God, this woman was sexy. He groaned, pushing her back onto the pillows and settling himself between her open thighs. She wrapped her legs around him, angling her hips to invite him in while he slipped on a condom.
Her mouth opened in a small, sexy O of pleasure as he thrust slowly into her, filling her. His hands clenched into fists as he fought the urge to drive into her fast and hard. He wanted to be slow this time, gentle. She deserved to have all the love and attention he could give her.
She wiggled her hips impatiently, and he bit his lip. Hard. “Stop moving for a second, I want to do this right.” Damn, she felt so good around him.
A small, devilish smile curled her lips. “Oh?” She purred, rocking her hips slowly. He grunted, trembling with desire as she slid him slowly out, then back in. “How were we doing it before, if it wasn’t right?” Her fingernails scraped lightly down his chest, leaving a burning trail of pleasure.
“Fair point.” He chuckled, moving with her in long, strong thrusts. She matched his rhythm, her hips moving steadily along with his. Her hooded eyes stared into his as she rippled around him, a little internal shiver she always gave right before she came.
He let himself come inside her after a few more thrusts, and she shrieked her release as they pulsed together. Their breaths mingled as he panted heavily, buried deep inside her.
Alexandra stroked his sweat-dampened skin, and he closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of her hands. “Was that right?”
He could only shiver in pleasure as an answer, but it seemed to be all she needed.
Alexandra lay curled against him, her head resting on his chest. She was practically purring from their earlier lovemaking. She stroked his flat abdomen slowly, seeming fascinated by the small hollows between his muscles. “Are you sure about what you said?”
Hunter pulled her closer against him, feathering his fingers across her shoulder. “I love you? Of course I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
She didn’t answer, and his stomach churned in response. What if she didn’t feel the same way? She’d told him their time together was just to get him out of her system, maybe sexual release was all she wanted? The feel of her skin under his fingers soothed him as he forced himself to calm down. Rushed or forced declarations of love were worse than none. He’d learned the hard way with his ex-fiancée not to pressure someone else into professing feelings. It was time to stop pushing Alexandra, and wait to see if she got to loving him by herself.
After all, would it be so bad if she didn’t love him? They enjoyed each other’s company, and the sex was mind-blowing. Did he need more?
He ignored the small voice which screamed, Yes.
They laid there for a long time, snuggling into each other’s warmth. Alexandra sighed suddenly, and her hand slid down his abdomen.
Hunter craned his neck, looking down at her. “You okay, Alex?” He asked her, his voice slightly husky but tinged with concern. “Seems like you’ve got something on your mind.”
She nodded, her lips parting as she lifted her head to kiss him. “Today has been wonderful, all because of you. I was just wondering if I could repay you.” She stroked the hot thickness of his shaft with her hand, smiling at his ragged intake of breath.
Alexandra settled between his legs, her attention on the almost purple head. A small bead of moisture had formed on the tip, and her tongue darted out to taste it. Hunter watched every move, the heat inside his groin intensifying at the sight of her between his legs.
She took him into her mouth, using her hand to stroke the length of him while she savored his sweet, spicy taste. He groaned, reaching forward to brush her hair away from her face. She growled her approval, taking him deeper.
Hunter jerked as she guided the full length of him past her lips. He clenched the bedsheets to keep from coming in her mouth right then. His hips strained toward her as she massaged his balls with her other hand, sending little jolts of electricity through him.
She swallowed around him, the base of her tongue massaging the tip. She began to pump him slowly inside her mouth, sliding up to lick the tip before swallowing him again. Her hand pumped his shaft in time with her slow lovemaking until he was shaking under her.
“Baby, if you keep this up I’m going to come.” He warned her, worried she wouldn’t want him in her mouth when it happened.
