HUNTER

I wake before Petra like usual, the crush of waves on the beach filtering in through the open patio door. It’s been two years since we bought our little house on the bay, and every day I’m more grateful for the life Petra and I are building.

I roll closer to Petra’s warm body and stroke the beautiful curve of her hip, my body tingling with need. 

In the next room, our precious little boy, Tristan, is sound asleep in his crib, but not for much longer. 

Petra wakes slowly, like a flower seeking the sunrise. We made a pact that as long as I let her go back to sleep after, I can wake her as early as I want.

I kiss the back of her neck while stroking down her arm, my touch gentle while inside me, a raging tiger is pacing, impatient. 

Petra gives a tender sigh, and her body arches closer. I pull her tighter against me. She’s so soft and warm and perfect.

I caress her soft tits to where her nipple is tightening. Needy. Petra’s eyelashes flutter open and she turns to kiss me. Her lips embrace mine, slow and sweet. I kiss her back, my tongue flicking with hers. 

Petra arches to my touch, and I roll her to her back and kiss my way down, teasing and stroking.

She groans.

I guide her hands to the slats in the headboard and she complies, her shoulders arching perfectly to me. In appreciation, I caress slowly down her body, savoring her curves. 

Petra’s gaze smolders in the low light. 

I kiss her, our lips hungry. Her little tongue flicks against mine, soft and sensual. I growl into her mouth and stroke up her inner thigh, to where she’s wet and plush. Ready. 

Kissing down to her tits, I suck her nipple hard and stroke her pussy. She arches to me, needing me as much as I need her. 

I sink two fingers inside her tight heat, and she whimpers. Slowly, I thrust and glide. She’s so incredibly soft and tight.

“Hunter,” Petra whispers, her tone urgent. 

While I wish I could take my time, we both know the alarm will sound soon. We’ve been wanting to make another baby for months. So far it hasn’t happened. I know we should be patient, but Petra’s starting to worry. 

I kneel between her thighs, parting her wide for me. Fuck, she’s so beautiful, her wavy curls cascading across the pillow, and her eyes shining like jewels in the low light. 

She smiles, and I smile back, my pounding heart so full. 

I want to tell her not to worry. That everything will be okay. 

I ease inside, slow and firm.

The stretch around me is delicious, sensual. Rocking back and in again, I slide home. Fuck, it’s good. Perfect. 

Petra arches her hips, and I groan. Hovering over her, I kiss her gently while thrusting slow and deep. We move together, kissing and panting, our bodies locked in rhythm. 

There’s so much more I’d like to do to her but playtime will have to wait. Later, I’ll tell her the surprise.

Petra’s body tenses, coiling for release. 

“Hunter,” she gasps in desperation.

“What do you need, sweetness?” 

“You,” she says, her eyes locked on mine.

I drive in slowly. “Like this?”

Her face tightens with yearning. “Harder.”

I widen my knees and thrust firm and deep.

“Yes,” she groans.

The beast in me roars. I drive again, giving her everything.

Her mouth opens in pleasure. 

I go faster, harder, making the bed rock. Petra’s fingers go white around the slats and she comes beautifully in a series of sweet little gasps, her body squeezing me so tight.

I lose myself in her, riding her climax to its peak while my own release builds. I’m on the edge between torture and bliss for an agonizing instant, desperate, until it all breaks free. Pleasure fills me like a bright, joyful wave. I embrace her, needing her close. 

My love for her splits me open. To think that I almost lost her once, that I could have been too late so save her. Though I know it’s no good to rehash the past, it’s always there, lurking in the shadows. 

I swallow this down, tucking it away, and hold her, our breaths ragged and our skin hot.

“I love you so much, Petra,” I say.

“I love you too,” she replies, caressing my back. 

The sweetness and pleasure stitches this moment in time, as if making it last. I roll us to my back so I can caress her and hold her just a bit longer.

As if on cue, a little voice calls from the room at the end of the hall.

Petra laughs. “Someone’s awake.”

I kiss her, and smile. The thought of leaving her right now tears at me, but I also love spending my mornings with Tristan. And letting Petra sleep a little longer is a gift I’m happy to give her.

