Red Hot Obsessions (36 page)

It’s all becoming way too clear now. I’ve been swooning over a guy who’s so freaking bad, he even told me he was, and I still didn’t listen. If he ended up in jail, it would break my heart.

I don’t want to see that happen. I can’t handle it.

All I wanted was to get through college, and now life has become so much more difficult than that.

And it’s all because of Hunter.

Chapter 21
Secrets and Desires

I make my way to the exit of the building and go outside. I suddenly don’t have enough air to breathe in. It feels like I’m suffocating in the realization that my life has been turned upside down by Hunter.

The door slams open behind me. I turn around. Hunter’s barging toward me with a furious look on your face.

“Are you trying to get in trouble?” he yells. “Don’t you know how fucking dangerous it is to go without me?”

“I don’t care. I want to go home,” I say.

He grabs me by the forearm, preventing me from going anywhere. “Why do you keep running away?”

“Fuck off!” I say, and I jerk my arm loose.

“What the fuck? Why are you so angry at me?” he says. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Brody told me all about you and Jessie.”

His eyes widen when I say that.

“Your brother was dealing for the frat club, too. That’s the reason he’s in jail, isn’t it?”

Hunter just stares at me, his jaws clenched tightly.

“You’re always hiding things from me. Why can’t you just tell me what you’re doing? Why are you dealing drugs? Is it just for the money?” I yell.

“Partially … but it’s not the biggest reason,” he says.

“But you’re broke all the time, just like me! What the fuck have you been doing with that money?”

“Saving it.” The look on his face changes from angry to offended. “I told you I’m trying to get Jessie out of jail.”

“By dealing? Doing the same thing that got him in there?” I say, pissed.

He steps closer, and his face is now hovering close to mine. “I’m doing what’s right,” he hisses.

“Right? Drugs?” I snort. “And here I thought you were a good thing in my life.”

His eyes are growing dimmer by the minute. The flame behind them is dying out slowly, and it’s my fault.

“Don’t say that. You don’t know what I’ve been through. You don’t know how fucked up my life is. I told you it wasn’t easy.”

“My life isn’t easy either, but now it’s only getting harder with you doing things like this. I don’t want to see you end up in jail. Your brother’s in there because of what he did, and you’re going straight after him.”

“My brother is in jail because he tried to take care of me!” Hunter snaps. “We lived in the slums for years. He was the only one I had, the only one who cared for me. The only way he could earn enough to support us was by dealing. He doesn’t deserve to be in jail for that. Not when the frat club practically used him as bait.”

I’m shocked by his story, but I’m horrified as well.

“Then why in God’s name are you in the club, too? They could do the same thing to you!”

“Because I owe it to my brother! I’d risk everything to get him out of there. That’s why I need the money; to bail him out.” Hunter squeezes my arm. “Wouldn’t you do the same if your family was in jail?”

“I guess …” I stammer.

“I want my brother back … It’s because of him that I’m in college now. He saved up every freaking coin he could so he could get me some education, even with my learning problems.”

My God. It’s all starting to make sense now.

He’s doing this all because of his brother. He loves him so much, he’s even willing to risk jail time for it. And I’ve been so ignorant, so judgmental about it. I should’ve known better.

At the same time, I’m still scared Hunter will end up in prison. Why doesn’t he just earn it in a legal way? I know it’s less efficient, but at least there are no risks.

“B-but there are other ways to make money and to get someone out of jail,” I stammer.

“Maybe, but there are other reasons why I chose to do it this way.”

“Why? Does it have something to do with that guy you’re looking for? The boss?”

“I can’t tell you.”

I sigh, rolling my eyes. “This again.”

“Don’t you see? I’ve tried to tell you, but you won’t listen to me. I cannot tell you, because it would put you in harm’s way. I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ll do anything to prevent that,” he says.

Hunter wraps his arms around me and presses me firmly to his chest, almost smothering me. His heart is beating like crazy. He’s shivering, too. I wonder why.

“I know I’m a screw-up, but I’m trying to get things together. You’re the only good thing that’s happened to me in my life,” he murmurs.

Suddenly I feel all warm and fuzzy.

“College life has been hard on me, but I want to succeed so badly. I just don’t know how. I thought that I could stand a chance with you. I thought, if that girl helps me out, teaching me how to learn quickly, maybe I can make it. Maybe I can make Jessie proud. Maybe the investment he made in me won’t be in vain.”

