Because of You (19 page)

Now, after all these weeks of waiting and wondering, I finally know the truth. I thought I would feel relieved after I found out how Brady had really died, but I don’t. My heart aches for Hunter more now than ever before, because he’s the one who has to live with the memory of his brother’s death. I know he spared me all the horrific details, and for that I’m grateful. God knows I fainted at just the image my imagination had conjured up.

Now that all of our secrets are out in the open, I hope we can get on with our lives without holding anything back. I had such a hard time trusting him with all his promises when there was so much that was still unsaid, but after last night I feel my walls slowly crumbling. I know he was just trying to protect me from the hell that’s been his life, but there’s no need to shelter me any longer.

Hunter was up early this morning. Considering all the “exercise” we had last night I would have thought he would have been exhausted. He insisted on going for his run anyway. I, on the other hand, decided to sleep in—I’m tired and sore, but in a wonderful way. The only thing that will get me out of bed is coffee. Yeah I need to go make a pot before he gets back.

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly brewed coffee. I’m standing on my tiptoes so I can grab a mug from the top shelf when strong arms circle around me from behind. I can’t help the gasp that escapes me before his masculine scent assaults my senses. When my body relaxes against him he splays his fingers over my stomach, sending heat between my thighs. Is it wrong for me to want to lick his body from top to bottom, lingering somewhere in the center? Before he turns me around I can feel the flush that’s creeping into my cheeks.

“Want to take a shower with me, baby?” His tongue’s making tiny circles on my neck right now, sending chills up and down my spine.

When I feel his arousal pressed against me I grab his hand and lead him to the bathroom. Once we get inside I strip him of all his clothes, so he’s standing there in all his magnificent glory. I never get tired of looking at his chiseled body, especially with those baby blues looking at me like he could eat me up. Walking backwards I watch him as I start the shower and adjust the temperature.

When I start to take my clothes off he lunges towards me. “Babe, it’s my turn to make you feel good. ” I lick my lips as I hear him groan.

He chuckles deep in his throat, “Baby, I’ve turned you into a little nympho, haven’t I?”

When I’m standing naked in front of him I crook my index finger, letting him know he can move forward. Opening the curtain so he can step inside, I get in behind him. As he stands under the shower I reach for the soap and begin lathering his body. I feel every taut muscle ripple underneath my hands as I wash his back, chest, arms and legs. He washes his own face and hair but when my hand reaches out to wash his erection, he grabs my wrist.

“Riley, give me the soap—I can do it myself. ” He looks embarrassed.

Shaking my head I hold the soap behind my back. “Let me finish what I started. ”

“No, you’ve made me so horny I’ll come in your hands. ” His cock jerks in anticipation.

“That’s the chance I’ll have to take,” I say with a mischievous smile. I lather the soap in my hands before reaching out to him.

When I begin washing his most intimate parts he grips my shoulders with his hands. His head tips back just like that first night in the hot tub. Holy shit! I reach around to wash his backside when his eyes open wide. He’s not trying to stop me but his body stiffens at the intrusion, his eyes connect with mine. Once I’m finished washing him I let him rinse off, but when he turns around to face me I drop to my knees, taking him in my mouth.

He sucks in a breath as his hands tangle in my hair. A moan escapes his parted lips. I glide my lips down his length, until I feel him deep inside my throat. When I slide back up I circle my tongue over the sensitive head, flicking my tongue as I suck the tip. I continue to pleasure him with my mouth and hands when I hear a low growl rip from deep inside his chest.

The next thing I know he’s tugging on my arms, pulling me to him as he crashes his mouth to mine in a hungry, primal kiss that has my head spinning. He grabs my ass, lifting me up. As my legs wrap around his waist, I can feel his cock at my slick entrance. He steps out of the shower, breaking our kiss. His lips skim over my neck, nipping and sucking until chills break out on my skin.

