Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98652 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98652 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I wouldn’t do that to you … bring another woman to the christening. Christ, I’m not even thinking about another woman, Natalia.”
I tapped my pointer finger to my lips. “Hmm … is that supposed to be a mutual thing? Because what if I want to bring a date?”
That got his attention. His jaw flexed, and I saw a flicker of fury in his eyes. But I wasn’t happy with a flicker; I wanted the full damn flame.
So I pushed. “You asked me if I wanted to stay with you when I come out for the christening. Is my date welcome, too? I mean, would it bother you if we were loud in your guest room? I tend to moan a bit when I’m getting fucked hard.” I paused. “But I guess you know that already, don’t you?”
Hunter’s already rigid jaw clenched so tight, I thought he might possibly crack a pearly white. Yet he still didn’t blow.
I wanted to know the reason he wouldn’t fight for us. I needed to know. Frustrated, I lifted my arms and smacked them down against my sides. “Why did you come here, Hunter?”
“Because I knew you were upset, and you kept blowing me off.”
“So? Did this help you in any way? Did you need to see firsthand that I’m upset or something? Because it certainly hasn’t helped me any.” I turned to storm away, but he gripped my elbow, stopping me.
“Natalia.”
I jerked my arm from his grip and whirled back around so fast, he had to retreat to avoid crashing into me.
“Or did you come for a quick fuck? Is that what you came for?” I started fumbling, undoing the buttons on my shirt. “That’s all it was to begin with anyway, right?”
“Stop it.”
I didn’t. I kept right on going. The third button, then the fourth …
“You deserve more than I can give you.”
That wasn’t an explanation; it was a cop-out. But he’d finally said something that was right. I did deserve better.
“When my parents were splitting up, my father told my mother he’d always cared about her, but he’d never deeply loved her the way he loved Margie. He basically admitted that he’d settled. And let’s not even talk about my choice of Garrett. You’re absolutely right. I do deserve more. I deserve someone who wants to be with me the way I want to be with them. And maybe it’s my own fault for growing feelings for you when you never promised anything more than a physical relationship. But you know what…” I searched his eyes. “I didn’t think I was in this alone. I was foolish enough to think you were right there with me, breaking your dumb rule about keeping things to sex only.”
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at the floor.
I pulled my unbuttoned shirt closed. “You should go.”
“Natalia…”
His calm, level tone made me snap. I was riding an emotional roller coaster, and he was floating through the lazy river. Screw this.
“Get out! Go find your new fuck of the month.”
I spun around and marched toward the front door, flinging it open without another word. Hunter stayed put for a few long moments and then came toward the door. Only, he didn’t walk through it; he slammed it shut. With him still inside.
“I am right there with you. I just…”
“Just what?”
“I can’t promise more. But I also can’t seem to walk out that fucking door.”
I was sad and angry. So, how did I respond?
I kissed him.
Probably not the smartest move I’ve ever made. Yet I couldn’t help myself.
It took about one second for Hunter to stop fighting it. He cupped both hands around my ass and lifted me up against the door. My legs wrapped around his waist, arms around his neck, and all of my angry energy poured into the kiss.
I couldn’t get close enough. And this time, I was positive I wasn’t the only one. Hunter wound his fingers into my hair, tilted my head to deepen the kiss, and pressed his body into mine as he let out a groan. Our hearts pounded against each other. We began tearing away our clothes without ungluing our mouths. Engrossed in the furies of passion, I hadn’t even noticed we were moving until I felt Hunter’s foot push open the door to my bedroom.
Ever so gently, he set me down on the bed, our tongues still intertwined. I was lost—we were lost—in the moment. It wasn’t until our kiss broke, and Hunter stood to remove the rest of his clothes, that either one of us had a chance to sober up from the high of arousal.
Our gazes locked, and he froze, his hand on his zipper. “Do you want me to stop? Tell me now.”
Ten minutes ago I’d been kicking him out. Now I wanted him inside of me more than my next breath. Of course, in the moment, I could justify anything. What difference would two more weeks make? I already had feelings for him. It wasn’t like depriving myself of sexual gratification was going to change that. My eyes dropped to the thick bulge straining for release from Hunter’s pants.