“I can’t help it. I haven’t done this before,” I explain, feeling inexperienced and stupid.
“By the way, is your vagina on the pill?” he asks, drawing a burst of laughter from me. I nod, which has him asking another question, “Are you okay with me being bare?”
My eyes flit away from his, and I nod.
“Look at me,” he whispers.
Focusing on Hunter’s blue eyes, I suck in a deep breath to calm down.
He keeps staring at me for a long moment until I can see the love he feels for me shining from his eyes. It’s like I’m being put under a spell, and when his lips come down on mine, I’m swept away by his tongue exploring my mouth. I kiss him back with the same heat until our bodies begin to rub against each other, and our hands start to wander.
My palms take in the feel of his muscular back until I reach the dip of his butt, then my nails get involved, and I dig them into his firm skin.
Hunter’s hand finds my breast, and he begins to knead my flesh. We’re both a panting mess, but our kiss goes on and on until our lips are tingling. When we finally pull apart, our eyes lock, and there’s so much intensity in Hunter’s blue gaze, there’s not a doubt in my mind that he loves me.
I never want to go another day without him knowing that he’s my world. “Hunter, I am so in love with you. You are everything I never knew I needed. I don’t know how I survived the past two years without you.”
“I was always there, Jade,” he says. “I never stopped loving you.”
This time when our mouths meet, there’s so much passion in his kiss, it drugs me the same way our first kiss did. I’m only aware of the feel of his body against mine. I can only smell his masculine scent, and the lingering body wash he used. I can only hear his breaths, and I live for each one of them.
This moment between us feels intimate, almost sacred. It’s something I never want to share with anyone but Hunter.
He positions himself at my opening, his weight held up with his right forearm. When I feel pressure from where he’s pressing into me, my eyes fly to his, and I latch onto the love I see in his gaze.
He pulls back, and with gentle rocking movements, he keeps going deeper until he’s fully sheathed inside of me.
Hunter is inside me. My Hunter. My love. My life.
I’m so glad I got to give this moment to him.
“Perfect fit,” Hunter whispers as he lowers his head to mine and claiming my lips, he continues to devour me while giving me a moment to adjust to him.
I never should’ve doubted him because everything he does is so goddamn right, it feels like my body is going to implode from pleasure when he begins to move.
The sounds of our pelvises coming together create a symphony of love around us as pressure builds in my abdomen. Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, it rushes through my body, tearing a moan from me. With my body suspended beneath Hunter’s powerful one, I can only manage a silent cry. Feelings I’ve never felt before turn my body to nothing but jello.
“Fuck, Jade,” Hunter growls low in his throat and thrusting twice more, he pushes so hard into me it sends residual pleasure rippling over me. I feel his body shudder against mine and drink in the sight of Hunter finding his release in me.
How was I so blind? The most beautiful human being was right in front of my eyes all this time.
Overcome with emotion for this man who went through hell for me, a tear sneaks from my eye. Hunter catches it with a kiss and pressing his face into my neck, he whispers, “I love you so much, Jade.”
I know, Hunter. You’ve shown me just how much, over and over. I’ll never doubt you again.
HUNTER
So much for being patient.
Not that I regret a single moment.
After we get dressed, and we lie down, I pull Jade against me and press a tender kiss to her mouth.
“Thank you,” I whisper against her temple as I get comfortable.
“For what?” she asks, and turning her face, she glances up at me.
“For letting me be your first.” My eyes bore into her, and I hope she can see how much it means to me.
A soft smile plays around her mouth. “I’m glad it was you.”
“Yeah?” Thank, fuck. I was worried, seeing as all our problems started when I stopped her and Brady.
Jade must read the concern in my eyes because she sits up and turns her body to face me. There’s a flash of sadness in her gaze, then she says, “I’ll always love Brady, and I’ll never forget him, but I love you in a way I never thought I could care for another person. You were right, Hunter. I wasn’t ready back then. I was a stupid sixteen-year-old who thought I knew everything.” She lets out a sigh. “Boy, was I wrong.”