He lays me down on the middle of his bed as he creeps on all fours. He’s the
hunte
r and I’m the hunted. My heart races inside my chest when his hands slide over my skin—everywhere he touches ignites a fire within me. When he parts my legs, he wraps his arms around my thighs. I close my eyes in anticipation. He slides his tongue up my center before sucking on my swollen clit; my hands tangle in his hair, holding him in place. When he thrusts his fingers inside of me I feel myself soaring over the edge as I cry out his name.

He slides up my trembling body, cradling my head as his lips brush mine. “I love you so much, Riley. I want you to know that it’s
because of you
that I can be the man I was meant to be. ”

As I look into his eyes my heart skips a beat. I’m suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. All my life I’ve waited for someone to love me the way I’ve dreamed it was supposed to be and he’s right here in front of me. I’m so happy that I can feel my tears of joy as they slip down my cheeks, until I see the look on Hunter’s face.

“I’m crying because I’m happy. What you just said took my breath away and I love you so much that sometimes words aren’t enough, so I just showed you that you have all of me too. ” Leaning up I capture his mouth with mine.

“Make love to me Hunter, please. ” I’m still gazing into those blue eyes when he slips inside of me.

We cling to each other like it’s our last day on earth, our sighs getting lost in our passionate kisses. We take the journey, riding the waves until we collapse together.

Riley and I decided to head back home late last night. I need to get back to work before they fire me. I know it’s going to be a little awkward with Emma but I have to face her sooner or later. I’m hoping it’s not going to ruin our friendship because that would really suck big time. It would certainly put a damper on Friday night bonfires.

I’m holding this beautiful girl in my arms and I couldn’t be happier; I don’t want to wake her but I need to get ready for work. I’m trying to get out of bed without making too much noise, so I lay her arm on the blanket as I slide out. When I come back into the bedroom to get dressed after my shower she’s sitting up in bed, the sheet wrapped around her.

“Hey, beautiful. How did you sleep?” She tries to stifle a yawn as I chuckle.

“Great, until you got out of bed. ” She sticks out her bottom lip.

I want to walk over and nip on that pouty lip but I know it won’t stop there. “Go pick up your clothes today; I want you staying here with me. If your dad gets pissed I will go and have a talk with him. ” Bending down I kiss the tip of her nose before heading out.

We had talked about her moving in with me when we were still at the cottage. She agreed that once we came back she would move in her things. I just hope Scott doesn’t go bullshit on her.

As I pull into my parking spot I see Connor getting out of his car. “Well it’s about time; we all missed your pretty face around here. ”

“Don’t be jealous that I have the girl and you don’t, Connor. ” I can’t help but smile as I see him frown.

“I’ll have you know that now you’re off the market I’m next in line for the gorgeous girl on my arm.” He wiggles his eyebrows and I can’t help laughing my ass off.

“Keep dreaming, bro. I have the only one worth a damn and she’s all mine. ” The words get caught in my throat as I look up to see Emma standing there.

She looks sad as I try to take my foot out of my mouth. “Emma, I didn’t mean…”

She holds up her hands in surrender. “Don’t apologize; it’s nice to see you happy. So are we still having a bonfire on Friday night?”

I walk over to my friend and give her a hug. “That will never change, unless we get so old we can’t maneuver our wheelchairs in the sand. ” She laughs, smacking my arm.

We all walk towards our stations, talking and laughing just like nothing ever happened. All is right with the world at this moment. Until I get back home and it comes crashing down around me once again.

When I walk in, Riley’s sitting at the island sobbing uncontrollably. Immediately I think that Scott gave her a hard time until I approach her. When she sees me she jumps off the stool, sending it crashing to the floor. She crumples a piece of paper that’s clutched in her hand.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Trying to reach out for her, she jerks back like a skittish cat.

Her eyes open wide, as the tears stream down her face. I can’t help the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I watch her unravel before my eyes. When she sinks to the floor I do the same, wrapping her up in my arms.

“Hunter, let me go. ” She repeatedly pushes against my chest until I loosen my hold on her.

