"What exactly did you hear?"
I lick my lips, replying, "She said something about a conversation you all had, and you were grunting and groaning." A blush steals across my cheeks as I look away. "I left right after that. I ... I didn't want to hear any more."
After a moment, a lone finger lands under my chin, pushing it upward, so I'll peer up at him. At the last second, my eyes break away and finally meet his. His features soften when he looks down at me, but it's not with pity. Never with pity.
"She told me I'd regret walking away. That's it. The only reason I was grunting or groaning or whatever you heard was because she just doesn't get it. She was in Traven's room before you showed up, and that little bastard knew she wasn't allowed here anymore. She was getting on my nerves, Lo, not getting me off."
My head tilts to the side. "So, you two really aren't together?"
He shakes his head and pulls me closer with a megawatt smile. "I have everything I want right here."
A smile slowly breaks out across my face, threatening to steal what little breath I have left from my lungs. I stand there in awe of a man I didn’t think could get any more handsome than he already was, in heart and soul. His eyes shine brightly with untold promises of pleasure and happiness that’s in store for me.
"Really?" I inquire, choking up.
Leaning toward me, his lips ghost across mine, making me shiver and melt against him. "Why would I give up heaven for a taste of hell?"
His eyes search mine, begging me to see how serious he is. We stand there in silence, looking into the other’s eyes. He’s begging me to take a chance, and I'm too scared. Lord, what am I going to do?
"I promise," he whispers in a meaningful tone. "Regardless of whether you forgive me or not, I'll be here. Every day, for you and for our son. Doesn't matter if it's raining and all you need me to do is hold the umbrella, I'll be here. If all you need is someone to vent to at three in the morning, let me be that person for you. Because, baby, even when I thought I was supposed to hate you, I still loved you."
The breath I've been holding inside rushes out at his whispered confession. He leans forward, taking my mouth in a kiss that has me panting within seconds. His lips are amazingly soft yet firm. They’re unyielding yet give every time my lips pass over them. Hunter instantly takes over, slipping his tongue inside to playfully bat at mine. It’s like he’s trying to take everything my little body has to offer him. And then it’s still not enough to sate him in his need.
It’s hard to explain, but he’s everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time. I sigh into his mouth, feeling at ease for the first time in such a long time. His hands roam over my body, lingering in some places while lightly caressing others. His hands make their way down to my backside, pulling my hips even closer. He begins lightly grinding his pelvis against mine, flooding my system with euphoric bliss.
He breaks the kiss, panting heavily. “Lo, please, tell me you want this."
I can't keep denying my wants forever. Even through all the hurt and pain, it's always been Hunter.
Inhaling a shuddering breath, I nod, barely meeting his eyes. "Yes."
Before I can say another word, his lips are back on mine more forcefully in their tantalizing dominance. His tongue forces its way into my mouth as his ministrations become bolder.
Moaning, I raise my arms and wrap them around his neck at the same moment he bends and hoists me up into his arms. My legs wrap around his taut waist as if the act is as natural as breathing. I cling to him with everything I have, meeting his kiss with a little forcefulness of my own.
I'm hungry, and it feels like this is my first meal in years.
His groan resonates through the halls as we make our way to his room. But before we get there, we hear a throat clearing at the head of the hallway. It's throaty, masculine. Immediately, our faces break apart, and we turn to see Leo standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"So," he says, trying to keep the laughter from his words, but bombing big time. "I can see this is a bad time, but little man says he's ready for Zootopia or some shit."
"Shit," I whisper-groan, only just now remembering that Jenna made me promise to have him back in time to go to the movies with her. "Jenna's taking Mav to the movies to watch the new cartoon that just came out," I answer regretfully, and curse when Hunter's hands grip my ass tighter.
He doesn't want to let go, just like I don't want to let go.
The only problem is ... we have to.
By the time Maverick and I get back to the apartment, Jenna is basically running out the door with her arms wide open and waiting for me to hand him over. I had my worries that he'd be too tired to go, but thankfully, he seems just as energetic as he was during the cookout at Hunter's house.
"Remember, no candy past seven, okay?" She nods, taking his bag. "Also, no small piece because he tends to choke, and watch him with popcorn, too."
She interrupts me. "I got it." Then she smiles, patting my arm. Maverick mimics her actions, making me laugh. "This isn't my first rodeo."
"Yeah. Not her rodeo," Maverick says, pursing his lips shamelessly.
"When does the movie start?" I ask.
Checking her watch, she chirps, "About thirty minutes. It's the 6:55 showing, so we should be back around 9, just in time for bath and bed. Isn't that right, little man?" He nods, his smile nearly splitting his face in two.
Shaking my head, I smile and give him a kiss on his tiny cheek. Jenna shoots me a wink before walking away with a bouncing Maverick in her arms, already asking her a ton of questions about the movie. I can't help but smile. They make such terrific friends, those two.
After settling inside, I decide that it's a good chance to get some homework done before the holidays hit, so I get all my books out and sit down on the couch, tucking in. By the time I look up from my English work, I see that it's getting dark. Stretching, I toss down my pen and check the time, seeing it's almost 7:30, and since it's becoming wintertime soon, it gets darker sooner.
Craning my neck from side to side, I try to massage the ache in my muscles. Kneading, I inwardly wish there were another ache I could take care of just as easily. Ever since leaving Hunter's, I've been primed and ready. Stupid me for getting caught up in the moment and nearly forgetting something Jenna planned nearly all week for.
That's what happens when I'm around Hunter, though. Everything of importance simply floats away. Not because I want to shirk my duties or anything, but because his proximity leaves no room for anything else.
Just the nearness of him is enough to fog all my senses. I thought it was terrible in high school, but present Hunter is no match for sophomore year Hunter.
This Hunter knows what he wants, even more so than the one from high school. He's not a fumbling teenager, but a man who brings me to my knees with a single look.
Hunter and I have always had a connection, but now, since we've worked on things, there seems to be something stronger growing there. Probably not enough for a sustainable relationship, but most definitely a friendship. To be honest, I doubt there'll ever be a chance at anything more as long as that bitch is in the picture.