Hunting Haven
Chapter Eighteen

Haven

I was gloriously stuffed from the impromptu brunch pit stop we made. Being a queen of compartmentalizing, I shoved down all thoughts of my ex’s severed appendage. I’d deal later.

For now, I was alive and so was the amazing guy by my side. There wasn’t much more I could ask for.

Except, maybe, to not see that murderous bitch the moment we pulled up to our safe house.

“What the fuck is she doing here, Gabriel?” I asked, glaring at his ex-wife. Realistically, I knew he didn’t want to see her either, but he didn’t even look mildly surprised.

The first time I met her, I’d disliked her. When Gabe told me about her sleeping with his best friend behind his back? I hated her. But now that I knew she betrayed him in an even worse way? That she not only followed orders to stake his sister, but also hid it from him?

I fucking despised her. The urge to get out of the car and punch her in the nose surged within me. Rage caused my hands to shake.

Gabe was a wonderful man who always tried to protect everyone. He deserved the world, and this stupid trash bag had hurt him in such irreparable ways. Inhaling deeply, I tried to calm myself and listen to his answer. It wasn’t easy to do. I had never been a very violent person, but I felt rather vicious at the moment.

“The house belongs to her father. She’s just here to give us the keys. Will is the only hunter I trust.”

“How do you know she won’t sell us out? I wouldn’t put it past her to let someone know we’re here.”

“Well, I don’t trust her at all, but she’s loyal to her dad at least. William would be in deep shit with the association if they knew he was in contact with me and lent us his house. She wouldn’t risk him being hurt.”

“I still hate the bitch,” I growled.

He smiled softly, leaning over to give me a lingering kiss. His lips on my own soothed my temper a lot more than my attempts to regulate my breathing.

“I love that you’re so outraged for me, but I’m okay. I’ll get the key and get rid of her.”

His eyes dropped to my still trembling hands. “Maybe you should wait here.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” I admitted.

With teeth clenched, I watched him approach her. I couldn’t hear what they were saying from the car, but from the way his ex’s arms gesticulated, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.

Gabe didn’t react to her agitation. He just shifted from foot to foot as if he were having the world’s most boring conversation. Her face pinched, flushing red as she pressed on. When she jabbed a finger in my direction, I almost wished I could hear her.

Whatever was said was clearly not flattering. Gabe reached out, snatching the keys out of her hand as he pointed to her car. The exchange grew more heated until I was tempted to get out of the car and walk over. But, before I got the chance, she turned and stormed off.

She accelerated so fast her tires spun on the gravel driveway before she raced away. I breathed a sigh of relief as her car disappeared from sight.

***

“Babe, wake up. Let’s go to bed,” Gabe murmured as he gently nudged me.

We’d spent the day curled up on the couch, watching movies. He’d offered to show me around the land, but I’d declined. After the emotional rollercoaster I’d been on lately, I just wanted to have a lazy day.

“It’s so far away though,” I groaned as I sat up.

We’d selected a guest bedroom on the second floor to sleep in when we first arrived and unpacked the essentials. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but now the thought of stairs was daunting.

I threw myself against the back of the couch dramatically, closing my eyes and whining. “I don’t wanna. Let’s just sleep here.”

Gabe slid an arm under my legs and the other behind my back, lifting me up with ease. I let out a surprised yelp, gripping his neck reflexively.

“What are you doing?” That was a stupid question.

“Carrying you up to bed.”

“Put me down. You’re going to irritate your ribs.”

“They’re already healed,” he explained as he began to climb the stairs.

I wasn’t sure if I believed him, but I held still anyway, supporting my weight as best I could.

“Wait. I need a bathroom pit stop.”

“You’re getting real needy here, princess.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “I can walk just fine.”

“Bossy,” he quipped as he set me down in front of the bathroom door. “I’ll see you in bed.” Butterflies took off at his words, fluttering around nervously in my stomach. Sleeping in the same bed was one thing, but now that I knew he wasn’t injured any longer, my heart thundered in anticipation.

