nervous and excited. When I arrive, I find out that Hunter's flight won't be in for at least a couple of hours, so I have some time alone with my dad and Angela before I have to face him again. That's a relief.

  What's not a relief is our living arrangements for the next couple of weeks. We go to the condo office to get the keys and find out that some royal has flown in at the last minute, and they gave him and his entourage our condo rental. We get stuck in a family condo.

  "What does that mean?" My dad asks the guy behind the desk.

  "It's still on the beach, sir. It's just a little smaller. The good news is that it's less expensive, and we're paying for your meals and drinks for the inconvenience. Use these cards to pay for everything. They are good at every restaurant and bar on the island." He says and hands us four plastic cards.

  When we get to the condo, I find out that family means a master suite and one other bedroom with two twin beds. Seriously, universe? I've just spent four years in Paris and gone to one of the most prestigious cooking schools in the world on my father's dime, so I don't feel right complaining. I really, really want to complain, but I don't. My dad is looking at me like he's praying I roll with it.

  "I'll make the best of it." I say. "As long as Hunter is okay with it."

  "As long as Hunter is okay with what?" I hear his voice behind me and my skin tingles at the sound.

  His voice has gotten deeper over the last few years. It's husky and sounds almost like a growl now. I don't want to turn around. Please, don't make me turn around.

  "Is this my room?" He says and now I can feel him standing right behind me.

  The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I can feel my heart thundering in my chest. I had no idea that I'd react to him this way after so long. I walk over to the window and open the curtains without turning around.

  "It's got a great view." I say and stare out at the ocean.

  "Why do you care about the view in my room, princess?" He teases me, and it makes my blood boil all over again.

  All at once I'm furious and intrigued. I don't know if I'm mad at him because he's teasing me, or if I'm mad at myself for liking the way I feel when he teases me. I'm starting to believe that coming here was either the best decision I've ever made or it's the biggest mistake of my life. All of these thoughts and emotions are churning through me and I haven't even turned around to look at him yet.

  "Hunter, there was an issue with the condo rental." My dad says before I have the chance to say anything. "You must not have noticed, but this is a two bedroom condo, so you'll have to share this room with Allison."

  "Oh. Uh. Okay. Well, I could always get my own condo. My contract with the Falcons came through last night, so I have plenty of money now."

  The Falcons. He's moving to Atlanta, and that explains a lot. I guess that means that my dad and Angela will definitely be moving to Georgia. I hadn't made the connection, but I wasn't paying too much attention when my dad told me what teams were considering drafting Hunter. If I take the job in Atlanta, I'll be close to my dad and Angela, but I'll also be living in the same city with Hunter. Paris is looking better and better.

  "Wow, Hunter that's great!" My dad says, and I hear him slap him on the back.

  "Oh gosh, honey. I'm so proud of you." Angela says.

  "But, unfortunately money isn't the issue, son. There are no other condos or hotel rooms available on the island. It seems that some oil prince and his entourage are here for the next couple of weeks as well, and we're lucky we got this place." My dad says.

  "Please say you'll stay Hunter. I know you and Allison can make the best of it." Angela pleads with her son.

  "Make the best of it. Of course we can, mom, and of course I'll stay. That's not even an issue" He says.

  That's when I turn around. Mostly because I want to lay into him for making the decision for both of us. There isn't much of a decision to be made, but still. I open my mo
uth to say something harsh, but I'm frozen with my jaw practically on the floor.

  You know how in high school I thought Hunter looked like a real man? Let me tell you something, I had no idea what a few years would do for him. Let me collect myself for a moment because I can't even think straight. Okay, here goes.

  People talk about the freshman fifteen that college kids often put on their first year away from home. Well with Hunter it's more like thirty, and it's all muscle. Why isn't he wearing a shirt? Right, we're on a tropical island. His thick, muscular chest, biceps, and forearms are covered in wicked black ink tattoos, and one of his nipples is pierced. Hunter's thick hair is slicked back, his perfect six-pack abs are glistening with sweat or seawater. Lord, have mercy. I am in trouble.

  "Hello, Allison." He practically purrs at me. A devilish grin graces his lips when he notices the effect he's having on me. "You're not going to mind hanging in the living room with our parents if I happen to bring one of the lovely island ladies back here for a little extracurricular fun, are you?" He taunts me openly.

  There it is. He opens his mouth and ruins it just like he used to when we were teenagers. I suddenly feel stupid for being so attracted to him. He hasn't gotten any better over the years, and I think he might have gotten worse.

  "Oh Hunter, don't tease your sister like that." His mom says and laughs.

  "He's not my brother." I blurt out almost too fast and too desperately.

  "I know sweetie. I was just hoping the two of you would finally have the chance to have some sort of relationship." Angela says and looks embarrassed.

  "Sorry, Angela. I'm just really hungry. I didn't mean to be snappy."

  If she only knew how close Hunter and I were at one time. There is a restaurant up the road that is supposed to have phenomenal grilled shrimp, so the four of us decide that some lunch is in order. Hunter puts a shirt on, and I'm able to concentrate on something other than his body for an hour.

  What I get to concentrate on instead is Hunter hitting on every girl that comes within five feet of him. The waitress, the hostess, and two female diners all give him their cellphone numbers before we leave. I'm not sure if he's become this much of a womanizer, or if he's just messing with me. Either way, it sucks. Our parents are so enamored with each other that they don't notice him at and his constant flirting at all. Everyone is having fun except me, but I know that's my fault. I can play Hunter's game.