“It’s not,” I whisper. “I’ll help you. I promise. I want you to be okay, too.”

I look up at him, feeling glad he’s finally given me at least a glimpse into his life. It’s more than I ever thought was real. But now that I’ve seen how far he’s gone for his brother, how much he cares about him, how much pressure he feels to save him because Jessie did the same for him, I have so much respect for him. I’m in awe at his kindness and pure will.

He smiles back at me, and I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be in his arms right now.

“I’m sorry for …” I mutter.

“Don’t be. As long as you stay with me, I’m not mad. I should’ve told you sooner.”

I nod, and the air feels cleared.

“Guess you wanna go back inside now,” I say. “Look for that ‘person.’”

“Nah. I think I’ll leave it to Jaret for now.”

“But it’s important to you, right?”

“You’re more important,” he says, and he kisses my shoulder. “Let’s go home.”

“You sure?” I ask as I lean back.

He nods, his finger drifting up to my cheek, caressing it softly. He cups my jaw and leans in, looking into my eyes, asking for permission. I purse my parted lips and close my eyes as he presses his lips down on mine. It’s soft and slow this time, unlike his voracious kisses from before. These are long and loving, and I’m shaken to the core by the intimacy of it. He’s so gentle, and it feels like he wants to tell me I’m precious to him. I adore it. He’s precious to me, too.

When Hunter takes his lips off me, he leans his head against my forehead and smiles at me. Seeing him in front of me like this calms me down.

He’s beautiful, on the inside and out, even if he does what he does. His soul is good.

He’s sweet, charming, sexy, handsome, helpful, protective, and he cares for people. He’s everything I want in a guy.

“Wanna go?” he says.

He rummages in his pocket and takes out a key.

“How? We came with Jaret.”

“I asked him to borrow his car. He said he didn’t mind, as long as we didn’t trash it. He’s getting a ride from one of the other dealers.”

Before I can say anything, he’s already pulling me toward the car.

When we’re on the road, I can’t help but glance at Hunter. He drives like a real pro, his gray eyes sometimes flicking to me. My temperature soars each time his brooding eyes wash over me, and I can barely breathe.

His lips curve up into half a smile when he glances at me. When he licks and bites his lip, I gasp. He chuckles. I’m under his spell, and he knows it.

I can’t help but let my eyes wander across his sleek body, and what I know is underneath those clothes. The way we danced really made me crazy for him; not even a fight can temper my feelings for him.

When we finally reach the dorm, I’m actually sad I have to get out of the car. It means I can’t peek at him anymore, and I know we’ll eventually part ways at our rooms.

I don’t want to sleep alone tonight. I want to stay with him.

He looks at me, squinting his eyes, and then he leans forward. At first I freeze, but then when he puts his lips on my cheek I relax. His lips slowly drag down to my neck, and he leaves sultry kisses everywhere. Blood rushes through my body as he groans against my skin.

“I just can’t
not
kiss you,” he murmurs.

His hands move from the steering wheel to my face, and he cups my jaw. Sucking my skin, he leaves red marks. Damn. I’m getting all hot and bothered again.

Then he takes his lips off my skin, and I suddenly feel cold.

“Why are you stopping?” I say, confused.

He chuckles. “We’re still in Jaret’s car. Better get to the dorm, don’t you think?”

“Ah … Yeah. Right.”

We step out of the car. My wobbly legs can barely hold me up, and I struggle to stay on two feet. Hunter comes to my side, and I clear my throat when he throws me a wicked smile. God, I hate him when he does that. It’s like he’s flaunting off his goods in front of my nose, but doesn’t want to give them to me.

Hunter puts his hand on my back. As we walk into the dorm, his hand slips down to my ass. A blush spreads across my cheeks when he squeezes my flesh.

A soft humming sound comes from his mouth, like he’s enjoying the fact that he can touch me like that without repercussions.

The moment I spot my door, I’m devastated. “Wait,” I say, and I turn around toward him. I grab his hand and place it on my waist.

“What are you doing?” he says.

“I want a goodnight kiss,” I say, pursing my lips.

A sexy smile appears on his face. I suck on the bottom part of my lip, and his eyes flick right down to see me do it. Biting his lip in return, he chuckles a little. “You’re seducing me.”

