Passionate Night Page 10

  “And your mother? Did she have a similar upbringing?”

  “Complete opposite. Summers at her family’s home in Martha’s Vineyard, studies abroad, Jack and Jill events, debutante balls, et cetera. Both of her parents, as well as her paternal grandfather, were attorneys. She runs the family law firm now along with her brother and sister. Chase worked there at one point and I was expected to do the same, but after law school I began to work for Doctors Unlimited by accident. I was studying for the bar when Cannon asked me to look over some financial information for the organization considering that’s my background. I passed the bar but decided I didn’t want to practice. Mother understands, and Zoe is almost done with law school and looks forward to working with my mom.”

  “Do you think you’ll always work for Doctors Unlimited?” she inquired as her voice cracked a tad, but she played it off by coughing.

  He hesitated for a moment and drew her closer to him. “Mmm … that’s a good question, Harp. That’s always been the plan, but … as I grow older I start to see things in a different perspective.”

  Harper noted his hesitation and the strained expression that crossed his face while he spoke. Her female instincts kicked in, and though she wanted to turn them off, it was no use. The warnings had been there when he and Cannon had returned from their chat. Hunter had pulled her hard against him as if he needed to be comforted and was extra quiet which was totally out of character for him during a basketball game. But she couldn’t let on that she was upset or disappointed. She knew in the beginning he would have to leave even though she was aware that he wanted to continue their relationship despite of the distance. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen regardless of the fact that she was falling in love with him.

  Putting on a happy face, she beamed as best as possible to keep the tremors out of her voice. “Well, I think what you’re doing is awesome. I can’t wait for the fundraiser gala. A lot of people have RSVP’d.”

  “Good,” he said with a slight nod. “I spoke to Cannon and the plans for the medical facility in Ghana are ahead of schedule. So I may be going there sooner than expected. Like in less than two months.”

  At that moment Harper’s heart broke in a million pieces as the trolley stopped in front of their destination. She figured there was a change in plans but hearing it aloud made it real. Numbly, she stood and held his hand as they stepped off the trolley and onto the sidewalk.

  “Wow. That was fast,” she said, walking in front of him so he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes.

  “Yeah, but I’m not going to be there forever, Harp. Usually I’m off for a couple of weeks before going to check on another facility. I’ll come back to Atlanta during those times. And while I’m in Ghana, I can come back and visit after a month or so for a few days.”

  “Stop, Hunter. That’s a long flight and a lot of money for a few days.”

  He darted around and stood in front of her. Taking her hands, he kissed them and gripped them firm in his. “You’re worth it. Besides, I have a huge trust fund that I received when I graduated from law school. I’ve barely touched it, so money isn’t an issue. I finally have a purpose to spend it.”

  “Hunter, what if—”

  “There’s no what ifs. We will make this work. I told you in the beginning, this isn’t a fling.”

  “Hunter, I know. But at the same time long distance scares me.”

  “You can always come visit me for a couple of weeks at a time … well, depending on where I am. Some places may not be safe. And I can do the same. I’m willing to compromise.”

  “I’m part-owner of Masquerade. I have responsibilities. I can’t leave for weeks at a time.”

  “Your division seems to run fine with or without you.”

  “That’s because I made it that way. Trust me, my crew is beyond trained.”

  “Exactly my point. Shannon hasn’t called you at all, and you haven’t called her because you know everything is fine.”

  “Why are you making this so hard?” she yelled. “You know how I feel about long distance relationships.”

  “No, why are you making it so hard? When two people care enough about each other they find a way to make it work despite the miles between them. I’m not the bastard that didn’t appreciate you and apparently didn’t love you. I know exactly what I have and what I want. And that’s you.”

  “Babe, I don’t want to be hurt again.”

  “I’m not going to do that,” he said through clenched teeth.

  Deep down she knew he spoke the truth, but at the same time she didn’t want to ruin their trip by arguing in the middle of downtown.