“Talk to me, Riley. I can’t help you until you let me know what’s wrong. ” I comb my fingers through my hair in frustration.

She opens my hand, placing the crumpled paper in my palm. “This changes everything, and I wish I had never opened it. I’m so sorry, Hunter…. so, so, sorry. ” She bends her knees, hugging them tightly to her chest. She buries her face in her arms as she continues crying.

Reaching out with my other hand I stroke her hair, bending over to kiss the top of her head before smoothing out the paper in my hands. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a letter and when I scan the bottom signature I realize it’s from her mom. Fuck.

Scott’s not Riley’s dad but Brady’s his biological son. I can’t wrap my head around this right now, this is so fucked up. When I quickly figure out the math I realize it could be true; Brady would have turned eleven on December 18
^th
. Riley just turned eighteen in June. This can’t be happening now.

All the questions I have can’t be answered by anyone other than Scott or my mother. So for now I have to focus on the woman I love and try to convince her that this changes nothing between us. When I scoop her up in my arms she clenches my shirt with her trembling hands. She doesn’t fight me when I place her in my lap as I sit on the couch.

Her head’s tucked under my chin, hands fisting my shirt. Her body’s trembling against mine which pisses me off because she’s in shock, not from desire. It takes every bit of willpower I have not to call her mother right now and tell her exactly what I think of her—a spiteful, vindictive, bitch. If she can’t be happy then her daughter won’t be either.

My thoughts wander to Brady and it makes me wonder if he inherited his personality from Scott. He sure as hell didn’t get it from my mother. His smile, positive attitude and willingness to help people are all traits he received from his biological father. I see that now.

I want nothing more than to comfort her right now, but I’m at a loss for words. What do I say to someone who just found out that the father she wants to get to know could be an imposter? That’s when she looks up at me with those heartbreakingly blue eyes and it’s like a punch in the gut.

“When did you get that letter, baby?” My thumb brushes against her teary cheek.

“I’m sorry Hunter, I shouldn’t have…. . ” Pressing my finger to her lips I stop her from apologizing once again for something that’s not her fault. It’s important for her to know, especially right now, that nothing could ever change the way I feel about her.

Leaning my head against her I say, “Before we take your mom’s word for anything, we have to talk to Scott and find out the truth. It’s possible it could all be a lie and she’s trying to hurt you more now because you’re living with him. ”

“What if it’s true, what if Brady was his son?” She’s worried more about my feelings than she is her own. So selfless… it just makes me love her more.

“Nothing in that letter could possibly change anything concerning you and me. Do you understand that?” She nods her head. “If Brady was his son and not my dad’s, that’s between the three of them. Whenever you decide to go talk to Scott, I’m going with you. We’re in this together, okay?”

I decide there’s no time like the present. If I don’t confront him now I might lose my nerve. So I fold up the crumpled letter and shove it into my pocket. With Hunter’s strong reassuring hand in mine we go over to my dad’s. I say a silent prayer, hoping with all my heart that my mom’s lying. I don’t know if I can take another betrayal.

As I walk in the kitchen door Hunter gives my hand a gentle squeeze; it’s his way of comforting me. When I see my dad coming out of his office, Hunter lifts my hand to his lips and presses a tender kiss to each knuckle. Instead of having a calming effect on me it sends my heart racing.

“Hey you two, I didn’t expect you back this early. ” When Dad smiles, all I see is Brady smiling back at me. Looking up, I see Hunter’s jaw clenched tightly.

“Dad I need to talk to you; can we go in your office?” I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Sure… is everything okay?” He frowns as his eyes immediately drop to my stomach. He thinks I’m pregnant.

It’s only when we walk into his office and Hunter closes the door behind him when I say, “No Dad; I’m not pregnant if that’s what you’re thinking. ”

He sighs with relief as he leans against his desk, crossing his legs at the ankles. His hands grip the edge as he looks up. “I’m not going to lie and tell you it didn’t cross my mind. I thought it best to get the worst case scenario out of the way first. ”

Hunter and I are sitting on the leather couch—his arm’s draped around my shoulder as he pulls me close. His other hand’s fisted in his lap. I reach over and thread my fingers through his and he smiles.

