Wild Thing (16 page)

His name flew from her lips in a strangled cry as her orgasm rolled through her, pulling him in. He thrust hard, deep, gritting his teeth against the onslaught of heat, wetness, and her inner muscles convulsing around him like a thousand fingers. He let go, flooding her with his essence, with his love, and then unable to hold himself above her he collapsed, spent and exhausted. With his last ounce of energy, he rolled them over onto their sides and pulled her close, kissing away her tears. He didn’t let them bother him. They were just a release. Hell, he’d been so caught up he almost cried too. “I love you, Toni.”

The words flew through his head, and when she stiffened in his arms and gasped, he knew he’d said them out loud. He nuzzled her neck and kissed her trembling lips. “It’s all right, babe. Just relax.” He stroked her side and felt the tension running through her. “It’s still early. We can catch a few more hours of sleep if you want.”

She pushed him over onto his back and then climbed on top of him, straddling his legs—oblivious to the picture she made. “You tell me that, and you expect me to go to sleep?”

Hunter pushed pillows against the headboard and sat, leaning back against it. “I guess not. If you want to talk about it, go ahead.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She pounded on his chest, and he caught her hand. “I want you to take it back.”

“Why?”

“’Cause it’s not true. It can’t be true. People don’t fall in love in three days.”

“Really, how long does it take? A week? Three weeks? A year?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love.”

“Yeah, well, it took me less than three days. Maybe less than one, I’m not really sure when it happened. It kind up snuck up on me.”

“What do you want from me? Why would you lie about this of all things?”

“Now hold on a minute. I just told you how I feel. I don’t expect you to feel the same, and I’m certainly not asking anything of you. But you need to understand that I don’t lie. I love you, Toni, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to take it back, so you might as well get used to it.” He tugged on that collar of hers and gave her a hard kiss. Too bad it didn’t erase the look of doubt mixed with despair on her face.

Chapter 13

When Hunter stepped out of the cabin, Trapper was waiting for him.

“You’re up early.”

“Yeah. I need to get something from my truck.”

Hunter didn’t bother to stop to talk. He figured if Trapper really wanted to say something, he’d get off his ass and follow.

“I was thinking—”

“Always a dangerous thing.” Reaching into his pocket, Hunter pulled out his keys. He unlatched the swing-out tire carrier on his Land Cruiser, opened the back doors, and reached into the cargo area, pushing around duffel bags until he found the right one. Bingo. When he straightened, Trapper was leaning against the side. “You better not scratch my paint job.”

“With what? My ass? Besides, what’s it matter? This damn thing is older than I am.”

“It’s a classic.” A classic Hunter had spent a few years, and he didn’t even want to know how many thousands of dollars, heavily customizing. Trapper knew it. Hell, he’d helped him install the V-8 engine where a V-6 used to be. Hunter closed the back doors and swung and latched the tire back into place before locking it. Nothing was gonna get him down today, not even his big brother. “What do you need, Trap? Because I’m going back in, and believe me when I say I don’t want company.”

“I was wondering, since you and Toni seem to be shackin’ up, if Fisher could use your cabin so I don’t have to share with him? You ever hear that boy snore? He sounds like a moose with a sinus infection. No wonder he can’t keep a girlfriend.”

Hunter pulled the key card for his cabin out of his shirt pocket and handed it to Trapper. “Have at it. I sure as hell won’t be needing it. But why don’t you take the cabin?”

“Because that would leave Fisher in-between the Candy and Randy’s cabins, and that spells danger. Your cabin is secluded. That’s a much better way to keep him out of trouble.”

“And you surrounded by women.”

Trapper smiled. “Precisely. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Hell no, just as long as it’s not Toni you’re after.”

“Toni’s taken. Fisher and I figured that out when you went running after her that first day. Though it looks as if she’s gonna be the last one to grasp the concept. She might need a little nudge in the right direction.”

Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m nudging, but she’s as stubborn as a mule. Every time I push, her first instinct is to kick. I gotta tell you, she packs a pretty mean wallop.”

“I didn’t know you were such a pansy. Maybe Gramps is right. Women are like horses. You gotta break them gently. It’s like blanket training. You just don’t toss the blanket on its back. You have the blanket lying around for a while. You let the horse smell and nuzzle it, and before she knows it the blanket is on her back, and it’s not a big deal.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Trapper tipped his hat. “It’s nice to see a smile on that ugly face of yours. Just, you know, remember what I said. Toni’s like a skittish mare. You have to keep one side of her mind occupied while you lay the groundwork for the other. You know how to do that, don’t you?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered. It’s all good.” Okay, now he was lying. Toni was having kittens over the love thing. Damn. He’d never thought when he finally did fall in love, the woman he fell for would tell him to take it back and accuse him of lying. Though, with Toni he really wasn’t all that surprised. Disappointed maybe, but not surprised.

