Misplaced Princess (Foreign Affairs, Book One) (7 page)

Hunter began clearing up their food, placing the leftovers back in the bag. “So did you come here for Dylan…or a vacation with benefits?”

It was a good question. She wished she had a better answer. “Both, I guess. I thought I’d see if the fun that Dylan and I had online translated into real life,
and
I wanted to get away. Desperately.”

Hunter studied her face for a long time and she wondered if her response pissed him off. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to wonder if Dylan’s feelings had been more strongly engaged. What if, by admitting her real reasons for coming, Hunter now saw her as a user? A woman looking for a fling while escaping her real life? She hadn’t painted a very pretty picture of herself.

The silence unnerved her. She stood and walked back toward the lake. Taking off her hat, she fanned herself with it while finger-combing her hair. A rumble caught her attention and she glanced up to discover a dark cloud overhead.

“Damn. Storm coming.”

She turned, surprised to see Hunter standing so close behind her. A quick look showed that he’d folded up the blanket and put it and the food back in the pack.

She was sorry to leave. “I guess we should head back.”

He nodded, looking up. “Not sure we’re going to beat it. Think we’re about to get pissed on from a great height.”

As if he’d dared the gods, rain began to fall. Unlike the storms at home, this one skipped the drizzle and got straight to the good part.

Sheets of water fell, soaking her in an instant. The quick, unexpected change caught her unaware and her mouth fell open.

Hunter wiped his eyes. Grinning, he shook his head and shrugged. “Looks like a belly washer.”

Annie had never found pleasure in rain. In New York, the skies would go dark and gray for days on end, never producing more than a few measly icy-cold drops at a time. This rain felt different. It cooled her overheated skin, washing away the sweat, the grime, the smell of the horse. It was like bathing in a beautiful waterfall.

She lifted her arms and spun around. “It’s incredible!”

Hunter watched her with humor in his eyes. “It’s just rain, you bloody crazy Yank.”

“Maybe. But it feels so good.”

Hunter’s laughter died as his eyes drifted over her body hungrily. She glanced down and suddenly understood why men loved wet t-shirt contests so much. Her white shirt was sheer and it clung to her body, revealing every curve she possessed.

Her nipples were dark and erect. She wanted to blame it on the sudden chill, but she knew it had more to do with arousal.

Hunter had removed his hat and his hair was slick, wet. He pushed it away from his face.

She lowered her arms as both of them continued to stare at each other.

Then they moved at the same time.

Annie didn’t have time to consider her actions when Hunter’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. She gripped his face, forcing his lips to hers.

Hunter’s kiss was hot and deep, passionate. Annie turned her head, trying to get more of him. They’d curbed one hunger with food. Now they were satisfying a different kind of starvation.

She ran her hands over his shoulders, dragging her fingers along his muscular arms. Hunter lifted his palms to her breasts, encapsulating her flesh with his large hands. He squeezed them and she moaned into his mouth.

The storm continued to pound down, but the force of the rain only drove their needs higher. Annie reached around Hunter and grasped his ass, her fingers digging into his jeans, pushing his erection against her stomach.

She longed to feel him inside her. Hunter pinched her nipples, the sharp, pleasurable pain sending shards of arousal to her pussy. She pulled away from the kiss slightly and gasped, but Hunter drew her back, refusing to free her lips.

Water dripped from their clothing. Annie gripped his soaked jeans tighter. She needed more than this. Tugging at the hem of his t-shirt, she untucked it and slipped her hands beneath. Bare, smooth skin met her fingertips. Hunter hissed when her chilled hands stroked his nipples, but he didn’t break the union of their lips.

His tongue tangled with hers, then he nipped her lower lip. She returned the sensual attack. Hunter’s fingers twisted in her hair. He tightened his hold, pulling the tresses until she thought she’d explode. So fucking good. So hot.

She’d spent a lifetime dreaming of a kiss like this, never finding a man who wanted her with a mindless, uncontrollable passion that could match hers. Annie dragged her nails along Hunter’s chest, desperate to mark him, to scratch this moment permanently into his skin, his memory.

A flash of lightning pierced the darkness and Annie panicked. The bright light reminded her too much of a camera. It drove her back to the present, to reality, and she stepped away, glancing around. What if someone had seen? Taken a picture? Stolen the most precious moment of her life for their own financial gain?

