Walking down the short hall to her living area, she stopped short at the sight that greeted her. Hunter, lounging on her sofa, the remote in his hand as he watched a baseball game on TV with the sound muted. His eyes jerked up to hers and he turned the TV off, dropping the remote on the coffee table as he stood.
He met her in three steps, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You okay?”
“What…what are you doing here?”
“I brought you home.”
“I know that…but what are you still doing here?”
He ignored her question and repeated his, “Are you okay?”
Blinking, she stared wordlessly. He gave her shoulders a tiny shake, drawing her eyes back to his. “Belle?”
As though waking from a dream, she nodded and replied, “Yeah. I slept.”
“Good. You needed it.”
“How did I get in my pajamas?” she blurted.
He licked his lips slowly before answering, “You did that…I just made sure you were still standing so you wouldn’t fall on your face, but you did it all on your own.”
She nodded again, her brain still too foggy to ponder his response. “Oh.” Silence filled the space between them before she lifted her head and repeated, “Why are you still here? Aren’t you tired too?”
“I slept on your sofa. I wanted to make sure you were all right. I checked on you a couple of times and you seemed to be sleeping well, but I wanted to be nearby in case you needed me.”
“Oh.”
Grinning, he lifted her chin with his knuckle and said, “Sounds like you’re still half asleep.”
Pursing her lips, she grumbled, “No, I’m not. Just confused, that’s all.” Taking a deep breath before letting it out in a long sigh, she said, “I can’t believe I slept the day away.”
“You were up all night.”
She nodded, her heart aching once more. “I needed to be with him. I know the drugs he was on kept him mostly unconscious but, just in case, I didn’t want him to be alone when he went to be with Bea.”
She lifted her gaze back to his and said, “He kept a pocket watch in his nightstand drawer for ten years that was from her with an engraving.” Sighing, she added, “I know he’s at peace now and out of pain. And with her.”
Uncertain what to say, he pulled her forward, keeping one hand on the back of her head with her cheek pressed to his chest and she slid her arms around his waist. They stood in her living room for several minutes drawing strength from each other. He finally said, “You’re a good person, Belle. You might be the best person I’ve ever met in my life.”
She leaned back, keeping her eyes on his, but seeing only sincerity there. “Oh,” she breathed.
Chuckling again, Hunter was getting used to her one-word answers when she seemed to not know what else to say. He walked her over to the sofa and gently pushed her down. “Hungry?”
Shaking her head, she answered, “Not really. Mostly thirsty.”
He nodded and headed into the kitchen to open the refrigerator. As he poured a glass of iced tea, Belle watched, in awe, at the beauty of Hunter Simmons in her kitchen as though he belonged there. The memory of him standing closely with Nola came back and before she could hold back the words, she blurted, “So what’s up with Nola?”
His gaze jerked to hers and she stopped breathing as she waited for his answer.
He moved his eyes over her face and said, “Breathe, babe.”
Her breath left her in a whoosh. His lips curved as he walked back over and sat down on the coffee table, his long legs on either side of hers, effectively boxing her in. Handing her the glass, he said, “There’s nothing going on with Nola. I thought we had a mutual friend and asked her about it. She didn’t know him and the conversation ended. I came looking for you after I finished with Mr. Rasky, but you were nowhere to be found. I thought you’d left for the day.”
He leaned forward and grasped her hands. “I wish I’d known where you were. I woulda never left you.”
“But you came back…and stayed.” She reached up and cupped his strong jaw with her hand. “I’m so thankful you came back. I’m so glad I had someone to share that with.” She thought for a moment and amended, “I’m so glad it was you that I had to share it with.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you, Belle,” he said, his hands squeezing hers.
She shook her head slightly from side to side and said, “You’re giving me mixed signals, Hunter. First, you tell me that you can’t be what I need, then, you seem to avoid me, and now, you’re telling me you want to be with me. I don’t understand. I’ve never played these games before…I don’t understand the rules.”
He took her face in both of his hands, cupping her jaw and pressing his fingers to the back of her head, pulling her close. “No games, Belle, I promise. I felt like the time wasn’t right, and maybe it isn’t, but, the fact of the matter is, I want to be with you.” Closing the gap, he kissed her, far more lightly than he wanted but instinctively knowing what she needed.
His mouth moved over hers, not hungry, but caring. He angled her head as he licked the seam of her lips and as she opened, he slid his tongue inside. The barest touch sparked flames, but he was determined to give and not take. Pulling back, he could not help but grin at the tiny mewl of discontent she made.
Her eyes were still closed and her lips moist from the kiss. Fluttering her lids open, she stared into his face but said nothing.
Standing, regretfully, he said, “Gonna get you fed and then get you outta here for a little while to get some fresh air. Thought we could head down to the town pier.”
She smiled, her shoulders relaxing. Nodding, she replied, “That sounds wonderful.”
As he stood, he leaned over and kissed the top of her head before moving into the kitchen.
Belle looked down at their linked fingers and wondered what she was doing. As her gaze moved up to Hunter’s strong profile, she stumbled at the realization that after years of guarding her heart, this man could be the one to finally break through…and possibly break it.
