Page 90 of Between Hate and Desire

“Good.” He gives me the sweetest smile. “Now close your eyes.”

I do, and a beat later, I feel his mouth on me.

Slow and soft, he presses his lips against mine as he moves us together in perfect harmony. He pulls back slightly, then his tongue traces my bottom lip before bringing us even closer together. My heart pounds so hard, I’m sure he can feel my pulse throbbing in my neck.

Hunter cradles my face as if I’m the most precious thing in the world. Gently, he rubs his thumb against my cheek, and when he slides his tongue between our lips, the kiss deepens, and I unwillingly release a moan. Hunter pulls back slightly, and my eyes pop open, looking right at him. By the expression on his face, he’s asking for permission to keep going, and when I don’t push away, he brings our mouths back together.

His hand slides down my throat, neck, and down my side, sending electricity everywhere he touches. I squeeze my fingers in his shirt and arch my back, forcing us closer together as he cups my ass. Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck, removing the remaining space between us. Hunter’s other hand falls from my face, and he snakes his arm around my waist, holding me tight. The kiss grows eager, faster,desperate.

I feel his kiss down to my core. I feel iteverywhere.

Mixed feelings surface as his tongue dances with mine, sending butterflies to my stomach as my heart races with eagerness. Each touch feels hot against my skin, and I’m powerless to stop it.

A deep groan releases from his throat, and when I feel his hardness against my stomach, I realize this is escalating too far. Quickly, I push him, stepping back to create distance. That kiss was way too heated and intense to be fake. My breathing quickens, and when his chest heaves, I know it affected him just as much as it did me. My gaze lowers to the noticeable bulge in his jeans. A ratherbigbulge.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have?—”

“No, I?—”

“I didn’t mean?—”

We can’t get our words out and now it’s awkward.

Why did that feel so damn good?

I’m blaming my hormones.

“That was…” I pause, watching him lick his lips and looking as conflicted as I feel. “Nice.”

Hunter releases a short breath and snorts. “Uh, thanks?”

I study him as he wipes his hands down his jeans, a nervous tick I’ve not seen him do before.

“Guess we won’t have any problems convincing them,” I say, not knowing what else to say. My heart races, torn in two as I think about Brandon—the man I’ll always love—and the man in front of me, who cares for me deeply.

“Guess not,” Hunter replies casually.

We stare at each other, neither speaking or knowing what to do. The silence lingers until his phone rings, pulling us both away.

Hunter reaches into his pocket, grabs his phone, but then declines the call.

“You can get that if you need to.” I pick up my water and walk toward the kitchen before he can respond.

Shit, I could use a shot of tequila right now. If not to erase the inappropriate thoughts from my brain, then at least to give me the courage to face him again. I blow out a breath, needing to calm my racing heart.

Squeezing my eyes tight, I will the images of him hard and aroused out of my mind. It doesn’t work. As I’m sucking down my bottle of water, I feel Hunter behind me.

“Lennon, I’m sorry.” His pained voice crushes me. I know this can’t be easy for him, considering he hasn’t been with a woman since the accident. He probably has the same amount of pent-up sexual frustration as I do and didn’t mean to take it that far.

When I face him, his expression makes me frown. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” I reassure him. “It was my idea, remember? I know it didn’t mean anything, and we got lost in the moment.”

His jaw locks as if he’s holding back, but I don’t give him a chance to reply before trying to lighten the mood. “On the plus side, I’m starting to see the appeal other girls had over the years.”

Hunter rolls his eyes with a small smirk. “Would you just let me apologize, please? It’d make me feel like less of an asshole.”

I shrug, giving in. “Fine, but you have nothing to?—”

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