  “Hunter, let’s have fun in Memphis this week and forget about what may or may not happen in the future. I knew you weren’t going to be in Atlanta forever, and I’ve accepted that fact.”

  The strained expression returned once more to his ruggedly handsome face. Reaching her hand up to his cheek, she caressed it and stood on her tippy toes to lay a sweet, sensual kiss on his lips.

  “I hear you, Hunter. I really do. Let’s take this one day at a time.” She kissed him again but this time more intense and deeper than before. His hands encircled her waist and pulled her hard against him. His kiss was possessive and made her feel as if she belonged only to him.

  The giggles and catcalls from a few passersby reminded her they were standing on the sidewalk in front of their hotel. They both chuckled and pulled back a tad.

  “I’m not giving up on us,” he whispered against her lips. “But I’ll drop it while we’re on vacation. Besides, we have some unfinished business that started in my room at my parents’ home.”

  “How about we take this upstairs?” she asked with a sultry smile, pulling him by the hand.

  Once they made it to their suite, Harper barely placed her shoe inside before Hunter quickly shut the door with her against it. She thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he lingered his lips over hers and rested a heated gaze upon her face as he ran a sensual hand down to her pants and unfastened them. Twirling a finger around the band of her panties, he traveled it down the side of her thigh and slipped his hand inside her panties. Screeching out a loud, ecstatic gasp, she clutched his shoulders hoping it would help quiet her. However, he began to massage her center in a slow, deep, sensual motion that unraveled her even further and caused a long, passionate sigh.

  An arrogant smile reached his lips. “Shh, baby. Don’t you remember where we are?”

  “Mmm …uh …” She clenched when he buried a finger inside of her. His eyes darkened as her lips parted and she tried her damnedest not to utter a sound. “Maybe you should … not go so de— I mean … maybe we should do things that won’t … cause us … or rather me to be so noisy,” she stammered, trying to stay upright against the door. She had no control over her body, but he did and was fully aware as he sped up the tempo.

  “I can’t promise that,” he admitted through gritted teeth. “I love the beautiful, erotic emotions plastered on your face when you release a crescendo of sounds.”

  With his free hand, he gently grabbed all of her hair up and leaned her head back. Her eyes fluttered shut as he slipped another finger in, and the amorous moan she wanted to suppress flew out. His hot tongue scorched her neck in a ravishing kiss that turned harder with each passing moment. The willpower she wanted to possess apparently didn’t make it into her suitcase when she’d packed for the trip because she couldn’t find it anywhere in her to stay quiet.

  Heat rushed over her body and her clothes constricted her. When she unfastened the top button of her blouse, he grabbed her hand and shook his head.

  “Let me,” he whispered, unbuttoning the blouse with one hand while the other one was still busy in her panties.

  He held her stare, which was focused on his even as her knees began to buckle and Harper found herself sliding down the door, his smoldering eyes never leaving hers. The orgasm that was on the brink of releasing was near and when his tongue landed on the top of he
r cleavage, the moan she’d told herself to hold onto disobeyed as an orgasm tore through her body like an unexpected earthquake. She trembled and shook in his embrace, but he didn’t let up as he unhooked her bra and tossed it somewhere on the floor. His mouth engulfed one of her breasts and then the other one, back and forth as charges of electricity continued to bolt through her over and over until she couldn’t breathe and her vision turned into a blurry purple haze.

  Settling his lips on top of hers, he muted her final cry out with a profound, savoring kiss which calmed her down a tad. The emotions and aftershock of shudders still migrated through her system. Standing back, he perused her for a moment while she leaned against the door trying to catch her breath.

  She swiped her hand through her hair. “That was wonderful, Hunter.”

  “I’m not done. My addiction isn’t satisfied yet.”

  “Well, come back over here,” she demanded, stepping out her shoes and sliding her pants down to the floor. “I’ll let you take off my panties.”