“Fuck,” Hunter muttered. His chest rose and fell, his breathing as labored as hers. “I’m so sorry, Annie.”

Sorry? She was the one who’d had the ridiculous moment of panic. They truly were alone. As soon as she realized that, she regretted her foolishness. She missed his lips, his arms around her.

Before she could explain, Hunter bent down to pick up their hats, slapping them against his thighs. “I’d never do anything to hurt Dylan. It’s just…”

Oh God. Dylan. She’d completely forgotten about Hunter’s brother. “Hunter…” She needed to find a way around his feelings of guilt. She hadn’t gotten a sense Dylan’s feelings were any stronger than hers, but what if she’d misread their flirting, thinking it harmless, sexy, while Dylan put more stock into its meaning? What happened if he came home and expected more than she was able to give?

“We need to head to the homestead. The storm looks like it’s dying, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come back worse. We shouldn’t be out here in the lightning.”

She nodded, feeling very weary and confused. Her clothes clung to her, suddenly cold and uncomfortable. She needed a hot bath and a long cry.

* * * * *

When Hunter and Annie arrived at the house, Hazel was on the front porch. The rain had slowed down considerably during their return trip. Hunter stopped near the house and hopped down, helping Annie descend.

She hadn’t spoken a word since he’d kissed her by the billabong. Guilt lingered, but if given the chance, he’d drag Annie back into his arms again. He couldn’t resist her, the pull growing stronger with each passing day.

Hazel started to speak, but stopped as her gaze traveled from Annie to him. Hunter’s hands still lingered on Annie’s waist in a far-too-familiar way. He fought to restrain his wince as he released her and took one step away. His mother was far too canny, too clever.

He rubbed his jaw, his fingers grazing his own lower lip. For the first time he tasted the slight tang of blood and he remembered Annie biting him. She was a wildcat, and he ached to unleash the sexy beast inside her.

Hazel took Annie’s hand as she climbed the stairs. “You’re soaked to the skin, dear girl. Why don’t you go to your room and take a hot shower, get some dry clothes?”

Annie accepted Hazel’s hand. “I might lie down too. Not sure when this jetlag will go away once and for all, but I’m sort of tired.”

Hazel smiled kindly. “A nap should do the trick. Why don’t you rest until dinner?”

Annie continued to the front door, turning before entering the house. “Thanks for the picnic, Hunter. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

He smiled. He’d thought her silence was based on regret. Now he wasn’t so sure. “I’d like that.”

“So would I.”

Her words and her face, the direct way she looked him straight in the eye, told him she meant what she was saying.

She walked into the house.

He’d forgotten his mother was there until she spoke. “You need to call Dylan.”

“I know. I will.” Dylan had left a message on the answering machine the night before last, but Hunter hadn’t returned the call, uncertain what to say. He’d considered ringing Dylan at least half a dozen times yesterday, but he and Annie had been having too much fun, so again, he avoided the issue. What would he do if Dylan said he was on his way home…coming back for Annie?

Hazel wasn’t appeased. “When?”

“I need to take care of Jamboree first. The poor horse is soaking wet and—”

“Hunter. I’m not blind and I’m not stupid.”

He knew that. “Mum, I’m going to call him. I promise.”

Hazel nodded, then walked back into the house. Hunter led Jamboree back to the shed as he considered what he’d say to Dylan. How could he explain that the woman he’d accused his brother of acting like a fool over had shown up and tossed his world on its ear? Dylan wasn’t just his brother, he was his mate, his best friend. Was he willing to risk that relationship over a woman he’d just met?

The ache in Hunter’s chest made him very sad to recognize he might.

Fuck it. He’d never been afraid to talk to his brother before. It was time Hunter stopped acting like such a chicken shit. He quickly finished cleaning the horse then retrieved the leftover food from the pack.

As he strode to the house, he tried to clear his head, calm his nerves. Walking in the front door, he dropped the bag of food and picked up the phone. His mind was blank as he dialed the number. He listened to it ring, struggling to find one fucking word to say after “hello”.

What
could
he say?

Hey Dylan, I know you’re so crazy about Annie you traveled halfway around the bloody world to meet her, but would you mind giving up your potential soul mate so I can ask her out?

