Chapter 16
Hunter ducked into the tent and moments later emerged with a backpack slung over his shoulder and again fell in at my side. At the ice cream tent, we selected our flavors, rum and raisin for him and macadamia caramel swirl for me and headed back to Lolita.
Lolly had three men standing around her as she applied sunscreen to her toned belly. The woman was a hunk magnet.
The men took off as we arrived, and we remained standing side by side to lick our ice creams before they melted down our arms.
“I’m going to head off. Leave you two lovebirds to it.” Lolly swung her legs to the side and stood.
I tried to catch my melting ice cream with my tongue. “Oh no, don’t go,” I said.
“It’s okay, you can stay,” Hunter said at the same time as me.
“No. No.” She flicked her hand. “Three’s a crowd. Memphis and I’ve already talked about threesomes.”
I gasped, and Hunter turned to me with a cheeky grin.
“Ask her about it sometime.” Lolly burst out laughing.
Oh, God.I wanted to dive into the sand and be buried beneath a giant castle.
Hunter laughed along with Lolly though, and it was such a wonderful, genuine sound that I joined in, too. “You’ll have to excuse her. She has no scruples.”
“What?” She faked hurt by clutching her chest. “Want me to leave both towels with you?”
Hunter looked to me for an answer, and I shrugged. “Sure.”
“Okay, babe.” She leaned in to hug me. “Remember what I said about pineapple.”
I gasped again and bulged my eyes at her.
“What’s this about pineapple?” Hunter grinned at me.
“Oh, nothing.” I licked my ice cream, hopeful that it would provide a distraction.
“She’ll tell you later.” Lolly smacked Hunter on the bottom, grabbed her bag, and strolled up the beach with the eyes of every man she passed turning to her.
Hunter turned to me, smiling. “She’s a card.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
Hunter sat on Lolita’s towel, and I sat on mine beside him. We both faced the ocean with our legs splayed out before us, but my focus was on my ice cream as I raced against gravity to lick the dribbles before I wore them.
“Are you going to tell me about the pineapple thing?”
“Oh, God.” I shook my head. “No.”
He crinkled his nose at me. “I predict you’ll tell me before the night’s out.”
“No, I won’t.”
“Ah, so that wasn’t a no to spending the night with me then.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Are you asking me on a date?” I liked this little repertoire we’d instigated months ago.
“I do believe I am.” He ran his tongue up the length of his ice cream cone.
I’d fallen into a dream. A highly erotic daydream. “Unfortunately, I start work at nine-thirty tonight.”
“Oh, bugger.” He scowled. “Can I see you before work then?”
I smiled, pleased that he’d asked. “I’d love to.”
As much as I wanted to spend the entire day here on the beach with him, I couldn’t stand the heat anymore, and not only did I risk my abundant makeup melting off, but the wig was seriously frying my brain. “Well, I need to get some sleep before work.”
I crawled forward in an awkward attempt to avoid getting sand on my towel and stood up. He stood too, and stepped toward me. The warmth of his body, the smell of his skin, the depth of his smile—all of them were magnets drawing me closer.
He placed his hand on my waist, and I melted beneath his touch. I copied his move and rested my hand on his side, resisting the urge to glide my hand over all the gloriously toned muscles.
He kissed me, and the second our mouths met, the entire world around me evaporated into obscurity. His touch, his smell, his taste captured me in so many ways. It was over in a flash, and I ran my tongue over my lips, desperate to taste more of him.
He reached down to gather his towel from the sand, and I conceded that our brief intimate moment was over.
As we packed up our things, we agreed to meet at his room in the Hot Horizon Hotel at seven o’clock. To avoid his offer to catch a taxi together, I made up a story about how I had to go grocery shopping. It was true, but the thought of doing it with my brain cooking in the wig was extra motivation for the little white lie.
When my turn for a taxi arrived, Hunter kissed me again, and I was whisked away with an aching heart.
