Page 59 of Falling With a Spin

I knew you were capable of it. Proud of you, Ms. deKanter.

Tears start to well up in my eyes as I stare at the grade I got.

“I fucking did it.” It comes out breathless, and I can’t believe it.

Hunter rubs my back and I look up at him, a wide smile shown on his face. He brings his hand to my cheek, brushing away the tears, and places his forehead against mine.

“I’m so proud of you,” He whispers.

“I couldn’t have done this without you. Honestly. You helped me with this, and it saved my scholarship.” I glance towards the paper once again, smiling at myself.

Looking back towards Hunter, his eyes are on my mouth, and I bring my bottom lip between my teeth. My heart starts frantically beating as he continues to stare at me like he wants to devour me.

“We should get out of here.”

“U-u-um yeah, let's do that,” I barely get the words out before he pulls me out of the booth with my bag in my hand and my test packet in his. “Wait, what about the milkshakes?” I ask, looking back to our table.

“Screw the milkshakes,” He gives a nearby waitress two twenties, which is way too much and points to our table before pushing the doors open.

We hurriedly walk to his car; getting in he takes my face in his hands and kisses me hard. It isn’t slow like our first time. This kiss is all passion and hunger wrapped together. Heat pools at my core, and a moan slips past my lips when he bites my bottom lip. He slides his hand from my cheek into my hair, angling it backward to deepen the kiss. I attempt to wrap my arms around his neck, but the seatbelt restricts my movements, and I pull back, hissing.

“Are you okay?” Worry fills his face, and he looks up and down my body, trying to find any sign of injury.

I bring my hand to his cheek with a small smile on my face. He got scared that he had hurt me. I shouldn’t be as happy about this, but I am. Because Chad never once asked if I was okay or comfortable. Even when I voiced it, he’d just brush it off or ignore me.

“I’m perfectly fine. The seatbelt was cutting into my neck a little bit.” I watch his eyes widen in panic and drop down to my neck. “I promise I'm fine, though,” I reassure him, giving him a soft kiss and pulling back before he can take it further.

“Okay, if you say so.” His thumb skates across my cheek before we pull out of the parking lot, heading towards his house.

We pull into the driveway, and I turn to him, smirking, his eyes squint, knowing I’m up to something.

“Last one to your room loses.” I jump out of the car and sprint towards the front door. I hear him yell my name and hot on my heels as I burst through the door and up the stairs. A voice comes from the kitchen, and I don’t waste any time wondering who it is.

I reach the top of the stairs, turning left just as he grabs my wrist, turns me around, and throws me over his shoulder. “Not fair,” I yell, and he smacks my ass, chuckling. He opens his bedroom door, slams it shut, and lays me on the bed.

He lays next to me on his side and stares down at me, smiling. I turn over on my side, tucking my arm under my head, looking at him. His bright blue eyes sparkle with the light coming in through the curtains, and there’s a light stubble coming in from the last time he shaved. He licks his lips, and my eyes dart to their fullness. My core tightens, remembering how good they felt and wondering how they would feel in other places.

I bring my hand to his cheek, and he leans into the touch. “Kiss me.”

He doesn’t hesitate before bringing his soft, full lips to meet mine. My hand moves from his cheek down to the back of his neck, pulling softly on his hair. He moves closer, deepening the kiss and a low growl leaves him as his hand falls to my hip, squeezing it.

I pull back and look towards an empty spot on the wall. I want to move forward with him. I want to be able to feel comfortable and vulnerable around Hunter. But I’m terrified that I will get hurt all over again. I physically and mentally can’t take it anymore. I’m barely even put back together. Damn it.

Maybe this isn’t a good idea.

“Hey, talk to me. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” He asked, the back of his hand brushing down the left side of my face.

Letting out a shaky breath, “I’m just scared. Scared to get hurt again. Scared that it won't feel normal. Scared that you won't like it.” I looked towards him to see his brows furrowed.

“Emma, there is nothing I want more than you to feel safe with me. I want you to feel comfortable and at home with me.” He whispers, his baby blues looking into my dark brown ones. “You went through something very traumatic, and it’s completely understandable to have those feelings. We don’t have to continue if you aren’t comfortable.”

How is he so understanding? There is not one single guy that I know that would be so loving and caring right now. To carefully hold me through this.

“I want to though. I want to be vulnerable with you in every way. To share this experience with you for the first time since that night.” I move my hand to the back of his neck, bringing him towards me for a kiss

Right before our lips meet Hunter stops us, whispering. “I’ve got you, baby. You are in control here, and if you want to stop at any time, you let me know.”

“Okay,” I whisper against his lips.

---