Hunter grimaced. Yeah. That would work. The phone continued to ring. He could always blow off the emotional attraction he felt toward her and make it about something less intimidating. He and Dylan were never shy about discussing the details of their sexual exploits.

Dylan, Annie’s so fucking hot I can’t keep my hands off her. She makes my dick throb so hard it’s a wonder I haven’t split the front of every pair of jeans I own. Would you mind if I drag her to bed and keep her there for a few weeks?

Bloody hell. Just the thought of saying that felt wrong. He wanted more from her than a mere fuck or two. That was the
real
problem.

All the arguments he’d laid out for Dylan on the way to Sydney International crashed down on his head. She’s an American. She lives half a world away. No woman from New York City is going to want to settle down in the middle of the Outback. It’s a waste of time, effort and emotion. A no-win situation.

Dylan—the king of living in the moment—hadn’t had any answers to offer and hadn’t seemed concerned about finding them. He’d wanted to meet Annie and he’d found a way to make it happen. Hunter wished he could do the same, but it wasn’t in his nature. Where Dylan was a romantic bastard who leapt feet first, thinking of the consequences after the fact, Hunter was too fucking practical, a realist in every sense of the word.

Dylan’s voice sounded through the phone and Hunter’s heart seized before he realized it was voicemail. He considered what he wanted to say once more. Then he simply said, “Dylan. It’s Hunter. Call me. We need to talk.”

Chapter Five

Annie glanced at the clock. She was exhausted from tossing and turning, struggling to find sleep for nearly two hours. Her earlier nap had given her a cursed second wind. It also didn’t help that Hunter had fired up her libido to dangerous levels on that picnic. She was a ticking time bomb of horniness.

The house had gone completely quiet nearly an hour ago. Hunter was in his office and she hadn’t heard him return to his room yet. He must be burning the midnight oil.

Or maybe he was feeling as restless and needy as she was. She wondered if he’d take care of those needs on his own. She imagined him sitting at his desk, opening his pants and taking his cock in his hand. She grew wet as she imagined him stroking the thick flesh. He’d pressed his erection against her enough the past few days to convince her that he wasn’t hurting in the penis department. Would he stroke it slowly, savoring each tight press? Or was he a hard-and-fast man, moving his hand with quick thrusts that caused his breathing to stutter and his eyes to close in sweet agony?

God.
She forced the image away and pressed her legs together tightly. She’d never get to sleep at this rate. After rising from her nap, Annie had enjoyed another relaxing meal with mother and son, then spent the rest of the evening with Hunter in the office. She’d set up her laptop on the opposite side of his large desk and worked on her Farpoint article while he’d attended to the cattle station’s ledgers. She’d enjoyed that quiet time with him almost as much as the tumultuous kisses in the rain.

Slowly it dawned on her it didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing. When she was with Hunter, she felt…comfortable in her own skin, at peace. It was a new experience for her.

She lay still, listening once more to the silence. Finally she couldn’t stand the ache in her pussy any longer. She tiptoed from the bed and rummaged through her luggage in the dark. Fortunately there was enough moonlight to help her find her vibrator. God willing, no one would hear the buzzing sound.

Returning to bed, she pulled off her t-shirt and panties. Lying down, she closed her eyes and softly stroked her clit, recalling the kiss Hunter had given her earlier.

He’d pushed her away out of respect for his brother and she admired him for his loyalty. Unfortunately, that kindness added one more tick to the
Ohmigod, this is why I want to fuck Hunter
list. In a few days, he’d racked up at least a dozen or more of those marks, which had all contributed to her current state. She rubbed herself harder and moaned softly.

Her pussy—already damp—turned molten as she imagined Hunter’s face. He was far too handsome for her peace of mind. While she stroked her clit with one hand, she picked up the vibrator with the other and rubbed it along the opening of her body. She was wetter than normal so the toy slid in easily.

She shuddered as her need grew stronger. Pushing the head of the vibrator inside, she opened her legs wide. Once the toy was completely lodged to the hilt, she turned it on.

“Ahh!” she cried, the sound too loud in the quiet room. She held her breath for a moment, but the house remained silent.

