AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tanner checks?”
“Yeah,” he nods. At first, I was so fucking pissed over the situation that I turned down Alec’s job offer. I thought I needed to be alone, to wallow or whatever. I kept fighting and kept winning. Alec still called me for contract work because he didn't have any other employees yet. But other than that I kept moving around for a few years just trying to get my head on straight.”
“What made you stop?” He huffs a breath through his nose and shakes his head a couple of times.
“I got a call from the last person I ever expected to hear from. My mother. She had gotten evicted and lost her job. She needed help. She fed me some bullshit line about how sorry she was for everything she put me through. I came here and helped find her a place to live. I paid a huge deposit and a few months rent in advance so she had time to search for a job. But I knew she would keep needing my help. I was making good money fighting, but not enough. So I gave in and called Alec. And if I’m being honest, I was ready to set down some roots. Once I was settled in, Tanner pulled me aside and told me he had been keeping tabs on Melanie and where she’s at now. He gave me the rundown of it all. I was glad she was doing well, but it was still a fucking hit to my pride.”
“Do you still love her?” My throat feels like I just swallowed glass when I ask the question, but for some reason, I need the answer.
“What’s that saying? You can love someone without beinginlove with them? I think a part of me will always love her. At least the girl I grew up with. But no. No, I’m not in love with her. Maybe I never was.” His arms flex again as he runs his hands roughly over his head. “One thing I do know though, is that she’s in my past and I know that’s where she belongs.”
Silence falls over us and we both look out over the water, my mind spinning with all of the information he just gave me. I never in a million years expected Hunter to open up to me the way he just did. There’s no hiding how painful it was for him to relive the entire situation. But he did it. He did it for me. I’m not sure if this told me more about Hunter, or less. It gave me an insight to why he is the way he is, but I still wonder if he’s always been more of the silent type, or if that came from years of seeing the ugly side of the world.
“I was married once.” I don’t know why I say it, but if I had to pick something, I would say that the whole situation with Jared is one of my greatest regrets.
“I know.”
I’m not surprised that he knows. I’m sure all of the men that work for my brother know that I was married at some point, but I doubt they really know all the details.
“It’s funny, at first I was so angry. I mean, he cheated on me. With my boss. Of course I’m going to be angry, right?” He lets out a low grunt in response, but doesn’t say anything else. “I probably should have been sad. I mean, I married him, so of course I was in love with him, right?” I shake my head, trying to work out my thoughts. “But I think I was just embarrassed more than anything. He cheated on me with my boss. A woman I truly admired and looked up to.” I glance at Hunter, but his gaze is lasered on the still water in front of us. “I still can’t even figure out how it all happened, or why. I didn’t even think we were very serious. One minute we were casually dating, and the next thing I knew we were married.” I attempt to push the loose curls out of my face, but they fall right back down where they were.
“I think the only thing that still bothers me is the fact that I have no idea why he even married me to begin with. I’m pretty sure he had been fooling around with her from the beginning. They stayed together after our divorce. It just doesn’t make sense why he insisted on marryingme.” I shake my head, the frustration I always feel when I think about this rising. “I don’t know, maybe it was just some sick game for him. Maybe he just did it all for entertainment value.” I force the last words up my throat because even though I’m more than over Jared, I can’t help the feeling of humiliation every time I think about what he did to me. Everyone that was around when it all happened sided with me without any question, because they both fucked up big time. But the fact that I evenallowedit to happen is what sits wrong with me, even to this day.
“He’s a fucking idiot.” Hunter’s voice is rough and menacing and even though it should be absolutely terrifying, it has the opposite effect on me. It calms everything inside of me and reminds me that I’m better off where I am now. I never needed Jared. Hell, I don’t think I ever even wanted Jared.
I look over at Hunter, who’s staring right at me. The way his eyes are so intently focused on me has my entire body thrumming with need. I have never in my life wanted a -no, needed- a man, the way I do Hunter. That’s something I know for absolutely certain.
“So is Melanie.” We don’t speak, but we don’t look away either. So many thoughts and truths pass through the silence between us. This is what I’m used to with Hunter. Silent conversation, but so much being said when nothing is being said at all.
He stands from the bench and holds out his hand for me. The moment my palm slides against his, electricity shoots up my arms and through my entire body. Silence still fills the air as we walk back to the car, but even without the words, there’s no question about what’s happening.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Anya
We barely makeit through the door of our hotel room before Hunter slams it shut and pins me against the wall. His lips are on mine and our tongues fight for dominance. His hand flies to the back of my neck and grips with a force that tries to tell me exactly who’s in charge. I wrap my arms around his waist, gripping his back with my hands and digging my nails into his skin through his shirt.