Gently, I pull back, separating us. I clean up, then lean over the bed to kiss her forehead. She sighs and burrows under the covers. 

I slip on a pair of flannel pajama pants and slip from our bedroom, the cold hardwood chilling my bare feet. 

When I tuck inside Tristan’s room, he greets me with his giant good-morning grin.

My heart cracks open the way it has every day since Tristan came into our lives. He reaches straight for me and I lift him from the crib. He wraps his arms around my neck. A sense of peace spreads through me as I hold him tight. It’s an honor to be his father, to have his complete and total trust like this. I blink back my emotions with a slow sigh. I’m so blessed. 

“Morning, buddy,” I say, rubbing his back. “Hungry?” 

I shift him to my hip and carry him down the hallway.

He nods, his big brown eyes the same as Petra’s. He’s also got her long lashes, and her thoughtfulness. From what I can tell so far, all he’s gotten from me is his appetite.

“Mama come?” he asks, glancing toward the room at the end of the hall. 

I chuckle to myself because, well… “She’ll be down in a little while.” 

He squeals when I bounce us down the stairs, then wriggles free  when he sees my brother Evan standing in my kitchen.  

Tristan races over and takes a flying leap into Evan’s open arms. The two have a squeeze-fest complete with sound effects that ends with Evan tickling until Tristan is breathless. 

“Morning,” I say to Ev while he swoops Tristan into his high chair. 

“Morning,” he replies, pouring us both a cup of coffee while I peel a banana and cut it into rounds for Tristan. He starts mowing down almost as fast as I can get it on the tray. 

“Mmm,” he says heartily. 

I laugh and slide a piece of bread into the toaster. 

“I got you what I could find,” Evan says, sliding a thumb drive across the counter. “It’s not much.” 

I nod, pocketing the drive. After adding jam to Tristan’s toast, I cut it into strips and add it to his tray. 

“I think I need to go to New York,” I tell Evan while peeling a hard-boiled egg. 

Evan grimaces. “Yeah I wondered about that too.” 

The rookie detective who worked our parent’s murder is now a federal agent working organized crime. It took almost six months to get through to him, only to tell me he can’t discuss the murder of Mr. and Mrs. McCabe in a hotel room seventeen years ago. 

Bullshit. 

“You and Petra should go together. If he refuses to see you, at least the two of you will have a romantic getaway.”

“Mix business with pleasure? No.” I shake my head for emphasis. 

He gives me a face. “Come on. All you want is one hour with this agent. The rest of the trip can be for the two of you to enjoy each other’s company, no distractions.”

He does have a point. Petra and I haven’t taken a trip since before Tristan. 

“I’ll even babysit,” Evan says with a wink. 

I pour milk into Tristan’s sippy cup and he takes a long drink. 

“I’ll think about it.”

We bump fists and Evan gives Tristan a quick caress of his head goodbye, then slips from the kitchen. 

It’s only later that day, after getting a look at the intel Evan put together regarding Special Agent Bobby Kilpatrick that I start taking Evan’s offer seriously. 

A weekend away with Petra. Time for the two of us. And if I can track down Special Agent Kilpatrick, see about jogging his memory? 

It could work. 

* * *

It takes me a week to set everything up. Evan and his best friend Jared are excited to play uncle to Tristan and promise me they’ll be fine babysitting. 

I surprise Petra with the idea the day before, and she’s both excited and nervous to be away from her baby boy. 

“You sure two rowdy bachelors can handle Tristan?”

I laugh. “I’m sure. It’s time we had a few moments to ourselves.”

“I love that idea,” she says, and leans in to kiss me.

“There’s also someone I’m hoping to meet with while we’re there,” I say, brushing a stray hair from her face. “That rookie detective who was at the scene.”

A look of tenderness flashes in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re moving forward with this investigation, Hunter. I know how badly you want answers.”

“The rest of the time we’ll spend together, okay? There’s so much to do in New York.”

She jumps into my arms. “Okay.”

* * *

After the long flight, in the cab ride to our hotel, Petra falls asleep on my shoulder. I watch the cars and city buildings whizz by as she rests against me. The city is so busy and loud. So different from our home in Alaska.

