Page 73 of Fumble

“I know that. I just meant it’s a big deal. I wouldn’t have treated it lightly.” The undercurrent of his words has my blood boiling.

“Because Hunter didn’t? That’s what you mean, right?”

“Obviously. You’re all over the papers now. Proof is in the pudding. I would have done things differently, not that it matters. You only pop that cork once. I guess I was wrong about you, anyway, so I dodged a bullet.” This is a side of him I haven’t seen before.

Hunter appears at my side, his stance defensive, his eyes trained on James.

“The walls are pretty thin in here. I was pissed enough to hear you kissed my girlfriend. I get it, you weren’t exactly subtle about the fact that you liked her. She’s an attractive woman. I can understand any man falling for her. I was going to refrain from kicking your ass, but the shit you just said to her, that isn’t going to fly. Say what you want about me, but make no mistake, she is a fucking lady. Got that? You just kissed your exclusive goodbye. Faith isn’t a cork, a cherry, a contagion of any kind.”

“Mr. Vaughn.”

“Hold your fucking tongue. You think you’d have been better for her? Why? I can guarantee she’d have walked away less than satisfied. So, you had a crush. Get over it. I’m in love with Faith Fairchild. So, whatever I do with her or to her behind closed doors, is nobody’s fucking business. There’s your exclusive. Now piss off, you little runt.”

I’m dumbstruck.

The elevator doors open as the two men stare each other down. Thank God, Coop is back looking somewhat disheveled.

“We ready to get this shindig started?” He looks to Hunter, realization blooming as he takes in the firm set of his friend’s jaw and his furrowed brow.

“Coop, go and tell the press I’m coming down. This little piss-ant isn’t getting his exclusive today. It’s open season for questions downstairs in five minutes.”

“Vaughn, that’s not a good idea, bro.”

“Cooper, you can either tell them or let me surprise them. What’s it going to be?” Without another word, he presses the button for the ground floor.

“Fuckwad!”

Pulling me inside, Hunter slams the door in James’ face.

His voice is barely audible as he presses me against the door.

“He had his lips on you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t kiss him back. And you didn’t even speak to me for a week after it happened, so you lost the right to be annoyed.” His lips crash down on mine. Urgent. Fierce. Territorial.

“I want to be your last, Faith. It’s not enough to be your first, I want it all.” His left hand roams my body, greedy for more. Desire courses through me like fire. “Before we walk out in front of the world together, I need you to know you’re it for me.”

“Hunter.” My words get lost on his lips, our tongues twisting and tangling in an effortless dance I’ve come to crave. My hands make short work of his zipper, pushing his pants just low enough to free his cock.

Without a moment’s hesitation, his hand slips under my dress, pushing my panties to the side as I hook one leg around his waist. He thrusts inside me, sinking his cock so deep and hard it’s almost more than I can bear. This is different, more urgent—primal. A connection so visceral I lose myself to the sensation.

A groan rumbles in his chest, driving me wild as our hips grind in a punishing rhythm. I’m so close, my clit brushing against him with every delicious thrust.

“Fuck. Hunter, I’m so close. Please, I need you. Oh God!”

“Come for me, love.” The rasp of his voice sends me spiraling over the edge, his pace unrelenting as he chases his own release. I scream his name, begging him to join me in an abyss of unadulterated ecstasy.

The moment he lets himself fall with me, I ride him with wild abandon, aftershocks pulsing through every fiber of my being. Breathing hard, he holds me steady, each thrust of his hips slowing down, his lips caressing my neck.

There’s a bang on the door, sending vibrations through my back.

“When y’all are done screaming like spider monkeys, there’s a shit-ton of press downstairs waiting on you.” Zee’s voice echoes in the hall.

I fumble with my dress as Hunter stuffs his cock back in his pants. An unfamiliar warmth trickles down the inside of my thigh.

We didn’t use a condom.

Hunter’s gaze follows my hand, his cum smeared on my palm.

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