He kissed my forehead and crossed the hall, entering our room.

After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I went to join him. But the sight that I beheld upon opening the door made me stop in my tracks.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen Gabe’s bare chest before. I knew his torso was nothing short of chiseled perfection, but there was something so sexy about the way he pulled his shirt off.

His muscles rippled as he exposed his tanned flesh inch by inch. I crossed the room without registering my actions, reaching out to touch him. I ran my fingers from his waist up the planes of his abs to his ribs

“That was fast,” he said as he tossed the shirt to the side. His voice was thick, his eyelids already hooded as he looked down at me.

I didn’t respond as I continued to caress his ribs, watching him carefully to make sure he didn’t recoil in pain.

“Are you sure they’re all healed?”

He cleared his throat as my fingertips started to move south. “Uh, yep. They’re uh, one hundred percent.”

“Does that mean I get to look for your tattoo, then?” I kept my tone even, as my hands paused on the button of his jeans.

I took his mouth descending on mine as a yes. He lifted me up, and I curled my legs around him as he dragged his lips down the column of my throat.

A groan escaped me as he nibbled on the sensitive flesh. I hardly noticed he’d walked across the room until my back hit the bed and he hovered above me.

An uncharacteristic shyness filled me as I traced along the waistband of his jeans, my eyes following the motion. I was no blushing virgin, but this situation was a new one for me. Sex and desire were nothing new, but caring about my partner? That was uncharted territory.

It had been so long since I’d actually wanted a man for more than his body. With Gabe, I wanted it all. That prospect would have scared the crap out of me with anyone else, but with him, it just felt natural.

“Haven?”

I looked up at him through my lashes. “Yes?”

“You know we don’t have to rush, right? I’d wait for you forever.”

Warmth blossomed in my chest at his words. That right there was why I wanted this, wanted him. How could anyone hope to resist him? I, for one, had no chance in hell.

Without a word, my fingers worked the button of his jeans, and slid the zipper down slowly, my eyes on his. “I don’t want to wait.”

My words were apparently all the encouragement he needed. He gripped the hem of my shirt and tore it over my head, shoving my bra down as his mouth descended on my breasts.

I moaned, arching my back to press harder against him. Frantically, I reached for his jeans, wanting and needing them off as he stoked the flame continuing to build within me.

He drew back, standing up. I wanted to protest, my agitation growing, until he gripped the edge of my yoga pants, peeling them down slowly. His knuckles traced my thighs, his caress sending sparks of desire through me as he stripped the fabric away.

I’d never felt sexier than I did at that moment. The way he devoured me with his gaze made my core tighten in anticipation.

“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured as he returned a hand to my hip bone, tracing the small outline of my heart tattoo. “Found one.”

“I have one more, but it’s still hidden.”

His eyes darkened as he scanned my bra and skimpy underwear. “Challenge accepted.”

I sat up, sliding from the bed to stand before him, my eyes never leaving his heated gaze. He wrapped an arm around me, unhooking my bra as the other rough palm slid down my body, firmly gripping my ass as if he owned it already which was fine by me.

My fingers slipped into the waistband of his boxers, taking my time dragging the fabric down as I exposed every inch of him. His erection sprang free, and my tongue delved out, licking the tip as I continued to work his clothing, freeing powerful thighs and perfectly sculpted calves before pooling at his ankles.

“You’re going to kill me,” he murmured as he kissed me.

I smiled, his lips against mine. “I’d never do a thing like that.”

“I think you’re overdressed.” The vibration of his chest against my breast stoked the flame even higher. I was hyper aware of his every move.

I dropped my arms, my bra sliding down. Tossing it to the side, I stepped back from Gabe so that I could pull my underwear off slowly.

“Better?” I wrapped my fingers around his length and began to stroke him.

Groaning, he shifted his hips backwards so that I released him before he lifted me up and placed me on the bed.

He fell on top of me, supporting his weight on his arms. His lips skimmed down my neck, pausing their progression to nibble on my collarbone as his fingers caressed their way up the inside of my thigh. I spread my legs first, hips writhing in need. He ran a finger along my slit and I moaned, wiggling against his hand.

