Chuckling, he bent and scooped the box up. “Are you kidding me? I can smell the cinnamon. No way I’m dropping that sucker on the ground.”
Once they were inside, he didn’t release her hand. Instead, he led her through to the kitchen and placed the box on the table. Then he hauled her in close and kissed her like a man hell-bent on seduction.
Which she was entirely on board with.
Only…
As much as it pained her, she pulled back. “Where’s Eli?”
“Sleeping. We stayed up extra late last night. He won’t be up for at least another hour.” Then he dove in for another kiss. And then another.
His arms banded around her as he picked her up and began to walk toward his bedroom. She wanted to laugh or, at the very least, tell him how much she was loving this idea, but it was necessary to stay quiet and not wake up his son.
With the bedroom door closed and locked, Hunter gently put her down on the edge of the bed before getting on his knees in front of her.
“If you’re not comfortable with this, just say the word.” His hand slid up her thighs–skin on skin as she was wearing shorts–and when they slowly smoothed their way under the hem, Violet wasn’t sure she could even remember her own name.
“More touching,” she said as she leaned forward and began to rain kisses along his jaw. “Less talking.”
His laugh was deep and rich and oh-so masculine that she was practically in a puddle, but it was clear that playtime was over. And as much as she loved making love with him and taking their time, there was something wildly erotic about the quiet franticness of the moment.
Clothes were shifted but not completely removed.
Every movement was urgent and a little rough.
And every emotion was expressed with their eyes and breathy, whispered words.
Hunter held her gaze the entire time, and it was quite possibly the most intimate part of the whole encounter. Never before had a man looked at her like this–like she was everything–and damn if she didn’t want to see that look every day.
It was fast and furious and over way too soon, but as Hunter rolled onto his back and cradled her in his arms, all Violet could think was how perfect it was.
“That was wildly unexpected,” she said after she caught her breath. “I’m going to have to bring you cinnamon rolls every day.”
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “This had nothing to do with cinnamon rolls, but…I certainly wouldn’t say no to you bringing more tomorrow.”
They lay in companionable silence for several minutes before Violet felt like she had to say something. Leaning up on one elbow, she smiled down at him. One hand gently caressed his face, his jaw, before she stopped and traced the small bruise she spotted there.
“How did that happen?”
“Kyle’s stupid fist,” he murmured, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm. “It’s no big deal. The one I left on him is much bigger.”
Violet felt her eyes go wide. “You had a fistfight with your brother? Why?”
“He’s annoying. Trust me.”
“Hunter, that’s not the sort of thing you should be doing around your son. Violence is never the answer.”
His smile was slow and sweet as his grip on her hand gentled. “It rarely happens, and once in a while, we just need to pound on something when we’re frustrated. It’s a guy thing.”
“Hunter…”
“How about this, I promise it will never happen again.” He kissed her palm again. “And it’s not anything you ever have to worry about.”
She had a feeling that wasn’t entirely true, but she also knew there wasn’t anything to fear where Hunter and violence were concerned. He was the most caring and nurturing person she’d ever met.
After a minute, Hunter whispered her name, and when she looked at him, he looked concerned. “Violet, it’s really okay. There’s nothing for you to be scared of.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
“Are you sure? Because you look a little worried.”
Her hand skimmed down over his chest. Then, meeting his gaze, she said, “I am a little worried. And afraid.”
“Of what?” his voice was barely a whisper.
“Of this. Of how I feel about you and how you feel about me.” Luckily, he didn’t make her try to explain why, but there was more she needed to say. “I kind of have a habit of running away from situations like this because I’m afraid of getting hurt.” She swallowed hard. “But the way you look at me? It tells me you’d never hurt me; that I can trust you.”
This time it was his hand that reached up and cupped her cheek. “You can trust me, Violet. I would never–ever–hurt you.”
Unable to speak because emotion had her by the throat, she nodded.
Hunter guided her head down until it was resting over his heart, and for the first time in her life, Violet felt like she was home.
There was a spring in his step and he felt lighter than he had in years.
And it felt fan-freaking-tastic.
His face actually hurt from smiling so much, but he didn’t care. Violet was here with him and Hunter felt like his life was finally falling into place.
Together, like a family, they’d had the cinnamon rolls she had brought with her once Eli woke up. After that, Hunter showed her the progress he’d made on the deck. He felt a sense of pride as she marveled over what he and his family had accomplished in only one day. They stayed out in the yard and played ball with Eli, and then Violet did some yoga with him.
Hunter opted to sit back and watch.
The day was going along so damn perfectly that he was waiting for something to ruin it.
And it did.
Eli was down for a nap and Hunter was ready to suggest that he and Violet do the same when he got the call from his captain asking if he could cover an EMT shift.
“I hated to even ask, Hunter, and it’s just for today from four to eleven. Can you do it?”
“That’s two hours from now. Eli’s down for a nap and my whole family’s at work…”
Violet, who was sitting beside him, waved at him. “I can stay with him.”
“Uh…Captain? Let me call you back.” When he hung up, he looked at her like she was crazy. “You want to babysit while I go to work?”
She shrugged. “Sure! Eli and I will be fine.”
“I don’t know…I hate to ask that of you. Besides, don’t you need to check-in and make sure Katie doesn’t need you?”
“She’s fine and Brian’s home. Actually, she packed me an overnight bag and threw it in the back of my car so…I think she’s fine.”
“Oh, okay. Um…wow.” He was utterly conflicted. The last thing he expected was to be called in to work on his first week of leave, but he knew there had to serious circumstances for them to reach out to him. But he also didn’t want to take advantage of Violet. Things were still new, and…he shook his head. “No. I’ll just tell him I can’t do it.”
“Hunter,” she pleaded, her soft hand resting on his arm. “You know it’s going to be on your mind all night if you don’t go in. It’s one shift. Eli and I will be fine. We’ll have dinner together, watch some cartoons, play some games, and he’ll be in bed by eight.” Leaning over, she kissed him on the cheek. “You need to do this.”