Page 79 of Strut

The secondI saw Tim wearing hisStraight Outta Straya M8tee-shirt, my eyes instantly filled. I thought I’d surely emptied those tanks by now, but apparently not. I looked to Hunter with a groan, and he grinned and shoved another Kleenex into my hand. The man’s pockets could put a pharmacy to shame.

Tim wrapped me in a big hug, followed us inside, and then dragged me down beside him on the couch and demanded an update. He was pale and looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Dark circles ringed those deep-brown eyes, their brightness dulled. And his fingers tugged nervously at the rolled neck of his green jersey. He seemed... jittery.

“Tim are you—”

“I’m fine,” he cut me off. “Now, talk.”

Hunter brought me a bag of ice for my hand, provided coffee for both of us, and then disappeared into the bedroom with his phone. Meanwhile, I paraded the whole sorry mess out for Tim to digest. He said and did all the right things. He fumed and swore and looked suitably shocked at Darcy’s fuckery in the park. But when he heard I’d punched Darcy in the face, he fist-pumped the air with a resoundingyes, and colour hit his cheeks for the first time. He had a million questions and I answered what I could.

When I was finally done, he pulled me in for another hug and then sat back on the couch with his lips set in a thin line. “I can’t fucking believe it.”

“Beer?” I shuffled to my feet.

He nodded and I headed for the kitchen to grab three beers, only to have Hunter’s hands snake under my shirt and around my waist before I could open them. He rested his chin on my shoulder and ran his nose up my neck. “Things okay?”

I nodded and spun in his arms to kiss him, my hands circling his neck to play with the soft curls at his nape. “I forgot to thank you for today, for what you said to Darcy. Confronting him like that. Putting your own career at risk.” I kissed him again, arching into his hips and relishing the heat in my balls at the feel of his soft cock against mine as I rubbed against him.

“Mmm.” He arched a brow. “You can thank me like that any time.”

And so I kissed him again, and there was no mistaking the surge of interest in my cock.Bring out the marching bands.

His lips twitched. “You feeling better?” We both knew what he meant.

“So it appears.” I brushed our noses together. “I think punching that fucker has definitely helped.”

Hunter barked out a laugh and those gorgeous brown eyes danced for the first time in days. “Yeah, I felt surprisingly good watching you.”

A throat cleared and I turned to find Tim standing there wearing a smirk. “I believe a beer was promised.”

I broke away to hand them their beers.

Tim popped the cap and raised his in a toast. “May the bastard’s balls wither and drop off and his dick be eaten by rats.”

“I’ll drink to that.” We laughed and clinked bottles, and the smooth slide of cool liquid soothed my dry throat.

Tim sighed and smacked his lips in approval, then looked from Hunter to me, and then back to Hunter. “So, what’s the plan?”

Hunter arched a brow. “Plan?”

Tim spread his hands wide. “Yes,the plan. The plan for how we’re going to fuck that douchebag up.”

“Oh.” Hunter nodded sagely. “Thatplan.” He crooked his finger for us to follow him to the dining table where he opened his laptop. “Take a seat.”

“Hunter?” I sent him a questioning look.

“I haven’t had a chance to run this by you yet, but while you guys were talking, Rhys texted that he has some thoughts. He wants to Skype.”

“Rhys?”

“Well, Rhys and Kip, to be accurate.”

“Kip?” It came out a croak.

Hunter smirked. “He only knows the general issue. He has no idea it involves you.”

Relief coursed through me, although I should’ve known Rhys wouldn’t break my confidence.

“But if you’re happy for Kip to know,” Hunter continued, “Rhys can get him into his office to join the call. It’s up to you, baby.”

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