His Love Lesson Page 7

  Unable to remain still, Chey went back to the door and looked out. More people had come out, but there was no sign of Hunter yet. She went back inside and absentmindedly filled the teakettle with water and tried to turn on the electric stove. Nothing happened. “Ugh!”

  Chey sat on the stool and pulled out her cell phone. She called Deanna, who answered after a few short rings.

  “You won’t believe this!”

  “What happened now?” Deanna’s tone was anxious.

  “We were watching a movie and heard these loud noises and then the power went out. Hunter went out to find out what happened.”

  “What else could go—?”

  “Uh, uh, uh! Don’t you say it! You ask that and I’ll probably find out.”

  “You’re right! I’ll swallow those words. I’m starting to get worried.”

  “It’s just the storm. I’ll be fine. Hopefully, they’ll have the electricity up and running soon.”

  “Well, keep me posted.”

  “I will.”

  When Chey hung up her phone, she looked at her battery and noted she had 70 percent. She hoped that the power would return before her battery died. In the meantime, she’d have to use her phone sparingly. Chey tapped her home key twice and closed all the apps running in the background. Then she returned to the couch to wait for Hunter.

  Several moments later, Hunter came bustling through the door, bringing in a rush of cold air and several logs of wood with him. Chey stood.

  “The power’s out.” Hunter dropped the wood to his feet and peeled himself out of his coat.

  “I already figured that out, silly. Why is it out?”

  After tossing his coat on the rack, Hunter grabbed the logs and placed them by the fireplace. He slapped his hands against his jeans to rid them of the sawdust.

  “Remember we saw a few trees that looked like they were leaning?” He didn’t give her time to answer. “Well, one of them decided to fall, pulling down power lines and smashing into one of the main generators. This whole side is without power and they aren’t sure exactly when it will be back up.”

  “Ugh!” Chey had groaned more in the past two days than she had in the past two years. “I can’t believe this. What else—?”

  Hunter held up his hand, silently beseeching her not to finish that sentence.

  Chey rolled her eyes and dropped her head. “You’re right,” she said, acknowledging his attempt to keep her from finishing that taboo sentence once again.

  Hunter looked at his phone. “I’m down to 50 percent. What are you on?”

  “Seventy percent. Make sure you close out all your apps and turn off your cellular data and roaming.”

  “I’ve already done that.”

  With the heat out, a chill was already settling over the villa.

  “Let me get this fire started and then I’ll run back to reception to get more firewood. They’re handing it out to guests now.”

  When Hunter had left to get more wood, Chey fashioned a cozy setting in front of the fireplace with blankets and pillows. A romantic atmosphere was not her intent, but that was what it ended up looking like. She sat in the center of the space she’d created and let the warmth of the fire caress her skin while the crackle of the wood charmed her ears.

  Hunter returned and joined her on the floor. Without cell phones, DVDs, laptops or any other power-operated devices to engage them, they were left to entertain each other. They talked until a companionable silence took over.

  “What was he like? Was he a nice guy?” Hunter said, obviously referring to Chey’s ex.

  She laughed. “You’re nosy.” She held out another moment. “No. He wasn’t that nice.”

  “Is that why you broke up?”

  “Actually, no. I wanted more out of life than he was willing to contend with.”

  “He was a dream killer,” Hunter summed up matter-of-factly.

  “A dream killer?” Chey craned her head toward him.

  “Yeah. The kind of person that tries to kill your ideas while you’re sharing them. You know, they ask questions like ‘Why would you want to do that?’”

  Hunter had Todd pegged. Suddenly, Chey felt more connected to him and wondered what Hunter would have to say about her dream of becoming a perfumer. Would he think it was silly?

  “Then that’s exactly what he was,” Chey finally agreed.

  “Too bad.”

  “What about you, Mr. Nosy? You have a woman back home?” Her curiosity got the best of her. She had told herself not to bother getting to know him.

  “No. There’s no woman back home.”

  “Why?”

  “I guess the right one has yet to come along.”

  “Oh.”

  “What do you do?”

  “Mostly litigation. But I dabble in other areas of law, as well.”

  “I guess you’re pretty smart, too.”

  Both of them chuckled and continued chatting until the sun departed, leaving them to the light of the moon through the picture window and the embers glowing in the fireplace.

  The coolness of the villa had forced them to draw closer to the fire and each other. Chey’s back settled against Hunter’s chest as they both watched the embers dance in the shadows.

  “Is this how you imagined your liberating solo vacation would turn out?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Me neither.” Hunter sniffed out a chuckle. “This is actually better than I thought it would be.”

  Chey craned her neck, tossing Hunter a baffled look.

  “I never thought I’d end up with a beautiful woman in my arms as we sat in front of a fireplace with a view of mountains beckoning at my side.”

  Chey’s cheeks burned. She turned back toward the fire and let her head settle in the center of Hunter’s chest. No words were necessary. Hunter was right. Despite all that had gone wrong, she could have never called this and was grateful that she didn’t have to endure this alone. What would she have done if Hunter had made his flight home on the first day?

  “You smell amazing.” Hunter’s voice had reduced to a husky whisper.