The cab pulls up in front of our hotel, and Petra stirs. I help her from the car and we enter the lobby. 

“Hungry?” I ask as she takes in the beautifully decorated space. “There’s a restaurant here, or there’s about a hundred other places to eat nearby.”

She laughs, her eyes no longer sleepy. “A hundred, huh? Maybe later,” she says, giving me a knowing look. Our eyes connect and I have to stop and kiss her. Other guests pass by us like we’re an island, and it makes me laugh that nobody seems to care that we’re stopping traffic. 

Reluctantly, I break away from her lips.

“I can’t wait to be alone with you,” she whispers.

I caress her bottom lip with my thumb, marveling at how soft and plush she feels. “Then let’s not waste another minute in his lobby.”

She giggles.

The check-in process seems to take forever. The concierge is so polite, making sure to list in detail all the wonderful things our suite and the hotel has to offer. I try to be patient, but if I don’t get Petra alone in our room soon I’m going to burst.

Finally, the bellhop delivers us to our door. He swipes the card and the door pops open. He wheels the luggage inside and places our twin key cards on the side table.

The suite has a couch, fireplace, a small kitchenette, and the adjoining bedroom has a King-sized bed backed by an ornate headboard. Wood accents and comfy furniture make the room feel welcoming and special. It’s perfect.

After I tip the bellhop, he gives a curt nod and slips from the room.

“Hunter!” Petra shrieks from the middle of the suite. The low light from the setting sun streaks through the room, making her look like an angel. 

“It’s so nice!” 

“Only the best for you,” I say, joining her. 

She steps into my arms. “Thank you.”

I stroke her silky hair and comb it over her shoulder. It feels so good to hold her like this, knowing we won’t be interrupted. 

I miss our little guy. I know Petra does too. But I need this. I need her.

“What should we do first?” she asks.

My cock stirs. “I have a few ideas.”

Her eyes sparkle. I tilt her chin and lower my lips to hers. I want to take my time but I’m too hungry, and by the look in her eyes, I’m not alone. 

I untuck her blouse and lift it over her head, then caress up to her breasts. Petra gives a little moan as I stroke her over the fabric of her bra, making her hard. She kisses me back, opening her mouth, her little tongue swirling with mine.

I unzip her pants and tug them down, then help her step out of them along with her shoes so she’s standing in just a thong and bra, a simple black combo that gets me even harder.

To know she’s mine is one thing, but to love her—love her so deeply it hurts, is another level of desire I never knew possible.

“If I’d known you were wearing this, we never would have made it onto the plane,” I say, caressing her smooth bottom. Her skin is so soft.

Her eyes sparkle as I lower to kiss her again. I slide my fingers beneath the thong and dip down to where she’s already wet. Petra grasps my waist.

My cock presses firmly against her heat. A shudder of desire thunders through me. I shuffle her to the nearest piece of furniture, a couch, and turn her around.

I can’t slow down, even though I promised myself I would. I tell myself we’ve got thirty-six more hours to take our time. Right now, I need her.

I kiss down her spine, feeling her body tremble.

“Bend over, precious,” I say, my voice like a growl.

She obeys, placing her hands on the armrest. I urge her thighs apart and peel the little thong down. I take a minute to enjoy the view: her tight little ring, her soft backside, and her glistening pussy. I caress her smooth ass. She’s so fucking perfect.

I kiss my way down, flicking my tongue around her backdoor while she trembles, then move lower and bury my face between her thighs, inhaling her spicy scent, tasting her honey. I widen her thighs and glide my tongue against her. Fuck, how I’ve missed this. Missed being able to pleasure her any way I want, anytime. 

I eat her from behind, and stroke her everywhere. Petra arches to me, needing my touch, my mouth. It’s incredible.

Unable to reel in my desire, I kiss my way up, lingering on her little pink ring this time, warming up this naughty place for later.

Petra’s breathing in tight gulps but she knows to stay still and wait.

“You ready for my cock, sweetness?” I ask, kissing up her spine. I’m trying to go slowly but it’s impossible. She’s so eager for me, so needy.

“I was ready the minute we walked in.”