  He strolled over and yanked them down. “With pleasure,” he said, dropping to his knees and immediately placing his tongue where his fingers had finished driving her insane.

  This time she tried harder to hold in her ardent, arousing moans but once again this man was sending her on a feral roller coaster ride with vertical loops and 450 foot drops like the Kingda Ka coaster at Six Flags. Reaching behind her, she held onto the doorknob and draped her leg over his shoulder so she wouldn’t fall off the magical intensity he created.

  “Can’t get enough of you, woman,” he growled, raising her other leg over his shoulder and sliding her up until he stood with her sitting around his neck. His tongue never stopped licking and kissing her, causing the tremors from earlier to return in a raging fashion.

  For a moment she was terrified out of her mind that he’d drop her, but he held her firmly in place while he groaned and feasted on her.

  “It feels so good, Hunter.”

  “Tastes so good, too. I can do this all night. Mmm … delicious, babe.”

  “Goodness, I wish you could but I need you inside of me.”

  “Soon. Be patient, beautiful one.”

  “Mmm … please … oh … please, baby.”

  He continued licking and savoring her as the insatiable vibrations continued to wreak havoc on her. She found herself going in and out of an abyss of flames that had engulfed her skin. Harper tried to make a mental note of every single detail of their pleasurable rendezvous times so when he was gone she could remember how she felt. She hated the fact that this couldn’t be her forever and hated even more that she was falling in love with a man who was the very personification of everything she’d ever desired in a soul mate.

  Sliding her back down to the floor, Hunter scooped her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

  “You’re fully clothed,” she said as he lay her on the comforter.

  “Not for long.” He raised his polo shirt over his head and unbuckled his jeans. Sliding them down along with his boxers, his hard erection sprung forward and pointed directly at her. “I guess he knows exactly what he wants.”

  Harper sat up and scooted over to the nightstand to retrieve a condom from the drawer. Tossing it to Hunter, he placed it on and joined her in the bed. Lifting her up, he flipped them so that she could straddle him. He clutched her hips and eased her down on him until he was snug inside of her. Immediately, she began to bounce hard on him and his contorted facial expressions signified he was in the same boat as she was a moment before. She decreased her tempo to a slow, sensual one, causing him to growl out in pleasure.

  “Shit … woman,” he yelled out through clenched teeth. “You’re trying to get me back. Aren’t you?” Grasping her breasts, he shook under her.

  Snickering, she leaned over and kissed him, gliding her tongue inside his mouth in the same slow up and down rhythm on top of him. “Yes, you drove me crazy and now it’s your turn to try and be quiet.”

  “Uh … shit … fucking shit, Harp. You are so wrong for this.”

  “I know,” she whispered, sitting all the way up until he hit the spot inside that vibrated her legs and nearly caused her to fall off, but she had to stay focused. This round was all about him and making sure he never forgot this night.

  Holding his hands down firmly on the mattress, she began to bounce up and down at a steady pace, sometimes switching to deep circles and then back to an unhurried tempo rising all the way off of him and then crashing back down. She continued the same pattern as his groans and cursing rose louder and the headboard repeatedly hammered against the wall.

  Harper felt her own release near and tried to calm herself down as she rested her forehead on his. His hands clutched her butt and when he slapped it hard, she knew he was back in control again as he began to thrust upward off the bed into her continually until she climaxed once more.

  “Did you really think I was going let you have all the fun driving me mad? Don’t get me wrong, you did, but I never said I was finished with you.”

  Lifting her off of him, he rolled her over on her stomach. Clutching her hips, he pulled her back and that’s when the hardness of him skated across her bottom. Hunter leaned over and kissed her followed by a cocky smirk.

  “You may want to hold onto the pillow,” he suggested with a wicked wink. “Tight. Real tight.”

