I'll Reach For You, page 12
"Hunter, we need to go down," I tell, and she sighs. I know she’s nervous, some of them she’s met before, but I know it still freaks her out.
"Do I have to?" She asks, and I snort. I extend her my hand and help her out of the bed. I kiss her, meaning every second of it because it may be hours before I can do this again. She starts to nibble on my lip again and I pull back quickly. She looks at me confused.
"I’m not letting you bite me again," I say, irritated every time it happens. I like it though, but I don't want her to know that. She chuckles, and I take her hand.
"Come on," I say. We go back downstairs, and I let her hand fall as we walk into the main living room where my parents, grandma, and my aunts and uncles are. Dad talks with his two brothers, Jared and Tom. My mom is outside in the sunlight with my two aunts, Jenn and Blair, watching my two cousins running around the big yard. Grandma’s talking with Tom and Jared's wives on the old, big brown, couch. I guess my aunt's husbands are in the basement boxing as usual. Hunter looks at me, waiting.
"Oh hey, darling," Grandma says, coming over with a bright smile on her face; she looks so happy and healthy. She’s wearing an amazing navy-blue dress. Grandma pulls me into a smothering hug. What’s it with people and making me stop breathing? Then she moves back and takes a good look at me. She looks pale and wrinkly as always, but she’s still the best. Her short hair is grey, but she’s coloured the tips black and it looks very nice.
"You look good, grandma."
"Thank you, darling. So, do you." She says, but there’s more, and she whispers it.
"You’re glowing." I snort from anxiety, afraid someone else heard. I look around, but it seems like they’re all busy. She looks at Hunter and moves over to her.
"Hey, Hunter," Grandma says and put her arms around her. Hunter looks a bit uncomfortable, but either she’s good at hiding it or she just doesn't really mind. Anyway, it makes me happy.
"Hey, Paula," Hunter says. Grandma takes a step back to look at both of us with a happy grin on her face.
"Skylar, can I talk to you?" I nod and follow her into the second living room, it's not as big as the main one, but it’s quiet. We leave Hunter in the other room with the rest of my family. Grandma pulls me down on the couch.
"You told her, didn't you?" She says with a smile and I nod.
"Yes, I did." She pats my knee, she always does that.
"What did I say, she loves you." I smile so brightly I can't stop.
"You’re always right, grandma," I say, and she winks at me.
"She looks healthier; she’s not as skinny, tired and pale as she was when I first saw her." She says, and she’s right. Hunter looks much better than she did. I just haven't thought much about it, I’m busy looking at the smile on her face.
"Yeah, she eats and sleeps more now."
Grandma nods. "She looks happy and as does you." She chuckles.
"She told me yesterday she loves me. Well, it was a little more complicated than that, but she begged me to say it one more time, to say it right." I feel happy tears wanting to fall, but I hold them in.
I continue to talk. "Hunter’s a little fragile when it comes to opening up. She takes her time, but I don't care. I’ll wait because I know she’ll always come around in the end." Grandma pats my back and gives me a side hug.
"I'm glad, Hunter’s made you so patient and calm. You’re not just good for her, she’s good for you too." She says, and I chuckle.
"I know, she changed everything." Grandma still has the happy smile on her face.
"Yes, love usually does that, sweetheart. Well, we should go back before Hunter goes insane with our big crazy family" We both laugh and start walking back.
Chapter 36
Is it possible to love you more than I already Do?
"Jenn, have you seen Hunter?" I ask she doesn't look at me, just points out the window mesmerized. I walk towards her and see Hunter outside in the sun, her hair up in a ponytail. She’s running with my three-year-old cousin, Isaac, over her shoulder with the football in her bare feet. Cameron’s running after her holding onto her hoodie. Hunter turns and bends down to pick her up and throws her over her other shoulder. She has such a beautiful smile on her face and looks so happy I want to run out there and kiss her. She swings around with the laughing kids all over her. To be so small she’s very strong.
"She went out to them right away." I turn to look at my aunt, then back at Hunter and the kids. Now they’re all running after Hunter, trying to catch her. She’s very light on her feet and the kids are struggling to take her, but they think it’s fun.