“More.” My voice was almost guttural.

He moved his mouth back to mine, kissing me with a passion that left me breathless, as he slid a finger inside me.

“So fucking wet,” he growled as he inserted a second finger. His thumb circled my clit as he continued to thrust them inside me. I was a panting, writhing mess beneath him, but it still wasn’t enough.

He removed his hand slowly and I let out a hiss of frustration. I wanted more, not less.

He chuckled softly. “Relax, babe. Just need to grab a condom.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, sitting up as he leaned over the edge of the bed to grab his discarded jeans.

Reaching forward, I gripped his erection again. I pumped my hand up and down the length of him. He fumbled with his pants faster, hands clumsy as he searched his pockets frantically.

I leaned forward and licked the tip of his dick as he freed the condom packet from his pocket and tore the foil open.

Once I released him, he slid the protection on and nestled between my thighs.

“Are you ready?” he whispered, nibbling at my ear.

“Fuck me please,” I panted. The teasing had gone on too long. I needed to feel him inside me.

He thrust forward slowly, inch by inch, and I wiggled my hips to take him deeper. My patience was gone.

Digging my nails into his ass, I pulled his pelvis flush against me and moaned as he fully filled me for the first time.

He halted, cursing under his breath before rolling his hips. Our bodies collided as we met each other thrust for thrust. The only sound was his powerful thighs slapping against my ass.

His hands gripped my legs, spreading them further as he ravaged me. I thrashed wildly, his hands once again finding my sensitive nipples, pinching them tight as he slammed inside me. Pure ecstasy built as he lifted my hips, changing the angle and building new sensations. All I could do was cry out as he pushed me closer to the edge.

Never did he leave my body. He lifted me and turned, setting his ass on the edge of the bed as his lips found my neck once again. His grip on my waist like a vice, he slammed me down over and over, his heavy breathing ratcheting up my desire for him as he continued to thrust into me.

My hips collided with his, and I ground myself shamelessly against him. The friction of my clit rubbing against him, mixing with the feel of him inside me was almost too much.

It shouldn’t be possible to feel so fucking good.

“You’re so tight, you’re squeezing the fuck out of my cock,” he growled as he bit my neck, sucking the flesh into my mouth. “Bare down. That’s right, babe. Fucking take me.” His words sent another pulse of pleasure through my core. There was something so unexpectedly sexy about Gabe, my perpetual gentleman, having a filthy mouth. It drove me wild.

Every time he impaled me, he rocked me against him, rubbing my clit with his pelvis. I couldn’t take it anymore. Just when I thought it couldn’t possibly feel any better, that he was giving me everything he had, his thumb strummed my clit, dragging rough circles over it. My back arched as my climax hit, but he didn’t slow. He continued to thrust into me as if his life depended on it, chasing his own orgasm.

He froze inside me, his eyes squeezed closed as he growled under his breath. His fingers bit into my waist almost painfully, but we still weren’t close enough. Watching a man like Gabriel fall apart beneath you was a powerful thing.

I didn’t have words for what the fuck just happened, but he smiled, and I couldn’t help but follow his lead.

“Holy shit.” His voice came out as a breath of air. “You’re amazing.” He peppered my face and neck with loving kisses as I basked in post-orgasmic bliss.

“Yeah, I think I’ll keep you,” I joked as I gasped for air, my heart still thundering in my chest. I puckered my lips, but he shook his head.

Gabe grinned, tickling my ribs lightly. “You think?”

I laughed, trying to wiggle away from his hand but there was nowhere for me to escape.

“Yes, I think. I can’t know for sure. I mean, you said you weren’t vanilla, but that was pretty basic stuff.”

He let out a growl and flipped us over, hovering above me. His hands locked around my wrists, pulling them over my head. He caged them in one of his own, applying pressure, as his other hand reached down to cup me.

“You asked for it. I’m going to make sure you want to keep me.”

He kept his word. By the end of the night, I had already decided I was never going to let him go.

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