Chapter 58: Chapter Fifty-seven

Oh God. She was really getting on his nerves. He could do so many things to her right now to subdue her. To make her bend, to make her do what he wanted instantly. Most importantly, he was damn hot and hard—and he needed relief. Just looking at her made his blood rush, his cock strain, and his body throb. She could make him hard even when he was angry. She had that much effect on him.

He could so easily pin her down on that bed right now, roll up her short top, and bury himself deep inside of her. He wanted to—every part of his body wanted and screamed for it. But he wouldn’t. Not yet. He had decided to go gently with her. To work at her pace. To take her slowly, even if it tore him apart. But deep down he knew—his patience was running out. He wasn’t a patient man. He had never been.

His eyes locked on her with a piercing intensity. The sharpness of his gaze made her knees buckle. Her body trembled under the weight of his stare. She thought for a moment to obey him, to surrender, to give in and do as he said lest he explode in anger. But stubbornness burned in her chest. She straightened her back, forced her chin up, and stared right back at him.

She tried to put up a firm front, but inside she was shaking. Her stomach was tight, her heartbeat was wild. Still, she refused to let him see her fear. She wouldn’t let him trample all over her again.

Hunter started taking slow steps toward her, each one seeming heavy and deliberate. The room seemed to get smaller with every step he took. In no time, he was in her space, so close she could feel his heat on her skin. His breath mixed with hers, making the air thick and hot.

His left hand rose, brushing over her wild hair, smoothing it down gently. The other hand moved to her jaw, gripping it lightly and tilting her head back so that she was forced to look him in the eyes.

“Bella,” he said quietly, his voice low but sharp, like a warning. He paused, holding her gaze. “You know I am not the most patient man, right?”

Oh, she knew. She knew all too well. Patience had never been his virtue—it never existed in him. But she said nothing. She just glared at him, her lips pressed into a thin line.

His eyes dropped to her lips. They lingered there for a long time before his thumb moved to smooth over them, pressing softly against her bottom lip. The urge to kiss her nearly consumed him. To taste her, to own her lips, to remind her exactly who she belonged to. Instead, he swallowed it back, sucked in a breath, and moved his mouth close to her ear.

“Baby,” he whispered in that deep bedroom voice he had always used when he was buried deep inside her. That voice that used to melt her bones, turn her into fire and water all at once. “I miss you so much.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she froze. That voice—it was lateral. It always sent tingles down her spine, sparking her nerves, sent electricity through her nipples and a feather-like sensation to her sensitive clit. And it was doing that to her now. It was not even helping that he was so close to her.

“I need you out of my house,” she managed to say shakily, trying to fight her body’s reaction. “And away from me and my daughter. Please.”

Hunter chuckled softly. His lips brushed her ear as he spoke again. “If you are not coming with me, Bella, then I might as well just stay here until you are ready. So, either way, it’s the same thing. You won’t be able to get rid of me that easily.” He watched as her eyes widened in disbelief and he smiled to her surprise.

She pulled her head back, shock flashing across her face. “You can't be serious. You can't stay here. You are not welcome here." Her voice trembled with disbelief. Her surprise was evident in her face and her voice. He wanted to stay with them? The Hunter she knew wouldn't listen to anything or anyone unless what he wants has been done. He likes having his way even if it means using force. So it was new to her that he hadn't yet pulled her over his shoulder and carried her to the car then to the airport and then to his Mansion. Surely something was different about him.

He continued to stare at her, noticing that so many things were running through her mind. He smiled, slow and wicked. He had gotten exactly the reaction he wanted. “Don’t worry, baby. I don’t need you to welcome me in… because I’m already in.”

She blinked fast, trying to make sense of it. “But… but…I… wait. You have things to do. You can’t stay here. How will your empire manage without you?” She was desperate now, trying to use logic and reason to push him away.

Hunter’s lips curved. “You called it an empire.” His thumb dragged slowly along her cheekbone. “I have people who run things for me. And the distance doesn’t matter. I can control everything from here.”

“No,” she whispered, panic in her voice. “It won’t be the same. Please… they need you.”

Hunter laughed, deeply amused. The sound made her heart jump. He sighed, shaking his head, and then leaned down, his finger trailing over her eyebrow. “Baby, are you pleading on behalf of my workers?” His smirk grew. “I assure you, they will manage just fine. With or without me. They don't need my presence for everything.”

Her chest heaved. Her anger spiked again. He wasn’t listening. He never listened. Frustration burned inside her, and in a sudden rush of desperation, she acted.

She stomped down hard on his foot and shoved his chest with both her hands.

The push barely moved him. He was a solid wall, unmoving. But he let her slip past anyway. He didn’t stop her though. He didn’t drag her back when she tried to pass him.

He ran a hand slowly over his jaw, his eyes narrowing as he said, “We’re going to talk about it again tonight, baby.”

Mirabella darted toward the door, her breaths heavy, her hands trembling. She pulled the handle and slipped out, slamming the door behind her with all the force she could muster.

Hunter stood there in silence, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. His girl was hot. Her fire, her stubbornness, her resistance only turned him on and made him want her more.