6. Maddison #3
When footsteps recede, I back myself against a wall. There’s fury in Hunter’s eyes as he shoves the gun in the back of his sweatpants. “If you were mine,” he growls, “I’d put you over my knee and spank you for pulling that stunt.”
Judging by his ever-present erection, Hunter thinks he’s being suggestive, but that’s not the reaction he gets. His eyes narrow as he registers my flinch. His scrutiny strips me bare. “I don’t want to hurt you. But before the end of this day, you will tell me who did.”
I shake my head imperceptibly. “I don’t need a protector.” Not one who’s going to disappear into the sunset and leave me with more problems than he solves.
Hunter rakes his fingers through his hair. “Let’s just see what today brings,” he says, picking up his garment bag. “I’m going to take a shower. You need to get ready too.” He tips his head to the paper bag. “I can only apologize for the dress.”
I sit on the edge of the bed as I listen to Hunter whistling in the bathroom.
I can track everything he’s doing because he’s left the door ajar.
He’s used the toilet, brushed his teeth and now I’m guessing he’s shaving.
He’s taking forever, and he hasn’t even got in the shower yet.
I need to get changed too, and I won’t do that in the bedroom while there’s a chance he’ll come out for something.
Hunter might have seen me naked last night, but I’m sober now, and given he doesn’t want me, he doesn’t get to see me either.
I haven’t dared look at the dress yet, but as I pick up the paper bag, it feels disturbingly light .
“You have to be kidding me,” I gasp as I lift out a shimmering piece of silver fabric.
It takes a while to figure it out, but when I lift it by two spaghetti straps, I can see how it drapes low at the front and even lower at the back.
As I hold it against my body to confirm it’s barely going to cover my ass, I detect the scent of another woman’s perfume.
Wherever this came from, it hasn’t been washed since its last wearer.
My jaw clenches as I peek inside the bag again to find two pairs of panties and a thong. I leave them in there as I fling the bag back onto the bed.
Finally, I hear the shower running. The man’s still humming.
My long sigh turns into a growl. I don’t want to go back home, but it wouldn’t take long to pack my things.
If that’s what I want. It was never my intention to leave Brimstage.
There were never any plans for Barrett and I to actually live together, and I’d been expecting to return home after the prerequisite honeymoon.
I needed to stay close to the paper mill.
I still do. I might not have a seat on the board, but I’m the one who manages the day-to-day operations. It’s where I’m needed. Or was.
I don’t know what to make of Hunter’s plans to invest in the mill. If he’s being true to his word, I would agree to a sale. And assuming Hugo did too, he’d be able to pay off his debts and I’d have my own money for once. I could take off anywhere – if only I knew where to land.
As the debate rages inside my head, I find myself staring at the dresser where I’d snatched up the gun earlier. It’s back in its place next to a knife and ankle strap. Hunter obviously trusts me even if I’m still not sure about him. I honestly don’t know what to make of the man.
My feet pull me towards the bathroom before my mind has caught up.
Hunter’s stopped humming, but I can hear the splash of water against skin.
Lots of inked skin. I can’t believe I’m seriously considering taking a peek.
Usually, when heat floods my core like this, it’s because I’m reading some steamy romance.
Now I have the opportunity to see what my mind is already conjuring.
With my heart thudding, I keep my body flat against the door and poke my head into the bathroom.
The shower stall is steamed up, but Hunter has a palm pressed against the glass.
From the dark outline of his head, I can tell it’s bowed, while below…
Oh, my god. My eyes widen. The movement of his other hand is unmistakable.
He’s stroking himself. Slowly. Sensually. Hypnotically.
There’s nothing to soak up the wetness between my legs and I’m practically dripping as I watch the shimmering outline of his hand running up and down his length.
I hear a soft moan, and then a squeak that has my eyes darting up to the palm that was pressed to the glass.
Hunter’s wiped away the condensation and he’s staring at me.
“You took longer than I expected,” he says in a slow drawl.
I’m cringing with embarrassment as I jolt my head back, but then I hear the stall door opening.
“Come here, Maddie.”
His speaks with a rasp, and I know he’s still playing with himself. “I wouldn’t want to disturb you,” I call out, doing my best to style it out.
“Do you think you weren’t already in my thoughts? Come the fuck here. Now,” he orders.
I tip back my head. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I’m short on friends and experiences like this. And as a woman with no discernible prospects, what do I have to lose? I step into the bathroom and am greeted by Hunter’s wicked smile and seriously hard cock.
“What do you want?” I ask, my chin jutting out in defiance.
“Not your virginity,” he says as if reading my mind. “I just want you to watch. Take off your t-shirt and join me.” His tone is teasing when he adds, “I know you want to.”
No, I want more, but I slip off my t-shirt. His hooded eyes roam over my bare skin as he steps back to make room. The shower jet hits his back, creating a fine mist that cools my heated skin as I step closer.
When I close the door, Hunter puts his hands on my hips. He presses me up against the wall then positions my hands so they’re tucked behind my back, my palms flat against the tiles. His arms cage me in as he leans over me.
“Your hands stay there. Because if they don’t, I’ll pick you up and lock you out of the bathroom. Then you’ll only get to hear me come with your name on my lips,” he says, holding my gaze until I realize I’m meant to speak.
“Fine.”
His forehead touches mine. “Watch and learn, little bird,” he whispers as his right hand returns to his rigid cock.
Its smooth pink tip glistens as he runs his fist from root to tip.
I have no point of reference, but he’s big.
I can only imagine how full I’d feel with him inside me, and imagine I do.
