He disappeared into a short hallway, and the sound of a door closing had barely reached my ears when King turned to stare directly at me. Had I thought we were friendly in the past? That must have been my imagination. He clenched and unclenched his hand like he wished he had a gun in it—made me glad I still had his Magnum tucked in my belt—and stuck out his chin.
“He’s not that old. You know that, right?”
“Hunter’s in his twenties, Aaron,” Grant said softly from the other end of the couch I was sitting on, without even lifting his head from Reaper’s chest. “Leave him alone. Don’t do the same thing to him you did to me. He won’t let you, and you’ll end up regretting what happens.”
King shot a nasty glare at his brother but then went back to giving me the evil eye. “He says even one word to me, fuckingone, and it won’t matter that you’re in the Killough Company. That won’t save you.”
Torn between snarking back and laughing, I gave up and chuckled. “I get it. I’m not a stupid man. I don’t mean any harm. And I’m not nearly daft enough to think your bark is worse than your bite, so consider me warned, aye?”
“What’s going on?” Hunter asked as he came back into the room and glanced around.
“Nothing,” we all said at more or less the same time, which only had Hunter frowning harder, but there was nothing for it. I opened my arms for him and he happily sank down at my side, and then sort of draped himself across my lap so he was snuggled over me with his head on the arm of the couch. I dragged him as close as possible and let his weight and warmth ease away the last of the worry I’d had. For a few days there, I’d really thought I’d lost the chance at this, and I was so thankful to find myself with him now.
The movie ran its course, and by then it had been dark outside for a while. I wondered if Corbin had stayed out there waiting or if he’d gone. He was loyal, so he was probably lurking in the dark, keeping out a weather eye for danger. I’d have to make the decision to send him home soon.
Grant and Reaper gathered their things to go, murmuring goodbyes to King and Dallas. Hunter rolled in my arms to face me, eyes wide. “You’re staying?”
“Said I would. I meant it.”
His eyes drifted shut, and I couldn’t get over how good it was to do something as simple as hold him against me.
“Well, good night,” King said and pointedly looked toward the door.
“Jamie’s staying,” Hunter said firmly, even though he didn’t move or open his eyes.
Dallas stopped near us and gave me a careful once-over. He nodded as I drew Hunter tight against my front. “That’s fine. You live here too, Hunter, and we know him.”
King hugged Dallas around the middle and grumbled something into his ear, but he just turned on his heel and dragged King toward the short hallway that seemed to be the only other choice, aside from the kitchen. This really was a small home.
“Ya all right there?” I jiggled Hunter, and he cracked open an eye.
“Never thought I’d see you again.”
“How could I stay away from the likes of ya?”
He shrugged. “Other people do.”
“You’ve been left a lot?”
His bottom lip jutted. “I fuck up a lot.”
“I doubt that. Show me your room?” I didn’t mean to have that tone, but Hunter drew a deep breath and a flush bloomed up his neck and into his cheeks that made me want to eat him up. He nodded and got to his feet, and then I followed him into his bedroom. It was clean but plain, though the simple décor suited him. There was a small desk along the wall and a closet with open French doors, and most importantly, a meticulously made bed with a soft-looking green topper. The lamp beside the bed was on and gave the entire room a nice sleepy glow.
“I’m tired,” he said in a soft, raspy voice.
“Okay.”
His cheeks continued blazing and he didn’t look at me as he stripped down to his boxers. His high, round arse was a beauteous sight, and I needed it in the worst way. I wanted to pull off all my clothes and toss them, but I followed his lead and only went so far as my briefs. I settled King’s gun onto the desk before we slid under the blankets together. He studied me with such hunger on his face that I was plump and trying to pop out of my underwear by the time we were nestled face-to-face, sharing one pillow while staring into each other’s eyes. His warm breath gusting across my lips sent shivers chasing around in my stomach.
Hunter’s toes bumped mine beneath the blankets and a friendly warmth surged in my gut, tangling up with the sex heat.
“Ya don’t seem the type to get in bed with the Kings.”
He rolled his eyes and shoved my chest lightly, but I got a smile out of him.
“Is it because King’s your da that ya joined? I get that.” I hooked my foot around his calf, and he slipped closer until we were nearly embracing but only our legs were slotted together. I could feel the heat of his thigh nearly where I wanted it, almost close enough to grind against, and it was a delightful, maddening tease. For a few moments, all I could focus on was my pulsing cock.
“You mean why this and not something like what Forrest does?” His irritated sigh seemed to come from deep down in his soul.