"They’re having so much fun," Jennifer says and I nod. I can't keep my eyes off Hunter, I never can. Oh, my God, I love her. Hunter lays down in the grass exhausted and the kids all jump on her, giving her hugs. My Aunt and I can't help but laugh. My whole body yearns for Hunter, I want to hold her and kiss her more than anything. I sigh out of frustration because I can't. Hunter comes up to the house with Isaac and Cameron in each hand. They all come in the door, the kids run through the room into the hallway. Hunter turns to look at me with a smile, I move over to her and she looks confused. She has a piece of grass on her head; I reach up to take it from her hair. Then my gaze drifts down to her soft, blue eyes that are fixed on me.
"Don't," I whisper softly. She gives me an apologetic smile and looks down to the floor.
"Um, I have to go, I promised Cam that I’ll come up to play hide and seek." I nod, and she walks into the hallway and probably upstairs since there are more places to hide. I had to clench my hands into fists to not touch her more than I did. My hands yearn for her, why does it have to be so goddamn hard.
"Skylar, you okay?" I turn to look at Blair; she looks nice in her blue jeans and a white tank top. Her dark brown hair is curly, and her dark eyes are looking at me.
I nod. "Yeah, it's good to see you, Blair."
She smiles. "It’s good to see you too, and Hunter, even though I haven't talked to her. She’s quiet and disappeared outside with the kids. Seems like they had a lot of fun."
I smile. "Yeah, they did. Excuse me," I say and walk into the hallway and up the stairs.
"Hunter?" I say, looking for her. I go into our room but can't find her. I walk out the door and look everywhere, she’s not in the bathroom or the kid's rooms either.
"Hunt..." I feel a hand on my arm dragging me into a small room. I turn around finding Hunter, she closes the door and puts a finger to her lips. Oh, that's right, they’re playing. I cup her face and lean my lips to hers; I’ve waited for this for what feels like days. She puts her hands around my waist and pulls me closer. Her lips move smoothly with mine and she tastes so sweet like she’s just eaten something delicious. It makes me want her more; I move my hands down to her ass and lift her up. She wraps her feet around my waist and lays her arms over my shoulders. I move my legs and press her back into the wall, hearing something fall, but we don't care. Our kiss is so passionate it’s hard to keep my body in check. Everything about Hunter’s making me lose control of my body and mind. I remove my lips from hers and start kissing her throat, so soft and warm. Hunter moans and that makes me want her more. I want her in the bed and feel more of her; I want to feel her hands on me. I want to taste more of her and I want her to taste more of me.
"HUNTER!" I hear Cameron yell at her. I can feel Hunter stiffen, she moves her hands on my shoulders to push herself off me, but I hold her.
"Sky, come on, " She chuckles. I kiss her on the throat as she puts her hands in my hair messing it up as she moans again. She cups my face and pushes me back; I look her in the eyes and see the pleading. It’s hard to stop, but I put her back down on the floor.
I move to open the door, but before I reach the handle, Hunter's hand grabs mine. I turn to look at her; she moves her hand to my face, puts her fingers on my jaw and takes a step closer. She’s standing so close I can see everything in her eyes, the hunger and the desire. The look lets me know she wants me as much as I want her. She puts her free hand on my other cheek, cupping my face.
"I love you so much," she says. I take her hands in mine and kiss them.
"I love you so much, too"
"Hunter!" We both chuckle at the sound of Cameron and Isaac calling. I quickly kiss her on the cheek, before the door behind us opens.
"Found you!" They both yell.
"Yes, you did," Hunter says and walks over to pick up Cameron and then Isaac. She throws Cameron over her shoulder to tickle her. She’s dying of laughter and Isaac is trying to get her away from Hunter. She walks with Cameron into the hallway.
"You’re as ticklish as your cousin, Skylar." Hunter mocks and moves into my cousin's room. I follow.
"Hey!" I yell. Hunter puts Cameron down on the bed and sits next to her. Isaac stumbles towards them and Hunter picks him up putting him onto her lap. I lean on the doorframe, watching Hunter with both of my cousins in her lap and she hugs them tight while tickling them. They shrink and laugh, Hunter has that big grin on her face that drowns her beautiful eyes. Blare and Jenn come behind me, I step into the room to make space for them.