The second I hopped out of the taxi, I scurried inside, fearful Hunter would be in a taxi right behind me. I picked up my pace even more as I crossed the lobby, determined not to let Needledick ruin the wonderful morning I’d had so far.
In my room, I tore off my wig, unclipped my sweat-soaked hair, and climbed into a cold shower. It was an eternity before my body cooled down enough for me to step out. By the time I crawled into bed, I was well and truly ready for sleep.
My alarm startled me awake, and with a groan, I rolled over to turn off the blaring music. But I didn’t stay there long as I had just forty-five minutes before my hot date with Hunter. The very thought of him had butterflies dancing across my stomach.
As much as I didn’t want to, I reapplied the abundant makeup necessary to hide Jane and create the cat-eyed Memphis look Hunter knew me as. My hair was still damp from my shower before I slept, which made it easier to braid and pin up for the blonde bob wig again.
My choice of outfit for today was my navy and cream shift dress that showed off today’s tanning on my legs. The dress was fresh and summery and suited the day I’d already had with Hunter perfectly. For something a little sexy, I decided on lace lingerie that consisted of a fitted bodice and matching G-string. I’d bought this cute matching set months ago, yet this would be the first time I’d worn it.
I tugged the bodice into place, plumping my lopsided boobs into position, and pulled on the G-string. The dress fell loosely over the top and had no zips or clips, perfect for easy removal. To match the navy, I wore a pair of navy suede lace-up shoes.
Once I was dressed, I glanced in the mirror. The sun I’d had today gave my skin a lovely, healthy glow, which was made even more lovely against the cream of the dress. Happy with my Memphis look, I grabbed my bag and headed up to my sexy chocolatier.
Hunter opened the door after I knocked just once, and I was greeted by a dozen kinds of delights. His smile. His scent. His eyes. I could stand there and admire him all night long. He wore a rust-colored T-shirt with a scattering of words that I couldn’t work out and dark denim jeans that suited him perfectly.
It was casual attire, but on Hunter, it looked sexy and devilishly dangerous. He leaned in to kiss me, and this morning’s scents of suntan lotion and sea salt were replaced with hints of floral and spice.
“Did you have a good sleep?” He shut the door and led me into the room.
“Yes, thank you.” It would’ve been much better with you in my bed beside me. That thought tumbled from nowhere, and my insides purred at how delightful it sounded.
“Would you like a drink? I bought wine.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t really. Not before work.” The smile on his face fell away, and I felt like I’d ruined some master plan he’d set up. “Okay, I will, but just one glass.”
His smile was back, and I hoped I wouldn’t regret that decision come midnight tonight when I was bored at the reception desk downstairs.
He poured the wine into our glasses, and I was grateful it was white wine and not red. I’d definitely be in trouble with red. He led us out to the balcony, and we sat side by side on the chairs. Hunter had arranged a plate of food, and the second I laid eyes on it, I realized I’d forgotten to eat before I came up. That wasn’t like me. Food usually dominated most of my thoughts.
“What have you got here?” I scoured the plate, examining the tantalizing nibbles.
“When I told Mom I was coming up to see you, she insisted on making something.”
“You told your mom?” My jaw dropped.
My horror must’ve shown on my face because he blinked at me and reached over to touch my arm. “Oh, don’t worry. It’s not like that. I have to drip-feed Mom information, or she won’t stop asking questions. But I was at their place yesterday, and she grilled me over why I was coming up to the Gold Coast again. She’s good at that. Anyway . . .” He shrugged. “I couldn’t help but talk about you. I find you fascinating.”
Fascinating! Okay, he’s forgiven.My heart fluttered at the intense desire in his eyes. I was two seconds away from jumping his bones when he glanced away from me and down at the food.
“Anyway . . .” He pointed at tiny pastry cups that looked to be filled with white custard. “These are Mom’s famous cheese puffs. You top them with the quince jelly. It’s heaven in your mouth. Trust me.”
