He doesn’t hesitate this time. His mouth finds mine in a slow, claiming kiss, filled with all the promises he’s made and the ones he hasn’t spoken yet. It’s not desperate—it’s real, steady, filled with the weight of everything we’ve been through.
When we finally break apart, our foreheads resting against each other, I know things won’t be easy. I know there will be more challenges, more doubts. But for the first time, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I have a chance at something real.
And as Hunter’s arms tighten around me, holding me close, a shiver of fear races through me. Can I really allow myself to hope?
“Hungry?” Food is the last thing on my mind when he’s looking at me like that.
“For you,” I giggle.
“Mm, you’re dinner and dessert, baby.” His hand slips under my skirt and he draws a fingertip under the hem of my panty. I quiver with the need to feel him closer everywhere. Pushing my teeth into my bottom lip, I rub my thighs together and resist the sigh that’s begging to fall from my lips.
“Mm, I can’t wait to get you naked and taste this sweet pussy again, baby.”
“Well, I would hate to keep a hungry man waiting.”
He grunts, locking our hands together before leading us back to the lodge. A minute later we’re entering his bedroom—and he pins me against the closed door, yanking me to him in a way that makes my heart race with anticipation. He refuses to let me go. Even if I try to run, this man will catch me, he will always catch me and maybe that’s why I shouldn’t be afraid to fall. I’ve already fallen, he’s already caught me once when triggers from my past got the better of me.
And now it’s us.
Me and him.
“Welcome home, baby.” His hands are already working under my skirt again, his thick erection between my thighs. I arch and moan, and he ducks his head under my sweater and latches onto my pebbled nipple.
I sigh when he nips against the fabric of my bra, then shoves shirt and bra over my head and discards it on the floor.
My entire body buzzes as one thought burns into my brain.
“Hunter, God I want you so much.”
His lips suck at the line of my neck as his thumb and finger pinch and roll my nipple. I'm soaked, I can feel that my panties have done nothing to stop the wetness, and I’m almost embarrassed I’m so new at this.
He pauses his movement and hands as his eyes meet mine. A mischievous grin turns his lips before he breathes, “God you’re so gorgeous when you’re pussy is wet and turned on for me. I’ll enjoy my dessert even more knowing I’m the only man in the world to taste it.”
With that he slips a finger under my skirt and pulls my soaked panties down my thighs. His hand yanks at my hips and he pulls me over to the bed, positioning me with my ass in the air. I feel on display for him, shivering with need and warmth and anticipation.
“Mm, soaked and looking sweeter than candy.” I can feel his eyes on my wet pussy before he draws one finger down the soaked crevice. “My sexy, soaking wet, Little Bird. I love seeing how turned on I make this delicious little pussy of yours.”
I shiver, another rush of warmth flowing down my thighs. He rubs my bare ass cheek once, then gives it a soft slap. Next, I expect his finger, but instead I feel the flat warmth of his tongue trailing down my slit.
“Oh, God, yessss.” Is all I can manage.
“Fuck, I can’t wait to fill this hot pussy.” Both of his hands are holding my ass now as he buries himself between my cheeks,tongue working me up and down and into a quivering mess. “Give me all of that sweet cream, babe. I want to see how much you want this.”
His teeth slowly drag along my slit before he finds my clit and works it in furious strokes with his tongue and teeth. In quick succession a series of waves roll over my body, clenching my muscles and making me shiver and shake in ways I didn’t know possible. My sighs turn to soft moans and still he continues to swirl and lick and eat me.
“Fuck, you’re my favorite meal. I need you naked now.” He whips me around so we’re facing each other. His eyes careen down my body and my flesh pebbles with pleasure at his attention. “But keep the boots, gorgeous.”
Chapter Nine
Hunter
The next morning I wake without her. The lodge feels colder without Lark in it. It’s strange how quickly a place can turn hollow when the person who filled it is gone. I run a hand over my face, staring at the note she left on the rough wooden table. The words blur in front of me, each one a punch to the gut.
I went for a walk. Please don’t come after me.
The paper crinkles under my grip, the edges torn from the force of my frustration. Anger, regret, and a desperation I’ve never felt before surge through me, each emotion hitting harder than the last. I promised her I’d keep her safe, and I always keep my promises.
I shove the note into my pocket, grabbing my jacket and stepping out onto the porch. The early morning air bites at my skin, a stark contrast to the heat roiling inside me. The trail is faint, barely visible in the damp earth, but I know Lark’s movements as well as my own. She’s smart—too smart. But she’s also running on fear, and that’s a weakness I can use to find her. I’ll track her across the Continental Divide if I have to.
