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This isn’t how I planned my life, and I don’t know how things would have ended up if I’d grown up here. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been this jittery person who doesn’t trust people. For all I know, Hunter could have turned out to be a vile man like his father if I just happened to be there, ready for him to marry.
I’m somewhat thankful that I’ve lived a tough life. It’s given me more perspective on things and people in general.
I can only hope that Hunter will be someone I can rely on.
19
After a few days of bed rest, my cuts are healing nicely. It’s mostly just a handful that still have some stitches and my shoulder, which gives me pain to the point where I’ll wake in agony, covered in sweat.
Hunter has been sleeping in my bed with me, and I find it comforting. Over the last four nights, it’s become a routine that neither of us have spoken about. Simply listening to his breathing settles my racing heart.
I still have thoughts of Miles coming back for me, even though I know he’s dead. But Hunter settles those thoughts because I know he’s here.
May has been with me whenever Hunter has had to leave to take care of business. It’s always with Landon when he does, which makes me feel better about him going. For some reason, the idea of him going alone doesn’t sit right with me.
“I think you should still rest. You don’t want to bust a stitch,” Hunter argues.
Too bad for him that I’ve already pulled myself out of bed and gotten dressed. “I need fresh air. I want out of this room. There are only so many action movies I can watch.”
He huffs. “Fine.” Then he walks out of the room, leaving the door open.
He knows I can manage just fine without him, and I think that’s what makes him all protective because I don’t need him so much anymore.
I select a long summery floral dress from the closet. Thankfully, my clothes were brought in from my other room a few days ago.
I’m not sure how I’ll react when I step back in there.
This room is Hunter’s. His bed smells like him, and I decide I like it. When we’d watch movies, I would find myself wanting to hold his hand and shuffle closer to him, only I didn’t want him to think it meant anything. And when he fell asleep before me, I’d reach over and rest my hand on his shoulder. Somehow, it would soothe my nerves, making it easier to shut my eyes.
Undoing my shirt buttons, I slip my arms out and stare at the dress, deciding how best to pull it over my head since I can’t really lift my arm. During this recovery process, I discovered that button-ups are easier with my shoulder, but I didn’t think things through, opting for something I need to pull over my head.
I decide pulling it up from the bottom might be easier, but as I’m bending over to pull it up, a shiver runs down my spine. I instantly whip around to find Hunter staring at me, hunger in his eyes.
My heart rate jumps, but I don’t scream at him to get out. In fact, I don’t mind that he saw me.
“Want to help?” I swallow.
Hunter stands there, watching silently. And a new sensation settles over me. With one look, this man sets my body off like a live wire, and I find myself trying to swallow again, but my mouth has gone dry.
Finally, he steps closer, and his hands come to my exposed hips as I continue to try and wriggle the dress up. The sudden contact and my compromised position make my breath hitch. He stares down at me, his hands gliding up from my waist over my ribs and stopping at the nape of my neck. My entire body feels like it might combust on the spot.
My good hand comes up and rests on his.
Our eyes connect, then I glance at his lips and back up again. He catches the movement, and I step closer to him. Butterflies swarm my stomach, goose bumps covering my flesh from how his eyes bore into mine.
In one swift move, his head comes down, and his mouth crashes into mine. My hand roams up into his hair, gripping tight. He breaks the kiss, trailing his mouth down my neck, and I welcome it, my head falling back, eagerly allowing him access.
I need this connection.
I need him.
A groan escapes my lips, and Hunter’s mouth is back on mine. It’s like a wrestle of who can overpower who. He’s electrified every nerve ending in my body and heightened them tenfold. His arms wrap around me, and he pulls me against him. I hiss in pain, and as quickly as he took my mouth, he drops his arms, taking a step back.
“I’m sorry. I know I said I wouldn’t do that again,” Hunter apologizes, but his eyes are flaring with the same heat I’m feeling.
I want, no, need, his touch. We’re like fire and ice. He’s the fire, always hot and demanding, and I’m the ice, cold and distant. I step close, deciding to take a chance again. My hand comes up to his lightly stubbled face. “It’s okay,” I whisper, then pop up on my tiptoes, pulling him to me.
This time, the kiss isn’t as hungry as the one before. We taste each other, and I know in my heart that I need to put my trust in him.
