Authors: Melissa Johns
“Man, she wasn’t joking. You are Hunter Longo!” He reached out to shake his hand. Hunter looked back at
Madison.
“Hunter, this is my neighbor, Mike.”
Mike grinned from ear to ear. “You are my hockey idol. You are amazing.”
“Thank you. I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other.”
Mike nodded. “I’m looking forward to getting to know Madison better.”
Hunter frowned and reached for her hand. “We need to head out.”
Madison waved at Mike as she followed Hunter down the stairs and out into the parking lot. Hunter opened his truck door for her as she stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“You mean besides the fact that he was checking you out?”
Madison stared at him. “No, he wasn’t.”
Hunter lifted her into the cab and shut the door. He climbed into the driver’s seat and headed towards Carter’s. “You still don’t realize how beautiful you are,
Madison. You turn all the guys’ heads. You just don’t notice it.”
“You are being crazy. He’s more in love with you then me. Last night, once he found out I was dating the incredible Hunter Longo, that’s all he wanted to talk about.”
Hunter looked at her as he pulled into Carter’s driveway. “Last night?”
She shrugged. “I was reading on the balcony and he was out there as well. That’s how we were introduced.”
He jumped out of the truck. Madison didn’t understand what she did wrong as he opened her door and helped her out. “Hunter, please stop. Tell me what I did wrong.”
He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong. This is all on me.”
“How can I help?”
He shook it off. “Come on, Carter is dying to see you.”
As they climbed the front stairs, the front door opened and Carter ran out and grabbed her. “Maddy! I’m so happy that you are here.”
“Hey Carter, I haven’t been gone that long.”
“I’m just excited that you are living here now,” Carter said as he hugged her again.
She looked at him and saw a genuine smile on his face. They had their differences growing up. Carter received all the love from their parents but he was trying to make up for it. He was helping her get on her feet.
Carter turned to Hunter. “Did you get the call from Coach this morning?”
He shook his head. “No, I haven’t checked my messages yet.”
“He wants us back at the arena tonight.”
Hunter sighed. “God damn it!”
“Yeah, it pissed me off too.”
He looked at
Madison. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
“It’s ok, Hunter. It’s your job. Plus it’s playoff time. I will hang out with Alicia.”
Madison disappeared into the house and found Alicia making breakfast. “Good morning.”
“Hey Maddy, how was the first night at your apartment.”
“It was great. Thank you so much for all your help yesterday. I have so much to still unpack.”
“Yeah, did you hear that the boys need to go back tonight?”
She nodded. “We were going to stop at the grocery store but I guess plans will change now.”
“Don’t worry about it. I can take you around town and show you around.”
“Thanks Alicia.”
“Sit down and eat some breakfast. I made plenty.”
Madison grabbed a dish and loaded up on pancakes. She took her plate onto the deck and enjoyed the spring breeze. She felt his hands on her shoulder as he sat down next to her. “Sorry again about tonight.”
Maddy smiled. “I know the lifestyle, Hunter. Don’t sweat it. Alicia will take me around and show me the town. You need to focus on the game.”
“I don’t deserve you.” He leaned over and kissed her lips lightly. She found herself lost his kiss until Carter stepped onto the deck.
“We need to work out some ground rules because I can’t take you making out with my sister.”
Alicia laughed. “Leave them alone, they are in love with each other.”
Madison
broke away from his kiss as she saw the panic in his eyes. She hopped from her chair and ran down the stairs onto the beach. Before she made it very far, Hunter grabbed her arm and stopped her.
“
Madison, don’t run away.”
She couldn’t look at him. “I saw that look in your eyes, Hunter. You can’t deny that hearing those words freaked you out.”
He sighed as he pulled her back against his chest. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “It just took me off guard. We haven’t talked about that yet. I don’t know how you are feeling about everything.”
Madison
closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m sorry. You are right.” She turned around to face him. “We need to have the talk though.”
“I agree. We should be finished with this series by the weekend and I will be home for a couple of days. Let me make you dinner.”
Madison nodded. “That sounds good to me.”
“Come on, let’s go and enjoy what little time that we do have.”
As they climbed the stairs Alicia was waiting for them. “I’m so sorry, guys. I jumped the gun, didn’t I?”
Hunter laughed. “You are always putting your foot into your mouth, Alicia.”
“Please tell me that I didn’t ruin anything.”
Hunter looked at
Madison and kissed her lightly. “Nope, we are fine.”
“Maddy, we need to talk about the wedding plans too,” Alicia stated as she walked back into the house.
They followed her into the kitchen as Madison sat on the barstool. “I know. I really want to pick out my dress.”
“The guys are gone for the next few days. We will run over to the bridal boutique and shop.” Alicia clapped her hands.
“I’m going to steal Maddy away for now,” Hunter said as he grabbed her hand. “Carter, I will see you tonight.”
She quickly hugged her brother and ran out the front door with Hunter. “Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise.”
He drove them into town.
Madison loved the small town feel. It was quaint and quiet. “I love this town. How busy does it get during the summer months?”
“Extremely, it’s when the town makes its money. The beach shops will open, the small restaurants and all the boutiques will be in full swing. I just love it here.” His voice trailed off.