Oh, hello.It was impossible to resist after that introduction. I plucked one, topped it with quince jelly just like he’d suggested, and popped it into my mouth. He copied my move, and we watched each other eat.
The taste was sensational. Creamy, complex cheese, buttery pastry, sweet quince—I was in culinary heaven.
“Oh, my god. Yum.” I reached for another.
“I told you. People line up for these whenever Mom entertains. The trick is the cheese; Mom has our local deli import it specially for her from France. You can’t get it here otherwise.”
“Wow.”
While Hunter chatted more about the cheese and the lovely region in the French Riviera where it came from, I devoured another two pastries and became enthralled by his voice. We sipped our wine, ate some more, laughed a lot, and as the night rolled on, we touched each other more. Fleeting touches at first—his hand on my arm, mine on his. He wiped a crumb from my lip, and I fed a nibble into his mouth.
I wanted to stay all night long.
No, it was more than that—I wanted to stay with Hunter forever. It was a wonderful realization. He made me feel incredible. My heart swelled just looking at him, but when we shared a conversation, my heart leaped for joy.
I’d never used the term soul mate before. I’d never thought they were real, but now, after spending more wonderful hours with my handsome chocolatier, I wondered if I may have found mine.
Hunter reached over and wove our fingers together. I turned to him, and our eyes met, and the silent communication that sizzled between us made my heart soar. Pushing off my chair, I went to him, straddled his legs, put my arms around his neck, and planted my lips on his.
Our kiss wasn’t constrained. It was wild, heated, and full of passion. Our tongues explored, our hands groped, and my body heat elevated. We moaned together, and I drove my fingers through his hair and grabbed a handful, holding him to me.
He pushed forward on his chair, curled his arms around me, and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around him, and our mouths remained locked together as he carried me inside.
He put me on the kitchen counter, and together, we raised my dress over my head, and his eyes widened when they lowered to my sexy lingerie. He ran his hand from my neck to between my breasts, and I planted my hands behind me on the counter and arched my back as his hands traveled down my body.
My flesh sizzled. I was an inferno about to self-combust, and I wriggled my hips in reaction to the party raging in my pussy. I spread my legs farther as his hand reached my G-string. He ran his thumb over my clit, and the pressure he applied enhanced the friction of the lacy fabric, and it was fantastic.
He hooked his fingers into my underpants and peeled them off. I parted my legs, and his hands glided up my thighs. He pushed a finger inside me. I gasped, and he sucked the air in through his teeth as he drilled his digit into me with a fascinating twisting motion. I laid back on the counter, gasping at the coolness on my skin, and the next second, his tongue was on me. In me.
He licked my pussy and sucked my clit into his mouth. When he added a finger to his already magical repertoire, I clawed at the counter. I raised my hips. I gasped for air. Every nerve ending was set to explode as he continued to build my orgasm.
I cried out as I tipped over the magical edge, and my orgasm took over my body.
Hunter left the counter, and through my sex-fueled haze, I watched him strip off and roll a condom on. He returned to me, his eyes glazed, his jaw ajar, and his cock thick and long. I planted my hands on his shoulders, ready to watch the show.
And oh, what a show it was. Hunter guided his cock to my pussy and pushed the head into my folds, spreading me apart. His fingers dug into my hips as he guided himself into me, driving right to the very hilt. He filled me so completely, like the last piece of a puzzle slotting into place.
Our eyes met. Our souls met. The two of us, united as one, was the most incredible thing in the world.
He lowered his eyes to watch our union, and I joined him in observing the spectacle. His cock withdrew, slick with my juices, and he came all the way out, showing off his swollen crown. He entered again, driving that beast all the way into me with slow precision. As I felt every inch of him, I was certain he too explored every inch of me.
Over and over, he drove into me, each time slightly faster than the last. Our breathing grew rapid. His fingers dug into my flesh. My pussy pulsed, begging to be thrust into again. I clenched my muscles around him, trapping him in my core.
He cried out.
I cried out.