  I flag down the hot waiter serving the table next to us to ask him about the cooking technique they use to make their famous shrimp. He looks at me a little funny, but I tell him I just graduated from culinary school. When I tell him which one, he goes in the back to get the chef. To my delight and surprise, the chef is even better looking than the waiter. Score. I spend a half hour flirting and discussing cooking with him while Hunter looks on in open mouthed horror. Good. Mr. Football star shouldn't dish it out if he can't take it.

  The chef, Andre, asks me out to dinner this evening. Hunter is away from the table using the restroom, so the moment is wasted, but I say yes despite the lack of audience. There is no way I'm sitting in that condo playing roomies with him tonight. Fortunately, his mom saves the day.

  "So, Allison, that handsome chef asked you out tonight?" She asked me as Hunter took his seat at the table again.

  "Yes. He says there is a seafood tasting at one of the swanky restaurants in the center of the island. He thought as a chef, I would enjoy exploring the island's different cuisines." I answer and smile at Hunter.

  "That's not all he wants to explore." Hunter says shortly.

  "Hunter, oh my gosh. Allison, you'll have to forgive him. He's around nothing but men most of the time, so he can be a little crude sometimes."

  "Sorry, mom." Hunter says with genuine remorse. It makes me smile.

  "It's okay. Don't forget I grew up in dad's business. I'm used to a little inappropriate humor."

  "Right, all of those construction workers. I can't even imagine." Angela says and clutches her neck. She's adorably sweet, and I don't know how Hunter ended up the way he did.

  "She tells the best dirty jokes. Tell them the one about the pigeon and the corn stalks, Allison." Hunter says, and my face turns bright red.

  "Hunter stop teasing her." His mother breaks in, and I am so relieved.

  "Hey, I know that joke." My dad says. “Allison, you've been telling people that joke?"

  "Just one, and it was back in high school." I say and stick my tongue out at Hunter.

  "Lunch was good, Will. Thank you. You'll have to let me get the check tomorrow. Now, I've got to see a lady about a moonlight boat ride." Hunter says and walks up to the hostess station.

  After he's done asking the blond behind the hostess stand out on a date, we all head to the condo to get changed. The plan is to spend the afternoon on the beach before all of us head out on our dates.

  I change into my bathing suit and slather myself with sunscreen while his royal highness uses the bedroom. I can't get my back, so I reluctantly ask him to do it for me. I wait out in the hallway until he opens the door and then stop him before he can make it out the door.

  "Hunter. I hate to ask, but can you get my back?" I say and hand him the pink bottle of sunscreen.

  "I don't know. I can't get my back either. Are you going to return the favor?" He says teasingly.

  "You're a pig. But, yes. Good skincare is important, and I will help you with your back."

  "Oink oink." he says and squirts the thick cream onto the palm of his hand.

  I'd like to say that I didn't react to him applying the lotion, but that would be a lie. My skin got goosebumps so fast that I cursed my body for betraying me so thoroughly. He had mercy on me, though, and didn't make any rude comments about my condition. It's either because he's not as much of a pig as I believe him to be, or it's because our parents are within earshot. When it's my turn, I take the bottle from him.

  "You realize that just putting this on your back doesn't do any good, don't you?" I ask him I rub the sunscreen across the taut muscles of his back. Focus Alison.

  "What do you mean, princess?" He says back with a laugh.

  "I can tell you haven't put sunscreen anywhere else." I say flatly.

  "I’ll get to it. Unless you want to help?" He says seductively.

  "You can use mine." I say and hand him the bottle. "Thanks."

  I have to get out of the room. I suddenly need a door between Anaconda and me. My brain is still rejecting him outright, but my body is screaming at me to let him have his way. Then, the part of my brain that thinks he's just toying with me takes over. I couldn't face the humiliation if I did throw myself at him and it turns out he doesn't even want me anymore.

  He comes out of the bedroom all shiny and smelling of coconut. I slip on my sunglasses and head for the door because I cannot let him see how hungry I am for him. The beach is gorgeous, and that helps me forget my Hunter troubles for a while. The sand is pristine white and the water is crystal clear blue. I swim for a while, and then walk along the water's edge collecting shells.

  "This one reminds me of you." Hunter's voice startles me, and he hands me a pink twisted shell.

  "Why because it's pink?" I snark at him.

  "Because it's beautiful and unique." He says and then runs into the water before I can respond.

  What the heck? What happens on the island stays on the island, right? I chase him into the water and we get into a splash fight. We go a little deeper and start diving into the waves as they roll in.

  I hear a whistle blow, but before I can figure out why the lifeguards are blowing their whistles and shouting, a rip current grabs me and drags me out towards the open ocean. I try not to panic, dad and I have spent many vacations at the beach and he made sure I remembered how to deal with rip currents before he let me go in the water. Don't fight it or you'll get exhausted and drown. Let it carry you along until it drops you farther down the beach. All I have to do is stay above water.

  While I'm fighting no
t to panic, strong hands grip me and pull me to safety. I look at my rescuer and it's Hunter. I start to cry happy tears of relief and throw my arms around his neck. He lifts me up and carries me to the shore where my Dad and Angela are waiting in the sand looking terrified.

  "Hey, that's Hunter Marks, he was just drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, I saw it on the news today." A voice from the growing crowd yells out.

  People take out their phones and start taking pictures of us before he can set me down in the sand. I don't care about everything going on around us, all I can do is look at Hunter.

  "Are you alright, honey?" My dad asks in a shaky and horrified voice.

  "I'm fine, daddy. But, I think I've had enough of the beach for today." I say and start to walk towards the condo.

  I start to get a little woozy, and Hunter catches me before I fall. "Let's get her back to the condo so she can rest." He says with authority and supports me while I walk the quarter mile back down the beach.