I caress her nipple and she whimpers. 

“Naughty girl,” I growl.

“I can’t help it.”

I tug off my shirt then unbuckle my pants and slide everything down. 

“Why’s that?” 

“Because I love the way you fuck me.” 

With her panties strung between her knees I step close and stroke with my cock. She’s wet and plush and so fucking incredible.

“That’s right,” I say, lining up to take her the way we both crave—hard and deep.

Petra rolls her hips, begging me with her body to take her. 

I push inside and drive firm and slow.

Petra sucks in a desperate gasp. I draw back and thrust again, filling her completely. 

With my hands on her waist, I rock her body to meet mine, savoring the way she welcomes me. Fuck I can never get enough of this, of her. I think of everything she’s given me—love, kindness, laughter, joy, peace, life, a family—it’s almost too much to bear.

I sweep her long hair over her shoulder and lean down to kiss her. Our lips lock and our tongues flick and tease.

“I love you,” I say. 

“I love you, Hunter,” she says, her breaths quick and sharp.

I rise, widening my stance, and thrust harder. We move together, our bodies in perfect harmony. The heart of her tenses around me, coiling up for release. I press my thumb to her backdoor, gently caressing the place that drives her crazy.

She makes a little sound in the back of her throat. It’s carnal and needy and fucking hot as hell. I reach to her shoulder and thrust harder, reading her cues.

She braces against the armrest, her fingers wrapped tight over the edge.

“Hunter!” she gasps. 

“Let go, baby,” I say, gripping her so hard I’m sure there’ll be marks. But I’ll kiss everything better later. I’ll let her know that there’s nothing I can’t fix.

Petra cries out, filling the room with sweet sound. She comes for me, releasing hard, her body pulsing around me. I’m so close, but there’s something I want her to do for me. 

Gently, I pull out of her and help her stand, then spin us around so I’m perched on the armrest. She’s still breathing hard, her cheeks flushed, but it’s like she can read my mind. 

With a wicked look in her eyes, she lowers to her knees.

I sweep her hair over her shoulder as she wraps her slender fingers around me and takes me into her sweet mouth. Shudders of desire pulse through me. 

“That’s it, baby,” I praise. “Nice and deep.”

She hums her reply, sending a new surge of desire racing through me. I close my eyes as the climax bottles up inside me. Her grip tightens, and I can’t hold back any longer. My core pulls in tight, the need for release. I comb through her hair and grab hold, urging her faster, until I’m coming, arching into her mouth.

When I’m empty, she slides back and rests her check against my thigh, draping her arms around my hips. I stroke her head and breathe. The room slowly comes back into focus. She finally looks up at me, her lips curved into a soft smile. I smile back at her, and then she’s giggling.

“We haven’t done anything like that in…”

I raise my eyebrow. “Too long?”

She gives me that look—the one that’s full of longing and shyness and fuck if I’m not getting hard again. “Yes,” she says, and leans in to kiss me.

* * *

PETRA

I’m surprised when I blink my eyes open to light in the room because Hunter usually wakes me before dawn. I’m about to call for him when he peeks into the room, carrying two cups of coffee and a plate of croissants on a small tray.

I sigh in gratitude. My stomach grumbles, too. “You let me sleep in.”

Grinning, Hunter places the tray on the side table then sits on the edge of the bed. “I figured it’s only fair, after last night.”

My skin tingles at the sweet memory. We’ve been trying to make another baby, and well…if last night doesn’t do it, I don’t know what will. Hunter makes me feel like the sexiest woman on the planet. He wants a big family—and can’t wait to fill our house with the sound of pattering feet. 

Hunter leans in to kiss me, a soft, sweet kiss that tastes of coffee.

I smile when he pulls back, his eyes soft and so full of kindness.

He hands me my cup and I take a sip. It’s strong and rich, the way I’ve come to expect. 

“Evan texted me that Tristan slept like a champ and is up eating waffles.”

“Your brother made waffles?” I ask, reaching for a corner of a croissant. Hunter will likely want something more substantial soon. Unless of course that “something” is me. I smile to myself.

“Betting Jared’s the waffle chef,” Hunter replies. “Then they’re taking Tristan to the park.”

