Fierce(86)

“I think you’re the only one who sees me for who I really am. Who knows what it’s like to be the underdog. You’re the only good thing that has ever happened to me. And I was so, so goddamn afraid I was gonna lose you over all this shit.” He lets out a big breath.

The moment of silence between us feels nice, and it’s the first time I’ve actually enjoyed not knowing what to say. I want this moment to last forever.

“And when you told me you loved me … I … I just …” He sighs. “I thought I didn’t deserve it. Something this good doesn’t happen for fuck-ups like me. I was always afraid of getting too involved with girls, so I kept them at arm’s length. I didn’t want to feel the responsibility that came with a relationship. It meant having even more to take care of. But then I never really had a girl like you before.”

He smiles. “You’re different.”

“Different how?” I say, muffling a laugh.

“Good,” he says with a wink. “Very good.” He comes closer, gently leaning his forehead against mine. His hot breath is on my skin, and it calms me down so much I barely remember what went down before. Being in his presence is soothing, and I don’t want this to end.

“And you know what? I think I love you,” he says.

A smile quirks up his lips, and I can’t hold back my laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he says. “You think it’s funny?”

I can’t stop laughing.

Hunter grabs me by the arms and pushes me down on the bed, while I’m laughing like crazy.

“Am I funny, huh?” he says, looking me straight in the eye.

“I’m sorry,” I say, still laughing. “I can’t help it.”

“Is me loving you funny?” Hunter’s fingers move to my belly, and then he starts tickling me ferociously. His skilled fingers make me squirm underneath him.

“No, no, it’s not funny at all,” I squeal, laughing hysterically. “Stop!”

“Beg me,” he says.

“Please!” I stammer.

He grins. His hands move up, gripping me tightly, and his fingers curl around my shoulders.

“I like it when you say please,” he says, licking his lips. I give him a playful slap. “See, you can’t resist my charm, Autumn.”

I frown, still chuckling. “What? You’ve never called me by my name.”

“Guess there’s a first time for everything. I still prefer Leafy, though.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his index finger briefly grazing my cheek.

‘Me too,” I say.

Hunter cups my chin between his index finger and thumb and then presses his lips down onto mine. It’s a soft and tender kiss, full of love. One I’ve been wishing for ever since I met him. His kisses swiftly turn into the more rabid, ravenous sucks and licks, as he starts pecking me all over my face and neck. I squirm underneath him.

“You’re my Leafy now, and I’m never letting you go. Ever.”

He places his hand on top of mine, pinning it above my head. I gasp for air as he takes my breath away, never taking his mouth off mine. Our lips are locked in a hot, sexy battle, our tongues dipping out to meet each other. He groans, heightening all my senses. I moan in anticipation of what’s coming, knowing what his love can do to me.

I’m delirious, and I love it.

I love everything about him. Who he is. What he’s made me be. We’re both strong, no matter the cost. Fierce.

And I’m his Leafy. Forever.