Chapter 52
Jade
T his last week has been a blur. Hunter has given me as much time as I need away from the office, and Mum has had more surgery to remove the small growth. She’s now in recovery but has more rounds of chemo and radiotherapy to go through, which I know is playing heavy on hers and Henry's minds, but the new specialist is very optimistic. He says a more intense but shorter period will be enough to hopefully put her into remission.
And every day Hunter has been reminding me that he’s still here.
He no longer sends me text messages, but handwritten notes, each tied to a sunflower and a gold hairpin holding it all together. And my heart flips each time it is delivered . Each note is what he has seen that day which reminds him of me.
“Jade?” I turn to see Ada Stone walking towards me. A huge smile on her face and the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. All reds and burnt oranges. “I’m so glad I caught you before you went in. Please give these to your mom for me.”
“That’s so kind she will appreciate it, thank you.”
“Can we chat for a minute?” I take the flowers from her as I nod, walking to the nearby bench. We’re silent for a moment, staring out across the gray and dreary hospital scene. Ada breaks the silence, her voice quiet and wistful. “I see a lot of myself in you. You don’t want to ask for help. You’re strong and independent and your network is small. Am I right?”
I nod.
“You also don’t trust easily?”
I nod again.
“My Thomas, him and Hunter are out of the same mould. Secretly they’re romantics but have this alpha persona to uphold. For as long as I can remember Hunter has said he’s wanted to find someone and have the sort of relationship that we have.” She sighs wistfully. “I’m so unbelievably lucky. Thomas is caring, attentive, and God, does he make me laugh. And Hunter has always idolized him. But he got his heart broken when he was younger and well, I’m sad to admit that he went the other way.” Placing her hand on top of mine, she gives it a gentle squeeze. “But since he’s met you I’ve seen a huge change in him. I can see the man he’s always wanted to be coming back. So, sweetie, I know you’re hurting right now, but please let him in, let him help you heal.”
Her words hit me straight in the chest because I’ve changed since I met him. He’s helping me be the person I’ve always wanted to be.
Happy.
Strong.
Me.
Not once has he tried to change me into someone I’m not, he has stood by my side and allowed me to grow. Never once quietening my voice or forcing me to remain silent. He wants me to be loud, and have my voice heard because he believes I have something worth shouting about.
I told him he wasn’t there for me. My stomach rolls that I told him that because he has always been there for me. Even now when I’m pushing him away he gets me. He’s showing me he’s still here and he is going nowhere.
My heart aches in my chest and I swallow the lump forming in my throat as I lift my eyes to meet Ada’s.
“I’m falling without him.”
Reaching into her large tote she pulls out a sunflower with a note attached. “So let him catch you.”
“That boy, he isn't just saying he misses you. He’s telling you he loves you, you know that right?” Henry smiles down at me. I still at his words. “Don’t be scared to love him and to be loved by him. Trust me when you’re truly in love with someone I mean you can’t breathe without them kind of love nothing compares. No matter how short or long you get with them it’s special.” A tear falls from his eyes and he wipes it away with a small smile. I nod taking in what he’s trying to tell me, and squeeze his hand.
“Henry? Jade?” We stand as Dr Arnold rounds the corner. A large smile on his face. “Thank you both for waiting. Please follow me.” Trailing him into his office we take a seat on the plastic hospital chairs across from him as he places his notes on his desk. Steepling his hands in front of his face, his eyes trained on both of us. My heart is in my throat at what he’s about to say. “I’ve just been talking with Oliva.” His American accent is strong and it only reminds me of Hunter.
After speaking with Ada my mind is reeling.
I’m desperate to see him.
I know nothing was going on with him and Maddison, but I just couldn’t deal with that and my mum. She had to come first, she always will, but I’ve kept Hunter away when really I needed him. I need him to hold me, but he knows me better than I know myself because he’s left me to come to this conclusion myself.
But he never left me.
Always here every day reminding me just who he is, and I know deep in my soul that I love Hunter. I've known for a while. I’ve just been too scared to admit it and let him in fully, but Henry is right. A life with love, no matter how short, is better than a life without it, because our sky would always be dull.
“Things are looking really good.” Dr. Arnold’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “We’ve taken more scans and I’m confident that with the treatment plan I’ve set out, Oliva's chances of remission are excellent. She’s one strong lady.” I feel Henry next to me physically relax.
“Thank you so much for all you've done, Dr. Arnold.” Henry stands to shake his hand and Dr. Arnold laughs.
