Bad Boy Saint (Bad Boy 1)

He laughed when he talked about the first time he saw me, when I was nine and had braces.

"I never had a sister," he said, smiling to himself. "I thought Graham was so lucky. While I had brothers, he had you. Girls were always this mystery to me because my mother left us when we were kids. My step-mom is great but she was always focused on the business. I was mothered by my Aunt Carol, and while she was nice, she couldn’t replace my mom."

I squeezed his hand. "My mom's been in a haze for years," I said. "Spencer’s a beast to both Graham and me. Graham had to be my protector and parent."

"He was," Hunter said. "He'd kill me if he knew I was out with you tonight."

"Why?" I said, angry that Spencer and Graham thought they could tell me who I could be with. "Of all his friends, he should be happy I'm with you. You're going to be a Marine. You're honorable. More honorable than Spencer or anyone in his family."

He smiled at that. "That means a lot to me."

We drank decaf coffee and shared a piece of cheesecake, talking for an hour about my classes and what would happen at boot camp. He seemed like he could be a real boyfriend, if only he was staying. I hated that he was leaving and I probably wouldn't see him for a long time.

We left and walked down the street to the car and I didn’t want the evening to end. When he drove me back to the dorm, he got out to open my door like a real gentleman. We stood in front of the building and I shivered, not wanting to say goodbye.

I could tell Hunter was torn about being with me. I wanted to kiss him and he seemed to be fighting a similar urge. So, I put my arms around his neck, not caring anymore about what anyone—Spencer or Graham—thought about me being with Hunter.

I pressed my body against his and he groaned.

"Celia," he said with a sigh. "I'm trying to be a gentleman."

"You are, more of one than anyone I know."

Then I kissed him. He kissed me back, but it was hard for him to breathe because of his nose and he had to stop.

"Sorry," he said with a chuckle. "Not much of a kisser tonight."

"I don't care. Take me to your place," I whispered. "I'd take you to my room, but there are no guests allowed overnight."

"Celia…" He sighed. "What would Spencer do if he knew you'd come to my place?"

"To hell with Spencer," I said. Then I leaned up and kissed him again, making my kisses short so he could breathe. "Take me to your place. I'll stay with you tonight. You're leaving soon. I probably won't ever see you again."

"I'll be back on holidays."

"I always wanted you to be the one."

He shook his head. "Graham would kill me if he knew."

"He won't know," I said, and touched his cheek hesitantly. It was swollen, the black already blossoming beneath his eye. "Only you and I will know. Hunter, I want it to be you."

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, clearly fighting with himself. When his eyes opened again, I pressed my body fully against his.

"It's the least I can do, considering you got knocked out because of me." I grinned at him, trying to break the tension.

Finally, he smiled. "It's not a gift," he said softly.

"I don't care what it is. I want you. That's all."

He hesitated. Then he leaned down and kissed me, as if he wanted to test me to see if I meant it.

His kiss was deep and hungry, like he'd been waiting for a chance to really kiss me. It took my breath away, and when he pulled me even more tightly into his arms, my whole body shuddered.

This was what I wanted. I'd wanted it for years.

I kissed him back, my fingers running through his hair, over his back, my whole body pressed against his. When I felt his bulge against my groin, I ground against him, showing him how much I wanted him.

When our kiss ended, he looked in my eyes, held my gaze for a long minute, and then he took my hand