She waited for him to park in front of the grocery store when she grabbed his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“I guess I should tell you now before you hear it somewhere else.” He paused. “There are trade rumors swirling about me. My agent called me last night and said teams are asking to talk to me after the season is over.”
“Traded? Where are you going to end up?”
“I don’t know.
Madison, I feel horrible about this but no matter what happens. We will figure it out.”
She hopped from his truck and started to walk down the sidewalk. She took a deep breath as she felt him behind her. She turned to face him and wipe the tears from her eyes. They were interrupted by some fans. He stopped and signed autographs as
Madison walked over to the small park and sat on the bench.
He walked over to her and sat down. “Tell me what you are thinking about.”
“I don’t want to lose you.” She quietly stated.
Hunter sighed. “And you won’t, Maddy. If I get traded, I will always find my way home to you.”
She looked at him. “I’m your home?”
He grabbed her hand and kissed it lightly. “Yes. You don’t realize how important you have become to me. I never thought a relationship could be like this. Nothing feels real to me until I share it with you.”
He stood up and pulled her to his chest. “Every time that I’m around you, I feel the power between us: the spark, the energy. You have become so important to me. The minute I thought I lost you for good, I knew I had to find my way back. Madison Sinclair, I love you with all my heart.”
She started to cry again as she leaned in and kissed him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he embraced her. She pulled back just enough to whisper, “I love you too, Hunter.”
He smiled as he kissed her again. He grazed her lower lip with his teeth as he pulled away. “Please don’t worry about the rumors. We will deal with them when we need to.”
She nodded. “Come on. Buy me some food so I don’t starve.”
They walked into the grocery store hand in hand as he grabbed a cart. Madison laughed. “You look so domestic. You wouldn’t know you were a million dollar hockey player.”
He chuckled. “Hey, I do all my own cooking. I have a maid who cleans my place but that’s it. This man knows how to take care of himself.”
Madison smiled as she reached for the vegetables. They laughed and she felt at peace. He loved her. She leaned over and kissed him. The kiss quickly turned into something more. She felt the electricity as his hands left the cart and grabbed her. She felt his tongue move passed her lips as he deepened the kiss.
He pulled back slightly. “We need to go, now.”
Madison smirked at him. “We need to pay for the groceries.”
He reached for his wallet and pushed the cart to the front of the store. He paid for her groceries and headed for his truck.
He caged her against the bed of his truck and kissed her again. She moaned softly as her nails racked down his back. “I need you, Madison.”
She needed him too. “Then take me, Hunter.”
He groaned as he opened the door and helped her step up into it. He hopped into the driver seat. “Buckle up.”
Madison
’s heart beat rapidly. She knew she wanted to make love to him. She just hoped she had the courage and the strength when the time came.
CHAPTER THREE
He walked up the staircase to her apartment and pushed her back against the door. He captured her lips and deepened the kiss immediately. She moaned as she braced herself against his chest. “Open the door, Madison. I don’t think I want Mike to look through his peephole right now. My eyes are only allowed to see your skin flushed, to hear your deep breathing and feel how hot you are against me.”
She closed her eyes as she listened to his voice. She dug through her purse to find her key and opened the lock. He pushed them into the apartment and closed the door.
Madison continued to watch him as he stalked her across the room. “Tell me stop, Madison. You need to tell me stop if you aren’t ready for this.”
She took a deep breath. “I want you too, Hunter.”
He scooped her up and walked her to the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and moved over her. “You are my world, Madison.”
He slowly lifted her shirt from her body and kissed his way down her neck to her chest. She tensed slightly when he reached around and unhooked her clasp. “You are beautiful.”
Madison smiled as she reached for the hem on his shirt and lifted it over his head. Her fingers traced over his chest as she admired the view. He kissed her deep again as he slid down her body.
“Stop being so nervous,
Madison. I promise you that it will feel amazing. Just let me take care of you.” He undid her zipper and slid her shorts down her legs. He kissed the arch of her foot as he discarded her shorts onto the floor.
Madison
closed her eyes as she felt his lips climb up her leg. The only thing between her and Hunter was a thin layer of lace. His hands massaged her as she softly moaned. She arched her back as his lips covered the lace. “Hunter.”
He lifted his head as he stood up and removed his shorts.
Madison couldn’t take her eyes off of his body. He was chiseled and breathtaking. She started to feel uneasy and he quickly noticed. “Madison, don’t over think things. I can see it on your face. You are so beautiful. Are you sure you are ready?”
She nodded slowly. “Please Hunter.”
He grabbed her lacy thong and slid it down her legs and piled it with her other clothes. She heard him take a deep breath. He leaned over to the nightstand and grabbed the condom that she didn’t even notice he had put there.
When the moment arrived,
Madison couldn’t explain what happened to her. Her body tensed and then with the help of his skilled hands, quickly relaxed. “Open your eyes, Maddy.”
She opened them and looked into his darkened eyes. “I never knew it could be like this.”
Hunter groaned as he moved again. “Are you ok?”
“Yes. Please don’t stop.”
Hunter continued to work her body and bring her to a level of ecstasy that she never knew existed. As her world exploded around her, she raised her hands and grabbed the headboard behind her.