Waiting for Sunrise: Baytown Boys Series Read online

  “You think she won’t understand?”

  With a shake of his head, he said, “I don’t know. And that scares the shit outta me.”

  Zac finished his beer and stood, tossing the empty bottle in the trash can by the counter. He turned back and said, “The Belle I know is probably the most understanding person I’ve ever met. Non-judgmental…caring…big-hearted. She’s carried her own secrets, her own past around like an albatross and it’s been fucking beautiful to watch her let it go and just live her life with her goals. Since you’ve been in town, I’ve seen you do the same, so from my perspective…you two are perfect together.”

  Standing, he tossed his empty bottle as well and stepped outside with Zac. “Thanks man, that means a lot.”

  Zac’s affable grin firmly in place, he clapped him on the shoulder. “So, advice friend? Get your shit together, whatever it is, and keep the girl.” With that, he ambled out to his truck and climbed inside. With a wave, he backed out of his driveway.

  He stood outside for a few minutes, smelling the fresh air of living just a mile from the bay. He looked at his motorcycle before turning to look at his camper. His phone vibrated in his pocket and, pulling it out, he grinned.

  “Hey, babe—”

  “I passed! I passed all my classes! I’m done!”

  Chuckling at her exuberance, he said, “Belle, that’s great! Great news.”

  “I get to go pick up my cap and gown next week and I’ll be all ready for graduation!”

  He listened to the excitement in her voice and an idea began to form in his head. “Babe, tomorrow’s Friday…how about we celebrate this weekend?”

  “Sure! What are we going to do?”

  Grinning as he stared back at his camper, he said, “Just leave that to me. I’ll see if I can take half a day off tomorrow to make the arrangements.”

  Her voice softened as she said, “Hunter, you don’t have to do anything extravagant. Just being with you is celebration enough.”

  “Proud you think so, but this is something I want to do for you. I promise to keep it simple, but it’ll be something I really want to do, okay?”

  “Okay,” she agreed. “See you later.”

  Disconnecting, he looked down at his phone and placed a call.

  19

  Belle waited anxiously for Hunter to arrive, looking out her front window, listening for the sound of his motorcycle. She was wearing a light green sundress, the hem skimming her knees and the ruched bodice tight across her breasts, and was modestly covered with a white, knit bolero sweater on top.

  A dark blue SUV pulled into her driveway and she moved closer to the window to see who was driving. Surprised when Hunter alighted, she ran to the door and threw it open.

  “Where’s your motorcycle?” she called out.

  He grinned as he met her on the stoop. Placing his hand on her waist, he bent to kiss her, hot and wet, but keeping it short. “Rented an SUV for the weekend. Wanted to cart you around in something that allowed you to wear your dresses.”

  She beamed her smile up at him, squeezing his hand. “I’ll go get my bag.” He had called earlier and told her to pack a bag for the weekend but would not give her any details. Returning to the front door, he took her bag, checked the door to make sure it locked, and escorted her to the SUV.

  Once in, she turned to him and said, “Do you mind if we stop by Jillian’s first? She said she had something for me to pick up and when I told her we were going out of town for the weekend, she asked if we could pick it up before we left.”

  “No problem,” he replied easily, turning onto Main Street. Parking in front of Jillian’s Coffee Shop & Galleria, he assisted her down and walked in with her.

  Once inside, the barista waved and said, “Jillian’s upstairs. She said to go on up.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she explained, “I’ll just be a minute, Hunter.”

  He stared into the glass pastry counter, nodding. “I’ll get some things for us to have tomorrow morning.”

  Excitedly wondering where he was taking her, she grinned and walked up the stairs. Rounding the banister at the top, she saw Jillian standing near the back windows.

  “Surprise!” came screams from all around the room. “Happy graduation!”

  Stumbling backward in shock, her hand at her throat, she watched as the room came alive, people jumping up from behind displays and tables. “Oh, oh…” she sputtered, jumping once more when large hands landed on her shoulders, steadying her. Whipping her head around, she looked up into Hunter’s grinning face.