He glanced down at her and loosened his hand from hers before wrapping his arm around her shoulders, steadying her feet. “You okay?”
She nodded in response and looked away from his handsome visage and out toward the bay. The sun was lowering in the sky but the sunset was still over an hour away so they had plenty of daylight to enjoy the view.
The white clouds caused the water to appear more grey than blue but, with little wind, the quiet water barely rippled. As they made their way to the end of the wooden pier, she sucked in a deep breath of clear air, filling her lungs.
He lowered himself to the planks, gently tugging her down with him. She settled in the crook of his arm, her head leaning on his shoulder.
They sat silent for a while, watching the gulls dive into the surf and a few black pelicans fly low over the water.
“I’ve lived in Baytown my whole life,” she said, finally breaking the silence.
He barely moved his head but managed to snuggle closer. “It’s a good place to live.”
She snorted softly, replying, “I wouldn’t have anything to compare it to. Sometimes I look at magazines or TV and imagine myself living in different places. Some people think of living in different lands, but I always just think about the different locations here in the United States. Each year, I’ll buy a pretty calendar for myself and hang it in the kitchen. Whatever place is pictured for that month, is where I’ll pretend to visit. Grand Canyon, the plains of Kansas, the Smokey Mountains, the desert in Arizona.” She sighed and added, “But it’s just a game I play. Pretend. The truth of the matter is that if I was given a choice of where to live in the world, it would be right here in Baytown.” Another sigh followed. “I guess that’s kind of sad, isn’t it?”
Hunter twisted around, just enough to look into her face. The breeze had picked up and wisps of her dark, rich hair escaped her ponytail. Lifting a hand, he tucked the wayward strand
s behind her ear, drawing her gaze up to his. “Nothing sad about your life at all, Belle. I came from a place that I could not wait to escape.”
She wanted to ask questions but also wanted him to talk to her when he was ready. He seemed to sense that and they settled back again, their eyes out toward the bay.
“Grew up in Tennessee…a little town, but not like this. More like a has-been place that time had forgotten. Coal mines and a factory used to produce jobs, but when both shut down, there were few jobs and too much alcohol to make for a good upbringing. My mom left when I was just a kid. I never knew exactly why, but I figure she had had enough of my pa. He was a drunk…and a mean one at that. He spent more nights in the county jail sobering up after a bar fight than at home and ma just got tired of it all.”
Belle’s breath caught in her throat as she listened to his story. “Oh, Hunter…”
Shrugging, he continued, “He’d get pissed at the world and then just go out and get stinking drunk. Used me as a punching bag, but by the time I was a teenager, I could punch back. Once I did that, he backed off.”
Her body tightened with tension, but he continued. “I worked odd jobs while finishing high school. Spent time with the car mechanic down the street and he taught me how to fix engines. Spent summers working with a construction crew where I learned how to build and repair things.” Shaking his head, he said, “Learned more from some of those men than I ever did from my pa.”
Her body relaxed slightly and she leaned against him, the fatigue of the past twenty-four hours weighing on her. He took her weight and tightened his arm around her.
“Joined the Navy as soon as I got my high school diploma. Scored high on the technical parts of the ASVAB, and had a desire to work maintenance on the ships. Learned a lot there too. Met some good people…made a few friends…then, by the time I recovered from my injury, I was ready to get out.”
“Did you go back to Tennessee?”
He did not answer for a few minutes and she wondered if he was going to.
“My pa died when I was in the Navy. Dumb fuck got drunk and behind the wheel of his car and ran off the road and into a tree. Thank God, he didn’t hurt anyone other than himself. So, I went back, but it was as though the town was still stuck. No new jobs and everyone looking at me as though I was nothing more than Dan’s boy—the next generation to get pissed and in a bar fight. I stayed for two weeks and left.”
Fascinated with the idea of picking up and moving to someplace new, she asked, “Where did you go?” Twisting around to look at him, she said, “You could have gone anywhere!”
Chuckling, he held her gaze for a moment. “Yeah, I suppose. But, I still went somewhere I was familiar with instead of just anywhere. I moved to Norfolk…it was the last place I had been stationed when I wasn’t on a ship overseas. I knew a little about the area…at least enough to know there were jobs there.”
“Oh,” she said, still curious, but settling back into his embrace. “Did you want to work on ships?”
“Nah. I was glad to have my feet firmly on the ground.”
She grinned at that, but remained quiet, loving the feel of his warm, muscular chest moving underneath her cheek and his breath ruffling her hair as he talked.
“I found a job working maintenance. Liked what I was doing and who I was working for. A good man, someone I really looked up to, suggested I take some classes, further my education. I was never too bad in school, but also never applied myself when I was a teenager. Decided to take some night classes, see where it could go. Anyway, one job led to another and I kept busy. Zac had gotten in touch when he got out of the Navy…he was discharged about a year or two after me. He used to talk about Baytown all the time and, once out, began to tell me about the American Legion here. I wasn’t in the right place in my life then, but eventually it worked out. I was ready for a change and the job at the nursing home came up, so the timing was right for a move.”
