Crossed Page 4

  “Even if your body wants me and I want you.” He moved the tip of the dildo along my panties before he slowly lowered my feet off the stool to the ground. With my knees bent, my feet were spread apart and my lower region looked as if it was completely ready for a man to take me. I wanted to get up but wasn’t sure whether it was such a good idea just yet. Besides, the pressure slowly building between my legs was beginning to feel more welcome each second. Would it be so bad to have a fling with this hot man? A man who worked for a reputable investigations company and had saved my life only this morning. I was willing to forget the mental institution part for a few minutes—minutes that could end up being extremely gratifying.

  “Yes, even if that’s true.”

  I’d never been careless. I hadn’t been with a man in over twelve months. Even when I’d labeled them as the one, none of them had turned out to be it. None of them got past first base. What would Emma do? She’d have jumped in the sack hours ago. She’d live it up and enjoy herself. Could I be Emma? Could I let go of the past and forget about the pain? I wanted to put that day behind me so, so badly.

  “Then tell me to stop, Grace. And I will.” His face hovered above mine and warm lips slowly traced along my jawline. Their luscious touch left a torturous trail on my skin. The hot breath leaving his mouth skimmed down my neck and onto my cleavage, inflaming my entire body.

  Hunter removed the cloth from my eyes, “Look at me, Grace. Look at how much I want you.” My gaze followed his to where his pink tip poked out from underneath the waistband.

  I licked my lips. “Do you say that to all the women?”

  “Does it matter whether I do or don’t?”

  Honestly, at this moment, it didn’t because no matter what Hunter’s answer would have been it wouldn’t have changed my mind. The hormones had overtaken my body five minutes ago, and if I didn’t have Hunter I’d be sporting a female version of blue balls for days. Besides, I was human. How long did I expect to survive with a flimsy dildo? Even if this was a one-time thing with Hunter, I didn’t care. For once, I wanted to listen to my body and what it needed—what I needed.

  At the small shake of my head Hunter smiled and took my lips into his mouth. And everything in my body shut down. All my senses and thoughts focused on my mouth, where Hunter was doing some wicked things. Oh boy! Was this ever a kiss worthy of a gold medal. Hunter didn’t kiss. He didn’t simply touch his mouth to mine. Instead, he literally took my lips between his, sucking them and fondling them with his, discovering every curve and ripple before dipping his tongue inside to taste me. My head spun and I hoped it was for the right reason this time. There was no way I wanted to faint right now. I needed to savor this moment and commit it to my deepest memories. I opened wider, welcoming him deeper, giving him my breath and my soul at the same time.

  The dildo dropped down to the floor, as predicted its vibrating sound slowly dying, and was replaced by his hand weaving underneath my panties and fingers spreading my wet flesh. I pressed into him, losing track of place and time, wishing this euphoria could last forever. I grasped Hunter’s shirt and pulled it over his head, forcing him to let go of me for a moment. The two seconds it took to do so, depriving me of his heated touch, were too long. As I lay on the floor, he looked at me from above with the arrogance and confidence of a man on the prowl whose middle name had to be Rebellion or Trouble. And at this moment of heat, as Hunter slowly pulled on my robe’s belt completely exposing me, I didn’t really care.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “And you have a way with words,” I laughed.

  “If you’re making fun of me you’re going to regret this, Grace.” Hunter lifted me off the floor and with ease flipped me over his shoulder. I laughed out loud, not quite remembering the last time I’d been so free with a man in my home—a man I’d only met. In fact, I hadn’t brought a man to my apartment over the past year at all.

  Setting me down on the kitchen counter, Hunter slowly removed my robe from one shoulder, then the other, gently biting the skin along my arms, leaving me in my panties and a field of goose bumps. He sucked in a quick breath and drew his finger from my belly button to the under curve of my breast, skimming his thumb over my nipple.