She suckled him, running her lips over him while squeezing and stroking with her hand. The burning feeling at the base of his spine grew to a desperate inferno. She flicked her tongue over him, driving him deep into her mouth just before he came. She drank from him greedily as he exploded into her mouth, his world reeling in pleasure.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alexandra
They stood together in the kitchen, making dinner. She tried not to giggle like a teenager when he brushed past her, his hand cupping her bare butt lightly as he grabbed onions from a drawer. He touched her every chance he got, and knowing he was unable to keep his hands off her brought a flush of happiness to her face.
She had never felt as sexy as she did with him. His interest was so physical, passionate. Why she had ever doubted his attraction to her, or mistaken it for pity, she couldn’t remember. As her mind wandered, he reached under the oversized shirt she wore and tugged on her nipple playfully.
“Hey!” She yelped, the tomato she was slicing slipping from her hand. “I’m holding a knife. You’re not supposed to startle the person holding the knife,” she scolded him, a smile on her face.
He kissed her hair, and his warm breath tickled her ear. “Sorry, I just can’t resist you sometimes. Especially when you’re wearing my shirt and nothing else.”
She grinned, shooting a glance at him over her shoulder. “You wouldn’t let me put anything else on. I’m beginning to think you like telling me what to wear.”
He scraped the back of her neck softly with his teeth, a display of dominance which evoked a shiver of delight. “Wouldn’t let you? I remember it differently.”
Before she could reply her cell phone rang, and she hurried to catch it. As she flipped the accept button, she smiled at the sight of Hunter shirtless in her white kitchen, taking over the task of chopping tomatoes.
“Mom?” Simon’s voice was shaking with nervousness. Alexandra gripped the counter for support. “Mom, are you safe?”
“Yes, what’s wrong honey?” She asked, looking up at Hunter. He was watching her carefully, his blue stare sharp with concern. She tried to smile, but he wasn’t fooled.
“This lady called. I didn’t know the number, so I picked up. She said she knew you. She sounded upset.”
Alexandra tensed. Who did she know who would call her son? “Sweetheart, remember how I told you not to pick up if you don’t know the number? Just let it go to voicemail.”
“Mom, listen.” Simon snapped, breaking his usual calm. “She said she only called because she wanted me to know you were dying. She said I should be ready for it, she said you’d be dead before I get home. She said a bunch of other stuff too.”
Alexandra stepped backward. It was Chanmali, she was sure of it. The much-feared Mrs. Louangrath was making another move. Alexandra should be scared. Maybe even terrified. All she could think of was Simon. How dare that woman use her son, and send him into a panic? Rage filled her until she shook.
Hunter laid down the slices of tomato and came to her side, his hand coming to rest on hers. She looked up to realize she had grasped the refrigerator handle with a white-knuckled hand.
“Mom? Mom! Are you there?” Simon’s frantic voice brought her back from her anger.
“Yes honey, I’m here. Everything is fine, I’m not dying.” She said soothingly. Hunter’s back stiffened, but she shook her head with a fake smile.
“Dying?” He asked, his brows drawn together.
Before she could answer him, Simon spoke again, his voice seeming a little less panicked. “Is that Hunter?”
“Yes honey, Hunter is here with me. I’m safe.”
She soothed.
“Can I talk to Hunter?”
She handed the phone to Hunter. “Keep him calm.” She told him in a low tone.
He nodded, pulling her against his chest. “Hey kiddo, how’s the foreign exchange program going? You like Italy?” She relaxed against him, trying to ease her fraying nerves. Hunter rubbed his hand up and down her back, the gentle pressure soothing.
She pushed herself away with a gentle pat on Hunter’s shoulder. She needed to do something to get her mind off her anger at Chanmali. These death threats had gone too far, and despite her anger with Mrs. Louangrath over involving their son, Alexandra wondered how serious she was. She had said rash things in a fit of anger, but she couldn’t imagine the smaller woman actually killing someone.
She paced the floor, staring at Hunter. He caught her hand, massaging her palm and giving her a kiss on the forehead before releasing her. “Yes, I’m staying with your mom. I won’t let her out of my sight.” He paused, then smiled. “Yeah, we’ve been together for a little while. I think she’s starting to come around to my way of thinking.”