I get a pang of longing to be with Tristan, his little hand in mine. Hunter sets his coffee down and shifts on the bed to uncover my right foot. He takes it into his lap and starts to rub the arch and heel. I moan in bliss and sip my coffee.

“What do you want to do today?” After uncovering my other foot, he digs into the sore spots like he can read my mind.

“I want to see Coney Island,” I say, relaxing into his touch. “And ride the subway.”

“Why the subway?” he asks with a curious grin.

“I read the most intense romance novel where the two lovers met there. I feel like I have to see it.”

“As long as I can keep you close.” he says sternly, working the little muscles in my foot like an NFL trainer prepping me for a big game.

Hunter’s protectiveness makes me feel so safe, and loved. “Okay,” I say on a sigh.

“Now, about that breakfast in bed,” he says, leaning down to kiss the top of my foot then carefully up the inside of my calf.

I’m still holding my coffee cup, and the two things at once—his sexy kisses and the warm coffee in bed—turn me on like nothing else.

Hunter continues kissing, getting me so hot I’m panting by the time he gets to my knees. I know where we’re headed and I can’t help but want to hurry because oh, man, the things Hunter can do with his mouth.

Hunter carefully takes my coffee cup and sets it on the side table, then slides my body down the bed. I yelp in surprise, making us both laugh. 

“Are you sore from last night?” he asks, crawling between my thighs, kissing his way up. 

“A little.” This won’t stop me from giving in to him completely. Nothing would.

“Maybe I should be more gentle,” he says, his soft, slick tongue gliding against me.

“No,” I groan as he parts me open. I’m so sensitive from last night but every fiber of my being is ready for him again. Only he does this to me. 

He swirls around my clit, making me tremble.

I clench the sheets. The need to feel his mouth on me is making me crazy.

“So wet, sweetness,” he says, giving me another firm lick. “Did you wake up thinking about this?”

After last night, one would think I’d be satisfied. Apparently not. “Maybe,” I say on an inhale.

“If you lie to me, there will be consequences,” he says, his voice firm.

I tremble because just this makes me hot. “I mean yes.”

“Good girl,” he praises, then wraps his lips around my clit, his full lips like silk.

Tendrils of fire shoot through me and all I can think about is more.

“I can never get enough of how good you taste,” he says, settling in between my thighs. 

He glides and strokes me. Then thrusts with his fingers, satisfying the deep craving inside me. The room starts to fade away as I rise into a place of bliss and contentment, of need. His fingers and mouth move in concert, making my whole body start to tingle and delivering the most exquisite form of pleasure. I start to come. My hands grip the sheets, my hips rock against him, and my core clenches tighter and tighter, tipping me closer and closer to the edge. 

I cry out as waves of intense pleasure pour into me. Hunter keeps going, taking me over the top until everything starts to ebb and my legs turn to jelly.

With a deep sigh, Hunter glides his fingers from me and gives my pussy one last, slow lick that makes me jolt, then crawls up to rest his head on my belly.

“I’ve been dreaming of a morning like this for ages,” he says, stroking my hip with his big, calloused hand.

I’m still lost in the swirl of the high he just gave me, so can only manage a soft sigh.

Then, Hunter kisses slowly up my body, taking his time, his lips soft but hungry. He takes each of my nipples into his mouth and teases them until they turn hard and achy and my body hums with desire.

Hunter gets to his knees, straddling my shoulders, his thick shaft fully erect only inches from my mouth.

I caress up his inner thigh with just my fingertips and see his jaw flex with need.

He leans forward, bracing against the headboard. I look up at him, knowing what he wants. When I grasp his smooth, hard shaft, the desire in his eyes sharpens. 

I close my eyes and take him into my mouth. Hunter groans, his hips trembling.

I slide him back out slowly, enjoying the way he’s practically putty in my hands. Then I lick down his shaft to his root where I stroke him gently. I wrap my lips around the side of him, caressing him with my tongue.

“Fuck,” Hunter groans in ecstasy.

I open my mouth and take him inside. He’s thick and so hard, like stone. Sweet love of my life, I love doing this to him.

