by Hope Jones
“What is it about you?” I pondered out loud.
“I could ask the same thing,” he whispered back, his words prompting me to look at him and not those damn laugh lines.
He was being serious. He felt the same way about me. We both felt this unexplainable pull to each other, but he didn’t fight it. I did. And I was going to fight like hell until he gave up.
“I need to say bye to Millie.”
Hux immediately released me and grabbed the ice I didn’t even realize I dropped, holding it up to his mouth. I did my best not to seem like I was running away, but that was exactly what it felt like.
Hux
Huxley watched his woman walk away, the sway in her hips emphasizing the curve of her ass. He couldn’t wait to undress Phoebe and explore every one of her curves, but those thoughts exited his head at the sound of a throat clearing. Carter, Millie’s brother, stood with his arms crossed against his chest, looking very much like a protective big brother.
“You like her,” Carter stated. It wasn’t a question.
Huxley nodded, but he could tell Carter wasn’t finished, so he stayed silent.
A few moments later, Carter added, “I can see you’re highly trained in self-defense, but that doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass if you hurt her.”
Carter’s eyes were sharp and pointing daggers straight at him. Huxley could have easily killed him when he walked into the house. Carter was man enough to admit that, which Huxley respected. Carter also loved Phoebe enough to make sure she didn’t get hurt, even if it meant going up against someone larger and more trained than him. He decided immediately that he would get along with Carter. Phoebe didn’t have many people in her life. Especially ones who cared for and loved her. The more love she got, the merrier.
But Hux needed to clarify something. “There something between you two?”
Carter immediately shook his head. “As much as Millie wanted it, nothing has ever happened between us. I’ve always seen her as another sister.”
Huxley nodded, overcome with relief that he didn’t have to fight anyone for Phoebe’s affection or attention. “She’s safe with me,” he rumbled, looking at Carter so he could see the sincerity in his eyes.
Carter studied him for a few moments before he nodded and held out his hand. He took it, shaking firmly. Carter pointed to Hux’s jaw and said, “Sorry about that. We weren’t expecting company.”
Huxley waved him off. “I’m glad she has someone to protect her.”
Carter nodded. “I’ll get Millie and get out of your hair, because it looks like y’all were in the middle of something. It was nice to meet you, man.”
“You too,” Hux grunted, following behind Carter to find his woman.
She was sitting on the kitchen counter, legs spread wide and dangling. Her head was thrown back, blonde hair in waves down her back, and she was giggling at something Millie said before he walked in the room.
Fuck, his blue balls were going to kill him.
He wanted nothing more than to pull her pants down, rip off her panties—if she was wearing any—and fuck her senseless. He’d have to get her to stop running from him first.
Huxley’s thoughts were interrupted by Millie’s cheery voice. “We’re heading out, babe. Love you.”
Phoebe groaned, hopping off the counter. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I already made up the pull-out in my office for you,” she said once more, pulling Millie in close for a hug.
“No, it’s fine. Carter’s gonna let me crash in his spare room. I love you. I’ll see you later.” Millie pulled out of the hug and followed her brother toward the front door.
She stopped right in front of Huxley and gave him a shit-eating grin. “It was nice to see you again. Have fun.” She patted his chest lightly and walked out.
Phoebe stood a few feet from him, watching the front door for a moment before abruptly heading to the kitchen.
Huxley sighed. He had his work cut out for him, but he had a feeling Phoebe was worth it.
Phoebe
As soon as the door shut behind Carter and Millie, I marched into the living room to clean up, determined to ignore Hux’s existence. Maybe if I did it long enough, he would go away, almost like a figment of my imagination.
I had no such luck.
“Phoebe, do this in the morning. Come to bed,” he instructed, but I refused to acknowledge him. Like I said, ignoring, figment of my imagination, all that jazz.
I picked the popcorn bowl up off the coffee table and swept crumbs from the couch into it. Sidestepping the stairs, where I saw the figment of my imagination standing, I took the bowl into the kitchen, emptied the kernels into the trash, and rinsed the bowl before putting it in the dishwasher.
I turned to go back for our beer bottles, but Hux stood dead-center of the walkway. There was no way I could go through him; therefore, I had no choice but to talk to him.
Fuckity, fuck, fuck.
“What?” I snapped, chock-full of attitude, leg cocked out, hands on my hips.
“Come to bed,” he reiterated.
“I need to get this done. I hate cleaning up in the morning,” I told him, foregoing the beer bottles and deciding I could wipe down the counters while I waited for him to move.
Half of a countertop wiped down, my hand was stilled by Hux’s large one.
“Come. To. Bed,” he commanded.
Yes, commanded.
Uh, excuse me?
I pulled in a controlled breath, doing my best to hold onto the rage I had built up inside for no reason whatsoever.
“Why don’t you just go home, Hux?” I argued.
“If you don’t come willingly, I’ll make you,” he warned.
“Seriously, let me get this cleaned up and I’ll be right up.”
“Phoebe,” he warned.
“Huxley,” I sassed back.
