I wasn’t sure if a heart could actually swell up with love, but with how my chest felt, I was positive my heart had done just that.
Surrender to me, Bella.
God, how I wanted that more than anything.
Standing, I moved toward him, causing him to relax back on the sofa. I straddled him, and when I sat down, I felt his hard dick against my core—and gasped at the pure delight it gave me.
“Bella, we don’t have to—”
I pressed my mouth to his and kissed him. Hoping and praying he could feel how much his words had meant to me.
Hunter’s hands touched me everywhere, and he grabbed my ass as he thrust up against me. We both groaned at the feeling of our bodies pressed together.
This is Hunter. I’m okay. I want this. I need this.
I brought my hands to the bottom of his T-shirt and pulled it off over his head, tossing it to the side. I ran my hands down his broad chest as I took in the man he now was. So strong and fit. His abs gave way to a delicious V that dipped into his sweatpants, and I longed to feel him in my hand once again. Longed to be swept away by the passion I had always felt for him. If only I could move past the gripping fear that was slowly clawing up my throat.
Deep breaths, Bella. Deep breaths.
Hunter sat as still as he could while I explored his bare upper body. I could feel his hard-on twitch under me, and I pressed down against it, causing him to suck in a breath.
“I want to touch you,” he whispered.
I jerked my gaze up from his chest to meet his eyes. They were so dark blue with desire, I nearly forgot everything but him and the way he made me feel.
I took his hand and moved it under my shirt, pressing it against my breast. Hunter’s breath quickened as he massaged it lightly, his eyes never leaving mine.
It was his turn to take my shirt off, and he did it so quickly I could barely even understand what was happening.
His eyes took me in, and I wanted to revel in the way he looked at me. It wasn’t with lust or a greedy desire. It was with love. Yet…something inside me felt dirty. Like I didn’t deserve to have him look at me that way.
He had no idea what had happened. No idea another man had taken what had once belonged to him.
I jumped when his fingertips moved along my exposed cleavage. Hunter pulled my bra cup down, exposing my nipple to the slightly chilled night air. My breath hitched, but then I moaned when his warm mouth covered me. He flicked, sucked, and gently bit while I dropped my head back in pleasure.
“Yes,” I gasped, pushing into him.
Then I made the mistake of closing my eyes.
Darkness swept around me. I was suddenly whisked from Hunter’s safe arms. I was back there.
To my nightmare. To words uttered by a man who didn’t love me or care about me.
“What would your boyfriend say if he could see you now, princess?”
My heart started to beat frantically, and my breathing increased. A tight feeling gripped my chest, and I tried to scream—but nothing would come out.
Suddenly, I was off of Hunter. Warm hands cupped my face, and his sweet voice pulled me out of the darkness.
“Breathe, Arabella. Baby, it’s okay. It’s only me.”
My eyes snapped open to see Hunter in front of me. There was a look of fear on his face as he searched mine.
“Don’t leave me again, Bella. Please. Don’t leave me again.”
One quick look around and I realized Hunter had moved us, placing me on the sofa and kneeling in front of me. Jack was to my left, his paw on my leg.
Of course, Hunter picked up on the fact that I was going down a rabbit hole.
I opened my mouth to say something, but words failed me yet again. I was a bit shocked that my worst nightmare was happening when I was wide awake.
“I love you, Hunter.” I blurted the words out in a desperate attempt to drown out the sound of his voice.
His face softened, but I could still see the fear and worry etched in his brows.
I closed my eyes and whispered, “I’m so tired.”
He stood and swept me into his arms before carrying me back up the steps and to his room.
When he put me down, I quickly took off my jeans while Hunter stood there silently. I crawled into his bed and looked back at him. “Please hold me—and don’t leave.”
He nodded before he climbed into bed and under the covers. His shirt was still off, but he kept his sweatpants on. The only clothing I wore was my bra and panties, but I needed to feel him against me. I needed to feel his warmth.