Shattered King(45)

"It wasn't that goddamn simple."

"Bullshit. And after everything we've been through? This does not make  me feel good. Makes me think you aren't ever going to open up to me, or  lean on me when things get tough. And you're sure as fuck never gonna  drop that guard. First sign of trouble, instead of coming to me, you  tried to sort shit on your own, shit you had no hope in hell of getting  yourself out of."

She unfolded and shifted her body toward me. "I'm sorry . . . I just . . . I . . ."

"You decided to go it alone." I shook my head. "You're not alone  anymore, Lulu. When are you going to let that sink in? I've been  patient. Shit, I've got all the patience in the world for you, but not  in this. Not when you could've gotten yourself killed. You either trust  me or you don't. I've told you what I want with you. I've laid it out,  time and again. You made the right noises, made me believe you were  right fucking there with me, but you didn't mean a goddamn word." Then  it hit me. I didn't want to believe it, but I knew, I fucking knew the  truth. "You never planned to stay," I rasped.

The deafening silence that followed said it all.

Fuck. "You were going to leave."

Lulu

I stared across at his hard profile, teeth clenched so tight that the  muscles in his jaw jumped. I didn't know what to say, how to answer him  without making him even angrier. Yes, I'd planned to leave in the  beginning, I couldn't see any other way.

So I didn't answer. Telling him the truth then would be a phenomenally bad idea.

The drive home was ominously silent. Finally, he pulled into the parking  garage below his building, shut off his car, and climbed out. I thought  he might keep walking, but he strode around to my side, yanked the door  open, and waited for me.

He took my hand and led me to the elevator. I risked a glance up at him  as we got in and he punched the button for his level. His gaze was  trained straight ahead. Not once did he look at me.

"Hunter . . ."

"Unless you're going to tell me I'm wrong, don't say a fucking word."

"But I . . ."

"I mean it. Do not test me, not after today."

Shit.

The door slid open and we walked to his apartment. Ruby and Jude were  there, waiting for us. Jude gave Hunter a chin lift then turned to me.  He did not look happy. "Shit, woman," was all he said before he stalked  to the door and left.

Ruby on the other hand, ran to me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I squeezed her back.

"God, I was so worried." Then she squeezed me tighter. "I'm so pissed at you."

Hunter walked to the door and held it open for my friend. "Thanks for watching Josh."

Ruby released me. "No worries. He's had dinner and he's out for the count."

She gave me a sympathetic look, followed by a "will-you-be-okay" eyebrow  lift. I nodded, though I had no idea if that was true. I got the  feeling if I gave her any indication that I wasn't okay, she'd be  hatching my escape the minute she left the apartment. Seemingly  satisfied, Ruby gave me a low wave and hurried out.         

     



 

Hunter slammed the door behind her and stalked out of the room. The bathroom door shut a second later.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I didn't want to leave it like this. The urge to follow him, make him  listen, explain, was overwhelming. But I knew Hunter well enough to know  I needed to back off for a bit. He wasn't in the mood to listen. He  needed time, away from me. That hurt, more than it should under the  circumstances.

But he was right. I should have gone to him. No matter how scared I was  for my aunt. I was so used to only having me to rely on, I'd acted  without thinking. I'd fucked up big time, running off like that.

As soon as he knew the truth, the real reason I'd done what I had, why  he'd gone to prison, he'd been 100 percent there for me and Josh. He  hadn't doubted my word, had moved heaven and earth to keep us safe.

I knew this. I hadn't missed it. And he was wrong. I did trust him. I'd  trusted him with my life today, had trusted him to find me.

I went to the bedroom and folded back the covers. I didn't know if he  wanted me in his bed tonight, but I planned to be here, waiting. I heard  the bathroom door open and close, then the sound of his footsteps  retreating. The TV came on a minute later.

I padded out of the room and hit the shower. I needed to wash off today  in a big way. I towel dried my hair, finger combed it, pulled on one of  Hunter's shirts, and, fighting to get my nerves under control, headed to  the living room. Screw it. What I needed to say was churning inside me.  I couldn't wait any longer.