“It’s okay,” I murmur, and reaching out to her, I take hold of her hand and link our fingers.
She takes a deep breath, and her eyes begin to shine as she stares into mine. “I’m glad it was you, Hunter. Everyone says you don’t get to choose who you love, that it just happens and you have to go with the flow, but they’re all wrong. My heart chose you long before my head knew it. I chose you every day I fought with you. I chose you every time I said no to a guy asking me on a date.” A breath ripples over her lips, and her voice cracks, “I chose you every second of every hour for the past seven hundred and thirty days, and I’ll keep choosing you for the rest of my life.”
Pulling her to me, I hug her hard against my chest. Overcome with emotion, I need a minute to regain my composure. I press kisses to her hair, and I try to even my breathing.
Finally, I whisper, “I’ll never do anything to make you regret your decision.”
“I know,” she whispers, sending warmth from her breath over my chest. “I don’t deserve you, but I’ll treasure you.”
I close my eyes and wrap my arms tighter around Jade. We cling to each other, our hearts beating the same rhythm.
“I love you, Bean,” I whisper.
Lifting her head, she grins up at me. “I love you, Hunter.”
The Epilogue
HUNTER
Jade and I decided to tell our parents we’re together before Thanksgiving.
“Everything’s going to be okay, right?” Jade asks again, her leg jumping where she’s sitting in the passenger seat.
Reaching over, I place my hand on her thigh. “Everything will be fine,” I reassure her. “Let me tell them.”
“But my dad,” she argues.
“Let me handle it, Jade.” I glance at her before I steer the car up Uncle Rhett’s driveway.
I recognize Dad’s car and glancing at the other vehicle, I ask, “Is that Miss Sebastian’s car?”
“Yeah, she knows everything, so she’ll be able to play peacekeeper if things get out of hand.”
I let out a chuckle. “It was clever of you to invite her.” I switch off the car and leaning over to Jade, I press a kiss to her lips. “Let’s do this.”
Climbing out of the car, I jog around the front and open the door for Jade. When she gets out, I take hold of her hand, and together we walk to the front door.
When Jade pushes it open, she tries to pull her hand from mine. When I don’t let go, her eyes dart up to me. “I’m not going to hide how I feel, Jade. I’m holding your hand,” I state, the tone of my voice leaving no room for arguing.
“Okay.” She sucks in a deep breath, and then we walk into the house.
When we enter the living room, everyone’s eyes snap to us. “Hey,” I say, and I have to clear my throat before I continue, “Thanks for meeting us here.”
“Christ, please tell me you’re not pregnant,” Uncle Rhett explodes.
Jade lets out a burst of air, and her mouth drops open. “Dad, noooo! That’s not why we asked you here.”
Uncle Rhett let’s out a relieved sigh, slumping back against the couch. “Thank God. Here I thought you asked Hunter to save your ass in case we wanted to kill you.”
“No. Noooo. No,” Jade repeats, shaking her head. “That�
�s not the reason.”
Pulling her hand from mine, she goes to hug my mom and dad. I walk to Uncle Rhett and shake his hand before giving Aunty Evie and Miss Sebastian a hug each.
I take hold of Jade’s hand, and I pull her down next to me as I take a seat. Dad tilts his head and narrows his eyes at me. “Well, I never saw that coming.”
“What?” Uncle Rhett asks.
“They’re dating,” Mom answers.
Uncle Rhett’s head snaps in my direction. “You’re dating my daughter?”
I give him an anxious smile, as I explain, “We just started dating.”
Uncle Rhett stares at me, his face void of any expression. Not breaking eye contact, I wait for a reaction.
Then Miss Sebastian jumps up. “Rhett Daniels! Don’t just sit there like a dead fish out of water. Say something.”
Uncle Rhett shoots her a glare then mutters, “I’m still processing the fact that my little girl is living under the same roof as Hunter.” He pulls a worried face. “And they’re dating.” Looking stunned, he stares at the floor. “Jade should move back home.”
“Daddy,” Jade gasps.
I glance at my father, and he gives me a reassuring smile.