  “Congratulations, babe.”

  “Oh, my God,” she gasped, as the well-wishers surged forward. Unable to stop the flow, she burst into tears. Hunter immediately turned her toward him, wrapping his arms around her body, pulling her close.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Hunter asked, bending to whisper in her ear, suddenly doubting the wisdom of the surprise graduation party.

  She shook her head, breathing deeply to gain control over her emotions. Finally, she leaned back and choked out, “No…nobody’s ever given me a…graduation party. Mama never even remembered I graduated from high school, she was so stoned.” She planted her face in his shirt again, grasping his arms.

  He held the back of her head and whispered softly against her hair. “Shhh, baby, it’s okay. Well, not okay that your mom didn’t do anything, but sweetheart, you’ve done all this on your own and now have friends who want to let you know they’re proud of you.”

  Belle nodded and gratefully took the proffered tissue that someone produced, wiping her nose and her eyes. Turning in his arms, still tucked in his embrace with her back to his front, she faced the gathering, seeing the concerned expressions on everyone’s faces.

  Blinking rapidly through her smile, she said, “I’m fine, honest I am. Just overwhelmed at this.”

  Jillian, Tori, Madelyn, Katelyn, and Jade rushed forward, pulling her from Hunter’s arms, which he only allowed after assuring himself she was good. Moving backward a few steps, he watched as she was swept along, greeted by others on her way to a table laden with food.

  A hand clapped him on the shoulder and he turned, seeing Zac and Jason next to him. Accepting a beer from Zac, he smiled at Jason who just grinned and with a chin lift in Belle’s direction, said, “You did a good thing here. She deserves this.”

  Nodding, he agreed. He was stunned at the number of people who had come to celebrate. Mitch, Grant, Zac, Brogan, and Aiden, the original Baytown Boys were in attendance, but also Gareth, Jason, Callan, and Lance. Mitch’s parents, Ed and Nancy Evans, as well as Jillian’s parents, Steve and Claire Evans, were offering their congratulations. Marcia and Toby Wilder, Grant’s parents, and the MacFarlane clan, Corrine and Eric as well as the grandfather, Finn stood to the side talking, waiting for their chance with Belle. A few other ladies from the American Legion Auxiliary had provided some of the food and were currently hugging her.

  As Belle made her way around the room to chat with everyone, Finn took her firmly by the shoulders. “Knew Ruthanne, your grandmother. Thought the world of her. I know she’d be bustin’ her buttons right now with pride over what you’ve done.”

  Tears flowed fresh as she embraced the older man and then found herself handed over to Hunter once more. As he held her close, blinking up at him, she said, “This is ridiculous. I keep crying.”

  “You wear your heart on your sleeve, baby, so go ahead and let it out.”

  She pulled herself together quicker this time and smiled as she peered up at him. Mouthing ‘Thank you’, she moved to the food table with him in tow.

  Claire Evans stopped her with a hand on her arm. Jillian’s mom pulled her into a hug and said, “I never thanked you properly for how wonderful you were when my mother was in Careway. You were a blessing to all of us.”

  Returning the hug, she smiled and lifted her shoulders slightly. “It was my pleasure…honestly.”

  As the gathering finally filled their plates with food and s
tood around in small groups talking, someone clinked on a glass to gain everyone’s attention.

  Jillian, wearing her signature bright colors, stood on a chair with Grant protectively keeping his hands on her hips, and said, “I regret that I did not know Belle in high school…sometimes we look back at childhood through the eyes of an adult and wonder what we could have done differently…should have done differently. But I cannot begin to express how glad I am that I made her acquaintance when my grandmother was at Careway Nursing Home.” Smiling down at her, she continued, “That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and I am honored to have you in my life. So, here’s to hard work, perseverance, dedication, and one of the biggest hearts I know—Belle Gunn.”

  The cheers and shouts had her bursting into tears again and as her eyes searched out Hunter’s, he made his way through the crowd to engulf her in his embrace once more.