“Did you leave behind any broken hearts when you moved?” she asked, attempting to sound disinterested.
Not fooled, he tightened his arm around her shoulders. “No…haven’t been a monk, but no girlfriends.”
“Oh,” she said quietly, his answer pleasing her, but having no idea how to respond.
He shifted her around so that she sat straddling his lap, her knees tucked next to his hips. Cupping her face with his large hands, he pulled her in close. “Never been tempted to have a relationship with anyone before. Never met anyone that held my interest. And with my parents’ example, wasn’t sure that was in the cards for me.” He held her gaze and added, “Until now.”
Bringing her in, he planted his lips on hers, sealing his desire with a kiss. Grabbing on to his shoulders, digging her fingers in, she responded as the outside world faded away and the sun set, leaving only the two of them.
11
By the time they made it back to her house, Hunter began to have second thoughts. Sex after an emotional night? It did not feel right for him to take advantage of her raw state of mind. As soon as the door behind them clicked, he turned and opened his mouth, but she got there first.
Throwing herself at him, she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his hips as she latched onto his mouth.
Taken by surprise, his eyes flew open but no words came forth, considering she now had her tongue tangled with his. With his back against the door, he held her easily. The feel of her in his arms and her body pressed tightly to his made rational thought impossible.
Angling his head, he took the kiss deeper as he explored her mouth. She ground her core against his swollen cock, the material between them an impediment to what he desired. She pulled back first and the cold shower of reality hit him. Attempting to lower her to the floor, she grabbed his face and pulled him close.
Nose to nose, she said, “Bedroom…now…please.”
He held her gaze for a second before finalizing his decision, carrying her toward the master bedroom. Entering, he took in the space, seeing she had decorated it as nicely as the rest of the small house.
A cushioned wooden bench stood under the window. The seat was covered in green with a yellow pillow against the wall. A nightstand was squeezed between the full-sized bed and the wall. The bedspread was green with yellow flowers and more yellow pillows lay next to the headboard.
A small dresser was against another wall, the top covered with a few jars and tidbits. As he loosened her arms to let her body slide down his front, the rack of colored hair ribbons hanging on the wall met his eye. His gaze shot back to her, seeing her dark hair pulled back with a light blue ribbon.
As she stood in front of him, her fingers curled on his biceps, he lifted one hand and slowly drew the ribbon from her hair, letting the fullness fall down her back. His fingers continued to trail down through the silky tresses as he let the ribbon flutter to the floor. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at her beauty.
“Belle, I want to do the right thing here—”
“Then do it,” she replied in a whisper.
“Are you sure? ‘Cause I’ve never been in a relationship, and what I feel for you is no random fuck.”
“I’ve never been in a relationship either and I’m not one for random…uh…sex either. But, I want you…want this.”
“This,” he said, waving his hand between them, “means something. I can’t do this with you and then just walk away or watch you walk away.”
Her face softened as a slow smile curved her lips. “Then we agree. No walking away after this as long as we both want it.”
His heart lighter, he grinned as he nodded. “No walking away until we’ve taken this as far as it can go.” Bending to kiss her again, he added, “And, babe, I want it to go as far as it can for as long as it can.”
As their mouths moved over each other eagerly, her hands found the bottom of his shirt and moved upward. When it reached to just under his arms, he leaned back and allowed her to pull it over his head. Her gaze landed on his body and she devour
ed him with her eyes. She knew he was big, but it struck her just how manly he was. Not just masculine, but manly.
His chest was wide and seeing the muscles of his pecs and abs was no surprise although, up close, she thought they were even more impressive than in her imagination. But as she trailed her fingers over his warm skin, she felt the real man over the defined muscles. A man who lived. A man who worked hard with his hands and did not starve himself to achieve a perfect body. He felt real. Her mind was processing this discovery, and she blinked as he pulled her T-shirt over her head and unclasped her bra, having missed his perusal of her as she was staring at him.
Hunter dropped her clothes to cup her breasts, his gaze roaming over them hungrily. It would have taken a blind man not to know she was stacked, but seeing her filling his cupped hands had him realizing just how perfect they were. He flicked his thumbs over her distended nipples, feeling the hardened buds tighten even more. She sucked in a gasp and his gaze jumped to her face, seeing her eyes close as her mouth opened slightly.
Skimming his hand down her curves to her narrow waist, trailing a path to her hips, he snagged her pants, panties included, with his fingers and bent to draw them down her legs. She balanced herself with her hands on his shoulders, allowing him to strip her bare.
Suddenly self-conscious, Belle sucked in her lips, dropping her chin.
He lifted her chin with his knuckle, forcing her to meet his eyes. “We can stop, Belle. You just say the word and it stops here.”
“No…that’s not it.” Seeing the question in his eyes, she confessed, “I’m…well, I’m…uh…not very svelte.”
Hunter watched the blush start from her breasts and move upward over her face. As adorable as it was, he hated the reason for it. “Don’t ever want to hear you put yourself down. You are so fuckin’ beautiful, it takes my breath away. Your body is perfect…all soft and womanly…all curves. If I wanted something else, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.”
Waiting for Sunrise: Baytown Boys Series Page 9