“All the way, baby,” he growls, thrusting slow and firm.

I slide him deeper, his arousal sharp on my tongue. A tingle of desire races through me. I get him as far as I can and slide back up.

“More,” Hunter says in his rich, dark voice.

I relax my throat and take him as deep as I can, my hand reaching up to his hip for stability.

“Good girl,” he praises.

I shudder with yearning. Pleasing him like this makes me crazy with desire. He starts to arch into me, slow at first. His breathing accelerates and I can feel his thighs tense. 

“Just like that,” Hunter hisses. I can feel his eyes blazing into me but I’m too focused to look at him.

It feels so good to give him this, to let him take control. He’s shared with me how much it means to him to feel safe with me like this. For that, I’d give him the moon.

Hunter comes, the moment so intimate and sensual. With a low groan, he pulls back, then slides under the covers with me, rolling me to his chest.

It’s so tender and caring, as if he needs to show me that he’s not all aggression and firmness. Like I need reminding. 

I settle into him, feeling cherished and so loved. He strokes my arm in lazy, soft caresses. I can feel the sweet tug of relaxation, but my desire won’t shut down. It’s as if Hunter senses this because he raises my chin to kiss me, and soon our tongues are dancing playfully and his hands are caressing my shoulder, then my hips, and then my breasts.

He lowers to take my nipple into his mouth, sucking and teasing while his fingers caress me until I’m panting and quivery, my thighs clenched together. His touch swishes like a feather across my belly, then lower.

“Still so wet,” he groans. “You want more, don’t you?” 

I inhale a tight breath. “Is that a real question?”

“Get on your knees,” he says.

Desire explodes inside me. Quickly, I roll to all fours.

He moves to behind me and urges my shoulders down. I comply, resting my cheek on the cool sheets, my anticipation racing through me like rocket fuel.

Hunter kisses down my spine, pausing to tease my backdoor. It’s what he does to let me know where things will go. 

I can barely think, I’m so eager. Hunter makes this forbidden place feel so good. When the cap of the lube snaps open, my anticipation jumps another notch.

Then, he circles me with his slippery touch, warming up for what’s next. I breathe, giving in to the way he pleasures me. Then, his finger gently pushes inside. It’s tight and firm, the prick of discomfort giving way to pure need. While easing me into this naughty pleasure, he caresses my thigh and hip, his touch so caring. His finger glides deeper into my forbidden place, and it’s so intense—dirty and hot at the same time—that I arch back to him, wanting more. He adds more lube and carefully slides in another finger.

The pleasure gets even more intense—it’s so, so good. I start to tremble. Every nerve ending sizzles with desire. My first orgasm rises fast and hard. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my cheek into the sheets, grunting with each thrust, my ass arched to him with my knees braced firmly into the bed. I come down to Hunter’s sensual touch stroking me.

“So fucking hot watching you come like that,” he says, his voice low and husky.

I can barely breathe because he’s slowly working deeper, taking his time so it feels good. This time, my climax comes even faster and harder, and by the time I come down Hunter’s moved closer, his slick, hard cock pressing against me.

“Touch yourself, sweetness, while I fuck you,” he growls.

I do as I’m told, gliding and stroking myself while my thighs tremble in anticipation.

Hunter adds a bead of lube, then presses more firmly against me.

I groan with the intensity of everything I’m feeling at once. His touch, his thick cock inside my most private place. 

“Good girl,” he praises. Slowly, he pushes deeper.

When he’s inside, he moves slow and sensual while I glide and stroke myself. 

The pleasure edged with such tightness makes my desire ignite like a fire burning out of control. It’s incredible to trust Hunter to give me what I need and not an inch more, to make this feel so good.

He glides slow and sensual inside me. A powerful burst of pleasure shoots through my core, stoking another climax.

“Fuck, that’s good,” Hunter groans.

Everything starts to unravel. Another orgasm rockets through me, stealing my breath, pushing me to the edge of my sanity. 

He works deeper inside me, just to the point of where it’s too much, and starts to move faster.

“Ready for me to make you dirty, sweet girl?” He caresses my lower back and cradles my waist.

