Easy Puck

by Belle, Melissa

  “Hey.” Hunter’s eyes flash with amusement as he looks at me. “Did I get this wrong or did you, Callie, and Ashley all just swoon?”

  I tuck my hand in the crook of his elbow and lean my head on his shoulder. “You got it right. We were totally swooning. Because Declan Wild is swoon-worthy.”

  “So let me get this straight—you’re crushing on the star of our rival?”

  “No.” I beckon to him so his ear is right next to my mouth before I add, “My crushing is reserved for you.”

  “I like that answer.” His hot breath on my skin makes me break out in shivers.

  * * *

  We hang out at the Odyssey for hours, and it’s nice to see Hunter catch up with his brothers. Liam leaves early to get home to his wife and son, but the rest of us stay until closing. Jared and Max had gotten permission to stay the night, and they go to Liam’s so they can see their nephew in the morning. Hunter tells them good night, and the three of them make plans to meet for an early breakfast.

  I hug Ashley, say good night to Murph and Dean, and Hunter and I head out to his truck. I insist on driving even though he says he only had one beer.

  I believe him when he says he’s sober, but taking the wheel gives me a sense of purpose on our drive back to the townhouse, where I have a feeling we’re going to have some sort of come to Jesus talk.

  As soon as we walk into the townhouse, we go find Theo. Turns out he’s hungry for a snack, so I feed him while Hunter cleans his litter box. Then, Theo happily settles on the top of his cat tower for a nap in the living room.

  And Hunter and I start talking over each other.

  “Princess, I’m sorry…” he starts.

  “What was that kiss about?” I begin.

  He holds up a hand. “I don’t know what came over me. That crazy fan was hounding me, and I felt so out of control. Then, I saw you in the crowd, and I just…” He pulls up short and takes a seat on the living room couch.

  I follow and sit on the other end of the couch. “You just…what?” I ask him.

  His green eyes roam my face for a moment before he speaks.

  “I wanted you,” he says casually in that way only Hunter Storm can pull off. “I’ve never stopped wanting you, Winter.”

  Butterflies roll through my stomach.

  I wanted you.

  So fucking casual. So Hunter Storm.

  And God, I wanted him too. I want him right this very second.

  I fist my hands and shove them under my thighs to stop from reaching for him.

  “It’s been years,” I say softly.

  “I know how long it’s been.” He rubs the slight scruff on his jaw. “I’ve counted the years since you left knowing I fucked it up by not talking things through with you before you moved. And we had that big blow-up over nothing your last night here, which I’m also sorry for.”

  I shake my head. “You didn’t fuck anything up, Hunt. That fight was a two-way street thing. Really, it was just a way for us to make a clean break. We were kids. And we both had big plans. If we’d hung onto what could have been…”

  “I get it.” His jaw hardens. “I had to sacrifice everything to get where I am. I come from nothing, and hockey was my one shot to make something of myself. For my future. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t think of you. A lot.”

  “You know what the truth is?” I can barely get the words out through the lust coursing through me. “I thought of you all the damn time in New York City, Hunter. Every. Single. Day.”

  He turns his head slowly until his gaze locks with mine. His green eyes darken to the color of a pine forest, and we stare at each other. Three heartbeats pass. Until—

  With a low growl, Hunter stands up off the couch and then resettles himself next to me. His mouth lands on mine so fast I should have been surprised again.

  But this time, I’m ready for him.

  My lips part, and Hunter’s hot tongue slides inside.

  His hand tangles in my hair, and I ease closer to him.

  “Fuck, Winter.” He groans into my mouth and kisses me harder.

  When one of his hands goes to my breast and the other closes around my waist, it’s like I have an out-of-body experience.

  I split in half. I want Hunter—that will always be true.

  I’ve survived an attack—that is also true.

  And as Hunter and I continue to make out, my two truths are at war with each other.

  I’m broken. I’ll always be broken.

  I pull away from his hands on me.

  Desperate for him not to notice, I tug at his shirt until he drags it over his head. And then, I kiss my way down his neck and across his bare, muscled chest. I keep going down his chiseled abs until I reach the waistband of his jeans. Hunter sucks in his breath and mutters my name as I undo the snap and lower the zipper, and then I leave the couch and drop to my knees on the carpet.

  Kneeling in between Hunter’s legs, I shove my hand inside his boxer briefs and release his massive erection.

  “Win…” he says in warning.

  But I’m not listening to any warnings to slow down. I’m full steam ahead.

  I get my mouth on him, and he jerks against my tongue. I close my mouth tight around his thick length and take as much of him as I can inside me. When he hits the back of my throat, I start gagging.

  “Hey.” Hunter takes hold of my shoulders and does everything he can to push me off of him. “Winter.”

  But still, I hang on. I must hang on because if I let go, especially with Hunter, I may break.

  I suck as hard as I can, sliding my hand around the base of his length.

  Hunter gives another shudder and groan, and I keep sucking. But when I try to take him deeper again, he sits up straight.

  “Winter. Stop.”

  I keep my mouth latched to his dick, but Hunter’s a professional athlete. He pulls backward in a swift motion that forces me to release my hold on his erection, and I go tumbling onto my back on the floor.