  “Are you sure about this, Grace? Because I’m closing in on the point of no return.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure.” I pulled my fingers through his hair, bringing his head closer to my cleavage until his lips tickled my stone-hard nipple. Holding onto my hips he trailed his tongue around the rim before clasping his mouth on the nub. I closed my eyes, enjoying the pleasure of the lick spreading outward all through my body. The tantalizing roll of his tongue before his teeth gently grasped and pulled my flesh zapped through me.

  “Oh!” I breathed as he let go.

  His mouth ventured to the other side in response, giving my other breast the same attention while his hand now pinched and released the stimulated nipple, cupping and squeezing, letting go and grasping again while his tongue nourished my other side. Hunter couldn’t get enough of my breasts, kneading with one hand while the other slowly slid down along my curves, and I didn’t want his coaxing to stop—ever. I wasn’t sure how and when my panties disappeared off my hips. All I knew was that the marble kitchen counter was cool against my heated skin, with a squish of my juices underneath my writhing ass. My hands roamed his shoulders and back, feeling his muscles flex beneath my palms. Each time he moved I discovered new ways in which his back bunched up and muscles twisted. I held onto his arms and used my feet to lower his jogging pants, releasing him. And when his hand slid all the way down to the throbbing between my legs and his fingers began playing with my wetness, my knees fell apart. I crushed my mouth back to Hunter’s, pulling his head as hard as I could, denying him an easy breath.

  The erection squished against my thigh as his finger began pumping in and out of me, preparing me for him.

  “Bedroom,” I said into his mouth as I opened the kitchen drawer underneath my legs and pulled out a foil packet.

  Hunter’s brow rose, and the side of his mouth curved in mischief and surprise. “You keep condoms with the cutlery?”

  “A girl’s gotta be prepared.”

  I secretly prayed the rubber wasn’t expired. While what I’d said made me sound like a slut, that was the furthest from the truth. I honestly liked being prepared.

  “Extra large?”

  I shrugged. He must have been thinking I was some kind of a nympho, but he didn’t seem to care.

  With a quick roll the latex was over him, fitting perfectly.

  He lifted me up into his arms and carried me around the kitchen counter, our kiss never breaking. Our chests were pressed against one another as my legs wrapped around his waist. The sofa was in the way, and so Hunter squeezed us between the furniture and the window. But when my body leaned against the glass, his grip intensified and, with a strong hold underneath my knees and support at my back, I felt him prod my opening. The bedroom would have to wait, because I couldn’t.

  “Please,” I whispered. “I want you inside me.”

  And with those words of encouragement I felt his cock finally stretching me, as he slowly sank into my flesh. I breathed against his neck, holding on tight, lowering my body over him, deeper. With my chest squished onto his and my arms around his neck, Hunter began lifting me up and then lowering me. I moved my hips to the rhythm as his pounding intensified. Hunter shifted to the left, right against the supporting column of my window, resting one of his legs on the ledge. My back was now against the cool metal. To my left, Manhattan’s skyline shined outside. For a split second I felt exposed, wondering whether we were being watched by anyone, hoping that the dual-reflective film on my windows provided sufficient privacy. But when I felt Hunter hit my depth I no longer cared, and I held on tight as my pelvis began rubbing against his pubic bone. This was so much better than the dildo.

  “Grace, you’re unbelievable.”

  “Aha,” I panted. “Don’t stop.”


  “Not in your dreams, baby.”

  He nuzzled into my neck and breathed heavily. The pure strength of him and the way he held me up with my legs wrapped around him were firing up my arousal. Our bodies began making slippery wet sounds—sweat mixed with my fluids, which lubricated my entrance each time he thrust inside me with a loud grunt. I’d never felt a man want me as much as Hunter did. Never in my life did I think a partner could be so full of passion while having sex. He gave everything he had and I took it all.

  “Baby, I won’t last long with you moaning like this.”

  I felt my muscles contract around him at his words, feeling him grow wider inside me. I pressed harder against him, digging my nails into his shoulders, scraping a bit as his legs began to tremble. He let out a loud groan before pushing in for the last time and leaning his weight against my body. I was squashed between the metal beam and the glorious body of a hunk I’d only met this morning.