“Uncle Rhett,” I begin, and his eyes instantly snap to mine. “I love Jade, and I’ll never do anything to hurt her.”
He pulls a face as he considers my words. “I know, Hunter.” Not looking happy, he continues, “I don’t like the idea of the two of you living together.”
“It’s no different from me living with Jase, Noah, and Kao,” Jade argues.
“Yeah?” Uncle Rhett gives Jade a sardonic look. “You’re not kissing them.”
I try to hide my smile, but I fail miserably, which has Uncle Rhett glaring at me. “I’m still not happy.”
“Oh, Rhett, hush,” Aunty Evie says as she gets up and walking over to us, I quickly rise to my feet. She wraps me in a hug, and says, “I’m glad it’s you, Hunter. I was so worried when you kept fighting with each other. I can’t tell you how relieved we are to hear you’ve made peace.”
“That’s not the kind of peace I had in mind, Evie,” Uncle Rhett complains.
“Ignore him,” Miss Sebastian says as she comes to hug me as well. “Just take good care of my god-baby, or I’ll tan your bedazzled ass with my diamond-studded belt.”
I choke as I try not to laugh, but when Dad cracks up, I’m unable to keep it in.
Miss Sebastian lovingly pats my cheek, then she darts past me. “My god-baby finally got her own chunk of hunk.”
My gaze turns back to Uncle Rhett, and when he gets up, I quickly walk to him. “I’ll take good care of Jade. I promise.”
A grin spreads over his face, and he pats me against the shoulder. “I’m just fucking with you. We all knew you were dating the instant you asked us to meet here.”
My lips part, and then I just shake my head. “You had me there for a while. Good one.”
Dad gets up and comes to stand by us. “I’m not gonna lie, the bets were up in the air whether you’d kill each other or finally admit your feelings.”
“Who won?” I ask, giving them all a playful glare.
“We did,” Mom says as she wraps her arm around Auntie Evie’s waist.
“Yeah,” Dad admits. “Your Mom never doubted for a minute that the two of you would sort out your shit.”
“How did you know, Mom?” I ask, a burst of love filling my heart because she never doubts anything I do.
“You’re my son, Hunter, and even though you inherited your father’s stubborn streak, you got my patience.”
“Patience my ass, Hunt,” Dad grumbles at Mom, calling her by her maiden name, which is also his nickname for her. “You gave me hell when we first started dating.”
“Because you deserved it,” Mom snaps back.
I let out a chuckle because I know where this argument is heading. Turning my attention back to Uncle Rhett, I hold out my hand. “So, you’re okay with us dating?”
He shakes my hand and then pulls me in for a hug, whispering, “I’m more than okay with it, Hunter. I know how hard you fought for Jade.”
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him back. “Thanks, Uncle Rhett.”
JADE
When Aunty Kingsley sits down next to me, Mom and Mamma G leave me to fend for myself as they escape to the kitchen. My eyes dart to the sliding door leading out to the veranda where Hunter is grilling steaks with our fathers.
Suck it up, Jade.
I give Aunty Kingsley a nervous smile, and ask, “Are you really okay with us dating?”
“Before I answer that question, I have something to say,” she begins.
I meet her eyes, staring into the same blue irises as Hunter’s, and prepare myself as best I can for whatever’s coming.
“You went through something awful, Jade, and Hunter was there for you. I just want to make sure you really love my son, and that you’re not just grateful for what he’s done.”
I shake my head and have to take a deep breath when I’m overcome with emotion.
Who knew it would be so intense talking to Hunter’s mom.
I clear my throat and shake my head again. “I love him, Aunty Kingsley. So, so much.” My eyes lower to my lap for a moment before I meet hers again. “I wouldn’t have survived it without him. I admit that. But what I feel for him… it’s because he’s the most amazing man I know. He’s my sun, and without him, my life would be a frozen wasteland.” I take a moment to gather my thoughts, not wanting to screw this up. “I… I just love him so much.”
Aunty Kingsley stares at me for a long moment, then she whispers. “Please don’t hurt him again.”