His thrusts hit fever pitch, and I grabbed hold of his shoulders, arched my back, and cried out as my orgasm tore through me. Hunter released a deep primal moan and slammed his cock into me over and over, until finally, he shuddered inside me.
His fingers gradually released their grip on my hips as his cock softened. He pulled me to him, and as we wrapped our arms around each other, I heard the comforting sound of his beating heart.
“Where have you been all my life, Memphis?”
His words broke my heart twice over. I squeezed him tighter and clamped my jaw, determined not to cry. He pulled away too soon, and I swallowed back the lump in my throat.
I cupped his cheek. “I wish I didn’t have to go to work.”
“Me too.” He helped me off the counter.
“May I use the bathroom?”
“Of course.”
I picked up my G-string off the floor, stepped around him, went to the bathroom, and shut the door. I sat on the toilet, put my elbows on my knees, and covered my face.
The lump in my throat made it impossible to breathe.
How the hell did I get myself into this mess?
And how will I ever fix it?
I knew only too well the answer to that. I had to tell him the truth. I really, really liked Hunter, but after my continual deceit, why would he forgive me? The thought of losing him strangled my heart.
I wiped my eyes, then used toilet paper to clean myself up. I pulled on my G-string and flushed, and at the sink, I checked that I hadn’t ruined my makeup.
Memphis was still there, staring right back at me with her fearful eyes.
Stupid girl.“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” I shook my head, and it was several minutes before I convinced myself to get moving again. I pulled open the door and crossed the room to Hunter, who’d collected my dress from the floor and was holding it for me.
“Thank you.” I pulled the dress over my head and wriggled it into place.
He stepped to me and placed his hands on my waist. “When can I see you again?”
“Soon, I hope.” The urge to blurt out my horrible truth was excruciating, and I fought it with all my might.
His beautiful eyes softened, and he leaned in to kiss me. Our lips met, and the lump burning in my throat ruined a perfect moment.
We parted, and I grabbed my bag. “Good night. See you soon.”
“Yes, you will.” He blew me a kiss, and I turned and strode to the door.
I walked to the elevator, and instead of my usual walking on air, today I was swimming through concrete. Every step away from Hunter hurt.
My deceit and lies threatened to shatter my sanity a thousand times over.
Somehow, I arrived at my room, and if I didn’t have to go to work, I would have crawled under my bed covers and cried myself to sleep. I sucked back the sobs as I showered, and my tears mingled with the warm cascade. It was an eternity before I stepped out.
I dried myself off, and with the towel around my feet, I gripped the sink and stared at my reflection. My bloodshot eyes were a terrible shade of pink, but it was the fear in them that scared me the most. With my bathrobe on, I went to the kitchen, made myself a peanut butter sandwich, and then grabbed my diary and sat at the table.
Writing down my tumbling thoughts had become a form of therapy, but even as I turned to the 12th of November, I wasn’t sure if any amount of therapy could save me from the mess I’d put myself in.
At the top of the page, I wrote Hunter McCall, Room 43.
After a big sigh, I lined the page with every wonderful aspect of my day with him. Everything from my tumbling nerves as I watched him race up the beach to the pleasure of sharing his mother’s divine cheese treats, to listening to his travel stories, to our incredible sex.
Finally, I detailed my horrible situation. I wanted to learn everything about my sexy chocolatier. But most of all, I wanted him to know me—the real me. To do that, however, I had to reveal my disgusting lies. No matter which way I analyzed how that scenario would play out, the ending was always the same.
I was destined to lose him.
The idea of that ate away at my soul. As a tear trickled down my cheek, I wrote Losing my Soul at the top of the page.
Snapping the diary shut, I sighed, and as my appetite evaporated, I pushed my sandwich away. My mind flitted to my silly notion earlier today when I’d proclaimed that every new day was the dawn of a new beginning. It suddenly seemed foolish, and I was fairly certain I wouldn’t feel any better come daylight tomorrow.
With just five weeks left, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to finish my challenge.