“It hurts me when you say being pregnant with Hunter’s baby would be the worst thing that could happen to me. Nothing would make me happier than to have his child because he would make an amazing father. You even said yourself how much he loved Brady and how committed he was to him, right Dad?” When I stand up suddenly, Hunter tugs my shirt, trying to set me back down.

“Riley, your taking what I said out of context. You’re both too young for that kind of responsibility right now; that’s all I meant by that. Obviously something’s bothering you so just tell me, I’m not a mind reader. ” He scrubs his hands over his face before sitting down at his desk.

I pull the letter out of my pocket and leave it folded up as I hand it to him. When I walk back to Hunter he leans forward, dropping his elbows on his knees and staring at the floor. He looks so uncomfortable, like he’s hoping the floor will open up and take him anywhere but here.

When I sit down next to him he gazes up at me. “No matter what happens today we’re in this together. ” I nod before crawling in his lap. I’m so safe when I’m in his arms, but I hate feeling six years old again.

Dad clears his throat but I can’t look at him because I know in my heart all of it’s true. “Hunter, I’d like to address the part that affects you first. I did have an affair with your mother, but I swear on my life that I did not know until I read this letter that Brady was my son. ” When I hear my dad choke back a sob, I glance over at him.

“Scott, I think it’s in our best interest if we wait to talk to my mother first before we believe anything Kathy says. From what Riley’s told me about her mom she has a lot of emotional problems. So why don’t we discuss the part that affects Riley—she’s what’s important. ” I should have known he would put me first.

“You’re right Hunter; I can’t even imagine what you must think of me right now and I just want you to know how sorry I am. Riley, I’d like this conversation to be between you and I. Hunter can wait outside. ” He looks at me, pleadingly.

Hunter stands up so fast he barely has time to set me on the couch. It takes him two short strides before he’s leaning over the desk, his face inches away from Scott’s. “You can talk to her in front of me, Do. You. Understand?” He pokes his finger into my dad’s chest for emphasis.

“I know how protective you are of her but I need to…. ” He doesn’t get a chance to finish before Hunter grabs him by his shirt and yanks him to his feet.

“Scott, it’s taking every ounce of self-control I have not to fucking punch you, so whatever you need to say, say it now!” He screams, letting go of my dad as he falls into his chair.

Hunter stalks back to me, nostrils flaring. His fingers tangle in his hair, every muscle as tight as a drum. When he sits down I thread his fingers through mine; the tension running through him feels like electricity. I rub my hand up and down his arm hoping this calms him; he’s making me nervous.

“For three years I raised you like you were my own daughter, so when I found out when you were sick, that you weren’t my biological child, I was devastated. But you have to believe me when I say that I never stopped loving you. You were still my little girl. Your mom swore to me she never knew that she was pregnant when we met, so I believed her. We tried for three more years to make a go of it, until she found out I was having an affair with Erin, Hunter’s mom. That’s when she told me about how many men she’d slept with in the last six years. ” He buries his face in his hands. He’s reliving every painful memory.

I’m numb, weightless; like I could float away at any moment.

I was never close to my dad, well, Scott. Is that why I don’t feel sad, hurt, or angry? You would think that I’d be upset to learn that I don’t know who my real father is, but I’m not. All of it doesn’t matter because the most important person is sitting next to me and he said we’re in this together. I’ve heard enough; I don’t want to listen to anymore of his bullshit.

“For twelve years I lived in hell with a woman who resented me because I wasn’t your daughter. Now it all makes sense. If you had just been honest with me from the beginning on your
infrequent
visits, you could have saved me a lot of heartache. I would have known why she hated me so much and I wouldn’t have spent all this time blaming myself. I can’t stay here and listen to anything else you have to say. I’m leaving. ” With Hunter’s hand in mine, we leave Scott sitting there, his mouth wide open.