Chapter One Hundred-Eleven

Chapter One Hundred-Eleven
"Hungry?" he asked, glancing over at me. "We could get something to eat before we head home."
I nodded, suddenly aware of the hollow feeling in my stomach. I'd been so focused on the interview that I'd forgotten to eat since breakfast. "Starving, actually."
"There's that Italian place you like near the beach house." Hunter's lips curved into a smile. "One with garlic bread you'd kill for."
"Perfect." I squeezed his hand. "The babies want pasta."
Hunter chuckled, the sound warming me from the inside. "Already using the twins to get what you want, I see."
"It's a mother's prerogative," I teased back, resting my hand on my still-flat stomach. I couldn't feel them yet, but having the images of them made it more real.
The restaurant was half-empty when we arrived, the early dinner crowd not yet filtering in. The hostess seated us at a quiet corner table, away from the few other diners. Hunter requested it specifically, giving us privacy.
"You did well today," he said after we'd ordered, his eyes searching my face. "How are you feeling?"
I took a sip of water, considering. "Relieved, I think. Like a weight's been lifted." I met his gaze. "And you? How are you doing with all this?"
Hunter reached across the table to take my hand again. "I just want it over. I want us to be able to focus on our family without your mother's crimes hanging over us."
"Soon," I promised, though neither of us knew how long the legal process would drag on.
Our food arrived, steaming plates of pasta and the garlic bread I'd been craving. We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the day's tension gradually unwinding with each bite.
"I've been thinking," Hunter said finally, setting down his fork. "About what you said in there. About the babies being what brought us together."
I felt heat climb into my cheeks. "I hope that was okay. I wanted them to understand this isn't some tragedy for us."
"It was perfect." His eyes softened. "And true. I might never have seen what was right in front of me if not for all this." His thumb traced the back of my hand. "Though I wish it hadn't taken so much pain to get here. I wish I had stopped Helena and Margo from hurting you."
"I think I'm a stronger person for everything that has happened. I should have stood up to them myself. Knowing I'm going to be a mom made me stronger because I will do everything to protect these babies." I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "But we're here now. That's what matters."
The drive home was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. When we pulled into our driveway, rain was falling softly.
Hunter helped me out of the car, his hand warm and steady at the small of my back.
I slipped off my shoes and headed toward the bedroom, eager to change into something comfortable. Hunter followed, watching as I pulled off my blazer and reached for the zipper of my dress.
"Let me," he said, his voice dropping to that tone that never failed to make my pulse quicken.
I stood still as his fingers found the zipper, drawing it down slowly. His breath was warm against my neck, his proximity making my skin tingle with awareness.
"You know," he murmured, his lips brushing my ear, "I haven't forgotten about your little transgression."
My breath caught, my mind immediately going back to what he was talking about. I knew. I had thought he had forgotten, but I should have known Hunter had a mind like a steel trap. "What transgression?" I asked, playing innocent even as heat flooded through me.
His chuckle was dark against my skin. "You came without permission."
I turned in his arms, the dress now loose around my shoulders. "I didn't realize you were serious about punishing me for that."
Hunter's eyes darkened, pupils dilating as he looked down at me. "Oh, I was very serious." His hand came up to cup my face, thumb brushing across my lower lip. "You're not too tired?"
The concern in his voice, even as desire clearly burned in his eyes, made my heart swell. "I'm never too tired for you," I whispered.
His smile turned predatory. "Good."
In one swift motion, he lifted me, carrying me to our bed. My dress slid the rest of the way off as he laid me down, leaving me in just my bra and panties. Hunter stood over me, his gaze raking down my body with such naked hunger that I felt myself grow wet just from his look.
"Take those off," he commanded, nodding toward my underwear. "Slowly."
I reached behind me to unhook my bra, letting it fall away before hooking my thumbs into the waistband of my panties. I slid them down my legs inch by inch, watching his jaw tighten as more skin was revealed.
Once I was completely naked, I lay back, my hair fanning out around me. Hunter didn't move right away, just stood there drinking me in.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured, finally reaching for the buttons of his shirt. "Even more so now, knowing you're carrying our children."
I watched as he stripped, revealing the body I'd come to know so well. The broad shoulders, the flat planes of his stomach, the trail of dark hair leading down to where he was already hard for me. My mouth went dry.
