Page 39 of Intertwined Hearts

Seeing Nikki and Jeff was long overdue, and they both let me know about it. I was texting with Jackie throughout the visit. When I left, I called her.

“It’s about time,” she said. She was annoyed. I told her where I was.

“What’s up?”

“I thought we were going to see each other. But I guess not.” She was pissed. I could tell by the tone in her voice that she had plans that I hadn’t been privy to.

“I can come by right now if you want me to.”

“Don’t go out of your way.”

“It’s no trouble, really. But I won’t come over to argue with you over nothing. It’s only eight o’clock. It’s not like I went somewhere and stayed out until four AM. And you know good and well where I was.” The more I thought about the tone she was using with me, and her controlling intent, the more I wanted to tell her to just forget it for the night. But I hated to be the cause of a rift if I didn’t have to be.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice softened. “I guess I’m being silly for no reason. I really want to see you, and there won’t be any arguing. I promise.”

Jackie

My pre-menstrual monster personality flaws were rearing their ugly head. It had been months since I had acted like that. The last thing I ever wanted to do was have Hunter question me or my sanity.

While I waited for him to arrive, I checked my phone messages. I had a couple of missed calls from Nikki. She’d been calling me and texting me to come see her and the kids, but so far, I’d only replied with a few texts. Between work and Hunter, I really hadn’t made time for my best friend. I felt terrible, and I was hopeful I’d get a chance to spend time with her before she returned to work. I typed in a quick text to her. When the doorbell rang, I jumped and almost dropped my phone.

“Hi, Hunter.”

“Hi, doll. Feeling any better?” He winked at me. My feelings of being ridiculous were compounded when he handed me a single red rose.

I quickly remembered how he told me he wanted to be greeted, and wrapped my arms around his neck, then gave him a gentle tug so his lips landed on mine. His minty breath tasted so good. His strong arms wrapped around my waist and held me snugly against his warm, hard body.

“Much better, now.” I gasped to catch my breath. His mouth was like magic. “Thank you for the rose.”

“I thought maybe you needed a little pick-me-up. You sounded a little desperate on the phone.”

“I did not.” I laughed. I hated to admit it, but I think he was telling the truth.

“Okay, okay. Maybe not desperate. Maybe needy is a better word.”

“Needy is definitelynota better word. I guess I was just feeling some kind of way. I wanted to talk to you and see you.”

“Sounds a little needy to me. That’s not a bad thing, though.” He bent his arm and flexed his bicep muscle. “If I were you, I’d be feeling a little needy too.” He laughed. I’d never heard Hunter joke around and yet sound so cocky at the same time. It was refreshing and funny.

“Of course, what woman wouldn’t be needy with a man like you?” I fluttered my eyelashes at him.

“I thought the same thing on my drive over here. But I only have eyes for one woman. The rest of them can just go kick rocks.”

I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy he wasn’t making me feel like a complete ass for my call earlier.

“Come here, woman.” He held his arms open for me, and I quickly moved over into them. He wrapped one arm around my waist, and the other eased into my hair. He pulled me into him and his tongue found mine. His kiss was deep and urgent. It sent a burning desire through me from my lips on my face to my lips below. My body craved him. He was right, I was desperate and needy.

Chapter 30

Jackie

I had told Hunter I needed to go out of town for a few days. He asked numerous questions, all of which I answered vaguely. I never let him know I was leaving with Nikki and the kids. I never told him where we were going. And I never told him what was going on. Hell, I wasn’t even completely sure what was happening. All I knew was what Nikki told me. She has spent an evening in a bar for happy hour and had a shit-ton of information about her husband dumped on her. She had been told he had been traveling with this guy’s wife and that the two of them were having an affair. This guy even went so far as to tell Nikki that Jeff, never loved her. And I knew there was no way I could let her just take off without a cooler head to make sure she didn’t do something too rash.

I was surprised when Hunter called and said he wanted to come see me. I missed him so much. I tried to keep where we were a secret, but he wore me down. It really didn’t take much effort. I made him promise not to tell Jeff, and he did, but I should have known better. I was shocked to see Jeff the next day at the pool, but I shouldn’t have been. I should have known Jeff was behind the phone call from Hunter in the first place.

I didn’t stay mad for long. Once Hunter and I went to his room, he made me forget everything. My thoughts were completely focused on him and what he did to me. He blew my mind. He rocked my world to the moon and back.

While Jeff worked his ass off to get his wife back, Hunter and I spent hours wrapped around each other, promising to never jump to conclusions based on something someone else might say.

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