Chapter 59: Chapter Fifty-eight

She stood behind the counter fuming with anger as she stirred the vegetables and fish for breakfast. The pot steamed and the smell filled the whole room, but she wasn't bothered by it. She couldn’t even enjoy it. Her eyes, full of annoyance, were locked on the duo sitting comfortably in the living room.

Rena sat on Hunter’s lap, giggling and playing with his shirt collar, touching his face with those small delicate fingers, while he looked at her with the softest smile Mirabella had ever seen on him. She felt her stomach tighten.

Her daughter was a betrayal for sure.

Rena wasn’t the type of child who bonded easily with people. All those around her she was comfortable with had earned her trust and had worked for it in one way or the other. But this man… this uninvited intruder—walked into their life and within minutes, Rena had even called him ‘dada’.

Totally unbelievable.

Mirabella had never shown Rena his picture. Neither had she ever spoken about him or their relationship. She had tried so hard to erase him from her world, from her daughter’s world. And yet with just one look, one moment, Rena knew.

It is true what they say ‘blood is thicker than water’. But it hurts and bothers her to watch Rena cling to him, laugh with him, call him dada even though he hadn't been part of her life. Well, it was her fault that he wasn’t present in Rena's life but what good would it have made?

When the food was ready, she dished out two plates—one for herself and one for Rena. She didn’t bother dishing any for him. He was an uninvited guest so if he is so hungry, he might as well go out there and feed himself. Petty. But whatever.supposed to be here.

Balancing the plates on the table, she walked into the living room. “Come baby, let’s eat,” she said, stretching her arms to take Rena.

But Rena only hugged his neck tighter, burying her small face against him. “Dada feed me.”

Mirabella’s jaw clenched. “Rena,” she said, her tone sharp in warning.

The little girl’s lips wobbled, her big eyes shining with tears. “I want dada.” Her tiny voice cracked.

Mirabella froze. Her heart stung painfully. She was losing this battle—and her daughter was not making it any easier.

Before she could argue again, Hunter tilted Rena back slightly so she could look at him. “Come here, baby girl,” he said gently, kissing her forehead. “I’ll feed you. But you must listen to mama next time, okay?”

Rena sniffled, nodded, and snuggled into his neck again.

Hunter looked at Mirabella, his eyes meeting hers with quiet defiance. “Baby, I’m going to feed her.”

Mirabella rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked back to the dining table, pushing the seat back with more force than necessary.

Hunter followed behind, Rena still perched on his arm. He sat directly beside Mirabella, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

He noticed right away that there was no plate for him. He smiled inwardly. His girl sure likes to act petty. He loved it. She always had a fire, and he knew exactly how to quench it.

So, as he fed Rena small spoonfuls, he did what he knew would rile her up the more. He leaned over and casually ate from her plate.

She looked up at him with pure fury. Her eyes were blazing. Her lips parted, ready to curse at him, but she snapped them shut because Rena was there.

Hunter ignored her glare, calmly scooping food into Rena’s mouth, then taking another bite from her plate. He chewed slowly, enjoying the taste—and enjoying her anger even more.

By the time breakfast was over, Mirabella was so furious she felt like smoke was pouring from her nose and ears. She slammed the empty dishes together and muttered under her breath, “He wouldn’t even let me eat two whole bites.”

Hunter heard. Oh, he heard. He nearly chuckled, but held it back, enjoying the sight of her storming off toward the kitchen like a volcano about to erupt.

Once he placed Rena back in the living room, set her up with her cartoons, and kissed her forehead, he strode to the kitchen. He found her at the sink, washing the dishes. A light frown sat on her face, her shoulders were tense and her lips pressed tight.

He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching her. That stubborn little frown sat on her face, and it made him ache. Ache to kiss it away.

Quietly, he moved behind her. She didn’t notice until his mouth was right at her ear.

“Why the frown, baby?” he whispered, his voice smooth and low. “Doesn’t look good on you.”

She jerked a little, startled by his closeness and his voice. Without thinking, she pushed her body backwards, trying to push him out of her space. It was after she had done it that she realized what she had done.

The moment her soft curves brushed against him, he groaned. His hands flexed at his sides, his control slipping. “Jesus, baby,” he muttered, his voice thick. “Don’t do that again if you’re not ready for what comes next.” His nose brushed into her hair, inhaling her scent. “Shit… I wouldn’t mind if you did it again though.”

He shifted, rubbing himself deliberately against her ass. His cock was hard, straining in his pants, pressing right into the round softness of her. What an ass. He had promised her before that he'd fuck her ass, but he hadn't had the chance to fulfill that promise. He had fantasized about it countless times. She was so fucking soft and round.

Mirabella froze. She felt it. Her entire body lit up in heat, her knees wobbling. She sucked in a breath. She needed to control herself. She couldn’t let him see what he was doing to her.

So she forced herself to turn around, to face him. “Stop getting in my personal space. Will you?”

Hunter’s eyes darkened with amusement. His smirk spread slowly. “I could,” he said lazily. “But I wasn’t the one rubbing a soft ass against my dick.”

Her cheeks burned red. “Pervert,” she muttered, pushing at his chest.

He caught her wrists easily, pinning her hands to the counter on either side of her. His body pressed closer, towering over her. “Know this, Bella,” he said, his tone husky, dangerous. “I’m going to fuck your ass sooner or later. It’s just a matter of time. And when I do…” His eyes flared. “You’re going to enjoy every bit of it.”

Her face went crimson. She turned away, refusing to look at him. But he caught her chin in one strong hand and turned her back.

“Look at me,” he ordered softly.

She did, reluctantly.

He dipped his head, slowly and deliberately, until his lips hovered over her mouth. Then his tongue flicked out, licking the corner of her lips. She gasped, turning her head again to escape.

He held her still, threading his fingers into her hair, gripping gently but firmly. He licked again, teasing around her mouth, circling slowly, until finally—he caught her bottom lip between his teeth.

He sucked hard, pulling a moan from deep in her throat that she quickly tried to swallow.

When he was satisfied, he released her lips, but not her hair. His mouth brushed her ear as he whispered, “Let me help you with the dishes, baby. I don’t think your legs can carry you anymore.”

Damn him. He was right. Her legs were trembling, weak. They were shaking from the intensity of her arousal. Her body screamed for more, even as her mind screamed a bigger NO.

Without thinking, she shoved at his chest with all her strength and darted out of the kitchen.

Hunter laughed—loud, raw, and unrestrained. The sound echoed in the small kitchen, his voice full of triumph.

He leaned back against the counter, licking his lips and savoring her taste. He had her exactly where he wanted her, burning, shaking and fighting herself.

He was aware of the effect he had on her and he planned to use it to his full advantage.

He smirked as he turned back to the sink, rolled up his sleeves and started doing the dishes.