Page 84 of Silent Secrets

I allow myself a moment in his arms, laying my head on his chest. Out of these men, there is just something about Kai that truly calls to me in a way that the others don’t, that tells me he would do anything in his power to make sure that I wasn’t hurt. I don’t know if it’s because I know what happened to him, how his father treated him. Or if it’s just my traitorous heart wanting me to trust someone while my brain is telling me to be cautious.

Either way, I listen to Kai and push away my doubts and take the comfort that he is offering me. Eventually, I lean back to look up at him and return his smile.

“Thank you, Kai.”

“For what?”

“Just for being you.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off when I lean up on my toes and press my mouth to him. Unlike Marcos, Kai allows me to deepen the kiss, and we both quickly get lost in it. He pulls me closer as our tongues glide together, his hands sliding up and down my mostly bare back before landing on my ass. I smile into the kiss when he uses his hold to grind me against his hardened cock, almost forgetting that we’re not alone until someone clears their throat and we break apart.

“You’re becoming very greedy, Kai,” Caiden murmurs as he presses against Kai’s back, though his eyes are on me. “You’re not the only one who likes to kiss those pouty lips.”

Kai grins, his eyes still on me. “What can I say? She brings it out in me.”

Caiden bites down on Kai’s neck, pulling a moan from the other man. When he pulls away, Caiden is smirking. He noses at Kai’s neck for another moment before pulling away from him.

“I think I like that she makes you forget everything, that she makes you a little wild.”

Caiden steps around Kai and pulls me into him, dipping his head to kiss me. His lips ghost across mine once, twice, and then he’s stepping away. He reaches out with both hands, stroking down mine and Kai’s cheeks.

“And I really enjoy watching the two of you together.”

“Does it always have to be about sex? You know what? I don’t even care if it is always about sex, but can you remember that I’m in the damn room?” Hunter huffs and I have to bite my lip to keep my laughter in.

“What’s wrong, Hunter? Jealous?”

Silence follows my question, causing me to frown. I move away from Kai and Caiden so I can see Hunter, whose head is low, face looking pained. I’d been joking, but I’m realizing something for the first time. He actually is jealous, isn’t he? The thought that sends my stomach fluttering. Do I want him to be jealous?

“I’d rather have this conversation in private,” Hunter starts, holding up his hands when my eyebrows shoot up, cutting me off before I can speak, “but I know that will not happen.”

He shakes his head, rolling his shoulders before looking up to catch my gaze.

“I know you don’t believe me when I tell you that I don’t hate you, and I deserve that. I’ve been an asshole to you since the moment I met you.”

“You’ve got that right,” I scoff.

Hunter just lifts an eyebrow before he continues to speak. “I told you about Yana. What happened with her is only part of the reason that I wanted to keep you at arm’s length. I don’t want to go into the other reasons right now, but I promise you I will tell you about it—eventually. I promise.

“This is hard for me, but you deserve to hear it. I was wrong about you and I’m sorry for how I’ve handled everything. You’ve proven time and time again that you will be an amazing queen—that you care what happens to Sorlphi and your people. So, I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you. I know that these are just words, but I’m hoping that I can prove to you that I mean them with my actions. And…”

Hunter clears his throat, running a hand over the back of his neck. His eyes drop to the floor as his tongue darts out to wet his lips, my eyes following the movement. I can see that he’s struggling, and I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t think he had it in him to not only admit that he was wrong, but to apologize. But can I truly trust his words?

“I’d like us to start over, if you’re willing to. I know I haven’t earned a chance at being your consort, but I’d like to. If it’s too late, and I’ve already ruined my chances, I’ll understand. But I’m hoping that it’s not too late to at least be in consideration.”

I’m in absolute shock. Even more than him admitting that he was wrong, saying that he was sorry—never did I think that he’d want to be my consort. All I can do is stand there, gaping. It’s not until I hear Caiden snickering behind me that I can break out of my shock.

“I don’t know if I can trust you, Hunter,” I tell him, sighing when his shoulders slump. “I’m not saying no. I’m just letting you know I don’t know, but that I’m willing to try.”

“Really?”

I nod, walking toward him. Sucking my bottom lip into my mouth, working my teeth against it as I stare up at him. I can’t deny that I’m attracted to the asshole, and while he has done everything he could to try and get rid of me, he has helped me. Even when he didn’t want me to take the throne, he continued to train me. That has to mean something, right?

“Can I kiss you?” he asks, hesitant in a way that I would never expect from Hunter. I know I should say no—he has in no way earned this—but instead I nod. I want to feel his lips against mine—I want to know what it’s like to kiss him.

Hunter moves slowly, almost as if he’s afraid to spook me. He lifts his hand to cup my cheek, his hand so large it spans the entirety of my face. Then he’s lowering his head, lips brushing against mine, and it’s not enough. I lean into him, hands on his chest as my tongue darts out to run along the seam of his lips. He opens for me, groaning when our tongues tangle together for the first time. His other hand lands on my hip, yanking me against him until he’s holding my weight.

He tilts his head, deepening the kiss as he takes control of it. Once again, I find myself lost in a kiss, but this time it’s with someone that I never thought that I’d kiss. And it is a damn good kiss.

My hands slide up, moving over his shoulder until I can link my fingers behind his neck. Anything I can do to keep us together, to make this last longer. I don’t want this kiss to end. I might regret this later, but right now? Right now, there’s nothing more I want than Hunter’s kiss on my lips and his touch on my body.

Both of his hands now roam over my back as he keeps me pressed against him. I can hear movement behind me and know that the other three men are still there, but I don’t care. They say nothing as I lose myself in Hunter, and I know they want this to work. They’ve told me they want to be my consorts, regardless if Hunter is or not, but I know that deep down they want their friend there with them. And I can’t even blame them for it.

This doesn’t mean that I will choose Hunter as my Winter court consort, but it does mean that I will give him a fair shot. He doesn’t deserve it, but the other three men that I’m falling for—possible have already fallen for—do deserve it. So, for them and for myself, I will allow Hunter this chance.

And kissing him isn’t so terrible.

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