His smile suddenly vanished, and he turned away from Alexandra. “Okay, say it again. Exactly what the woman said, word for word.” He listened in silence, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll look into it. Talk to your mom for a second.” He handed the phone to her before stalking away.
Alexandra brought the phone to her ear, resisting the urge to ask Hunter where he was going. She didn’t want to worry Simon. Instead, she focused on him. “Hi Simon, I’m back.”
Simon sighed into the phone, but when he spoke his voice seemed less tense. “Mom, you should listen to Hunter. I don’t want you to be alone. You should be happy, okay?”
Alexandra raised her eyebrows. Simon hadn’t spoken much about relationships for a while, not since the divorce. “I’ll be fine honey, I’m safe. And Hunter and I…” She paused. What were they? He had told her he loved her, but she hadn’t been able to return his declaration. Hunter hadn’t pressed, but she was nervous. She wasn’t ready to say it yet. Would he wait while she figured it out? Would his affection for her even last long enough? She cleared her throat. She was getting ahead of herself, especially right now when Simon needed her to keep him calm. “I’m happy right now.” She finished. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
“Mom, I’m really sorry, I have to go.” Simon said, sounding rushed. “I’m glad about you and Hunter. I love you.”
“I love you too, bye.” She said, hanging up the phone as Hunter came back holding a vase. It was full of dead, black flowers.
He slammed it onto the table, his chiseled features strained with anger. He looked up at Alexandra. “She told Simon trouble would come to our door.” His words were sharp with anger as he scrubbed his hand roughly over his jaw. “This was at the front door.”
They stared at each other over the kitchen table. His face was a mirror of her own frustration and anger, and she felt a stab of guilt for getting him involved. She wanted to hold him and soothe it all away.
Alexandra was surprised at the fierceness of her desire. She hadn’t been ready to start loving Hunter, but it had happened anyway.
Then this madness ruined everything.
Her eyes filled with hot tears, and her hands balled into fists at her sides. “I’m so sorry.” She told Hunter, ducking her head. She couldn’t look at him.
Hunter came around the table, grasping her shoulders. His hands slid up to cup her jaw, and rested there without holding her still. “Stop. I know you didn’t want this to happen, but this isn’t your fault. It’s hers. No one’s but hers.”
She nodded, wanting to relax against his chest but knowing it would do nothing but make her feel more guilty. He seemed to understand, and let her go. He ran a hand through his hair, looking at the vase with an exasperated sigh. “A small part of me wants to find her and drag her to the police station by her hair.”
Alexandra laughed nervously, brushing her face with her own shaking hand. “Get in line.” When Hunter raised an eyebrow at her, she smiled grimly. “She used my son.”
The police came again, and still found nothing they could use to help. “This is definite escalation,” Caldwell told them, pushing his hand through his thinning hair. “Threats to your son and a gift proving she can still get to you, these are serious.”
“Tell me about it,” Alexandra said. “And I suppose there’s nothing to find on this, no idea how to find her?”
Caldwell shook his head. “We’re doing everything we can, although this narrows our search significantly. Before we were looking in the surrounding states, now I suspect she’s much closer than we’d initially thought.” He scratched the back of his ear. “Are you sure there’s nowhere you can go? It would be a good idea to break up your daily routine, so you’re harder to target.”
Hunter and Alexandra exchanged a look. “I can go to a hotel,” she said finally. “Maybe if it was far enough away, I can lose her for a while.”
Hunter wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “We can take my truck, she’s not as accustomed to seeing it so maybe it will throw her off.”
After they left Hunter took both of her hands in his, running his rough thumbs over her knuckles gently. “We should get our bags packed and go. I’ll wait for you here, I don’t want to be too far away. I’m just going to call all the tenants and let them know what’s going on. If you need me, call.”
