153Hunter's POV I confirmed with a bob of head, "Yes. My wife's been warning me about her.""Your ex-wife, you mean." The sly smirk he gave me made my fingers curl into a fist. That look on the bastard's face said that he was well versed with the ups and downs in my life. I saw recognition in his eyes, as if he'd done a quick check on my personal life before coming here. Even if he didn't, I shouldn't be surprised that he corrected me. After all, who wasn't aware of the mistake I committed on the night of my second anniversary! It had been discussed and gossiped about nationwide for months. It still does. If it wasn't for the stack of bundles I hurled at every news channel's way, they would have continued to talk about it still. "Yes, my ex-wife who was my wife back then but I didn't listen to her." I said, not hiding the distaste from my tone. "What specifically did your ex-wife warn you about?"I stared into my palms as I recalled all Claire's told me. "That Zara's not who sh
154Hunter's POVWhile I was amazed at the discovery that my wife could ride a bike, right now I was completely stumped and staring at her skills. She was handling the bike smoothly like it was as easy as icing a cake with a buttering knife. I could see her fingers easing and tightening on the throttle as she sped up on the road and sped down to abide by the traffic rules or before a speedbreaker appeared.This was the side I have never noticed her having. Was Claire always this wild? Always feeling this free with people she loved? If yes, why did I never observe this side of her. Was I not the man she loved with an obsession? I ogled at her profile while a burst of agony spread through my chest. I guess I was too busy with work, too blind to take note of her.Wildness beat like a pulse at my throat as I suppressed the urge to tilt her head and take her lips for a wild kiss. Her hair flowed across from my face. I inhaled the scent of her shampoo and clenched my fingers into a fist. N
155Hunter's POV A breeze rolled over and the water rustled like soft music to the ears. My body was too painfully craving to indulge in foreplay. I couldn't help the aggression when I parted Claire's thighs with force. She yelped but the excitement in her eyes couldn't be missed.She had propped herself up on her elbows as her hair freely floated around her fate. Some of them covered her eyes. I stalled for a second to clear her vision. I wanted her to look at me while I pounded into her yet again with the force of the animal I carried within.Tremors ran through her thighs and I could feel it under my palms. I caressed my flat palm on her scorching flesh before slamming my full length inside her in one forceful thrust. Her bosoms heaved as her head fell back. I stayed in unmoving for a few minutes to feel the clenching of her muscles around me. The feeling was hot and plummeted me into a pit of ecstasy.Then I started moving as Claire pressed her bóóbs together. She pinched her nip
156Hunter's POVI laughed in reply as I walked into the chilly water. Only the surface was warm, but the moment I took a dip, the warmth scattered around us, letting the cold take over fully.Claire was clinging to me like a baby Koala. Her shaking thighs kept her firmly against my body as I cleaned her back. I massaged her buttcheeks gently and tried to venture down to her pulsating slit."Don't you dare!" She growled near my ear as her eyes seared on my face warningly. "Don't even think of taking your fingers anywhere near my core, Hunter. You're denied access for a month after what you've done to me in the last twenty-four hours.""You weren't complaining when I was tearing your pússy apart." My dirty words activated a shiver up her spine.She tried to keep her face indifferent, but the scarlet in her cheeks gave away her sweet embarrassment."But I'm complaining now, and you better take heed. No, means no." "Alright, dove. It's not like I was going to do anything. I just wanted
157Hunter's POV I promise to you, Claire, that I will personally investigate this matter besides the private detective.Later on, we went back to Claire's home on my bike. She was drained to shreds and so I had to ride. Upon arriving, Claire hugged my waist tightly and whined like a tired kid who hasn't gotten proper sleep. "I can't walk. Carry to my room." I would have done that even if she hadn't verbalized it. I picked her up after giving the keys to the guard and carried her inside the mansion. It was lunchtime and my stomach was cursing me for listening to my díck over its growl for food. I strode to the kitchen as I pecked Claire's forehead."I want to sleep." She said in a baby tone."Food first. You promised to feed me, remember?""I fed you."What? I stared at her playing with her fingers while my jaw dropped."What did you say?""Nothing," Ethereal flush enhanced her beauty. "I just said feed me sooner so I can retire to bed."As much as I craved to tease her for whisperi
158Zara's POV(After she ran away amidst explaining herself to Hunter in front of Caine and Claire outside her house)I dropped the act after taking a turn into the alley that is around Claire's house at a five minute distance. There I found Pete, the man who told me about this seller of medicinal herbs. It was through him I got to know that the seller was also involved in unethical trading."So, how did it go?" Pete asked me with a lopsided smirk."What do my eyes suggest?" I walked into his personal space as I pushed him against the wall.His hand automatically went around my waist as he began to ground his lower regions against my stomach."They look puffy and..." He seemed to think with his smirk widening. "if I didn't know your real face, I would have been dumbstruck too. They did the job the best they could do.""They did." I winked at him. "And the credits go to you. Thank you for helping me. I would have been caught if you hadn't informed me in time."The alley was dark with p