  Belle giggled as the SUV bumped along, the blindfold keeping her from seeing where they were going. “Where are you taking me?” They hit another pothole and she bounced in the seat.

  “Heading to a five-star resort, babe. Only the best for you,” Hunter replied, grinning as she giggled again. Uncertain if it was the wine she had at her successful graduation party or the bouncing potholes, he was glad to see her tears had ended and she was having a good time.

  He pulled to a stop and cut the engine. “Stay put. I’ll be around.”

  He walked around the hood of the SUV and opened her door. Reaching in, he put his hands on her waist and she squealed as he lifted her out.

  “I’m too heavy,” she said, grabbing his shoulders.

  “Told you not to say that. To me, you’ve got the perfect body.” Holding her in his arms, he carried her forward. “Don’t want you to twist an ankle in those shoes,” he explained.

  Belle huffed in pretend annoyance, but as he set her feet on the ground, she felt it shift under her feet. “Are we at the beach?” she asked, feeling the breeze blow against her face.

  He did not answer but, instead, settled her next to his body with one arm banded around her waist and gently untied the blindfold. She blinked several times, focusing her eyes against the evening sun. She stared out onto an unfamiliar beach, definitely not the Baytown beach. The waves were higher, the dunes and seagrass taller, and as she turned her head to look up at him, she spied his camper set up nearby.

  “What? Oh, my God!” she gasped, grabbing his forearm harder. Looking up at his grinning face, she said, “What on earth? Where are we?”

  Chuckling, he replied, “One of the men in the American Legion has some beach rights here on the ocean side of the Eastern Shore. He said I could set my camper up here sometime for a weekend, if I wanted. Never had a reason, but this seemed perfect.”

  Leaning down, Hunter placed his lips near her ear and said, “And the best part?” He felt her shiver as he swept his arm out toward the water, “From here, we can watch the sunrise over the water.”

  Her face crumpled and she twisted to bury it in his shirt again. Now, more used to her emotions, he wrapped her up and said, “Oh, baby. Don’t cry.”

  “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me…this whole evening…the absolute nicest.”

  Able to pull herself together, she bent and slipped off her high-heeled sandals before linking fingers and walking toward the camper. He explained that they would not have air conditioning, but with the ocean breeze they should be comfortable.

  “I’ve also filled the tanks with water. Enough for a shower each, the kitchen sink, and the toilet.”

  “It’s amazing,” she enthused, stepping inside the camper.

  He walked back to the SUV to get her bags and moved past her to place them on the bed. Turning around, he said, “Wanna take a walk?”

  “Absolutely!” Changing into shorts and a T-shirt, she once more linked hands with him and they headed down the beach.

  She began stooping and he watched as she picked up what appeared to be small pieces of glass. As her collection grew, she shoved it into her shorts pockets and continued to collect.

  “What is that?” he inquired, staring into her open palm.

  “Sea glass.”

  He offered a silent, lifted brow question and she explained. “When the ships toss out glass bottles, they break into little pieces and are tumbled by the water and sand, taking off the sharp edges, leaving little shards of pretty glass. You might have seen some of the artwork at Jillian’s place earlier. Lance is an artist on the side, and he makes creations from the sea glass.”

  He shook his head in amazement, “I had no idea.”

  She sighed, saying, “I had a little collection from the few times I would go to the town beach, but my mom threw them away, saying it was a waste. Since I’ve got my own house now, I gather some, but don’t have a lot of room. But, when I finally get my dream home, I’ll fill jars and jars and have them sitting around everywhere!”

  His heart squeezed at the thought of what all she had endured, and her positive outlook on life. They continued down the beach, both collecting sea glass, before turning and making their way back.

  “Yes!” Belle cried, her fingers digging in his shoulders as her heels pressed against his ass. For the first time in her life, she had experienced hotdogs cooked over a campfire, sitting underneath the stars on a blanket spread over the sand, and finally crawling into bed, making love with the sound of the surf in the background.