Hunter checked his watch. It was still early—way too early to call Pat in LA. He hadn’t heard from Emilio in three days and was really worried about the kid. Damn, he made a mental note to call Pat later to see what the hell was going on and returned to the cabin. When he opened the door, Toni sat naked on the bed doing cell phone surgery. She’d pulled the battery and SIM card out and was putting them back in wrong.

“Problem?”

“Yes. My phone isn’t working, and I need to call Bianca today. I thought it was just the charge, but it’s been plugged in since I got here.”

“There’s no cell service out this far. You can use the landline, but they’re gonna rape you with the charges.” He pulled his satellite phone off his belt. “You’re welcome to use mine if you want.”

“I need to call my mother too. God, this is so embarrassing.”

“Why?”

“You don’t know my mother.”

“She can’t be any worse than mine. Mine kisses me and brands me with her lipstick. She drives three hours to meet my girlfriend, and then tells me not to screw it up. Surely yours can’t be any worse.”

“Wanna bet? You can’t imagine—and I spend my life trying not to do just that.”

“Do what?”

“Not imagine my mother.”

Hunter set the duffel on the floor and sat beside her on the bed. Damn she looked good. He’d never slept with a woman who looked as good first thing in the morning as she did when she was pulling his shorts off the night before. His dick perked up, and he swallowed hard trying to remember what they’d been talking about. It was difficult, since the only thing she wore was that collar. Her mother. He reached around her to pick up his sat phone. “I’m sure she’s not that bad. After all, she raised you.” He handed her the phone, and she dropped it on her lap. Damn, he’d never been jealous of a phone before.

Toni shook her head. “No, even my mother admits I raised myself while she was doing whatever she was doing at the time.”

“Where is she, New York?”

“No, she’s in Florida. She bought a place down there.”

“Your mother stays in Florida in the summer?”

“She likes the heat.”

“She must. Go ahead and give her a call. Do you want me to leave you alone?”

“Why?”

“Privacy.” He smiled. “I thought you might want to tell her about me.”

Toni rolled her eyes. “Please. The woman doesn’t need any encouragement. Believe me, the last thing I’m going to do is mention you.”

That’s all it took for his dick to wilt. He slapped his hands on his jean-clad knees and rose from the bed.

“Hunter, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.” She set his phone down and slid off the bed, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest.

His arms went around her, his fingers raking through her hair at the base of her neck. Her scent drove him wild. He tried to ignore it, but it was like a siren’s call.

“It’s just that my mom and I are… we’re not like your family.”

“I gathered.” He held her shoulders and stepped back. If he hadn’t, he’d have picked her up, thrown her on the bed, and they’d have ended up being late as hell for work. “Look, don’t mind me. I’m just gonna make some coffee. The crap they serve at the inn is enough to make me give up caffeine. You go ahead and call whoever you want.”

Toni smiled at the thought of coffee. Maybe this relationship thing wasn’t so bad after all. She picked up Hunter’s phone and dialed her office. She might as well get the bad stuff over with first thing. “Bianca, please. It’s Toni Russo.” She waited and listened to the Muzak version of “The Girl from Ipanema” and watched Hunter putter around.

“Toni? Is there a problem?” Bianca’s voice came through in a rush.

“No, why would you think that? Everything is fine, we’re on schedule, and we’re all doing well.”

“Good. How is Hunter? Was he very upset that I didn’t make the trip?”

Toni’s eyes flew to Hunter. “He didn’t seem to be.” She didn’t think she should mention the relief she’d seen on Hunter’s face when he found out Bianca wasn’t with them. Which made her wonder what that was all about.

“Tell him for me I’m sorry I’m not there. Tell him we can finish what we started if I’m able to come out in the next few days or the next time he comes to New York.”

“Bianca, that’s something you should discuss with him on your own.”

“You’re probably right. I mean, why would I send a message with you, of all people? Things like this need a personal touch. Have him call me.”

And just what the hell was that supposed to mean? “He’s right here if you want to talk to him.”

“Oh, that would be lovely.” Yeah, she’d just bet.

“Before I do that, I called to make sure you haven’t made any changes to the schedule.”

“No. No changes.”

“Okay. I hope the negotiations are going well.”

“They are. We’re just tying up loose ends today, you know, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ll get Hunter for you. Hold on a minute.”

Hunter looked over when he heard his name and shook his head as he held up his hands and backed away. Interesting. Toni slipped off the bed, covering the mouthpiece. “I told her you were here.”

“Why did you do that?” He took the phone. “Hi, Bianca. How goes the war?”

For the first time all morning, Toni realized she was butt naked. She grabbed Hunter’s T-shirt he’d tossed on the dresser and put it on.