I whimper my reply because I’m going to come again. The last time we did this, I begged him to stop because I felt like I was going to lose my mind.

He’s so big and firm and it’s all so perfect. These moments are ours alone for us to cherish. To trust each other. To give in and let go, to be free. 

Hunter rocks in and out, his powerful body delivering the most intense form of pleasure. I let loose a wild series of cries as I come again. He comes with a low groan, pulsing inside me as I shudder.

When we’ve both come down, he pulls slowly, carefully out of me, then carries me to the shower. I hold onto him, my body quivering with aftershocks and my thoughts and emotions floating like clouds.

We spend the next two days sightseeing, with frequent breaks to the hotel to use the couch, bed, or shower. Once we were too far away and had to make use of a private booth in a restaurant. I’m surprised we don’t get kicked out.

Hunter’s meeting with the federal agent didn’t go as well as he hoped. The agent is too scared to talk. Hunter took it in stride, but I know he’s disappointed. I get the feeling he needs to think things over before he shares more. I respect that about him.

On the flight home, I lean into him. He curls his arm around me and I fall asleep. When I wake up, we’re landing. 

“Nice to be home?” Hunter asks, looking out the window at the endless mountains and forested valleys all around us. 

“Yep. But I loved our time together too.” 

He smiles. “Yeah.” 

When we step off the plane, I’m eager to close the final distance to home. I meant what I said to Hunter, but a painful yearning is clenching my tummy to see my little boy. 

The drive home is beautifully scenic. So different here than in New York. I love the contrasts, but this is home and always will be.

When we enter our house, I don’t see or hear Tristan, and for a moment, I panic. What if something’s happened? But I find them down on the beach, where Evan has rigged up a foot-pump rocket launcher.

Tristan is giggling with glee as Evan chases his rockets all over the beach, his musical laugh striking a deep chord of love inside my heart.

Tristan sees me coming. My heart splits wide open as his face glows bright as the sun. He runs to me, his little arms reaching. I scoop him up and grip him so tight. My whole body relaxes as I rock him back and forth. I inhale his little boy scent and sigh.

He coos in my ear, stroking my hair the way he does sometimes. But then he wriggles from my grip and races to Hunter. 

“Daddy!” he shrieks.

After a long hug, Hunter shifts him to his hip and ruffles his silky head. “Were you a good boy for Uncle Evan?”

Tristan nods gravely. 

Evan is watching us with a sly smirk. “You guys look good.” 

I try not to blush.

The three of us play rocket stomper, Hunter and Evan bantering about rocket physics until Tristan gets hungry. I take Tristan back to the house so Evan and Hunter can get caught up. 

Though the federal agent idea didn’t pan out, I know Hunter and Evan have more leads to follow. More plans to make. It’s important to him, which makes it important to me.

A month later, I realize when glancing at the calendar that I’m a little late. 

With a tremor of anticipation in my tummy, I try to count the days to be sure. 

Could it be? 

Lately, I’ve felt different. My skin is extra sensitive. It’s a feeling I’ve had before, but I’ve been so busy with Tristan and our summer plans that I didn’t notice.

After Tristan is napping, I take the little test. 

A minute passes, then two. 

I close my eyes and breathe. If it’s negative, it’s okay. We’ll keep trying. 

It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay.

When I open my eyes, there’s a plus sign in the window. I cover my mouth and scream with delight. 

It’s impossible to wait to tell Hunter, but he’s on shift today and I don’t want to say this over the phone. 

For the rest of the day, I try to focus on the few chores on my list, then playing with Tristan when he wakes. 

By the time Hunter comes through the door at 7:08, my face must reveal what’s in my heart because he goes completely still in the doorway. 

I place the little plastic stick in his palm. He stares at it for a long moment, then clenches it and sweeps me into his arms.

“Mama,” Tristan says, tugging on my dress. “What wrong?”

Hunter picks him up and the three of us hug.

“Nothing’s wrong, my man,” Hunter says, kissing his forehead. “In fact, everything is just right.”

 ***

Thank you for reading Petra and Hunter’s bonus story! To keep reading this sexy romantic suspense series, check out Evan, Jared, and Tasha’s story in Her Wild Coast Haven.