  Hunter lifted his chest up, balancing his weight on his forearms, cupping her face with his hands as he powered into her tight channel. “Jesus, babe, you feel so fuckin’ amazing,” he growled out, surprised he was able to make somewhat of a coherent sentence.

  He took her lips, plunging his tongue in, tangling with hers in time to the thrusts of his cock. Kissing along her jawline, he nipped at her wildly beating pulse point on his way to her breasts. Sucking deeply, he rolled her nipple with his tongue, before letting it go with a pop and kissing his way over to the other.

  She squirmed underneath him, crying out, “More…deeper,” and he pulled out and with a deft move, flipped her over on her stomach before she had a chance to protest. Sitting back on his heels, he grabbed her ass and pulled her up.

  The sight of her sweetheart derriere had him dig his fingers into her lush flesh as he bent to place a kiss on her ass cheeks before driving into her from behind. Knowing this position was a first for her, he broke out in a sweat trying to control his movements.

  “Oh. My. God,” she cried, figuring out the rhythm and rocking back against him as he thrust forward.

  He held on to her hips with one hand and the other moved forward to palm her heavy breasts, tweaking her nipples as they moved together. “You close?” he groaned, wanting her to come before he did, but knowing he was barely hanging on.

  “Yes, yes,” she replied, each word forced out on an exhale.

  He slid his hand from her breast, over her tummy, and fingered her clit. With a pinch on the swollen nub, he felt her inner muscles grab his cock just as she cried out his name. She had never said his name during sex before and it slammed through him as the sweetest and sexiest thing he had ever heard. Before he had time to process that further, his own orgasm hit and he lost all thought other than the tightening of his balls and pouring himself out into her body. Neck straining, teeth clenched, a roar came from the depths of his chest.

  He continued to hold on to one of her hips as she collapsed onto the mattress and it was all he could to do keep from squishing her as he fell on top of her, rolling partially to the side. They laid there, speechless, the only sound their raspy breaths.

  Finally, their breathing slowed, as well as their heartbeats, and in unison they rolled to each other. Neither of them spoke for several minutes as the sound of the waves crashing in the background floated on the breeze through the screen windows.

  Holding each other’s gazes, they laid tangled together. Reaching up, Belle cupped his face, her fingers tracing his jawline and said,
“I love you.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she blinked, surprised that they had spilled out. Opening her mouth again, he placed his finger over her lips.

  “Oh, no,” Hunter warned softly. “You don’t get to take those words back. No way. Not when I feel the same way about you.” Seeing her eyes widened, he grinned, moving his hand so that he now cupped her jaw as well. “I love you, too, Belle.”

  A tear slid down her cheek, landing on the pillow. “No one, other than my grandmother, ever told me they loved me,” she said, her voice hitching.

  His heart melted at her words and he kissed her gently before pulling her closer to him. Resting her head against his heart, he confided, “Only time those words were ever spoken were by my mom before she left us.”

  She leaned back, just enough to see past his jaw and into his eyes. “Oh, Hunter…I’m so sorry.”

  “Loved my mom, but swear to God, the older I got, the angrier I got with her. How could she have left me there with him?”

  Shaking her head, she whispered, “I don’t know. Any more than how my mom could do what she did to me.”

  “I used to wonder if I was fucked up because of my parents,” he confessed.

  Nodding, she said, “I wondered that too, but my grandmother always told me that I was not my mom. Just like you’re not like your parents.”

  With one arm pressing her back and the other one cupping her jaw, he let her in. “I love you, babe. With all my heart.”

  He leaned down to snag the sheet. Jerking it to cover them, he tucked her in again, wondering if sleep would come. A few minutes later, he took her weight and soon followed her into slumber.

  Early the next morning, they dressed in T-shirts and shorts, and with cups of coffee in their hands, left the camper and walked to the beach. Sitting on the blanket, they watched as the sun rose in the sky, painting it with colors of ever-lightening shades of blue.