  “Thank you.” Chey smiled but didn’t turn around. “It’s one of my creations.” If Hunter kept it up, they would no longer need the fireplace for heat.

  “You made that?”

  “Yep.”

  “That’s some talent.” She felt Hunter nod.

  “You don’t smell so bad yourself,” Chey teased.

  “Thanks!” Silence. Then laughter.

  As the laughter subsided, Chey noticed how Hunter instinctively rubbed her arm. His touch alone was enough to keep her warm.

  Eventually the quiet of the night expanded and settled over them like a soft blanket. They nestled into the inviting softness, connecting without words. Chey enjoyed the moment in the midst of all the chaos but longed for more. She wanted Hunter to touch her in other places. She wanted to feel him. The longer she sat there in his arms, the more desire stirred inside her.

  Chey’s conscious fought over her desire and the reality of her knowing Hunter for only a short while. Never before had she been in such a compromising battle with her will. She had spent most of her dating years with Todd and had had only a few suitors before that. She’d never felt as if she’d belonged in any of their arms, yet being cradled by Hunter seemed so right. One-night stands weren’t even in her vocabulary, but something in her trampled all reason and urged her to throw caution to the treacherous winds and indulge herself completely in this gorgeous man.

  Heck! What did she have to lose? All she needed to do was protect herself and she was sure he’d come prepared with the necessary paraphernalia. Once he got on that flight, she’d never see him again anyway. No awkward run-ins. No phone calls necessary. This was her tim
e to explore life in a way that she’d never done before. She decided right then, if he’d have her, she’d give her all to him tonight.

  Chey twisted her head, looking up at Hunter, watching the flames of the fire twinkle in his brown eyes. He looked down at her. They stayed that way for a while, locked in each other’s gazes, until Hunter broke the stare, leaned in and kissed her on her lips. When his lips touched hers, she felt light, as if she were floating. The dam holding back the remnants of her cautious nature broke. Chey turned her body, wrapping her arms around his neck, and Hunter explored the deepest crevices of her with his tongue, moaning. They kissed until they ran out of breath, broke free and kissed again and yet again.

  Hands roamed sacred places. Blinding desire raised hairs on arms, creating sensually rocky terrain. Clothing was carefully discarded until there was skin against skin. Hunter pulled her into him until she couldn’t be pulled in any further. Warm bodies meshed, trying desperately to become one.

  Hunter pulled back, searching Chey’s eyes for permission to proceed. Eager pleading flashed in his brown orbs. “Do you want this?” His voice dipped low and sultry from fierce longing.

  Granting him approval with a nod and another deep, sensual kiss, Chey grabbed his face and drew him to her hungry lips. Any closer and she would have passed through him if it were possible. Hunter gently laid her back on the blanket beneath them and positioned himself next to her, propped on one elbow. First he lavished her with a slow once-over, smiling. Then he touched the places he’d studied with wonder, as if he didn’t believe they were real—eyes, lips, neck, shoulders, breasts, nipples. They pebbled. He continued his passionate probe. Stomach, navel, the outskirts sheltering her pearl, inner thighs, knees, toes. Replacing his finger with his tongue, he retraced that same path. Chey’s skin seared from this touch.

  He kissed her again, taking her nipple between his teeth and teasing it with his tongue. He then dipped said tongue into her navel, then circled her prize, marking the territory he was about to explore. Chey’s back arched of its own volition. Her legs spread. It was as if her body resorted to reacting solely on instinct. Her mind was too preoccupied, being overtaken by the intense yearning for this man. Hunter parted her lower lips and tested her heat level, dipping into her carnal volcano and then gently gnawing on her bud. Chey rolled her hips, matching the rhythm he strummed. He devoured her until she shook ferociously and grabbed his ears. She shrieked his name while her juices flowed like lava.

  Chey felt as though she were floating back to earth from the cosmos. Hunter excused himself quickly and returned sheathed. He kissed her kitten before entering her slowly and deliberately. Chey gasped, grabbing handfuls of her blanket when he’d filled her. Her neck stretched to its limit as her head lolled back and her back arched firmly. Together they rocked until they could hardly stand each other’s fiery touches. His head rolled, as did his eyes when ecstasy took his body under siege. She wrapped her inner walls around him snugly, not wanting this to end. He exploded. Groaned. Bucked. Shuddered and finally collapsed into a panting heap.

  Hunter pulled her back to his chest, covered them with the additional blanket. They held each other until her lids became too heavy to continue watching the embers dance in the fireplace.

  Chapter 11

  Hunter hadn’t intended to make love to Chey, but that was exactly what had happened and he didn’t regret one single second of it. He couldn’t possibly consider what they had indulged in to be merely sex. Hunter had skillfully taken his time with her, checked in frequently to make sure that she experienced the satisfaction she deserved and worked to ensure that she reached euphoria. From the way her body writhed and squeezed and her vocals quivered, he was sure that he’d exceeded his intent. Her moans were music to his ears and he’d strum whatever it was that generated her uttering just so he could hear the beautiful sound. He felt the need to handle her with care and dignity, hoping to make her feel like his priority.