  Before she even had time to do so, he entered her in one long stroke that caused her stomach to contract and a moan of pure pain and pleasure released from her. Clutching the pillow, he continued ramming in and out her at a speed and cadence that she couldn’t define. It was passionate, awakening, downright erotic, and untamed all rolled into one. The ecstasy that ruptured inside coasted through her veins and soared her high into a fervent oblivion that she had no control over. The sounds escaping from her mouth mixed with the fireworks exploding around her sent Harper over the edge. She’d never experienced this much heightened sexual awareness with a man before. The connection of heart, body, and soul intermingled in sync as they were becoming truly one entity.

  “You’re mine,” he growled, thrusting in out of her with long, deep strokes. “All mine. You hear me?”

  “Yes, all yours,” she breathed out. “All yours, Hunter.”

  He eased out of her and flipped her over on her back. Placing her legs around his waist, he entered her once more, but this time he kept still and stared down at her wearing a serious yet adoring expression. She shivered with anticipation as she slid her hands up his ripped hard chest and placed them on his shoulders so they’d be ready if she needed to grip when he started once more. Instead, he kissed her forehead and proceeded to kiss her lips in a sweet, unhurried kiss.

  “Are you good, baby?” he asked, weaving his hands in her tresses and resting his palms on either side of her forehead.

  She smiled faintly at his concern for her. “Perfect. I’m with you.”

  “I want to hold you for a moment.”

  “No problem. You can hold me as long as you need to.”

  “How about forever, beautiful one?”

  “Forever would be perfect,” she whispered as goose bumps tickled her damp skin and a shudder journeyed from the roots of her hair down to her pink painted toenails. Harper loved saying it out loud and her heart that was already beating erratically pumped even faster.

  “I’m going to make that happen,” he stated.

  “Hunt—”

  “Shh … you trust me?”

  “Yes,” she answered honestly, for at that moment she really did believe they’d have forever.

  “Then it will happen. I promise. We have lot of mottos in the Arrington family and one of them is have a little faith. I know you’re the woman I’m meant to be with and that I will spend the rest of my life with despite distance or careers or whatever others obstacles are thrown our way.”

  Harper let the words sink in as he kissed her once more in the same unhurried fashion, as if time was on their side. It wasn’t that she
didn’t have faith that everything would work itself out, but she had to think rationally—as always. That was her personal motto in order to not wind up hurt again in the end.

  Hunter began to move inside of her, matching the identical pace of their tongues circling. This time her moans were softer and more emotional as he stroked in and out her in a slow yet deep and arousing momentum. The more he delved into her the more her heart raced like an Olympic track star crossing the finish line. The passion and emotional feelings for each other were intertwined just as their bodies were in perfect sync with each other. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks out of nowhere when they climaxed together and the way he kissed them away only made her more aware of how she never wanted to be without a loving man like him.

  “I’m here, baby,” he whispered.

  “Sorry for the tears.”

  “No need to apologize. I understand.”

  “I don’t want you to leave. I’m not ready.”

  “I don’t want to leave you either, beautiful one.”

  Hunter turned them over to lie on their sides facing each other and he gathered her close to him. He rubbed her back in a comforting manner and kissed her forehead tenderly. Burying her head in his chest, Harper listened to his heartbeat as she made a mental note to remember the exact chords and music it created for future times when she’d be alone.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, raising her chin to look at him.

  “Yes, just a little stiff,” she said with a light laugh and a sniff as the last of her tears had finally dried. She’d never cried during sex before but she couldn’t help it. She was going to miss the hell out of him.

  “Yeah, that was some workout. I guess you won’t be going to the gym after all in the morning, huh?”

  “Count me out. However, I still want to go down to the lobby and see the infamous Peabody ducks waddle from the elevator to their pond.”

  “Yes, it’s cute for tourists. I think you’d enjoy it. Afterwards, The Civil Rights Museum, lunch at Rendezvous, dinner with my cousins, and then the casino in Mississippi the following day with Chase and Addison?”