“One,” Hux counted, interrupting my thoughts.
“Are you kidding?” I fumed, turning to face him fully.
“Two,” he ignored me and continued.
Before I could say or do anything, he picked me up in a fireman’s carry. A shocked gasp came out of my mouth before I gathered myself and started pounding on his lower back, almost his firm ass.
“Huxley Carson!” Growling, I tried wiggling around so I could free myself, but it was no use. He had me wrapped up good.
“Stop,” he barked, and I stilled.
I wasn’t sure if it was the tone of his voice or the command in general, but I stopped fighting him.
Huxley took the stairs two at a time, causing me to bounce on his shoulder, which really didn’t feel good to my belly, but I wasn’t about to complain. I pissed him off enough for one night.
He got to the top of the stairs and took a right, straight for my bedroom. He didn’t flip the light on, slide me down his body, or anything. Instead, Hux tossed me halfway through the room, causing me to emit a girlish shriek I was sure was heard by all my neighbors. Surely, someone would call the cops and I could have Hux sent off in a squad car. I didn’t want him arrested, and I wouldn’t pursue charges, but it could possibly get him to leave me alone on a more permanent basis.
My back finally hit the bed after what felt like an eternity, and I landed with an oomph. Before I could take in another breath, Hux was on top of me, pinning my legs beneath his large, tree trunk ones.
“You’re going to land me on an episode of Snapped,” I remarked, not even attempting to get him off me. He was way too strong, way too big, and had way too much determination.
“Shut up,” he growled, nothing in his demeanor indicating that he was joking.
“Excuse me?” I scoffed.
It may be a good idea to start fighting him now.
“You heard me loud and clear, babe. Shut. Up.”
My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, fighting for how to respond. I had no words.
This man.
This fucking man.
Who the hell did he think he
was?
I really needed to know the answer to the question, because who the hell did he think he was to talk to me that way?
“Keep those wheels from turning for a few minutes. Need to make sure you hear me good, ‘cause I won’t repeat myself again. Got me?”
The tone of his voice brooked no argument. Giving my confirmation with a slight nod, I watched as he drew in a breath.
“What we have, it’s real. What’s going on between us, what you’re feeling, you’re gonna continue to feel, because I’m going to be here. Not going anywhere, because I don’t want to. I like you, Phoebe.”
I opened my mouth to interject, but he gave me a look that told me to shut it and that he would do something to shut me up if I decided to fight him.
When he was satisfied I wasn’t going to interrupt, he began again.
“Not saying I’m there yet, but I could fall for you, Phoebe. You could easily fall for me too. I see that in your eyes when you look at me certain ways, and in the way you speak to me sometimes. You may not even notice you’re doing it, but I do. First, we’re going to work on your fears. I’m gonna help you navigate that, and then we can get into us. But, baby, I really think it would help if you went to see a professional about your deep-seated fears. I can only help so much compared to a professional, but I’ll be here regardless of what you choose.”
He had said too much. He went in too quickly. My brain couldn’t process the first bit of what he said, because it quickly moved onto trying to process the next thing.
He could see himself falling for me?
He would enjoy it?
I could fall for him too?
He really had to be delusional.
“Huxley,” I said softly, not because what he said was touching, but because what he said was deranged.
“Don’t, Phoebe.”
“But—” I tried.
“No buts. Let me ask you something.”
“Okay,” I said slowly, cautiously.
“Why haven’t you tried to get me off you?” he asked.
“Uh, is this a trick question?” I asked, confused.
“Answer,” he demanded, shifting his weight so he could run his fingers through my hair.
“It’s quite obvious—you’re much larger than me. I wouldn’t be able to get you off even if I tried.”
“You could get me off if you didn’t want me here,” he stated like it would be easy.
“Then why couldn’t I get you off me this morning?” I questioned.
“Same reason you can’t get me off now,” he stated.
“And why’s that?” I snarked back.
“Because you want me here,” he told me, settling between my legs even deeper.
Scoffing, I tried to find some words to rebut him, but he was right. I wanted him there. More than anything. As much as I didn’t want to admit it. I wanted him in my space. I wanted him to be a part of my life. I wanted him to pick all my insecurities apart and help me overcome them. I wanted him to be a permanent fixture in my life.
Fuck, I was screwed.
“See? You know I’m right,” he said, smiling down at me, causing his eye crinkles to come out, and that warmed my heart even more.
Those fucking crinkles. Dammit.
“Shut up,” I grumbled, turning my head away from him, not wanting to see the look in his eyes. I didn’t think Hux was the type of man to gloat, but I didn’t want to see it in his face if he did.
“Hey,” he rumbled softly, “look at me.”
Begrudgingly, I turned back to him. His face was completely devoid of emotion, and that scared me more.
“What?” Groaning, I tried covering my eyes, so I didn’t have to look at him.
He halted my movements and pinned my arm above my head, grabbed the other one, and took both in one of his hands.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting me, Phoebe,” he drawled. “There’s nothing wrong with trying to move past your fears and open yourself up.”