  His heavy breath collected on the window, which appeared to have steamed up. I uncoiled my legs from his hips, searching for my robe with my eyes.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “You’re… You’re done. I should get…”

  “You should get nothing. There’s no way I will leave you unsatisfied.”

  And with that he lowered to his knees and clasped his mouth around my swollen bud, licking the pink tip thoroughly before suckling at it. My hands flew to his head, holding on for dear life, fingers pulling his curled hair, so close to his scalp. Knowing what had just happened between us and the remaining pressure in my core, this wouldn’t take long. Each pull of his tongue licked through me like lightning, igniting the first trembles within seconds. His fingers spread me apart before entering and pumping to the excruciating rhythm of his slurps. The sound of his mouth on me heightened my sense of him at my most private area, and I could no longer hold on.

  The ecstasy spread through my pelvis and out my limbs. I felt my knees shake underneath me, and I pounded the window at my left with my fist as my voice overtook the apartment.

  “Oh God!”

  But he wouldn’t stop. Hunter sucked every single jitter out of me, until I could no longer hold on and until the last flick of my climax left my body. When his head eased away he lifted me up into his arms and carried me into my bedroom, where he spooned me from behind, kissing my shoulder and my back every few seconds, gently stroking my arm with his fingers.

  “Are you all right, Grace?”

  “Yes.” I couldn’t hide the slight shake in my voice. “Listen, I don’t usually do things like this.”

  “Your moves and your hips tell me the exact opposite. It’s like your body was built with all these sensors that beg to be pleased. Why have you not had sex for so long?”

  “How did you know?”

  “You just told me.”

  Shit, he is worse than Emma.

  “And you were unbelievably tight.”

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t have sex.”

  “Do you?”

  “It’s been a while. So…” I paused, making sure I could phrase my question correctly. “How come you don’t… you know… have sex?”

  “I have sex, it’s just that I’ve been on a private case and either the timing or the women were always wrong.”

  “What exactly is it that you do at Cross Enterprises?”

  “Sex first and questions later? That’s new.” He laughed. “I’m in computer forensics and surveillance.”

  “Oh, so they don’t let you shave or cut your hair at work?”

  Hunter laughed again. I loved how freely he could do so at my side, and I wondered whether Hunter could in fact be the one. I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. Each time I ventured that far, the guy turned out to be a loser and not worthy of my time. And we’d just met this morning. There was no way this could be more than a simple fling, could it?

  “They do, but I’ve been away. It’s a long story.”

  “Listen, you don’t have to feel obliged to stay. I mean, I understand if you just needed… you know… sex,” I said.

  He kissed me on my lips ever so gently before whispering, “Unless you’re kicking me out, I want to stay. Now, sleep, Grace while you can. I promise you’ll be awake a few more times before the sun rises.”

  And Hunter kept his promise. I don’t recall how many times I woke up during the night to find him buried inside me and my hips moving along his length on their own. I also vividly remember his head between my legs and his mouth driving me to climax over and over again. My orgasms crashed through me until my muscles ached and my head spun. Half awake, I was somewhere between a gratifying dream and reality. And the warmth of his body against mine after each time we’d had sex was the most rewarding feeling in the world. So when I woke up in the morning and swept my hand across the pillow only to find an empty spot, I was disappointed. He had left after all. Stretching, I felt the sweet ache of my muscles. A fragrant aroma wafted into the room. Was that the smell of sex and satisfaction? Had I known that a night of fuckery could put me in a good mood, even if the guy didn’t stay, I’d have done it months ago. I put on my robe and headed for the kitchen, freezing halfway there. On the counter and all along the window ledge where Hunter had taken me last night were bouquets of roses. A note was taped to the fridge.