  Hunter stands up and tucks his impressive package back into his jeans. He zips himself up and then drops down to the floor next to me.

  Kneeling by my head, he looks directly into my eyes.

  “What’s going on, Princess?”

  Emotion clogs my throat. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean why do you not want to be touched?” He helps me to a sitting position and takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Tell me.”

  I grit my teeth together and shake my head.

  “Winter.” His tone gentles. “Please.”

  When I still don’t respond, he picks me up in his arms and carries me upstairs and to his bed.

  Chapter 11

  Hunter puts me on his bed and plants a kiss on my forehead.

  Then, he crosses the room to his dresser and tosses me a red t-shirt from his drawer. “You can put this on,” he says as he heads for his attached bathroom. “I’ll give you some privacy and be right back.”

  With shaking hands, I peel off my jeans and top and cover myself with Hunter’s soft, cotton t-shirt. Then, I pull back his thick, green, down comforter and off-white sheets and snuggle under the covers.

  Hunter returns from the bathroom. He turns out every light except for one soft light on the nightstand by his side of the bed, and then he climbs in behind me. I don’t move until I feel his arm go around me. Then, I scoot backward until my back is pressed to his front.

  His hand barely touches my stomach as he murmurs in my ear, “Who hurt you, Princess?”

  I let out a shaky sigh. “It’s a long story, Hunt. One I haven’t told anyone here about. Not my parents, not Charly or Ashley. You’d be the first.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “You know I do.”

  “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to tell me tonight or tomorrow, but when you’re ready, I’m here.”

  I know he’s here. And if I’m going to heal, I need to tell Hunter the truth.

  “A direct
or on Broadway tried to rape me.”

  The words sound stark and cold in the warm cocoon of his bed.

  Hunter’s hand briefly curls into a fist, but then he slowly lets his fingers relax.

  “Winter.” His voice is pained. “I’m sorry.”

  His words are to the point, and I take his hand in mine and hold it close to me.

  “It was six months ago, but I’m not over it yet. Maybe I never will be.” I close my eyes, remembering how powerless I felt and how alone. “He was a powerful man in the industry, and he was at an audition session I attended. A lot of actors and actresses tried out, but I felt really good about my audition. It was just one of those moments where I felt totally at one with the character. He noticed. I saw him glance up from his notes, and afterward, he singled me out. He asked to talk to me for a moment.”

  Hunter’s hand tightens around mine.

  “I remember being so excited, thinking this was my chance to finally land a lead on my own. Seasonal Bliss was my career break, but I got my opportunity because the lead broke her ankle. I was determined to get a big role all on my own this time.”

  I stare down at Hunter’s large hand covering my smaller one. It gives me the strength to continue.

  “The director led me down the hallway and into a private office. I didn’t think anything of it. I had met with my Seasonal Bliss director many times in his office without incident. Anyway, he had me take a seat across from his desk, and at first, he just asked me questions about my Broadway experience and so on. But then, he stood up and came up behind me. He put his hands on my shoulders and started playing with my hair.” I bite my lip, hating the memory of his hands on me. “I stood up immediately and told him I needed to leave.”

  “Win…” Hunter sounds tortured.

  “But he just reached behind him and flipped the lock on the door. And my heart came into my throat when I realized what I had gotten myself into.”

  “You didn’t get yourself into anything.” Hunter’s voice is steel. “He broke every professional boundary.”

  “I know. It’s just one of those moments I replay over and over—if I had just refused to enter his office…” I grit my teeth and force the next words out. “He unzipped his pants and asked me to touch him. I said no and tried to get to the door. He cornered me against the wall. And he said he’d only ask me nicely once more.”

  “Christ.” Hunter’s entire body has gone rigid.

  “He pressed me up against the wall so I couldn’t move. And then he held my wrists together and rubbed up against me…” I stifle a pained sound. “Then, he lifted up my skirt and forced himself between my legs, first his hand and then his…” I swallow the rest of the terrible sentence. “By the grace of God, before he could fully carry out his plan, a knock on his door made him pause. It was his assistant saying he had an important call that couldn’t wait. The interruption must have made him worried that he’d be caught. He let me go, made me fix my skirt, and told me if I said anything, he’d make sure I never got another role on Broadway ever again. He swore he’d blacklist me. Then, he opened the door. I ran like hell and right into Pat, my manager, who was looking for me.”

  “Did you tell him?”

  I twist around so I can look Hunter in the eye. His expression is taut, his jaw clenched, but his hand on my hip is gentle.

  “I didn’t have to say a word for him to know something was wrong. He’s been around the block in the world of theater. He walked me outside and asked me what happened.” I take a deep breath. “I told him the truth. He supported me in going to the police. I was sure about my decision to turn the asshole in. I told the cops my side of the story, but they said it would be my word against his, and without any witnesses, the case would most likely be a lost cause. Despite how rough he’d been with me, I had no bruising or any signs of physical abuse. They told me he’d claim it was consensual. Not only that, they said he had a lot of power in the city and taking him on and winning would be nearly impossible. I filed the report anyway, and then I went back to my apartment and tried to figure out if there was anything else I could do.”