159While he's fingering my pússy, I think back at why I have him against my body, playing with my sex. Oh yeah, because he hates Hunter and wants to see his downfall. Not that I was interested in getting involved with a man who deeply loathed my future husband, I had no other choice than let him be a part of my plan. Pete threatened to blow my mask in front of Hunter if I didn't let him play along. He offered to help, and I told him to help me take Caine in my confidence without letting him know. I thought Pete would fail. But when he ran into me in a club I went to with Enzo, he told me about the seller and that he also sold stuff he shouldn't. That's when I knew I could hit two birds with a single stone. Right after that, Enzo and I planned the accident that Claire missed, thanks to Hunter. It was on the same night that I also decided to use the sex booster on Hunter. Although I used booster fluids that I got from my previous working place, I mixed it in tea. I intended to get
160"Why don't you accept it, Zara? It's over. You lost the battle before it began. You can't succeed because Hunter was never yours. In anything, you only made him realize his feelings towards his wife."My chest thrummed with a building need to scream. Those were the exact words Claire said."I know that, so what? I don't want Hunter for love. I just want his money and his body."I freed my hand and came out. I was getting annoyed by Enzo's persistence. He followed me out, leaving a wet trail after him."Why don't you go away for a while? I need some privacy." I glared at him with disdain but he won't budge."Zara, I truly can't help myself. Don't you think I would have walked away the first time I learned that you go to sex and BDSM Clubs? Except that I can't. I've badly fallen for you.""Not my headache. Sort out your emotions and move on. I can't settle down with any man who has no big bank balance, let alone with a man who works as a personal security guard." I didn't even spare
281Although Dominic had been reluctant in the beginning, he told his wife that Hunter had called him a while before the dinner. He wanted to come to their mansion for some reason. Dominic revealed that Hunter prepared some kind of gift for their daughter, and needed his help to execute it. His request was to dim down the lights of the lamps around their garden so Hunter could have a dark set-up. And then the next thing that happened was that they heard commotion outside their window. Since their room was on the ground floor, they heard and saw everything. Hunter was in the garden, and he wasn't alone. His guards were there to help him whatever he planned to do for Claire. Dominic and Andrea also read the messages on the cardboards that Hunter held. One can say that Hunter's surprise proposal wasn't really a secret. His In-laws— correction, his ex-in-laws, who were about to become his in-laws again, had front-row seats to the whole thing.They read every message, saw every express
280"I know I was once the person Scott wanted to be like. But after what I did to you, his sister, he's lost all respect for me. I know he wouldn't hesitate to stab me the second he gets the opportunity." Hunter paused. "I don't consider that wrong because what I've done is enough reason for someone to put a blade through my heart.""Hunter!" Claire glared at him, but obviously it was so dark that he couldn't see it. But her hold around his neck, it indicated that she was disappointed. "I'm telling the truth, Claire. What do you think? That I'm only committing my mistakes in front of you. If that's what you think then you don't know me at all." The determination in his voice steeled her spine. "Fixing things with you was my first step toward fixing everything I destroyed." "Your forgiveness meant everything because if you could forgive me, then maybe the others would too. My goal is to make things right with everyone in your family, especially Scott."Claire's jaw unhinged. She was
279"Really?" He sounded playful.Claire hummed near his face and cupped his jaw, "I adore how you tackle challenges head-on and always come out on top." She paused, pecked him on the lips and added, "For me, you're a true champion and that's what captivated my heart.""You think too highly of me.""I just know that you're very skillful and...""And?" Hunter leaned in closer, depositing all his wait on her.Claire's lips tugged at the corners. An idea struck and she pushed him away. Hunter frowned at the loss of contact. But the push stirred his thoughts awake and he realized he was here on a mission. "You didn't answer my question!""What question?" Claire asked playfully."About being my girlfriend.""I'll think about it." She got out of his hold as she stifled her laughs.It was dark so she couldn't see his expression. But from what she knew about him, she knew he was boiling on the inside. Despite being one of the most successful men, he was grumpy and had very little to no pati
