Page 13 of Hunted

Weston grabs my other hand, and I turn to look up at him. He gives me a wink, and I hold in my laughter. At least he knows I’m doing this purely for Reece’s benefit, and not my own.

I think it will take Reece awhile to separate the thirteen-year-old girl who screamed at the sight of a spider, with the new version of me.

A lump forms in my throat and I try to swallow it down. When he does start to see who I am now, what will he think? What if he sees me but decides to walk away? I know I have the others, but we’re all connected now. Bower and Kingsley work and live with him. That’s not something they could just walk away from, nor would I let them.

“Watch out for that root,” Reece says, pointing to a root that is several feet out of my path. I nod my head anyway and pretend to alter my steps to avoid it, even though I was nowhere near it. He continues pointing out things that are anything but tripping hazards for me, but Weston and I keep our thoughts to ourselves. If this makes Reece feel better, then so be it.

Weston, Bower, and Kingsley still get mad when I jump off of the skywalk. I wonder how Reece would react?

Weston directs us to turn as we reach the path to the hut. “We’re back!” he yells when we reach the ladder.

I hear some footsteps above as Reece and Weston direct me to climb up first, both their hands on me as if they don’t think I can do it on my own.

I roll my eyes, but a large part of me enjoys their attention.It’s nice to be cared about.

“Did you find her?” Bower asks as the sounds of them moving above reach my ears.

“Yeah, she’s climbing up now,” Reece answers.

When I reach the top, two sets of hands pull me up the rest of the way. Why does everyone think I’m so incapable of moving around in the dark? I’ve been doing this way longer than they have.

“Glad you’re back, sweetheart,” Kingsley says, pulling me in for a quick hug before Bower pulls me into his arms and carries me into the hut.

“You gotta stop running away from us, Tink. It drives us all nuts!”

“I’m sorry, I—”

“Don’t apologize, we get it. Reece was being an asshole. Let’s just get you comfy for bed, shall we?”

He sets me down and my eyes try to adjust to the darkness. Without the moonlight above us, it’s even darker here than it was outside.

His fingers graze my sides, making me jump as I giggle. “No tickling!”

His fingers press in harder as he chuckles. “Sorry, Tink. It’s hard to see. Arms up.”

I hesitate only a moment, but my back is to the door, and it’s so dark in here, I doubt even Bower can see much.

His hands slide up my sides, pulling my top up as he goes. I hear it land on the table then the soft rustle of fabric as he must grab my AC/DC shirt. When a few seconds pass and nothing happens, I start to lower my arms.

“Bower?” I ask, my hands reaching in front of me to make sure he’s still there.

He grabs my hands and gives them a squeeze. “Sorry, I was distracted.” My cheeks heat as my mind dips into the gutter. Can he see me? BeforeI can pull back and cover up, the shirt glides over my hands and arms as he quickly pulls it down, covering me.

“I’m going to take your skirt off and put the boxers on you now, okay?”

I nod my head and lick my lips. Then realizing he can’t see me, I quickly add, “Yes.” I should tell him I can do it myself. I should tell him it’s much easier for me to do since he can’t see what he’s doing. But I don’t. I keep my mouth shut because I like him taking care of me. I like his hands on me.

And if I’m not mistaken by the slowness and care he takes sliding my skirt down my legs, he likes it, too. My hands tentatively reach forward, and I find his shoulders, realizing he must be on his knees in front of me.

I hear the others talking as they come in behind us and move about the room, but my main focus is on Bower right now. As he lifts my foot and places it in the boxers, I can’t help but think about the fact that his face is only inches away from my bare core.

What would he do if I lifted the hem of my shirt and pulled his face against me? I bet he wouldn’t hesitate to make me feel good. And if it wasn’t for Reece being somewhere inside this room with us, I’d be tempted to do it.

Instead, I let my fingers dig into his shoulders as he drags the boxers up my legs until they’re in place. His hands grip my sides under my shirt, but he doesn’t move.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, his outline becomes clearer. I slide my hands up his neck and over his face, my fingers threading through his hair. Gently, I pull the elastic free, letting his hair tumble to his shoulders. I rake my fingers through the strands while he begins to slowly rub my back.

“You two okay?” Kingsley asks, reminding me we’re not alone.