I know he said I couldn’t move my hands, but if I can’t touch him, am I allowed to touch myself?
Or would he throw me out for that too? I don’t want to take the chance.
My pussy walls squeeze against nothing but a hollow yearning, and I’m aware of my breathing as it picks up. The groan escapes before I have a chance to swallow it back, and I hear its echo rumble in Hunter’s chest. His hand moves faster .
“I’m imagining you kneeling in front of me with your sweet lips around my cock, Maddie.
Taking me to the back of your throat. Sucking me.
Teasing me,” he says in a husked voice. “Your tongue laps up those beads of cum.” His thumb slides across the crown of his cock, spreading his precum across the engorged tip before twisting his wrist and running his hand back down his shaft.
His hips rock forward and his grip tightens as he fists his cock harder and faster.
His head lifts slightly so it’s his mouth pressed against my forehead. “I want to ruin you so fucking much,” he whispers. “There isn’t a part of you I wouldn’t invade and conquer. I’d own every piece of you.”
“Then why don’t you take me?” I ask, the throbbing in my lower belly making me almost double over. “This…” My next groan is more of a grunt. “This is unbearable. My insides are twisting.”
“Good,” he grinds out as his movements become more desperate.
Hunter leans back and I lift my gaze to find him staring down at me with darkened eyes. “Why good?” I demand.
But Hunter just stares at me until his face contorts. His head tips back in a roar and my body jolts when I feel the first stream of cum hit my belly. I look down to watch as more ribbons spurt from his pulsating cock, covering my abdomen and up across my breasts.
Hunter’s heavy breaths blast against my ear as he leans over me once more.
His hand slows until he’s milked himself dry.
He flexes his hand briefly before placing his palm flat against my belly.
His touch sends a jolt of electricity up my spine, and I release a stuttering breath as his fingers glide over my skin, spreading his seed across my belly and then my breasts .
His thumbs glance over my hardened nipples, but he doesn’t pinch or tease them.
He collects a string of cum with his finger and lifts it to my mouth, forcing it between my lips.
My eyes lift to his and he watches as I suck and taste him.
I like how he studies me as he slides his finger in and out of my mouth.
I flick my tongue and it earns me a groan. I am watching. I am learning.
Hunter steps back beneath the shower spray and tips back his head. I watch enthralled as his hands roam his body as he rinses off. It doesn’t escape my attention that his cock is thickening again. Maybe this isn’t over yet.
“Why did you say it’s good that I’m desperate to be fucked?” I ask, getting straight to the problem.
Hunter moves closer again, and his smile lights up his eyes. This is the most relaxed I’ve seen him. The bastard has had his release and he’s enjoying the fact that I haven’t. “You can consider it your punishment for shooting at me earlier,” he says with a low chuckle.
My eyes soften and I know they’re dilating as I feel his breath on me. “You said you weren’t the bad guy.”
“I’m not,” he says in a soft growl.
“Tell me you’ll look after the mill if you do take control.”
“I give you my promise.”
Taking the chance that he won’t throw me out of the shower, I lift my hand and reach for his chest. I trace the outline of the griffin with its eagle wings unfolded and its claws out. “What does a griffin symbolize?” I ask, grateful that he doesn’t knock my hand away.
“Duality,” he says simply. “It’s a creature that has the combined strength and wisdom of two courageous animals, but it’s still a wild beast. Some might call it a monster.”
My throat clogs, and I’m not sure if it’s from fear or lust. Hunter has the ability to summon both in me. “And what would you call it?”
“At this precise moment? I’d opt for one of its other symbolisms,” he says as his nose trails down the side of my cheek. “A guardian of treasures.”
It’s definitely lust I’m feeling, and as I turn my cheek, I press my lips gently to his. There’s a moment when we both still. I’m contemplating my next move, and so is he. His hands are on my shoulders and his fingers knead my flesh, but neither of us make the next move.
“Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret,” he warns, his hot breath searing my soul.
My heart races. I have a fraction of a second to figure this out. I could go home and face the chaos of whatever Hugo’s scheming next. Or I could take flight and go it alone. Or…
“Marry me,” I whisper.
Hunter jerks his head away. “What?”
I lick my lips. My mouth is desert dry despite the mist of the shower drenching my face.
“Why not? You’d get my place on the board without having to negotiate with Hugo.
And together, we could stop him from making any more disastrous decisions.
We could save the mill that way,” I say, speaking quickly before I lose courage, or Hunter runs away.
“I could be an asset to you. And… And…” I have to think fast. I have to make him see it’s the only option.
“If you don’t, I’ll use my veto to stop any deal you make with Hugo. Marry me, or you don’t get the mill.”
Hunter knocks my hand off his chest like I’ve just given him an electric shock. “Jesus, Maddie. Are you for real?”
“It’s a good plan.”
“Do I need to remind you that this time yesterday you were getting trussed up like a prize turkey at thanksgiving. You offered yourself to the highest bidder, and now you want to do it all over again?”
My jaw sets firm. “I’m using the only power my father gave me. It’s a good offer, Hunter.”
He leans in so we’re nose to nose, but it’s not desire pulling us closer. He snarls. “Or maybe you think I’m the turkey? I don’t appreciate being manipulated, Maddie. This conversation never happened.”
When Hunter steps out of the stall, he’s not there to protect me from the full force of the shower jets and I almost choke on the water spray. I shield my eyes to look at him. “I wasn’t trying to–”
Hunter’s about to close the shower door. “Get cleaned up,” he says, his voice cold. “We need to leave soon.”