“It’s my pleasure, any friend of the great Thomas Stone and his family is a friend of mine.”
My eyes snap up to his. “I’m sorry you mentioned Thomas Stone, why?”
Confusion laces his face. “I was called by Thomas’s son, Hunter on the day your mom was admitted. He told me money was no object and to get on a plane and be in London as quickly as I could. He didn’t tell you? I assumed you were close?”
Time stops as I take in his words and what it could possibly mean. Hunter may not have told me he loves with his words, but every time he does something for me he is showing me just how much he loves me.
He is always thinking of me.
My heart hammers in my chest because Hunter Stone loves me and will do anything to make me happy. Even if that means keeping his distance until I’m ready.
Ready for him to catch me.
If that doesn’t just prove that boy loves you I don’t know what more he can do.
“He was very adamant, Miss Wilde.”
My palms are sweaty as I walk up to Hunter’s front door. After not seeing him for over a week, I’m a mixture of emotions. Still in my leggings and baggy sweatshirt, my hair pinned in a messy bun on top of my head, and not a scrap of make up on, I’m second guessing not going home after the hospital to change. Blowing out a breath I walk up the steps, but falter as I hear laughter from behind the door; female laughter. My hands tremble and my heart threatens to burst out of my chest as I rap my knuckles on the door and wait. When it swings open, I sway slightly as a wave of numbness hits me as Hunter stands in front of me. Still dressed in his suit, but his shirt has the top few buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His hair is flopping over one eye, and I hold back from pushing it back. His stunning blue eyes are pinned on me and I can’t read the look he’s giving me. “Who is it, Hunter?” The female voice comes from behind him and then Ria comes into view. I let out a long breath when I catch sight of her, chastising myself for once again thinking the worst.
She squeals. “Jade.” I stumble over my feet as she drags me inside and into the lounge. I’m pulled onto the couch with Ria who sits crossed legged in front of me like an old friend. “So.” She grabs my hands, “How’s your mom?” The love in her eyes is undeniable
“She’s good, thank you, still a long way to go, but they’re hopeful so, so are we.” My eyes drift to Hunter who has silently taken a seat in the armchair adjacent, assessing me. “Thank you, Hunter, for sending Dr. Arnold. I had no idea until today,” I whisper gratefully.
“He wasn’t supposed to say anything." He rubs his jaw. “But I’m glad your mom is getting the treatment she needs. I just want her to get better for you, Tink”
“Tink.” Ria clutches her chest. “Oh, he has a nickname for you. This is precious. I love this so much.” She gestures between me and Hunter, and he laughs at his sister’s antics. “Well, I think this is where I leave.” She claps her hands and stands.
“Oh don’t leave because of me.” I try to stop her.
“Nonsense. I was leaving anyway to go and meet with Leo. We have lots to discuss as do we when you’re ready to come back to the office. But that is not something to be rushed.” She glances at Hunter. “Don’t let her get away again.” She points her finger at him. “I need her.” And with that, she winks at me and leaves. I’m still staring after her when the front door closes and I’m snapped from my trance. I feel Hunter behind me. His hands wrap tentatively around my waist but I lean my head against his chest and he pulls me closer to him, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
“God, I’ve missed you. Tell me you’re real.”
“I’m real, I’m here.” Turning in his embrace I cup his face with my hands. “I’ve missed this face.” I want to tell him I love him, but the words just don’t feel like they are enough.
“I need to explain about the gala. I have to be completely honest with you, Tink.” I put my finger to his lips.
“Listen, I know what I saw. Two people having a conversation. I saw one person trying their best to entice the other, and one person pulling away. I was so in my head that night that I didn’t want to talk about it and I didn’t have the head space to be logical. You have nothing to explain to me. Nothing when it comes to her anyway.” His fingers are rubbing slowly on my hips making me tremble.
“Why are you so perfect?”
“Perfect? No, I’m far from it but you, Hunter Stone, you’re perfect. Perfect for me, and that is why…” I look at him deep in his eyes, pushing my hands into the hair at the nape of his neck and pulling him closer to me, his lips only millimeters from mine. “I love you.” My breath is taken straight from me when his lips come down on mine, his body pressed to mine, I melt into him because being here in his arms just feels right. I’ve missed this, missed us.
“Tink, please tell me this isn’t a joke?” he murmurs against my lips in between desperate kisses.
“It’s no joke, Hunter. I love you.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Hunter Stone. I’ve fallen too.”