"Cameron and Isaac, it's time for bed," Blair says.
"No, I don't want to," Cameron argues and Isaac says the same a little more unclear. He’s still too young to speak properly, and it makes him sound adorable.
"No, you can play with Hunter and Skylar tomorrow," Jennifer says. Both are disappointed but do as their mothers tell them. They hug Hunter and me and say goodnight. I take Hunter into our room and close the door. Then I look at her.
"What?" She asks, and I look at her confused.
"You want to ask me something." I can't help but giggle. How can she read me like one of her books? I walk a couple of steps towards her and put my hands on her waist. She looks up to me and I see her blue eyes.
"How did you become so good with kids?" She closes her eyes and snorts, she’s embarrassed. I kiss her red cheek because she’s so cute.
"I’ve been in the foster system for three years. I’ve stayed in different places; I lived in a group home for over a year. Three foster homes in a year and a half. Then I ended up with you." She kisses my cheek and puts her hands on the back of my neck.
"There were a lot of kids and I was drawn to them because they always looked so happy. They’re fun and easy to be with. They don't ask personal questions, they ask simple ones. The ones I can answer without feeling like I want to break down. Like today, I didn't want to talk to your family because I don't want to talk about my past, or how I am. Kids, they just want to have fun and I love being around them. At the foster homes when I made the children laugh it gave me so much joy because I knew there was at least something I was good at." I listened to every word she said. In just three years she’s been everywhere, it must’ve been hard to move so much.
I love watching her with my cousins, she’s so good with them and has a beautiful smile on her face around those two.
"You’re amazing at everything, Hunter. Especially at loving me." She snorts and looks at the ground, then back up to me with that look in her eyes that makes me forget how to breathe.
"I really do love you and I don't think there’s a way to stop." She says so softly there’s nothing I can do other than just kiss her, so I do. I lean down and taste her, wonderful her. The only one that’s gotten me on my toes. The only one that’s made my knees weak. She’s the one that makes my stomach tingle. The only one that takes my breath away. The only one that’s made my heart beat faster than it should. Hunter moves away, and she looks mesmerized.
"Is it possible to love you more than I already do?" She asks, and I kiss her forehead.
"I don't know, I’ve asked myself that, too" I answer.
Chapter 37
You should be angry, disappointed and you should hate Me
"Hunter."
"No." She says with her sleepy voice. Hunter’s laying on her stomach all over the bed, it got late before we made it up here. My family was talking about all the things they did when they were younger. How dad, Jared and Tom snuck down to the beach with the girls from their school at night. Jared said dad was so drunk once they found him passed out in the woods. Then dad just had to tell about the time Jared stumbled into the water, came out soaking wet, and had to spend the whole night wearing wet clothes. Grandma talked about Jenn and Blair being inseparable as kids. There are only two years between them and Jennifer’s the oldest. It was fun listening to them talk about old times. Hunter listened to everything and seemed fascinated. Her eyes would light up every time someone said something, but now she’s taking up the whole bed.
"Hunter, come on. There’s no place for me." I tell her annoyed.
"You can sleep on the floor." She mumbles, her mouth almost buried in the pillow. She looks so adorable.
"Fine, I’ll take the other bed."
She grabs my wrist. "No, get your pretty ass in here." She says and drags me down almost on top of her. Hunter moves and is laying on me now, just as we did at grandmas.
"Did you really just say that?" I chuckle, she lays her chin on my chest and looks at me with a smirk on her face.
"Well, everything about you is pretty and beautiful." She says as her eyes drift close, but she opens them fast again and blinks. I move my hand up to her cheeks and start stroking her. She’s struggling to keep her eyes open and looks so cute.
"Just close your eyes, Hunti." She does and moves her head to the side burying half of her face in my chest. Then she moves her hand under the shirt of my arm and lays it on my shoulder, feeling her warm hand on my bare skin. Her fingers move, and it feels so good, making me sleepier.
