Forbidden Lust

“Lourde, shh, please. It’s just me.”

What the fuck?How did Hunter get in? He pressed me down, sandwiching me with his legs and weight as I tried unsuccessfully, squirming out from underneath him.

“Stop it. I’m not here to hurt you. You just haven’t returned my phone calls.”

His hand was still over my mouth, and my heart beat rapidly.

“I just want to say I’m sorry. I really am, and I can’t be without you.”

He stared into my eyes. I didn’t care if he was sorry or not. Scaring the life out of me in the middle of the night wasn’t the way to do it.

“Okay, I’m going to take my hand off now. I want to kiss you. Please, hun.”

No!Nausea swirled in my stomach as a scream formed in the back of my throat. Maybe now was my chance. I stopped wriggling, so he knew he could trust me. Slowly, he lifted his hands off my mouth, but before I could scream, he kissed me. His lips were wet. He tasted of whiskey. Shit, he was drunk, and now I was terrified. I turned to the side, but he shoved my face back into his. “No, please!” I yelled.

I closed my eyes, hoping this was an awful nightmare when suddenly he got the memo, and his crushing weight was off me. A loud whack followed, and I opened my eyes.

“What the fuck!” I heard Hunter groan as I shuffled up.

Barrett had him by the collar and punched him in the nose.

“Fuck!” he cussed.

I leaped out of bed. “How dare you, Hunter,” I screamed.

He grabbed his nose, trying to stop the bleeding with his hand.

Barrett stood between him and me. “Are you all right, Lourde? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just terrified is all.”

“I love you, baby,” he said, trying to get up.

With one fell swoop, Barret kicked him, and he fell back. “Get the fuck back down,” he said, his voice razor-sharp.

“Jesus, man, I just want to speak to my girl.”

“Your girl? I’ll never be your girl,” I yelled. “It’s so over, Hunter. I never want to see you again!”

“Lourde, do you want to press charges on this little cocksucker?” Barrett asked, pulling him up by the scruff of his shirt.

“Oh no, hun, please no. My family would disown me.” He rubbed his forehead. “My father, fuck.” Barrett's towering height dwarfed him.

God, he looked so pathetic. I really saw him for the asshole he was. Never in the year we’d been together had I truly craved his touch or loved his company. He was pleasant enough, but that was all.

“It’s your call, Lourde, but nothing would give me more pleasure than to lock this creep up.”

I walked toward him. Barrett extended his arm, his hand landing on my thigh. “Don’t come any closer, Lourde,” he said, pushing on my thigh.

Ignoring the warmth of his hand, I brushed past him, purposefully disobeying him and standing toe-to-toe with Hunter.

“No charges, but I’m not doing this for you, asshole. I’m doing it for my family.”

“You heard the lady. Get the fuck out before I call the cops for breaking and entering.”

Blood dripped down the front of his shirt, and he pinched the tip of his nose shut.

“I’m going.”

“No shit, dickhead.” Barrett pushed in front of me. My gaze was set on the curves of his shoulder and the lines of his ribs, realizing he was shirtless.

“You break into my house again, and you’ll be wishing for the cops after I’m done with you.”

Hunter scoffed and stalked his way out the doors with Barrett close behind him.

Pacing the bedroom, I replayed what had just happened. I felt sick to my stomach when I heard Barrett re-enter.

“He’s gone, and he definitely won’t be coming back. I sent him a parting message.”

I lowered my head and wrapped my arms around the cool of my satin camisole. What if Barrett hadn’t pulled him off me in time?

“Fuck, you're shivering, Lourde.”

Before I could look back up, he was next to me, helping me down on the bed and wrapping a blanket around my shoulders.

“I thought I was dreaming.” I glanced at Barrett. A blush crept up my neck, then I blinked it away, hoping he didn’t notice. “I woke up and found him on top of me, kissing me. That’s when I screamed.”

“What a creep. Who the fuck does that to get a girl back? I’ve already changed the codes and organized security to come back tomorrow to fit more cameras. You don’t have to worry, Lourde.” He paused. “I’m sorry he got to you,” he said, and a flicker of regret flashed across his face before disappearing. Was he still talking about Hunter or someone else?

“It’s not your fault, Barrett.” I let the blanket fall around my waist. My shivering had stopped, and Barrett’s godlike skin warmed my arms. My gaze dropped to his navy sweats as I breathed in his manly scent.

From his height, he gazed down at me. Then, his softened stare darkened into something that hit me between the thighs.

“What were you dreaming about?”