He made it seem so easy, like I could just accept everything and it would be rainbows and butterflies. I knew better though. I had been living with my fears for a decade now. I knew I couldn’t just wake up one morning and be completely changed. Ten-year-old fears didn’t just go away like that.
“I hope you know it’s not going to be as easy as snapping your fingers,” I informed him. He had to know already though. He was not a stupid man.
“No one said it was going to be that easy, honey. Regardless of how hard it is, I want to be there. I want to help you.” Hux’s thumb moved to the apple of my cheek where he started stroking. I was beginning to learn that was his favorite place when he knew I needed comforting.
He stared into my eyes, but it really felt like my soul, for a few moments. Staring and stroking my cheek. Silently, his eyes were telling me that everything would be fine. That I would be okay, and if I let him help me, then I would be more than okay. I wanted to be more than okay. I wanted to live in a different world. One where Hux and I could be together, one where he could help me heal and we could live our happily ever after. I wasn’t sure if a happily ever after was in the cards for me, but with Hux by my side and helping me, I really wanted to try.
“Okay,” I said, finally giving in.
“Okay, baby,” he stated simply.
God, he really was my dream man.
How did he end up on my doorstep?
Rather, I should ask, how did he end up at my interview?
“Time for bed,” Hux insisted, coming up on his knees, lifting me from the middle of my back, and scooting us up until we hit the pillows, where he deposited me. Flicking the covers over both of us, he settled in behind me, being the big spoon. One of his arms wrapped around my middle, and the other went under my pillow and curled around my front.
A Huxley Carson cocoon.
I could seriously live like this for the rest of my life.
I would die a happy woman.
Eight
Cartel Drive-By
I COULD TELL by the light coming through my windows that it was around six in the morning.
Hux and I needed to have a serious conversation about not closing the curtains at night. I was tired of waking up in the morning blinded by sunlight. Especially since we were going to bed later and later each night, because I always resisted going to bed with Huxley, since he seemed to want to talk. It was after midnight when we finally fell into bed, which was actually early for me, but six hours of rest was not enough. I wanted to go back to sleep, but the light prevented that.
Therefore, serious conversation with Hux was scribbled on my to-do list for the day.
I attempted to stretch out my stiff limbs but was stopped by the hand gripping my breast and the manly moan directly in my ear from behind.
Silently, I turned in his arms and glanced at his face.
Eyes still closed, breath still even, he was knocked out.
There was a softness to him when he was asleep. Like he hadn’t seen and done some bad shit in his days. The crinkles around his eyes were gone, the hardness that usually settled around his mouth was smoothed out, and his brow wasn’t furrowed.
I was sure Huxley knew how to relax, but I had never seen it.
It was endearing.
Almost boyish.
I wanted to sit and trace the usual lines around his face, but my bladder was screaming at me. Scooting to the very edge of the bed, I maneuvered his arm from around me and swung my legs off the side of the bed as silently as possible. Quickly padding across my room, I made it to the bathroom and sighed in relief.
I really had to go.
Taking care of business, I ran through the things I needed to get done today.
I needed to clean the house up a bit, which was going to suck having to do first thing in the morning. I hated morning cleaning. Like, a lot.
After that, I figured I would go see Millie at work. She could work out the tension knots that had been forming in my neck for a week now.
; Then, depending on what Huxley was doing, I could bring him lunch at the office. He didn’t have a normal nine-to-five job, but surely he still ate lunch.
With the first half of my day planned out, I made my way to the sink and began the rigorous brushing of my teeth. I knew Hux. He would want a kiss first thing when he woke up, and I was not kissing him with morning breath again.
As I was rinsing my toothbrush, I heard it.
Pop!
The noise was so loud I dropped to my knees and covered my ears, letting out a shriek as I fell to the tile.
A lot more pops followed the first one, and then my bathroom was exploding. Drywall fell all around me, and the resulting dust meant I could barely see five feet in front of me. Bottles of shampoo were blown to smithereens, the liquid erupting into a mess on the shower walls.
Fuck! What was I supposed to do?
Someone was shooting up my damn house!
First, the cartel car chase.
Now, a cartel drive-by.
I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, since it was the first time I had been shot at in my home, but common sense told me not to stand back up.
Think, Phoebe! What do you need to do?
Huxley! Oh, God, Huxley was still in bed, sound asleep. My bathroom was attached to my bedroom, and there was a good possibility my bedroom had been riddled with bullets too. I needed to get to him. I wasn’t sure how, but I needed to make sure he was okay.
Even though I was shaking like a leaf, I army crawled along the bathroom floor.
With my bathroom still exploding, but the bullets mostly hitting the far wall where the toilet was, I reached my trembling hand up and turned the knob then reached through the crack to keep the door open so I could pull my other hand back down.
The ringing in my ears made it hard to hear anything, but I could tell the moment the bullets stopped flying, because it was dead silent. Eerily silent.
No more than a minute passed, but it felt like an eternity. I swear I felt like I aged ten years in that bathroom.
“Phoebe!” Huxley roared. I had never heard a sound so guttural.
