I tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position that would allow me to drift off to sleep. With each second that ticked by, I became more aware of Hunter’s presence. I imagined him standing outside my door, wondering if he should come in.
I wished he would.
Every touch, every stolen glance, every moment I’d spent in his arms earlier tonight only left me wanting more. So many years had passed, but my body ached with the need to be his again.
I threw off the covers, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and hopped to my feet. Confident, determined, and fueled by desire, I grabbed my robe and rushed down the empty hall. A girl on a mission to get her man.
Without pausing to think, I tapped lightly on his door, whispering his name. I pushed on the lever with a trembling hand. Locked. Dammit.
The latch clicked; and the door opened, revealing a bare-chested Hunter.
“Were you waiting for me?” I bit my lip, glancing up at him through my lashes.
He’d looked sexy as hell in his suit at our engagement party, but now … wow, what a shame it had been to cover this magnificent body.
“I—I couldn’t sleep.” He dragged a hand through his already messy hair and leaned into the door frame.
Perfect. The way he looked. The way I felt. The perfect opportunity.
“Me either. But since we’re both awake . . .” I stepped closer and tugged on the sash around my waist, letting my robe slide from my shoulders and fall to the floor. “We might as well have a little fun.” I slid one hand down his chest, over his navel.
Hunter let out a slow hiss, the muscles of his torso flexing. His lounge pants sat low on his hips, the fabric straining across his growing erection. I skimmed the top of the silky fabric, imagining how he looked beneath them. Anxious to find out.
He grabbed my wrist, fingers flexing on my racing pulse. “Skye.” His grip tightened, halting my exploration. Broad shoulders rose and fell on several ragged breaths, his inner struggle palpable.
“What’s stopping you?”
“A hell of a lot of self control, right now.” He grabbed my left hand, stroking my palm before raising it between us. The light from his room reflected off the diamond solitaire—the ring that branded me as Matt’s.
Ignoring the momentary flash of guilt, I pressed Hunter’s hand to my chest. “Maybe I just need someone to make me forget about him. Someone who makes my heart race like it used to. Like it is now.” Watching his face, I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him. “Before it’s too late.”
His dark eyes betrayed him, revealing the same passion and desire that burned inside me. Emotions that had laid dormant far too long.
I’d missed him, more than I dared to let anyone know. And I needed him. More than I realized myself, before today.
Hunter’s head fell forward. His stubbled jaw scraped my cheek as he nuzzled my neck and dropped a trail of kisses to my throat. Each one sent a shot of electricity straight to my core.
A sweet sigh slipped past my parted lips. I struggled to catch my breath amid his sensual assault.
He cradled my face, mere inches from his own, his heated gaze searching my soul. Did he see the empty space that only he could fill?
I brushed my lips across his, tentative at first—warm, soft, exactly as I’d remembered them. “Mmm … I’ve missed these lips.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “You miss all the wicked things they can do to you.”
I bit back a smile and lifted my shoulder, trying to play it cool. “That too.”
Hunter’s mouth covered mine, claiming me in one swift move. His tongue swept inside, caressing and exploring. He let out a satisfied hum that vibrated through me.
Every cell in my body seemed to come to life after years of hibernation. Pulsing sensations I’d long forgotten rolled through me in waves. I clung to him, gasping, pleading for more.
Hunter gripped my waist, catching me as my knees grew weak. His fingers dug into my flesh as he pulled me toward him, tugging me into his room.
My skin tingled under his touch as his hands skimmed my torso, his thumbs brushing the underside of my breasts. He guided me backwards, pinning me to the wall as he raised our clasped hands above my head. His hips pressed to mine, rocking at a slow steady rhythm.
Lost in the whirlwind of sensations he created in me, my body melted into his. I was so close to going over the edge, and he’d barely even touched me. My grip on his hands grew tighter the higher I climbed. My uncontrollable cries of pleasure echoed in his mouth as he continued to kiss me with unyielding passion.
Hunter released my arms. He pulled away, licking his swollen lips, a dazed look in his eyes. His chest heaved on heavy breaths. “What the fuck am I doing? Skye, we can’t—” He shook his head, scrubbing his knuckles across his troubled face. “You’re marrying my best friend. It’s already too late for us.”
His jaw flexed as seconds ticked by in silence. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but we missed our chance. I missed my chance.” He rested his hands on my shoulders, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m sorry. For then and for now.”
I turned away, hiding the pain that threatened to consume me. We were meant to be together—I felt it in the depths of my soul. Settling for Matt had seemed like my best option at the time, but … well, I never expected to see Hunter again. Never expected to feel so alive again.
“Skye, please don’t make this harder than it already is. Saying, ‘no’ to you is killing me.”
“Then don’t.”
He placed a finger under my chin, coaxing my gaze back to his. “I’ll spend the rest of my life wishing I’d held onto you when I had the chance.”
Hunter pressed his lips to mine in a tender kiss that ended too soon. “Good-night, beautiful.”
“Good-night.” But not good-bye. Not by a long shot.

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