  I had an amazing night, Magic Fingers. I’ll see you soon. Hunter

  CHAPTER 5

  “You have some explaining to do, Grace.” Emma furrowed her brows when I met her downstairs at the coffee shop. It was Saturday afternoon and I hadn’t heard from Hunter since he’d left sometime that morning: the happiest morning I’d had in a long time. With music blasting on the radio and sun shining through the windows I was just pressed against twelve hours earlier, I couldn’t help but dance around my apartment, washing my sheets and cleaning the whole place as if it were the first day of spring.

  “Hi to you too. How was your date, backstabber?”

  “Fine. Why didn’t you call to tell me that you were attacked?”

  “Oh, that.”

  “What were you thinking?”

  “Nothing. It was just a crazy day. With the robbery and the police and Hunter…” I stirred my coffee, keeping my gaze away from Emma’s.

  “What about Hunter?” she asked, curiously leaning in.

  I finally looked up. “He saved my life, Emma. And he looks completely different without that Duck Dynasty beard.”

  “You mean he moved more than an inch?” She rolled her eyes. Her brothers were right. The gesture did make Emma look immature.

  “Did you drive him to that address I gave you?” The caution in her voice was definitely new. It was as if she was already suspicious of me and Hunter. Or maybe it was just her inquisitive nature.

  “Um. No. Listen, Emma. Something has happened, and I couldn’t drive him after…”

  “Where is he?”

  I shut my eyes and drummed my fingers on the table. She would not be happy. I knew there was no way around it.

  “Honestly, at this moment I don’t know. But he was at my apartment this morning.”

  “Grace, you took him to your apartment? A stranger? And you didn’t drive him to the clinic?” Emma started swiping the screen on her phone as if her life depended on it. I covered her hand with mine, stopping her.

  “Emma, he’s a grown man who can make his own decisions. And he seemed fine. Plus he works for you, so he’s technically not a stranger. The robbery triggered something and he really appeared normal. In fact, he was charming and protective and so hot.” I felt my entire body slide down in the booth we were sitting in.

  “It sure didn’t look like it when I dropped him off. Do you know how difficult it was to get him to your salon? He wouldn’t move a muscle, Grace. There’s a reason these people need to rehabilitate. I knew Hunter before and he was not Hunter yesterday.” Why did Emma all of a sudden sound animated? I could swear she looked as if she were practicing a speech for an acting class.


  “Aren’t you listening to me? Whatever happened to him, it was gone as soon as he became Rambo at the salon and saved me. And he sure didn’t seem that difficult or dangerous last night and in the morning hours.” I bit my lip.

  Emma’s mouth dropped open. I could see the wheels spinning in her head as she began putting the pieces together.

  “You slept with him? Grace, that’s… that’s… fast.”

  “Emma, it was unbelievable. I… I hadn’t since Marcus. And it was so easy to give in to Hunter.”

  “Grace, if you say he’s the one I swear the next time he’s there I’m gonna march right into your apartment, rip him out of your bed and interrogate him.”

  What was she talking about? For the first time in a long time I was certain that Emma was exaggerating.

  As much as I wanted to shout “Yes, he’s the one,” I kept my mouth shut. Having Emma barge in to see this naked perfection was the last thing I wanted. I guess living three floors apart sometimes did have consequences. And maybe she was right. Emma had been the right dose of reality I usually needed to wake up and see that the guy next to me wasn’t worthy. Yet I hadn’t slept with any since Marcus had passed. Didn’t I deserve a little happiness in my life? Even if it was just for one night?

  “I’m not saying a word until I’m sure.” I pulled my hand across my lips as if zipping them up.

  “Wow, well then you should thank me.” She smiled a fake smile, waiting for my gratitude.

  “I guess. Thank you. Even if he doesn’t call again, last night was worth it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I mean, you should know. You’re switching guys like disposable gloves.”

  “Yeah, but not all disposable gloves are meant to be used.”

  “Good, at least you’re not sleeping with all of them. Emma, I’m worried about you.”

  “Grace, I promise there’s nothing to worry about. If there were, I would tell you.”

  “Promise?” I drew out my pinkie.

  “Promise.” She hooked her little finger into mine.