  Hunter had been pleasantly and pleasurably surprised when he reached his own peak. His body had convulsed violently in a way that he’d never experienced before. It was as if Chey had sparked an addiction and each time after the first, he’d yearned to reach that same core-clenching, body-quivering high from the previous romp. And he had, reaching and surpassing sensations that made his eyes roll back and left him spent.

  Even now, hours after their third or fourth romp, as they lay naked under several covers in the belly of the dark night, Hunter woke up reminiscing. With his arms still wrapped snuggly around her torso, he could feel the rhythm of her breath on his arm as she slept. Remembering the sweet scent they’d created made his jewel stiffen against her backside. If he didn’t rein his thoughts in, he’d become hard as a diamond. Not wanting to disturb her peaceful sleep, he adjusted himself and then got up, covering himself with one of the blankets.

  As Hunter walked through the cold, dark villa, illuminated only by the light of the moon, he thought about the fact that there was a good chance that he’d never see Chey again. He couldn’t understand why he was so drawn to her. Hadn’t he just gotten to a point in his life where he was no longer interested in indulging in meaningless trysts? Despite how reality stacked up against this notion, he couldn’t help feeling as though this was more than a tryst.

  Outside, Hunter could see that the power still hadn’t been restored. His eyes closed in frustration and he let the hand that he used to peek through the window fall hopelessly to his side. Maybe the outage wouldn’t affect his chances of getting to the airport. He had to make that flight. Rubbing the goose bumps that now covered his arms, Hunter felt his way through the spotty darkness and threw another log in the fire. He needed to use them sparingly.

  Hunter slid back under the covers, molding his body against Chey’s. She stirred in his arms, found a new position and settled back into her sleep. Hunter smiled when she ruffled the quiet with her light snore.

  Hunter recalled the stories about her hometown in Virginia. He’d never believed in the viability of long-distance relationships, but perhaps Chey could be worth trying one out. He needed to find a way to make this last longer than just one night.

  Chey was a refreshing departure from his usual cast of eligible women. She hadn’t once referred to any of her shoes or garments by their labels. Her boots were just her boots and her coat was simply her coat—none of that “my Prada shoes” or “my Louis Vuitton handbag” talk. She was unapologetically who she was. Grounded. Confident. Beautiful. Fun. In fact, he wondered if she truly realized how beautiful she was since it seemed like no big deal to her. Some of the women in his past all but added their beauty to their résumés, as if it were an accomplishment that they should continuously be praised for—should a man ever forget.

  As the firsts hints of day began to peek over the mountaintops, Hunter nudged Chey. The sight of the moon yielding to the superior light of the sun was too majestic for her to miss.

  Chey stirred again, finally opening her eyes at Hunter’s insistence. Blinking and focusing, she looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back. Angling his head to the side, he motioned for her to look toward the window. Together they sat up and watched the day take over the night.

  “Thanks.” Chey smiled. “That was beautiful.”

  With Chey’s body cradled in front of Hunter’s, they sat watching nature’s show until the chill in the room became too much to bear on their naked skin. Rather than put on clothes, Hunter threw more wood in the fire and drew their makeshift bed closer to the fireplace. Pulling her back to his chest, Hunter wrapped his arms around her once again and felt heat rise in his groin. He caressed her hardening nipples, made trails down her torso and dipped his finger into her wet, heated cave. Chey’s head fell back against his chest and she maneuvered her hips, giving Hunter more access.

  Hunter licked his finger and turned her around for a direct taste. Burying his face between her thighs, he took her
pearl between his teeth and determined that she was as succulent as, if not more than, he remembered. He had come to know her body during his intense study hours before and quickly had her singing a melody of pleasure that ended with bravado. He pulled himself away, slipped on a condom and entered her with an urgency that nearly blinded him. She met him thrust for thrust until her second release of the morning spilled over him, making the ride a bit slicker. Hunter held her hips as if he were holding on for life.

  “Oh...Hunter!”

  Chey’s body shook. Hunter’s thrusts grew more intense. She encouraged him not to stop in a sweet whisper that took Hunter over the edge. That delicious shudder racked his body. He pumped harder, trying not to be overtaken by the immense pleasure. He was determined to love on her until the last possible second. Losing control of his ability to maneuver, Hunter’s body convulsed hard. Spasms shot through his muscles. His back stiffened like a board. A groan started in his core, rumbled through his chest and released from his mouth, and at the same time, he pulled away and released life in spurts, stretching his erection to its limit before melting into a sated pile on top of Chey. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Being in her arms felt good.

  They lay for a while, holding each other as the sun slowly continued its ascent.

  “I hope you have no regrets.” Hunter spoke first, rising on his elbow. He traced triangles between her breasts and navel.

  “None.” Chey took a deep breath before continuing. “You’re going home today...hopefully, right?”

  A solemn moment passed.

  Another beat thumped in the silence before Hunter responded. “Yeah.”

  “We shouldn’t sound so excited about this,” she teased.

  Hunter chuckled. The moment labored on, heavy with things that were left unsaid.

  “I guess I need to get my stuff together and work on getting to the airport before that plane takes off without me.”