Sliding the vibrator out, she slowly began to fuck herself, pretending it was Hunter’s cock. She alternated between stroking her clit and toying with her nipples, wishing Hunter was with her, sucking on her breasts. She wanted him, wanted to feel him drive into her deep and hard. Her hips began to thrust as she pushed the vibrator in even more.

She groaned again, feeling her climax rise. It hovered at the edges. She was close. So damn close—

There was a quiet knock at her door and it opened immediately.

“Annie? Are you okay?”

She froze mid-stroke as Hunter stood in the doorframe. His gaze saw far too much even before Annie burst into motion. Sitting up, she pulled the vibrator out and grasped the sheet that was pooled at the foot of the bed, dragging it over her naked body.

Hunter didn’t move and heat flooded her face. Jesus. He’d caught her red-handed, masturbating. Her humiliation grew when she realized her vibrator was still on, buzzing away on the mattress. She scrambled to find it and turn it off.

He broke the silence first. “I thought you were sick or having a bad dream.”

She winced, unable to look him in the face, falling back on the bed with a sigh. She pulled the covers higher, gripping them tightly under her chin. She really wanted to drag them over her head as well. “I’m sorry I woke you. I thought you were still in your office. I’ll be quieter. Um…good night.”

She expected him to return to his room, but instead he walked toward the bed. God, why couldn’t he leave her alone in her mortification? There was no way she could face him after this.

Hunter didn’t say anything. The mattress sank and her gaze flew to his face as he lay down beside her. For the first time since he’d come in the room, she actually looked at him. He was wearing nothing but boxer shorts and a bare six-pack that made her drool. He gripped her shoulder and pulled her toward him until they lay on their sides, facing each other. Annie kept the sheet pulled high, while Hunter lay on top of it.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His mouth was tilted with that gorgeous crooked grin that had gotten her into this mess to begin with.

“What do you think you’re doing in my bed?”

“I was having trouble sleeping,” he said. “Looks like you were too. Thought maybe we could keep each other company.”

“Hunter, I’m not sure—”

“I’m not here to fuck you, Annie. I think maybe we should have a little chat, try to talk our way around what’s obviously going to be pretty awkward come morning.”

He’d walked in and caught her fucking herself with a vibrator. Awkward didn’t begin to cover it.

She grimaced. “Was I that loud?”

Hunter glanced upward at the headboard. “My bed’s on the other side of that wall.”

Annie sighed. “I didn’t realize it was so close. Or that you were in it.”

He chuckled. “Obviously.”

“God. I’m starting to think that if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. I’m currently holding the world record for dating losers. I travel all the way to Australia to meet a man who’s now in New York—the freaking place I just left. My job is on the line thanks to articles I promised to write about the man who is
in
New York
. And now this.”

Hunter pushed a strand of hair away from her face. Her pussy clenched, her orgasm still hovering, not as close as it was before but not gone. Having Hunter lying next to her on the bed wasn’t helping her calm down.

“I don’t think you’re having bad luck at all.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You must be kidding. How can you say that? You know what I’ve been dealing with.”

Hunter shrugged. “I think your luck’s been changing lately. Your boss won’t give you assignments at work, but then you’re handed a big four-part series. You land in Australia all alone and find me.”

She snorted. “You think that’s good luck, do you?”

Hunter winked. “The best sort. You need a stockman to interview, and you’ve got me.”

“So where’s the luck tonight?”

Hunter didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. His gaze darkened, his jaw hardened. It was a look of pure, unadulterated lust. Her body responded, her embarrassment forgotten in an instant.

Hunter pushed her gently to her back. Her breathing accelerated and her heart pounded so hard it almost hurt. “You said—” she started.

“I meant what I said. I’m not going to fuck you, Annie, but I’m not blind. My timing was about as bad as it can get. I’m going to make up for that.” He pulled the sheet away from her body.

She marveled at her stillness, considering how much she wanted this. It took all the strength in her body not to pull him down on top of her. He picked up her vibrator and she blushed once more.

“Open your legs. You’re hurting. You need to finish.”

She fought to send air to her lungs, but her body wasn’t responding. Every nerve, every fiber of her being was focused on him, on what he planned to do. He nudged her thighs apart and slowly slid the vibrator back into her pussy.

She hissed at his too-slow, almost-teasing entry. Her hands balled into fists, gripping the sheet when he lodged the vibrator to the hilt and turned it on once more.