“That’s good. I’m sorry you couldn’t make it, but things are going well in your absence. There’s nothing to worry about. Toni has everything well in hand. She and James are doing a great job.”

Hunter came up behind her and slid his hand under her shirt, trailing his fingers over her stomach. “No. We’re getting along just fine without you. It’s not a problem. Okay, thanks, Bianca. I’ll put Toni back on. Oh, all right, I’ll be sure to tell her. Bye.”

He hit the end button on the phone before kissing Toni’s neck. “Bianca said good-bye.”

“That’s not all she said.”

Hunter nibbled that spot just above her collar. “Babe, the last thing I want to do right now is talk about your boss.”

“And why is that?” Toni pulled away and went to pour herself a cup of coffee. She needed to put some distance between them, and caffeine was a great excuse. She’d been told she had a personality problem before she had a cup, and right now, she was more than a little ticked off.

Toni took her first sip and then turned to find Hunter looking at her strangely. She went to the dresser to figure out what to wear. “Bianca told me she was sorry she couldn’t come out and finish what the two of you started.” She pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before glaring back at him. “What exactly was she talking about?”

Hunter poured himself a cup and watched her over the rim of his travel mug before he answered. “I don’t know. I guess it was something about the shoot.”

“That’s odd since she told me to tell you that you can finish it when you visit her in New York—and that it required ‘a personal touch.’ What kind of personal touching was she referring to? Why don’t you tell me exactly what went on between you and Bianca?”

“I don’t think I like where this is going.”

“Join the club. It’s not often I’m asked to tell the man I’m sleeping with that my boss can’t wait to get together with him again. God, Hunter. What do you do? Have relationships with all the women you guide?”

Toni stomped into the bathroom and shut the door before ripping the T-shirt off and starting the shower. She felt dirty.

The door swung open. “Toni, you don’t ask a question like that and then slam out of the room.”

“I didn’t slam.” She turned to him. “Do you mind? I’m taking a shower.”

“Not at all.” He pulled off his shirt and unbuttoned his jeans. “I’ll join you.”

“You’re not invited.”

“Tough.”

She stepped into the shower and tried to close the door on him, but he was too fast for her. Fine. Showing him her back, she hogged the water.

“I don’t have anything but a business relationship with Bianca.”

Turning, she wiped the water from her eyes. “Like the one you have with me?”

“Hardly. I don’t sleep with clients—ever. It’s bad for repeat business.”

Toni grabbed the shampoo and squeezed way too much into her hand. Damn. “I’m a client, and you didn’t know me for twenty-four hours before you slept with me.”

He tried to help her lather her hair, and she slapped his hands away.

“You’re not a client, babe. You work for one.”

“That’s a good one, Hunter. Nothing like splitting hairs.” She stuck her head back under the showerhead. He still wasn’t all that wet, and it looked like he was cold too. Good.

When she was all rinsed, he moved her out of the way and stood under the shower. “Don’t get mad at me because Bianca wouldn’t take no for an answer. Why do you think I was so damn relieved she didn’t come?” He looked over his shoulder as he reached for the soap. “Hell, I brought Trapper and Fisher to protect me, or at least distract her. The woman was relentless. Besides, she’s not my type.”

“Oh, and what’s your type?”

“You are. By now, that should be obvious to you. I’ve never told anyone outside the family that I love her. You’re the first, Toni. There’s nothing between me and Bianca—no matter what she says or wants.”

“She obviously didn’t get the memo.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“Maybe not, but it’s certainly mine. What do you think Bianca’s going to say when I get back to New York, and she hears about us? And don’t think for a minute she won’t get a full report from Yvette and the others.”

He didn’t have an answer for that.

“Great, this is just what I need. I came here to make a name for myself—not to land the man my boss struck out with. If I had known—”

“If you had known, you would have done what?”

“I would have stayed the hell away from you, that’s what.”

“So your job is more important than what we have together?”

She didn’t know what to say. She liked what she did. She also liked getting a paycheck. She had a life in New York, and as much as she cared for Hunter, she wasn’t sold on the whole relationship thing. Sure, they were all hot and heavy now, but the old saying “out-of-sight and out-of-mind” was a truism for a reason. And to be honest, she had a bit of a problem believing Bianca threw herself at him, and he didn’t take the bait. What man in his right mind would turn down a supermodel for God’s sake?

“Never mind. Your silence speaks volumes.” Hunter opened the door and stepped out of the shower.

Great. “Hunter. Wait.”

He stopped and looked at her.

She quickly rinsed off and stepped out, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her. “I… I don’t know what to say. I mean, sure I care about my job. Who wouldn’t? I need the paycheck, and I like what I do. Is that so wrong?”