278Claire wasn't happy. Hunter did make mistakes, but that didn't make him a loser. A loser would never accept his mistake. A loser always avoids it and often others have to guilt-trip him to take responsibility for his actions. That, or he's blamed until he's forced to accept his mistakes. However, he would never willingly own up to them. Claire had a big lecture to give to him on this topic. She showed a phone sign with her finger as she put it near her ear, indicating that she was going to call him. But Hunter quickly shook his head and motioned down at the cardboard. Not many were left and Claire decided to stay. She probably read the worst ones, she deemed, as she folded her hands and waited for him to reveal the new messages. It read: On the other hand, you're so charming, honest, kind and considerate. Another one said: I'm nothing in front of you. Another one: Everyone loves you for who you are. As for me... He sighed self-loathingly as he revealed a new card: They can'
277Claire took a deep breath as she lifted her upper body by the midriff and took a glance towards the window. The curtains were drawn and a soft breeze was billowing it. Her heart pounded loudly as her face began to heat up.The sadness she was drowning in earlier got replaced by excitement and an utter sense of delight. Her body was alight with all sorts of gleeful emotions. She nervously swallowed as her nerves were getting the better of her. With slow and unrushed movements, Claire lifted the blanket from her body and rolled out of the bed. She took baby steps towards the window because the thrill of going there made her body jittery. The distance suddenly seemed too long.But when she reached there and drew the curtains apart and looked down— it was worth it!Her lips curled up and her cheeks numbed from all the heat she was feeling in her face. Claire was filled with uncontainable joy because HUNTER WAS STANDING DOWN THERE, outside her window.He waved a hand at her as his mout
276Claire shut the door with a bang and threw herself on bed, pulling the blanket over her. Her chest ached from trying to control her sobbing while her eyes flashed with the images of Scott's disgusted expressions. The pain she felt was unimaginable.They hurt more because they came from her only sibling— her protective sibling who had promised to burn the world to make her happy.She recalled Scott's desperation from months ago when she had discovered that she was pregnant. He was willing to give her baby the love of a father and take care of her the way she deserved as a pregnant lady. He never left her alone, always lingering around as if it was his responsibility to make sure she and the baby were fine.But the bitter words he said today, the anger he showed... It made her heart shatter into pieces.Claire covered her mouth to suppress her sobs. For her, it was a wonderful day today. She felt amazing when she shared her feelings with Hunter. She was thrilled beyond explanation w
275The way he spoke with authority made Claire's jaw tighten. It was as if he were the older sibling and she the younger one— not the other way around."Let go of my hand, Scott! I'm not in the mood to talk." Claire eyed him sternly. "Then make your mood, Claire. Because I'm not letting you go until we finish this conversation." Scott shrugged his shoulders uncaringly. He held her hand tightly and gave her a challenging look, making her seethe. "Stop being annoying, Scott. Let go." "Answer my questions first. Was Penny the only company you had or was there someone else too?" "You know the answer then why are you asking me!" Claire pulled her hand away. "I knew it! And I'm ashamed to call you my sister." Scott sniggered, making her eyes freeze in shock. Mr. Argent banged his hands on the table before he rose to his feet, "What the hell is going on here? What's with your attitude today, Scott. How dare you talk to your sister like that?" "Just the same way she dared to soil our
274Claire came home with bright pink cheeks and a smile that made her mother stop her in the main hall. She circled her while her curious eyes tried to find out the cause behind that blush."You are blushing, Claire." Andrea prodded a finger in her cheek."Am I? That's probably the heat of the day, mom. You see, it's so.... Dark outside like it's going to rain." Claire's voice lessened over the last sentence as she gazed out the huge sliding doors that led to the garden outside.The sky was gray and heavy and angry black clouds floated in it. She bit her lips embarrassed as she wondered what excuse to make to avoid her mom.Andrea laughed, "Oh, Claire, you're so transparent. It has nothing to do with the weather. You're thinking about him, aren't you?" "W-who?" "Don't play dumb, sweetie. I know exactly who I'm talking about." She paused for dramatic effect. "Tyler." Claire's jaw dropped. She stared at her mother as her heart pounded in her chest. She wondered why she was talking ab
273Hunter's POV She stopped just a hand's distance away and blinked her doey eyes at me, "I know we've been through so much, and our past is complicated. But I don't want to rush into anything this time. I want to love the good part we missed before. I want us to take our time, to enjoy each other's company, to fall in love all over again. I want you to make me feel special.""I want our second chance to be different. I want it to be about us, about our love, about our connection. I want it to be real, and true, and raw. I want us to be vulnerable, to be open, to be honest with each other. I want this time to be our time. Our time to love, to laugh, to live. Our time to be us." Her lips trembled. She was having a war with herself whether to tell it to me or not. She chose to do it anyway and risk it all... Because, by sharing her feelings with me, she was exposing how desperately she wanted me. "I want us to create new memories, to make new mistakes, to learn from each other all ov