  “Bastard deserves to have his dick cut off.”

  “I never saw him again. I hid out in my apartment and didn’t go on any auditions. A week or so after I reported him, a second woman came forward. She had been attacked a year before. Then, three more women came forward. He was let go from his position as director. And that was a big deal—he’s a legend in that world. He’s got a lot of connections and a lot of money, so I don’t know if he’ll ever go to prison. His attorneys managed to delay a trial. There may be a settlement. But hopefully, with the light shining on him like this, he won’t hurt anyone again.”

  I stop talking then. The room goes deathly quiet as Hunter softly plays with the bunched fabric of his t-shirt at my waist.

  “Thank you for trusting me, Win.” The anger I know he feels on my behalf is still in his voice, but he’s speaking softly. “I legitimately want to take my truck up to New York City and hunt that fucker down.”

  I open my mouth, but before I can protest, he keeps talking. “I won’t. I know that wouldn’t help you. You handled an incredibly challenging situation far better than I would have.”

  I shift closer to him until my chest is pressed against his. “I wish that were true, Hunt. Every audition I’ve gone on since that one has been a disaster. It’s like I’m afraid if I do well, I’ll have the same experience. I know it’s irrational, and that asshole isn’t even working there anymore, but I can’t shake it. At the last audition, I strained my vocal cords to the point the doctor told me I had to rest my voice for a few weeks. That’s when Pat sent me home.”

  His arms circle around my back, and he hugs me close. “This is the reason you’re back here? No wonder you didn’t want to talk about it.”

  “I think Pat thought home would heal me.”

  “Maybe it will.” Hunter sounds a hell of a lot more sure than I am.

  But as I drift off to sleep in his arms, I wonder if he can help me.

  “I want to ask you a question,” I say, already half-asleep.

  “Tomorrow, darling.” Hunter’s hand rubs my back. “Go to sleep, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

  Chapter 12

  I wake up in the morning to the feeling of being wrapped in a very warm blanket. The blanket is super heavy, and as I try to move, it wraps around me more tightly.

  “Where are you going?” The voice is raspy and low.

  I bite down on a gasp as I remember last night.

  Hunter.

  Me taking him in my mouth.

  Me freaking out.

  Him bringing me to his bed.

  Where I still am.

  And where his warm body is currently spooning me from behind.

  Crap, this is going to be awkward.

  I turn around in his arms.

  His green eyes are open, and he’s looking at me carefully. Like he’s afraid I may break like a piece of china.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks me.

  “I’m fine,” I say quickly. “Honestly. I kind of wish last night could be erased from existence, though—like a number of nights from our past.”

  My attempt at a joke works, and Hunter’s expression relaxes into a grin.

  “Darling, I don’t think you want to erase our nights together. We’ve got some good moments in there, right?”

  I reach up and tousle his hair, which is messy from sleep. “We do. Sexy moments interspersed with either fighting or confessions or pain…”

  He silences me by putting a finger over my lips. “Hey.” His tone turns serious. “I wouldn’t take last night back for anything. I hate that you went through that, though. That I would give anything to take back.”

  I swallow. “I’ll be okay.”

  “I know you will. Doesn’t mean any of it feels fair.”

  A distinct purring sound distracts us, and we both look down to find Theo at our feet. When he sees us notice him, he stan
ds up and meows loudly.

  “Theo, are you hungry?” I reach over and pet him affectionately. “I’ll feed you, honey.”

  But Hunter holds me in place. “I’ll do it. You stay in and rest. It’s still early.”

  “But you must be exhausted after your game last night.”

  “I’m okay. Plus, I have to meet my brothers for breakfast before they fly back to Montana.” As if on cue, his phone buzzes on the nightstand.

  I admire how the muscles ripple across his back as he sits up. When he turns back to face me, my gaze wanders down his bare chest, and without meaning to, I reach out and run my hand down his abs.

  “So I was thinking,” I begin.

  But he just shakes his head and kisses my forehead. “Later,” he says in a rough tone. “Okay?”

  “Sure. Later.”

  He pauses. “Liam asked me to babysit tonight. We don’t have a game, and he and Cathy need a night alone. Do you want to come with me?”

  I freeze. “To babysit your niece? I’ve never met her before.”

  “So consider this your first meeting.” His eyes lock with mine. “What do you say?”

  This feels like a date.

  And Hunter and I don’t date. At least, we’ve never really tried to date. Because I think we both know how disastrous that could be.

  But I want to see him with his niece, and I want to spend time with him far too much to turn him down.

  So I answer with, “I say yes.”

  * * *

  Hunter

  “What the hell was that kiss?” Jared asks me the moment I meet him, Max, and Liam in line at Café du Monde.

  Liam grins. “That’s Hunt’s I-don’t-like-my-housemate-can’t-you-tell kiss.”

  I shoot him a dirty look. “Asshole.”

  Jared quickly changes the subject, and the four of us chat about hockey. Of course, they make sure to give me shit about my slump, but I have the last word, given my game last night, and they all know it.

  “You could still win MVP,” Max says to me. “You’ve got the line for it, and if you keep playing like you did last night, it’s yours to take.”