Chapter 5
Fourteen years earlier
Ashleigh stood on the wooden walkway and breathed in the salty air. Excitement coursed through her, energizing her body. She ran down the walkway over the dunes and toward the beach. The ocean's waves breaking against the shore beckoned her, promising thrills to come. The light of the full moon welcomed, bright enough to see, yet still casting shadows with its blue light. Tonight would be the night that she would push all her doubts and fears aside and follow her heart. She couldn't stand the thought of waiting any longer.
She loved Hunter with everything she was. He was the one for her, and even if her mother never approved, it wouldn't matter. Soon she'd be leaving for the West Coast, and he'd promised to come with her. She'd be attending college in California, and he'd go to contractor's school. Fulfilling their dreams far away from the Hamptons and everything it stood for: privilege and class divide. She wasn't like her peers, obsessed with designer clothes and handbags, the latest gadgets, the most expensive car. She couldn't care less about those things. All she wanted was be in Hunter's arms and dream of their life together.
Ashleigh hurried down the steps, slipped off her shoes, and plunged her bare feet into the cool, soft sand. Tonight was the first night of the rest of their lives. She spotted Hunter up ahead, lying on a blanket, a low fire burning next to him, the ocean's waves crashing beyond. It was perfect. Her heart beat an excited rhythm. No more waiting. No more fear. She was ready to embrace their future.
She stopped before him. He looked up and smiled. So handsome. Her heart tripped in her chest.
"I thought you'd never get here." He reached out his hand. She took it. His hand was warm, strong, and callused. The skin on her palm did a little dance at his touch. The tingle was the same whenever he touched her; she hoped it always would be, and couldn't wait to feel those rough hands on her body. She dropped to her knees in front of him. He brushed the hair back from her face, his thumb grazing across her cheekbone.
"I couldn't wait to see you," she said breathlessly.
Hunter smiled, and she leaned in and touched her lips to his. She kissed him, gently at first, his familiar taste filling her with warmth. She loved kissing him, loved the way it made her feel—loved, wanted, wanting…
His kisses grew more fervent as his tongue swept into her mouth. She let out a small moan and clung to his strong arms. "Hunter, I… I want to make love," she said on a quick breath. She was offering him so much more than her body, and had never been surer that he would never hurt her. That he loved her as much as she loved him. "I want you, Hunter. Like I've never wanted anything or anyone before."
He pulled back and stared at her, eagerness and concern melding together to fill his face. "Are you sure? I thought—"
She smiled and touched his cheek. "I've never been surer of anything in my life."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. She never got tired of kissing him, of feeling his arms around her, of inhaling his warm, spicy scent.
"I know I said I wanted to wait until we got to California. But why wait?" She giggled as he gently eased her on the blanket and lay next to her, kissing her some more. She was drowning in him, submerged in the heady sensations rolling over her as his mouth covered hers.
"Oh, Hunter," she said on a heavy breath.
"I want you too," he whispered. His desire was thick in his voice. His hand moved down her neck, his fingers inching toward her chest, sparking sensations in their wake. She gasped as they slipped beneath her sweatshirt. He kneaded her breast, his thumb scraping across her nipple. The sharp sensation of pleasure lifted her back off the ground, and a small moan escaped her lips.
"You like this?" he asked.
"Yes." She moaned and pushed herself into his hands. He rewarded her by squeezing, rubbing, pinching. She couldn't breathe. Her breasts were swelling, her insides clenching. She sat up, pulled her sweatshirt over her head, unclasped her bra, and threw it to the side.
"Lie down and let me help you," Hunter said, his eyes gleaming in the firelight.
She lay down on the soft blanket. He leaned over and undid her jeans and pulled them over her hips and down her legs. He paused and pressed a gentle kiss on her belly. It quivered beneath his touch.
"Please, Hunter. I'm ready. I'm ready now."
His hand was heavy as it moved down her belly and between her legs. She tensed with excitement and a touch of nervousness as his fingers slid between her folds, probing, exploring. Nobody had touched her like that before. She inhaled a quick breath as her belly coiled.
"Oh, Hunter."
"You want me to continue?"
"Oh, yes."
He stroked her, his fingers moving rapidly, yet sensuously. She'd never felt anything like it. She felt like she was on a roller coaster, going fast and furious, down one thrilling dip after another. "Hunter. Please!" she said, afraid she was about to crash, and the glorious moment would stop.
He leaned forward and took a nipple between his lips, sucking and kissing. She cried out as pleasure coursed through her. She had never felt like this before. The juncture between her thighs was on fire, burning, opening, yearning. She wanted him to touch her there again.
She looked at him, realizing that he was suddenly naked. She hadn't noticed that he'd stripped himself bare. She gasped as she felt his erection press against her thigh. It was big. Long. Would it even fit inside her?
"Oh God, Hunter." Her voice quivered, both with anticipation and trepidation.
"Don't worry." He slipped a finger inside her, slowly and gently. She tensed. "Easy, baby," he cooed. "Stretch for me. Let me in."
She eased back against the blanket, willing her muscles to relax. Finally, they followed her command.
"That's it," Hunter said, and gently pumped into her. "Just a little more." He stretched her more. A second finger joined the first, and her muscles allowed it, welcoming the invasion.
"Oh," she murmured.
"Beautiful," he said. "Just perfect." Then he withdrew his fingers and fumbled for something in the heap of clothing. She focused on it: a condom. Fascinated, she watched him roll it over his cock.
When he lifted his head and met her gaze, she noticed the fire in his eyes, the passion, the excitement. Instinctively, she opened her legs wider, and he rolled over her. Not breaking eye contact, Hunter drove inside her. A sharp pain charged through her and she cried out.
"Sorry, baby, but it'll pass. I promise."
He was right. The pain dissipated as quickly as it had come. There was a little pressure, some tightness, but then he started to move. Slowly. Small movements, and she felt herself expanding around him.
She let out a little moan of pleasure.
Hunter smiled down at her and started to move faster, deeper, then he withdrew, pulling out almost completely, before plunging back into her. This time there was no pain, only pleasure.
"Oh, Ashleigh," he murmured. "You feel so good."
Ashleigh clung to his wide shoulders, glistening in the moonlight. She couldn't believe how good it felt, how right he felt inside her. She didn't want it to end. The intensity of their lovemaking deepened as he moved faster and faster, pushed harder and deeper. The wave of anticipation swept her forward, taking her higher and higher. She cried out as she crested, plummeting and crashing as mind-numbing contentment broke over her.
And then Hunter tensed, before a deep, guttural moan rolled over his lips, and he collapsed on top of her. She clung to him, certain in that moment that she would never let him go.