He growls and I feel it in my core. “You never left my thoughts, Tink. Not when you left on Halloween and not a moment after you came back into my life. You’ve invaded every part of me, in the best way. It's like I don’t need oxygen to breathe. I just need you.” He kisses my forehead, each of my cheeks, the tip of my nose, and then briefly my lips. “I love you, Tink. You consume me, you’re the sunlight behind every dark cloud.” He picks me up and my legs hitch around his waist.
“Put me down Hunter, you’ll fall.” I giggle against his lips, as he strides toward his bedroom.
“I’ve not had you in my arms for over a week, not laid eyes on this beautiful face,” Opening his bedroom door so quickly it bounces off the wall with the force. “Traced these gorgeous curves with my hands, and kissed these perfect lips. I'm not letting you out of my sight, not ever.” The growl that rumbles through him has my legs tightening and a slight whimper falls from my mouth at his admission. “Now I’m going to show you how much I’ve missed you.” His nose brushes my jaw as he trails kisses along my neck. “And how much I love you.”
He places me gently on his bed, but I instantly miss his warmth. “Where are you going?” I stammer as he backs away.
“I told you I’m going to show you how much I love you and to do that I need to take care of you.” Walking into his ensuite he turns on the taps to his large freestanding bath, pouring bubbles under the stream. “Come here.” He picks me up carrying me to the bathroom where he places me on the basin. He runs his hands under the hem of my sweatshirt and I sigh at the feel of his palms against my skin. Pulling the material up and over my head he drops it to the floor. He runs the back of his hand down my cheek. “I never needed someone the way I need you. It’s been torture not being able to speak to you, hold you. Even just breathe the same air as you.”
I brush his hair out of his eyes. “It’s been torture for me too. Without you I’ve just been floating in the wind, not knowing which way to turn.”
“Come on, let's get you in.” He turns the taps off, unhooks my bra and my breasts fall free, my nipples puckering. He sucks in a deep breath and brushes his thumbs over them, making me gasp.
Helping me off the basin he gently peels my leggings and knickers down my legs, and I step out. His palms massage my calves and up to my thighs. This beautiful strong dominant man is on his knees looking after me because he loves me. A surge of emotions hit me. Hunter stands and wordlessly takes my hand in his as he guides me into the bath. I sink into the mountain of bubbles and reveal in the way the heat calms my tight muscles, the lavender scent of the soap relaxing me.
“How’s the water?” He turns the taps off and settles behind me as begins to massage his deft fingers into my scalp, I close my eyes at the instant relief.
“So good.”
After a moment I peer up at him. “You know this tub is big enough for two.”
He moves to undress and I take in his gloriously perfect body. I move forward so he can position himself at my back, his long muscular thighs encasing mine. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Hmm? What? Take a bath?” I giggle.
“A bath with someone else, but this is nice.” I sense his vulnerability.
“Can I ask you something?” I lean back against his chest.
“You can ask me anything, Tink.”
“I saw your mum today, she actually delivered me your daily note.”
“Yeah, she said she wanted to bring some flowers to your mom, so I gave it to her.”
“I loved it. I’ve loved them all. I’ve got quite the sunflower collection on my windowsill. But she mentioned you had been hurt in the past?”
“Yeah.” I feel his whole body go ridged behind me.
“Sorry if you don’t want to talk about it, I understand. I never should have brought it up.”
“No, it’s fine, I don’t want any secrets from you.” He absentmindedly runs water over my shoulders. “Chloe was my high school sweetheart. I always wanted the type of relationship my parents have. Very much like Henry and your mom, so wrapped up in each other.” He lets out a long sigh. “Growing up around them the love that radiated from them I wanted it, craved it. So I treated Chloe how Dad treats Mom. I worshipped the ground she walked on. We dated all through college until I caught her with one of my football teammates. She said I was suffocating her and she just wanted to have fun. Apparently she was sleeping with most of the football team, while I was devoted to her, with a diamond engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket.” He lets out a humorless chuckle before he continues. “Instead of dealing with it healthily, I thought I could play her at her own game and became the heartless playboy you met on Halloween.”
“You’re far from heartless.” I straddle his lap the water from the tub sloshing over the side. "I’m so sorry that she did that to you. But also the selfish part of me is glad because now I get to love you.” I place a gentle kiss to his chest replacing my lips with my palm I vow. “I’m going to love you so hard. Because you, Hunter Stone, deserve to be worshipped too.”