AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He takes a step back each time. After three pushes, he snatches my wrists tight in his grip, and I wrestle against his hold.
“Stop.” His booming voice echoes against the walls.
My heart jumps into my throat. He’s furious, the vein in his neck popping out and throbbing in time with his heartbeat.
I stop struggling, and Hunter lets go of my wrists. My arms fall to my sides, my skin burning from his tight grip.
We both pant for breath, fiercely staring at each other. Then something within me clicks, and I turn my back to him. I release a heavy sigh. “Just get out, Hunter.”
I wring my hands together, my shoulders sagging, hoping he leaves. Instead of the door closing, there’s heat at my back. Hunter’s low growl against my ear causes me to stiffen. “You can deny me all you want, Little Red, but I don’t see any other option for you. Become mine and be safe, or leave and end up in a shallow grave dug by either my father or yours. Take your pick.”
Tingles run down my spine, and I can’t stop the shiver washing over me. The promise in his words pushes fear ahead of any other emotion trying to gain first place in my body.
What options do I really have?
Do I want Hunter? Possibly.
Do I want to marry him? Uh...no. I hardly know him.
Do I want to end up dead? Hell no.
Warm lips press against my neck, and I automatically tilt my head, allowing him.
Damn you, body.
“Stop denying what you really want...which is me,” he states with a hint of arrogance that has me snapping back to reality so fast I have whiplash.
I move away from Hunter and turn to face him. A cocky grin is plastered across his good-looking face.
“For all you know, I’m playing you.” My eyebrows raise, and his smile is gone as soon as the words leave my mouth. “You’re the one playing with fire. I may appear to be a broken little girl, but there’s so much about me you don’t know...” I pause, a smug look on my face, then continue, “Game. On.”
Hunter laughs a full-bellied kind of laugh. “Oh, Little Red, you have no idea who you’re dealing with. Let’s make a deal. Whoever succumbs first to the other gets what they want. For you, that means freedom. I can help you disappear. For me...” He shifts closer and leans over me, his dark eyes holding my gaze. My chest tightens, awaiting the rest of his response. “I get you. All of you.”
He thinks he’s so smart.
“Get out, Hunter. You’re not needed. Go deal with bad people.”
His eyes widen slightly, but he says nothing and nods.
I release the breath I was holding. How the hell am I going to resist Hunter? My body demands his touch—craves it. I have to control myself and not fall into his trap.
“What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I mutter to an empty room.
Moving to my suitcase, I get out my flip-flops to head out, needing something to eat. My stomach is ready to eat itself. It’s growling that much.
The house is silent as I walk down the hallway and approach the kitchen. No May or Hunter. I step out the back door. A lush green, freshly cut lawn glistens under the sun. The same barn I saw yesterday has a door wide open, and I catch a glimpse of a tractor. Beyond the barn are open fields. Part of it is full of tall trees and thick bushes surrounding half the property like a protective wall from the outside world. The scene takes my breath away.
A place like this never existed to me, but in my dreams, I’d always wished to walk around somewhere as amazing as this.
I head toward the large brown and white barn. My flip-flops crunch along the dirt path. When I get to the door, a horse whinnies inside, and curiosity gets the better of me. I pull the door open, and the scent of hay and animals hits my senses. It’s comforting, in a way. It feels homey and welcoming.
This is something I would have really enjoyed growing up. I would have liked to be a country bumpkin. I laugh to myself at the thought.
A loud snort and stomping of feet catch my attention as I walk past the stalls. Turning toward the sounds, I find a black horse. She’s beautiful with a silky, shiny coat and white spots on her hind.
I click my tongue. “Here, girl,” I whisper so as not to startle her.
Her head comes up at the sound of my voice. Then she turns and walks toward me. I hold out my hand, waiting for her to come close. She sniffs my outstretched hand, and I move my fingertips over her nose. Without further hesitation, she comes closer and allows me to rub the side of her face.