He tears his mouth from mine and without hesitation grips the bottom of my shirt to rip it over my head. I’m mentally cursing myself for not wearing one of my nicer bras, but a part of me didn’t think this would happen again. Apparently the type of bra I’m wearing doesn’t matter a single bit to Hunter because he still takes a step back from me and curses to himself. His eyes devour my chest and entire upper body before he gets down onto his knees to unbutton my jeans and slide them down my thighs. The heat of his mouth sears through the thin material of my cotton underwear before he pushes them down as well, and I’m not even a little bit ashamed of the needy moan that falls from my lips as I rest my head back against the wall.
He stands and even though I’m completely naked in front of him while he’s still fully dressed, it doesn’t even cross my mind to be self-conscious or embarrassed. His eyes devour me and the look of pure and utter desire written all over his face pushes me to be bold and take exactly what I want.
I step forward and grip the hem of his shirt, lifting it as far as I can, which really is only to his chest. Luckily, he doesn’t dwell on that and just helps pull it over his head the rest of the way. Hunter basically dwarfs me with his size, and I love it. I’m not what most people would consider small, since I’m five foot seven with a lot of curves. But Hunter is probably close to an entire foot taller than I am and his size alone is close to double mine. He has a way of making me feel petite, but strong at the same time.
I slowly fall to my knees and undo his pants, pushing them and his briefs down his thighs until they're in a pool at his ankles. His hand tangles in my hair and for a moment I become confused when he begins to tug.
“Get this fucking thing out of here.” I can’t help but chuckle at his inability to get the tie out of my hair. Books and movies always make it seem easy, and maybe it is for women with normal straight hair. But for me, undoing a bun like this requires strategic maneuvers. I make quick work of freeing my curls and toss the ponytail aside, not concerned with where it lands. Hunter’s fingertips begin massaging small circles over my scalp and it’s amazing to me how he just knows what I need. I hate wearing my hair up because it always gives me a headache, and it’s like Hunter knows that without me even having to ask.
My hand grips his hard shaft and I barely even have to squeeze it before Hunter lets out a low groan. I lean forward and lightly flick my tongue across the tip, already loving the salty taste that invades my tastebuds.
“Fuck baby.” I circle my tongue around his crown before diving all the way down onto his dick and taking him to the back of my throat. I reach around and grip his ass cheeks while I bob up and down. I’m not concerned with making this blow job graceful, or even fancy. This is primal and needy. I need him just as much as he needs me and I’m showing him that right now. His hand fists in my hair tightly, but he’s not controlling any of this. His hips are bucking slightly, but I’m in control. I tighten my grip on his ass and that seems to spur him on more as he moans and groans with every bob of my head and flick of my tongue. I allow my finger to slide closer to his hole, just like I did when we first had sex. He didn’t vocally react when I did it before, but the way his body practically vibrated with his release, it’s obvious he enjoyed it. I press my finger against his hole and he starts to come undone. His hips begin to buck harder and harder, and his grip tightens even more.
“Fuck, Anya. That’s it baby. Fucking take it.” His words start to become incoherent as his need and desperation take over his body. I’m not even fully sure he’s aware of what he’s doing, but that’s okay. I let him ride out his orgasm and swallow down every last drop of cum that he spills into my mouth. It isn’t until his dick begins to soften in my mouth that I release it and he pulls away with ragged breaths.
He looks at me, his eyes laser focused and almost feral. “On the bed. Now.”
I let a smirk play on my lips as I do what he says and climb on the bed. I channel every bit of confidence and boldness I have in me, putting on a show as I crawl to the head of the bed and rest back on the pillows. Hunter stays standing on the side of the bed, his perfect Norse-like body on full display. My eyes track over the tattoos that decorate his arms. The designs of black and gray swirl together with bright colors. It’s almost as beautiful and mesmerizing as he is. My body scorches with the way his eyes burn through me from my head to my toe. My fingers begin to twitch with the need to touch myself. I need his hands on me. I need him to feel me to cover me with himself. I need so much, I’m not even sure how to voice it all. I open my mouth to attempt it, but before anything can come out, he moves. His body hovers over me, his face only inches from mine. I lift my head to try and capture his lips, but he pulls back and gives me a teasing smile.
“I’m a confident man, Anya. I’m not afraid to let a woman take control.” I try not to think about other women he’s been with and if he’s given them control or not. “But right now, I’m in charge.” His voice is menacing and dark and it sends a thrill thrumming through me. “On your hands and knees.”