She nodded, her head buzzing. As she walked to her room, she paused in the doorway. “I’m glad you’re here.” She told him. She couldn’t imagine facing this without him.
He tried to smile. “Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
She mirrored his wan smile. “Thank you.” She plodded down the hall to her room, regret piercing her. She had dragged him into this. Although she was glad for his company, she feared what might happen if he got hurt because of her problems.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Hunter
Hunter drove through their familiar neighborhood, his hands tight on the wheel. The clouds gathered overhead, dark and brooding. Great. A spring rainstorm was just what he needed to make the lookout for suspicious followers more difficult. He pressed a little harder on the gas pedal. If he could make it to the hotel before the skies opened up, the rain could fall all night for all he cared.
Alexandra sat pale and silent beside him, her face unreadable. She was leaned forward in her seat with her hands resting on her knees, like she could make everything go away if they would just get out of there fast.
“What are you thinking?” His glance darted to the rearview mirror to make sure they weren’t followed. “You’re quiet.”
She shrugged, seeming to come out of her daze. “I’m angry with her. I don’t care why she’s doing it. If it’s grieving over her daughter or something deeper, I don’t care. I just hate how this is affecting our life.”
Hunter smiled thinly. “I like hearing you say that. Our life.” He tried not to wonder if it was as close to love as she’d get. Now wasn’t the time.
She paused, then barked a short laugh. “I do too.” She told him, reaching over to rub the back of his neck.
He smiled at the casual affection in her touch, even when she removed her hand. She was everything he wanted, everything he needed. He just had to keep her safe until this was over.
The dark neighborhood gave way to city lights, and he wove in and out through the streets. If they were followed, he wanted to make it difficult. He avoided the highway, taking the long winding route to the hotel he had in mind. He cursed quietly as a light rain began to fall. They wouldn’t have beaten the rain anyway, but he wished it could have held off a little longer.
They pulled up to a stoplight, and she stiffened. “Wait, that’s the truck!” Her voice cracked with nerves.
The squeal of tires behind them cut off any answer. Hunter twisted in his seat. A big yellow truck veered from the lane behind him. Hunter only had time to see a person in a dark
helmet in the driver’s seat before the yellow truck smashed into the driver’s side door.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Alexandra
The world seemed to slow as the car crumpled around Hunter. She shrieked, but the shrill clash of metal was louder. Her vision blurred as Hunter was swallowed by cold metal.
“Alex? Alex, are you all right?” Hunter had her face in his hands, shaking her gently.
She blinked, looking at the blood dripping down the side of his face. “Yes, but you’re…” She shook off the vision of him gone. Lost. The cold grip of fear around her chest eased. He was alright. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m okay.” He told her, his voice strained. “It’s just a few scratches, maybe a bruise or two, I’ll be fine. But we need to call the police…”
Before Hunter could say more, Alexandra’s door opened. Her seatbelt was cut away, falling uselessly. A sharp yank at her hair and collar dragged her away from Hunter. She shrieked as fire erupted in her scalp, but the yank at her collar caught it in her throat. She was turned forcefully around, coming face to face with her attacker.
John.
All this time, it had been John. He must have followed them somehow.
White-hot rage coursed through her, nearly blinding her. The drizzle of rain gave her a chill, plastering her hair to her scalp as she swung at him wildly.
He grabbed her hands, holding her away from him as he looked at her. His eyes were too wide, almost wild. A cut on his forehead oozed blood. The red streak washed down the bridge of his nose in the light rain.
“Are you hurt?” The handle of the knife he had used to cut her from her seatbelt pressed against her left wrist.
Alexandra swung her head forward, yanking his hands apart as she hit him with her forehead. Hard.
John yelped in pain, backing away. The knife clattered to the ground, and she kicked it away before turning to the car. Hunter was struggling to escape from the driver’s seat, clutching a hand tightly to his left side. He stared up at her, then craned his neck to see behind her. “John? What is he doing here?”
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