“I just want a kiss. Nothing wrong with that, is there?” I say with one eyebrow raised.

“You’ve really changed,” he says, leaning forward. “I like it.”

His hot mouth crashes into mine, and he starts kissing me fervently. I wrap my arms around his neck as he puts both his hands on my ass. He’s voracious, and pushes himself up against me. A loud thud is audible as we bump into the wall. We’re in the middle of the hallway, making out like crazed teens, and I love it.

We drift to our rooms, stumbling over each other’s feet. I can’t take my mouth off his, he’s that delicious.

But then he does.

My lips feel raw and swollen, and I need his kisses to soothe the pain, but he inches back.

“Don’t stop,” I say, but he grabs my wrists and drapes them off his shoulder.

“You’re tired. I’m tired.” He fakes a yawn.

“No I’m not. You’re just making this up. You don’t want to kiss me.”

I cross my arms below my boobs, making sure they’re nice and perky for him to see. Of course, when his eyes sink to my chest area, I muffle a laugh, feeling victorious.

“Hmm … You don’t even know how much I want to kiss you. I want it so goddamn much, I dream about it. Ever since I met you I’ve been waking up with a huge hard-on.”

I gulp at those words.

“I also know that when I do put my mouth on yours, I can’t stop,” he continues.

“Then don’t,” I say, hooking my fingers in his pants, urging him to come closer.

“No, I’m holding myself back already, don’t make it so hard on me, please,” he mutters.

“I don’t want you to hold back anymore,” I say.

“I told you before, I don’t do sweet sex. You’re a virgin. Sort of,” he grins, probably thinking about our other night together. “I don’t want to mess this up with you.”

“Why are you so afraid?” I ask, leaning forward to kiss the corner of his lip.

I’ve never been so bold before, but I feel different today. Changed. He’s turned me into a more confident girl. A girl who can handle herself. A girl who goes after what she wants. A woman. Fierce.

He gasps when I kiss his jawline. “God, you’re making this really hard,” he says.

He makes a deep, rumbling sound, alerting all my senses. My hand drifts up his shirt, and I feel my way across his amazingly tight abs that just scream to be touched.

“I don’t think that’s the only thing I’m getting hard,” I whisper close to his ears.

He lets out an exasperated breath. “Fuck. Do you know how hot you sound when you say those dirty things?” he says, chuckling.

“I’ve always wanted you. I’m ready for you,” I say.

My hand searches for the doorknob behind me, and when I find it, I open the door to my room.

Hunter’s everything I dream about. He’s the bad boy that keeps me alert. The guy who awakens my inner desires. The person who makes me overcome my fears and fight. We’re complete opposites, and now I finally understand why they say opposites attract.

I’m not just attracted to him. It’s so much more than that.

I want him to be the one.

“Please …” I murmur close to his ear. “Make me yours.” And then I kiss him one last time on his neck.

“Fuck. That’s it,” Hunter growls. “You asked for it.”

I’m taken by surprise as he grabs my arms and pushes me through the door. He slams it shut behind him, and then smashes his lips onto mine. With his calloused fingers he grabs my face, and his tongue dips out during his fierce kisses. He’s rough, and nibbles on my lip as I desperately try to get closer to him. I want to feel him, to have him, body to body.

He looks at me for just a few seconds with half-mast eyes. “I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Nor your pussy.” He licks his lips when he says those words, and I just want to put my tongue right there.

“I wanted to take it slow, give you time to adjust to me, but now you’ve done it,” he says in between kisses. “I’m gonna take you, and I’m gonna fuck you until you scream my name.”

Hunter turns me around, pushes me up against the door, and sinks his mouth to mine. He tastes so delicious, and all I can think of his having his lips all over me. I push my breasts up to his chest, my nipples aching, desperate for his touch, but he’s completely fixated on my lips.

And oh God, the way he kisses me. It’s as if he wants to show me what he can do. Like he’s fucking my mouth.

Frenzied, my fingers latch around his body, trying to fuse with him. Each time Hunter breathes, his hungry eyes open to catch my gaze. My lips feel raw, and they’re buzzing. I love it. He smiles when he sees me wired up because of his rabid kisses.

I reach for the bottom of his shirt and scrunch it up. He raises his arms, letting me jerk it over his head. I still marvel at the sight of his beautiful body, those taut muscles and square pectorals. I love that it’s all mine.