A lump swells in my throat, and I swallow hard on it as my tears blur. “Never again. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make Hunter happy.”
“Just love my baby,” she says, her voice straining with unshed tears.
“I will. I’ll love Hunter with all of my heart,” I promise.
Aunty Kingsley reaches over, and I quickly hug her back. We hold onto each other for a while, then she whispers, “I’m so happy you’re dating Hunter.”
“Is everything okay in here?” Hunter suddenly asks.
Aunty Kingsley and I pull apart, and she nods at him, giving him a loving smile. “Everything’s fine.”
His eyes dart between us, and then he frowns. “Why do I see tears?”
“Just because,” I mumble as I wipe my cheeks dry. “I’m allowed to get emotional when I speak to your mom.”
Walking over to me, Hunter leans over and presses a kiss to my mouth, then he moves over to Aunty Kingsley, and he presses a kiss to her forehead. “My two favorite women. I’m such a lucky man.”
And that’s all it takes for Aunty Kingsley and me to start crying again.
HUNTER
Sitting outside by the fire, I smile as my eyes scan over my family. When my gaze drifts over Uncle Rhett, Aunty Evie, and Miss Sebastian, the smile only grows bigger.
And then there's the moment old friends become a part of that family.
Fuck, I’m such a lucky bastard.
I tighten my grip on Jade’s hand and glancing at her, I wink. Seeing her glass is empty, I ask, “Can I get you more coke?”
She shakes her head and leans her cheek against my shoulder. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too, babe.”
Miss Sebastian gets up and pulls a wrapped package from her purse. “I got you a congrats-on-finally-getting-your-bedazzled-asses-together gift,” she says as she hands me the box.
“You shouldn’t have,” Jade says as she sits up again. Her eyes dart to mine, “Open it already.”
“So damn bossy,” I mumble as I tear at the paper.
Dad chuckles.
When the wrapping comes off, I freeze. A second later, I crack up with laughter while staring at the box of Trojan condoms.
“I got you the pleasure pack,” Miss Sebastian says, wagging her manicured eyebrows at me.
&n
bsp; I can’t stop laughing, and when Jade reads the front of the box, she gasps, “Oh. My. God. Nooooooo!” Grabbing the condoms from me, she quickly sits on it.
“Pleasure pack?” Uncle Rhett asks Miss Sebastian.
“Rather safe than sorry,” she shrugs. “Do you want little Hunter’s and Jade’s running around here?”
“What the fuck?” Uncle Rhett complains, shaking his head, then he barks, “You gave them condoms?”
Dad can’t hold his laughter any longer, and he cracks up.
I try to reach under Jade to pull the box out, but she slaps at my hand, and hisses, “Don’t, Hunter.” Her face is on fire as she hides her reaction behind a hand from her dad.
“It’s okay,” I chuckle, and reaching for her hand, I pull it away from her face. “Let me have the box. I want to make sure Miss Sebastian got the right size.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, my little chunk of hunk,” Miss Sebastian says, winking at me. “I got extra large.”
“Oh, god. Kill me now,” Jade groans.
Through a fit of laughter, I manage to pull Jade into my arms so she can hide her face in my chest.
“Time for apple pie,” Aunty Evie says as she gets up, and it effectively changes the topic of discussion to who’s getting the bigger slice.
When our parents and Miss Sebastian head into the house to fight about the pie, Jade quickly yanks the box from under her butt. “Let’s go put it in the car before I die from embarrassment.”
We link our hands as we walk around the side of the house, and reaching the car, I quickly unlock the passenger door. Jade tries to shove the box under the seat, but when it’s too big to fit, she leaves it lying on the floor.
I lock the door again and shove the keys in my pocket. Before Jade can walk back, I grab hold of her arms and pull her to me as I lean against the car.
“I think that went okay,” I say as I stare into her eyes.
A smile splits over her face, and she nods. “More than okay.”
“Yeah.” My eyes drop to her mouth and press a quick kiss to it. “I’m just glad your dad’s okay with us dating.”
Coldhearted Heir (The Heirs Book 1) Page 20
