Chapter 8 Sierra
SIERRA
Islowly come awake, finding myself on the floor, wrapped halfway in a blanket.
The fire is almost out, there’s just a faint red glow remaining.
Morning is beginning to make itself known, and the rising sun highlights the frost along the windows.
Hunter lies beside me on the floor, a second blanket half covering him, one arm draped over my waist, his breathing deep and steady.
I look over my shoulder. He looks peaceful, and it surprises me. He hasn’t looked this relaxed since I walked in.
But I guess a few orgasms will do that.
I always assumed Hunter would be as tightly wound in his sleep as he is when he’s awake, like some part of him never truly lets go. But with his arm wrapped around me and the lingering warmth of the fire spreading over us, his face looks completely at ease.
I’m breaking through his walls.
I turn in his arms, facing him, and brush my fingers over his beard, the same beard that teased my thighs and awakened my senses. He stirs at my touch and blinks slowly, his eyes clearing as they focus on me.
“Morning,” I whisper.
“Mm.” His voice is gravelly. “Still here.”
“Were you expecting me to disappear?”
His hand moves up my back, slow and warm, making me want him all over again. “It would’ve been easier if you had.”
I roll my eyes but don’t pull away. I know he’s just trying to push down his emotions. “You really know how to make a girl feel special.”
He lets out a breath that sounds almost like a laugh. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then say what you mean, Hunter.”
He hesitates, and I wait.
“You don’t scare me because you’ll leave, Sierra. You scare me because I want you to stay.”
My chest tightens, but I don’t respond. I can’t. What do I say to that?
“You make it hard to stay shut off, you know? And I’ve gotten good at turning it all off.”
“You shouldn’t have to, though,” I reply quietly.
“No, but I’ve spent years convincing myself I was better off alone. After what I saw, what I did… people got hurt when I cared.” He holds my gaze.
“People could get hurt if you don’t care, too.”
“That’s true. But you—” he swallows hard and laughs softly, “You crashed in like that storm, like you didn’t give a shit. You forced me to like you.”
“I forced you?” I croak out.
“Yeah, I mean, you rubbed your pussy all over my face, sucked my dick—what else was I supposed to do?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “You’re unbelievable.”
He laughs. “I’m just messing with you.”
“Well, I’m not used to this, Hunter. Where’s the sullen, closed-off guy I met?”
His eyes flick to mine, then away again. “You made him feel.”
My throat goes dry. “Is that… bad?”
“No.” His fingers brush my cheek. “It’s just… different.”
We stay wrapped in each other, the fire still giving off a little heat and the occasional spark. I’m not sure where to go from here. I glance out the window and see the snow has stopped falling, though we’re still pretty much snowed in.
I lean in and kiss him, then pull back and whisper, “Different can be good. Different can be what you need.”
He doesn’t respond. He just nods and pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around me once more before closing his eyes. “No more talking.”