Page 54 of Shades of You

We navigated through the dimly lit open room of his business, then up the stairs. Upon entering his apartment, Pedro sauntered over with that air of regality only cats possessed. And I had to think that was amplified when the cat was six-toed royalty.

“Hey there, buddy,” I cooed, bending down to scratch behind his ear. The kitten purred, leaning into my touch as if he approved of this late visit. “You’re getting so big!”

“Pedro’s been hitting the gym,” Hunter joked.

“Clearly.” I laughed, giving the cat one last pat before straightening up. Hunter crossed the room and opened what I’d thought was a closet door to reveal a staircase. Together, we made our way up to the rooftop.

As we emerged into the open air, the warm night wrapped around us. Hunter walked over to the corner where a switch was mounted on the wall. With a flick of his wrist, he illuminated the space with an enchanting array of string lights that crisscrossed above our heads. The soft golden glow cast a romantic hue over the rooftop, turning it into a private refuge high above the world below.

Two plush couches, adorned with colorful throw pillows, beckoned from one side of the rooftop. A soft, fluffy rug sprawled beneath the seating area, its intricate patterns resembling ripples in a tranquil pond and promising a comforting touch to bare feet. A solid wooden cover stoodover the seating area, protecting it from inclement weather but leaving plenty of the glorious sky visible to enjoy. The string lights above us danced lazily in the night air, creating a magical ambiance.

“Oh,” I breathed out, captivated by the transformation as I twirled in a circle. “Hunter, this is beautiful!”

“Thought you might like it.” Hunter reached for his phone, and soon the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar ensemble filled the night air. He extended his hand to me, and I took it without hesitation, feeling like I was stepping into a dream as he pulled me into his arms. We swayed to the music and quickly found a rhythm that felt as natural as the tide coming in.

His arms wrapped around me, drawing me closer until our bodies moved in perfect harmony under the moonlight. The rest of the world fell away, leaving nothing but the entrancing music that played just for us.

“Look at us, dancing on a rooftop like we’re the only two people left on earth,” I murmured, resting my head against his chest.

“Maybe we are.” Hunter’s voice was a soothing baritone that vibrated through me. “Everyone else just fades away when I’m with you.”

“I had no idea you had such a romantic streak,” I said, taking in the chiseled angles and planes of his face.

He flashed me a sexy smile, raising an eyebrow playfully. “Did you forget? I was the one who was the sucker for love stories in high school.”

His words made my heart flutter as I recalled those days. When he’d sneak off to read Nicholas Sparks novels behind the bleachers, away from the prying eyes of others. Except for me. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but here we were now, dancing under the stars on his rooftop refuge.And I knew firsthand that sweet soul was still inside this man. I was one of the few who did.

I laughed softly, a surge of affection rising. “I guess some things never change.”

Hunter’s gaze held mine, his eyes staring at me with an intensity that raised the temperature inside me. Leaning in closer, he pressed his lips to my temple. “Some things do, though. We’re not schoolkids anymore. We’re adults now, and I know what I want.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Brenna

Hunter’s wordslingered in the air, heavy with unspoken promises that left me breathless. I locked my wobbly knees as he lowered his head, his lips brushing against mine in a featherlight touch that sent shockwaves spearing through me. I responded eagerly, my fingers tightening around his waist as I pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, and the feel of his hard back muscles under my hands left me dizzy.

I broke our kiss to stare at him, and my skin felt hot everywhere he touched it. His dark and stormy eyes were filled with hunger, which only made me more eager to lose myself to the storm. Hunter took charge, pulling me tight against him as he clenched one hand in my hair and pulled my head back. His lips were warm and full. The taste of him was intoxicating, a heady blend of desire and longing that left me craving more.

So much more.

Hunter walked me backward toward the plush seatingarea, never once breaking our kiss. The soft cushions welcomed us as he pressed me down onto the couch, his body fitting perfectly over mine. The music continued to play in the background, adding a melodic backdrop to our dance of lips and tongues. Clothes became unnecessary barriers, and we discarded them with hurried hands and whispered approvals.

Hunter’s mouth traced a wet path down my body, his lips exploring every dip and swell with a ravenous need that lit my skin aflame. When he arrived between my thighs, his tongue was my undoing, drawing guttural moans from the depths of my being. My universe contracted to the singular sensation of his mouth against my most intimate flesh. His tongue performed an intricate motion that stoked a mounting tension within me—a crescendo promising sweet release.

I arched into him, and my fingers tangled in his hair, guiding him as I lost myself to the rhythm he set. Then, with a skill that showed exactly how attuned he was to me, Hunter brought me to the edge and over it. My body clenched, seeking and striving until, with a cry that pierced the quiet night, I shattered into a million stars, the explosion echoing through my veins.

Panting, I opened my eyes to find Hunter watching me, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. Leaning off the couch, he reached for his wallet and withdrew the foil packet within. My heart galloped as he pulled out a condom and opened his pants. But before he could do anything else, I stopped him. My hand closed around his wrist like a vice grip, holding him still.

“Let me,” I demanded, my voice heavy with the remnants of my climax.

I pushed his hand away and replaced it with my mouthas he stood in front of me, savoring the taste of him on my lips. I teased and flicked my tongue against him, feeling his body tense and shudder beneath me. His groan reverberated through my body, sparking a new ember within me. The sound he made was raw and desperate, a primal craving that had been seething just beneath the surface.

“Stop, Brenna,” he rasped, his hands threading through my hair and holding my head still. “Or this will be over before it even begins.”

Letting go, my movements were deliberate and unhurried as I took the foil packet. The crinkle of the wrapper disturbed the still night as I tore it open, locking eyes with him the whole time. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, a look of pure greed painted on his handsome face. With care, I rolled the condom down over him, and every touch was a promise.

“Come here,” I said, my voice still throaty. “Sit down.”

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