"I love you." Hunter mumbles.
"I love you too."
✽ ✽ ✽
"Skylar."
"Hmm?" I’m so tired. It can't be nine in the morning. I want to sleep longer.
"We have a problem." She says.
"What?" I feel my skin on fire. I hate waking up early and she knows that.
"We have a five-year-old problem." What the hell is she talking about? Then I feel Hunter move off me and I open my eyes.
"Hey, my little friend," Hunter says and picks up Cameron, who’s wearing her sleeping clothes, her blond long hair is messy, and she’s holding her teddy bear. Hunter sits on the edge of our bed with Cameron on her lap. I try to rub the sleep out of my eyes, but can't, so I close them.
"Why are you sleeping in the same bed with Skylar?" Cameron asks with her sweet little voice.
"Because, Skylar keeps my nightmares away, just like your little bear," Hunt answers cutely.
"So, she’s like a teddy bear?" Cameron asks confused and Hunter laughs.
"Yeah in a way, but much, much cuter." Hunter answers and I snort.
"Do you like Skylar?" She asks and Hunter chuckles. Her sweet laugh makes me smile.
"No." She answers.
"Hey!" I open my eyes and sit up to look at them, they both laugh.
Hunter looks at Cameron and continues. "I don't like her, Cam." Then Hunter looks at me only the way she can.
"I love her, with my whole heart." Hunter's voice is so soft it’s hard not to cry. She looks back at Cameron.
"So, she’s your girlfriend?" Cameron asks.
"Yes, she is." I move to sit next to them, kiss Hunter's cheek and put my arm around her waist. She’s unbelievable. Then I lean my head on her shoulder and look down at Cameron.
"Skylar, you look tired," Cameron says. Hunter and I laugh.
"Skylar doesn't like to wake up early. She’s always so grumpy." I poke her in the side making her jump a little.
"But," she says and kisses me on the temple.
"She looks very cute when she’s sleepy, that’s why I like to wake her up in the morning." Hunter puts both of her arms around Cameron and gives her a tight hug.
"But Cam, this is going to be our little secret, alright?" Hunter says.
Cameron nods. "Okay."
"You can't tell anyone she’s my girlfriend, because if your Uncle Luke finds out he’ll not be happy Skylar fell in love with me." She teases.
"Hey, you love me too," I say, and she kisses my cheek.
"You noticed that?" Hunter says chuckling. I shake my head; it’s too early to play games. We both look down at Cameron, who’s laughing.
"So, you promise not to tell anyone?" Hunter asks, and she nods.
"Good, because if I lose her, I’ll lose you too, and I’m not sure who I’ll miss the most." She looks at me with the teasing smile. Cameron hugs Hunter and moves down to the floor.
"I’ll go find mom, I'm hungry." She says. Hunter and I laugh and then she’s gone. I grab Hunter's shirt and fall back down on the bed with her on top of me. I put my arms around her and hug her tight. Hunter chuckles.
"You’re cozy." She says and kisses my shoulder.
"I'm just very tired, and you’re so warm and lovable," I say. She moves, and I let her. Hunter sits on me and looks down at me. She puts her hands on my waist and moves her hands under my shirt sending shivers through me from head to toe, her warm hands touching the skin on my stomach.
"Are you cold? You have goosebumps all over you."
"No, it's you," I answer. She smiles and leans down to kiss the side of my neck. Her hands move further up over the skin on the rib cage, causing me to gasp for air. I lean up to taste her lips. Then I move my hands to her back, I want to feel her just the way she wants to feel me. But she moves back to the sitting position over me and stops my hands. I lay my arms back on the bed and sigh, feeling very disappointed I can't touch her. I’m getting tired of waiting, and it kills me to know I feel like that. I promised I’d wait, but I want her so much it’s too hard.
"You can touch me, but I can't touch you?" The look on her face tells me she knows it’s not just hard for her, but for me also. I can't look at her, so I turn my eyes to the door.
"I'm sorry." She says. I’m not sure, but I feel very disappointed. I’ve waited patiently for a while, but there’s been no progress for me to touch her like that. Why can't she trust I’d love her no matter what?
