Page 100 of Between Hate and Desire

What the hell?

“Are you okay?” I ask, sitting up. Strangely, I feel rejuvenated. Hunter held me most of the night, and at some point, we shifted, and I rested my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating and felt protected all night long.

“No.” He groans. “Your knee…” He pants, blinking. “In my junk.”

“I did?” I gasp, bringing a hand to his shoulder. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”

“Just…give me a second.” His head falls as he cups his groin.

Sliding out of bed, I walk to his side and watch the agony take over. Shit, I feel awful. I’ve never kicked Brandon in the nuts before, so I don’t know how I managed to kick his.

After five minutes, he finally relaxes and releases a relieved breath. “I thought I was gonna die.”

“Hunter, I’m?—”

“Gonna kill me?” He raises his brows, pretending to be amused though I know he’s not.

“I’m sorry! I don’t know how that happened. I guess I twitch in my sleep a little.”

“Well, I was trying to slide out from under your legs, and your knee went straight for my dick.”

My eyes widen, realizing why my aim was so good. We snuggled all night. Then it dawns on me—morning wood. I wince, knowing that had to hurt like a bitch.

Hunter stands, and I stare, willing my eyes to stay focused on his face and not the fact that he’s down to his boxer briefs. “Well, I better go pack a cup for my junk so you don’t bruise me in Utah.”

“Okay, now you’re purposely trying to make me feel bad.” I chuckle, following him out the door.

“We have to leave in two hours,” he reminds me. “I’m gonna make breakfast and shower unless you wanna go first?”

I want to comment on the fact that he did last night after his workout, but decide against it. I hope sleeping with me wasn’t torture for him, but that doesn’t mean I’m not contemplating bringing my vibrator in there with me to release all the tension building inside me.

The thought makes me feel guilty as hell.

No, I remind myself. I can’t let it consume me right now. Hunter’s friendship and finding out I was pregnant with Brandon’s baby have been the only things keeping me afloat. I’m certain I would’ve drowned with grief by now if the baby didn’t exist. In a way, our child saved me from falling into a deep depression.

Aside from harming Hunter, sleeping with him felt more natural than I anticipated. Maybe it’s because I was so used to having Brandon next to me that it felt right or that I’ve been so lonely without him here. Either way, sharing a bed might not be as bad as I thought.

“You have everything?” Hunter asks after we’ve both showered and finished getting ready, pulling a suitcase behind him. “I’m going to make a trip to the truck and put everything in the back. Then we can get going.”

“Yep. Let me grab my bags.”

“Bags?” he asks, his brows arching. “You know we’re only staying for three nights, right?”

“Yes,” I say. “I had to bring shoes and a few different outfits.”

Shaking his head, he chuckles. “Women.”

Once he’s loaded everything, I look around to make sure I don’t forget anything, though I know a part of me is stalling. Once we leave this apartment, we’re really doing this. We’re going to Utah as a married couple.

“You ready?” he asks, standing in front of me with a smirk.

I inhale deeply and smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” I shrug, the nerves hitting me hard.

Hunter brings his hand up, rubs my cheek, then tucks strands of hair behind my ear. “I’ll be here for you no matter what. You know that, right?”

My eyes start to water because I do know. Nodding, I lean into his touch and exhale. I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him into a hug. It takes him by surprise, but he relaxes and hugs me back.

“Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this. Even if it goes to shit, I can’t thank you enough for…just being here. Holding me up. Being my best friend.”

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