“Hunter.” His name came out on a gasp.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Annie.”

She closed her eyes in pure bliss when he began to thrust the vibrator in and out of her pussy, using her toy with more skill than she’d mastered in years of use. Her body responded, her hips rising for more.

She was close to coming when Hunter’s covered erection brushed against her thigh. He was on his side, leaning over her slightly, propped up on his elbow.

She was a greedy bitch, letting Hunter do all the work when he was obviously hurting too. She dragged her hand down his bare chest.

The touch threw off his rhythm and he forgot about the vibrator.

“Annie.” His tone was the perfect blend of protest and pleading.

She shushed him. “Let me,” she whispered.

She pressed her fingers beneath the waistband of his boxers and found what she sought. Hunter’s cock was rock hard, long and thick. God, her first silly thought when she’d seen him in the airport was that they grew their men big in Australia. She’d had no idea how right she’d been.

Hunter didn’t move a muscle as she took a few minutes exploring her new treasure, her fingers tracing his cock—feeling the head, the pulsing vein, the velvety skin. She wrapped her hand around it.

Hunter gripped her hip and turned her back to her side, facing each other once more. He lifted her right leg and put it over his waist. The position made it even easier for her to grip his cock. She tightened her hold and started to stroke his flesh. He groaned his approval before pushing the vibrator back into her pussy, moving it in time with her caresses.

He kissed her softly as they played, neither of them in a hurry to find their release. This moment was too perfect, too good to rush, but soon their bodies made their own demands.

Annie pulled her palm along his dick more roughly. Hunter mimicked, pushing the vibrator inside her quicker, harder. She wished it were Hunter fucking her instead of the toy. But that desire was forgotten when her orgasm came, shaking her frame, her existence. She closed her eyes as she rode out the glorious storm.

She heard Hunter grunt, felt his cock quiver as come spurted from the head, splashing her stomach and the sheet beneath them.

Time passed without recognition as Annie fought to catch her breath, to regain her wits. Which happened all too quickly.

What the hell was that?

Assisted masturbation? With Dylan’s brother?

She fought for some sense of regret, of guilt. None came. Annie felt nothing but exhausted pleasure. “This isn’t me. I don’t usually do stuff like this.”

Hunter kissed the end of her nose. “You’re on holiday. People do all sorts of crazy stuff when they’re away from home.”

Annie gave him a sleepy smile. “So what’s your excuse?”

“I was horny.” They laughed softly.

“Your bed is sticky,” Hunter murmured. Annie could hear the drowsiness in his voice.

“Your fault.”

“Nope. Yours. Come on.”

She felt him leave the mattress but was too weary to lift her eyelids to see where he was going.

“I’m too tired to move,” she complained.

“I know.”

“I’ll just sleep on the edge of the bed.”

Hunter tugged on her arm, lifting her a few inches. “Sleep is what you’re going to do, but in my bed.”

She tried to respond, but she was drifting too fast, powerless to remain awake. She didn’t even comment when Hunter lifted her and carried her to his room.

“Your mum,” she said softly.

“Shhh. We’ll sort it out in the morning, love. Go to sleep.”

Briefly, as she lay next to him, she considered the fact she was naked in Hunter’s bed, being spooned by the equally naked, sexy stockman. The night had been sheer magic.

She really had taken a trip to Oz.

* * * * *

Hunter slowly disengaged from Annie’s still body.

Last night, he’d drifted to sleep the instant his head hit the pillow. He wasn’t surprised. Annie had rocked his world with just her hand on his cock. She was incredible. His regular morning half-mast hard-on thickened as he considered how much more he wanted to do with the sexy American.

He shook the thought out of his head as soon as it landed. She was here for Dylan. Fuck. His intentions to hold her at arm’s length out of respect for his brother had crashed and burned. Hunter pulled on a pair of jeans and glanced at the clock. It was after eight a.m. Typically he was up at dawn, but the late night had apparently taken its toll—on both of them.

Annie didn’t stir as Hunter grabbed a t-shirt and shrugged it on. He needed to ring Dylan. He should have gotten his luggage by now. Why wasn’t he coming home? Mentally, Hunter did the math and figured out with the time change, his morning was currently his brother’s yesterday evening. Jesus. Why couldn’t it be the same day and time everywhere?