"Turn over," he said. "On your knees."
The command sent a fresh wave of heat between my legs. I did as he asked, rolling onto my stomach before pushing up onto my hands and knees. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and unbearably aroused.
The bed dipped as Hunter knelt behind me. His hands were warm as they slid up my thighs, over the curve of my ass. I shivered, anticipation building.
"Spread your legs wider," he instructed, his voice rough with desire.
I shifted my knees apart, exposing myself more fully to his gaze, to his touch. His fingers traced my spine from top to bottom, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
"Do you remember what happens to girls who disobey me?" he asked, his palm now resting on my right cheek.
"Yes," I breathed.
"Tell me."
"They get punished," I whispered.
"That's right." His hand left my skin for a moment, then came back down with a sharp slap that made me gasp. It stung, but not painfully; the sensation went straight between my legs, making me clench around nothing.
"Count," he ordered, his voice pure command.
"One," I managed, already breathless.
Another slap, harder this time, on the other side. "Two."
By the fifth, my thighs were trembling, my core aching with need. Hunter's hand smoothed over the heated skin, soothing the sting before delivering another sharp slap.
"Six," I gasped, my voice breaking on the word.
"You're doing so well," he praised, his hand gentling to caress my sensitized skin. "So perfect for me."
His fingers slid between my legs, finding me soaked. I moaned as he pushed two thick digits inside, curling them to hit that spot that made me see stars.
"So wet," he growled. "Does your punishment turn you on, Grace?"
"Yes," I admitted, pushing back against his hand, desperate for more. "Please, Hunter..."
He withdrew his fingers, leaving me empty and aching. "Not yet. You don't come until I say so."
I whimpered, burying my face in the pillow as his hands gripped my hips, positioning me. The blunt head of him pressed against my entrance, teasing but not entering.
"Do you understand the rules now?" he asked, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.
"Yes," I gasped. "I don't come until you give me permission."
"Good girl."
He pushed forward slowly, filling me inch by inch until I felt like I might split apart from the fullness. I moaned into the pillow, my fingers curling into the sheets.
Once he was fully seated, Hunter paused, giving me time to adjust. His hands were gentle on my hips despite the commanding tone of his voice. "You feel so fucking right," he groaned.
Then he began to move, pulling out almost completely before driving back in. The pace he set was merciless, each thrust hitting deep inside me. I was already so close, the tension in my core winding tighter with each stroke.
"Hunter," I gasped, "I'm going to—"
"Not yet," he growled, his hand coming down on my ass again in a sharp slap that momentarily distracted me from the building pressure. "Hold it."
I bit my lip, focusing on anything but the pleasure threatening to overwhelm me. His pace didn't slow; if anything, he drove into me harder, one hand reaching around to circle my clit.
"Please," I begged, tears pricking my eyes from the intensity. "I can't—"
"Yes, you can," he said, his voice rough with exertion. "Just a little longer."
His fingers worked magic against my sensitive bundle of nerves while his cock continued its relentless assault on my depths. I was shaking, right on the edge, hanging by a thread.
Just when I thought I couldn't hold back any longer, Hunter leaned forward, his chest pressing against my back, his lips at my ear.
"Come for me now, Grace."
The permission broke the last of my control. I shattered, crying out as wave after wave of pleasure crashed through me. My inner walls clenched around him, milking him as he continued to thrust through my orgasm.
With a guttural groan, Hunter followed me over the edge, his hips jerking against mine as he spilled deep inside me. He collapsed forward, catching his weight on his forearms to avoid crushing me, his breath harsh against my neck.
For long moments, neither of us moved or spoke. I felt boneless, sated in a way that left me drifting on a cloud of pleasure. Eventually, Hunter eased out of me, rolling to the side and pulling me against his chest.
"You're incredible," he murmured against my hair.
I smiled lazily, too spent to open my eyes. "Not so bad yourself."
His chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"I'm perfect," I assured him, snuggling closer. "More than perfect."
His hand drifted to my stomach, resting protectively over where our babies grew. "And the little ones?"
"Happy," I said softly, covering his hand with mine. "I love you."
His smile softened, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I love you too, Grace. More than you know."