I wrapped my arms around my waist and moved farther into the big room.  Hunter had a beer in his hand, feet on the coffee table and eyes on the  TV, watching a game.

I moved closer. "Baby?"

He stiffened and his jaw got tight again. "Not now, Lulu.

I'd scared him tonight. Going by how tight his jaw was, he still wanted  to strangle me for it, but I wanted to make him hear me out. I hated it,  hated the way this felt. I felt helpless. I fucking hated feeling  helpless. Which meant I was pissed off as well. "Just let me explain."

His jaw ticked, but he didn't look at me. "I said, not now."

I waited, but he didn't say anymore. "You're so goddamn stubborn," I  fired at him then turned and strode back to the bedroom, climbed under  the covers, and forced my eyes closed.

Surprisingly, I fell asleep, despite the way my belly churned and my  mind raced. I didn't know how long for, but somehow I knew it had been a  while. I also knew I wasn't alone in the room anymore.

I opened my eyes, watching Hunter move around. He tugged his shirt off  and dropped it on the floor, then his hands dropped to his jeans.

"You're wrong," I said into the darkness.

He didn't answer me.

"I knew you'd come for me," I whispered. "I made a mistake, Hunter, I'll  own that. But you're wrong. I trusted you to come for me."

He stilled. Even in the shadowy room, I could see he stood completely  frozen. Then he moved suddenly. The bed dipped and he was beside me. His  hands came to my waist and he rolled us, so he was on his back and I  was on top. The tee I was wearing was lifted up and off and flung onto  the floor. He rolled again, taking me to my back.

"Hunter?" I whispered.

"I'm still pissed at you, Lulu. Fucking pissed. I thought I'd lost you  today, thought I'd be collecting your body, not finding you in one  piece. I'm fucking over the moon that you knew I'd move heaven and earth  to get you back. But whatever you've got planned in that head of yours,  whatever shit you've convinced yourself is a good enough reason for you  to leave me? I won't fucking allow it."

Relief near overwhelmed me. I'd been terrified I'd irreparably broken  us. But here he was again, fighting for me. Letting me know he wasn't  letting me go. His hand moved up my stomach to my breast. His fingers  got to work on my nipple, pinching and gently tugging. I gasped.

"You and Josh belong here with me. You leave, I'm coming after you  again, and I'm dragging your ass back." He nipped my lower lip. "And  I'll keep doing it, you fucking hear me?"

I reached up and ran my hands over his chest. "I was going to leave," I  admitted. He sucked in a harsh breath, big body going rock solid. "But I  changed my mind."

He didn't move, just stared at me through the darkness.

My hands continued to roam his chest. "The night I came out and found  you on the couch, Josh asleep on you. That was the night I decided to  stay."

He dropped fully on top of me and I wrapped my arms and legs around him,  hanging on tight. His mouth came down on mine. He kissed me deep,  tongue hot against mine, cutting off anything else I wanted to say.         

     



 

He pulled back a little. "I need to fuck you, babe. Now," he said  against my lips. "You ready for me? That pussy nice and wet? Cause I  can't wait."

"Yes." I was always ready for him. Always.

That was all he needed to hear. He tilted his hips back, thrusting his  hard cock deep inside me. My neck arched, fingers digging into his  muscled back, and I cried out. He started to pound into me instantly,  relentless, hard and fast, no warming up. Perfect. I hung on, absorbed  every thrust, took what he needed to give, and loved every minute of it.

His grunts were deep and raspy, filling my head. God, I loved it. Loved  the way he sounded when he fucked me. Like nothing could be better than  this.

He sat back, and I wrapped my legs around his waist tighter. Hunter  watched me, watched where we were joined as he drilled into me.

"I'm close," he muttered. "Play with your tits."

I slid my hands up to my chest.

He moved one hand down between my legs and dragged his thumb over my  clit, setting of sparks, making me groan. He applied a little more  pressure, and then I was coming. Hunter cursed, reared back, both hands  going to my hips, and pulled me down on his cock as he thrust in. Then  he stiffened, planted deep, and came hard inside me.