A Hunted Man (The Men of Halfway House) (33 page)

He had eagerly waited for Hunter to pick him up at exactly five in the afternoon the day before. They drove to his house for their weekend getaway, but after only one quick romp on the couch immediately after entering the home, they crashed. He was exhausted, they both were. The stress and anxiety of it all coupled with the lack of sleep finally wore him down. Cam couldn't even remember making it to the bedroom.

"Good morning," Hunter mumbled, in a still sleepy voice.

"Hi."

"Hungry?"

"Not yet," Cam answered, turning in the embrace then resting his head on Hunter's chest. He softly stroked the sprinkle of hair. "Can we just stay like this for a bit?"

Hunter tightened his hold on Cam and grunted an approval before drifting off again.

They woke mid-afternoon and decided to stay in for the weekend. They ordered pizza and managed to squeeze themselves on the couch together for hours as they watched movies Cam had missed during his time inside—a movie marathon with plenty of exploratory intermissions. Cam loved the quiet time with Hunter. He could stay nestled between those strong legs with his head resting against the muscled chest all weekend. He was safe in Hunter's arms and with an inner peace he hadn't experienced before.

Cam had lost count of how many movies they watched but knew he was too tired to watch another. They retreated to the bedroom and Cam eyed Hunter's desk area in the corner.

"What are you thinking?" Hunter asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cam bent his finger in a 'come here' motion.

Hunter obviously didn't need to be asked twice. He immediately pulled off his sleep pants and placed them at the foot of the bed. Cam quickly removed his pants and threw them to the side.

Hunter walked up to him and slowly snaked his arms around Cam's waist. "What's on your mind, Mr. Pierce?" Hunter said as he kissed Cam's jaw.

That seductive way Hunter huskily whispered and slowed certain words always seemed to make him shiver. He couldn't think between the nibbles, licks, and kisses. Each brush against his skin left him craving more.

They'd christened most areas of the house during their weekends, but Hunter's work area—desk, chair, and small sofa—had been almost sacred. He lured Hunter to the couch in the corner of the bedroom and pushed him down.

Hunter landed on the couch with a bounce, looked up at him, smiled, and played along. Cam walked over to the dresser and grabbed the lube and condoms. He returned to Hunter and straddled him, resting his weight on Hunter's lap.

"What are you up to, Mr. Pierce?"

A shiver traveled Cam's body at the sound of Hunter's tone.

A slow smile spread across Hunter's face.

Fucking tease.

"We haven't done it like this yet."

"Did you want to switch it up?" Hunter asked.

Cam dipped his head and traced Hunter's lips with the tip of his tongue. He retreated slowly then placed a few unhurried open-mouth kisses along Hunter's jawline, working his way up to Hunter's ear. "I like the way you feel inside me."

Hunter moaned and turned his head to capture Cam's mouth. Cam gasped when the whisper graze of Hunter's fingers traveled his body, down his spine. He closed his eyes and arched into Hunter's touch. He wanted to extend this, enjoy every second of pleasure Hunter always gave him, but the need to have Hunter overpowered him. He dove down for a frenzied kiss when Hunter's slick fingers began to prepare him. The slight burn, the stretch, it was exactly what he needed yet not enough. He pushed back and dug his fingers into Hunter's hard-muscled shoulders and pulled him closer, demanding more.

He ran his fingers up Hunter's neck into his hair and gripped tightly as he tried to steady the ravenous wave of desperation. He heard the rip of the packet and his pulse quickened with anticipation. Cam leaned forward and rested his forehead against Hunter's, trying to level his breathing.

He heard the snap of the cap. A slight whimper escaped and his grip in Hunter's hair tightened. Hunter lifted him and pulled him forward.

His heart beat madly.

He couldn't wait anymore.

He needed…wanted…

He threw his head back and moaned, relishing the sensation when Hunter finally entered him.

Hunter reached for him. Cam immediately grabbed Hunter's hands to stop him. He pushed the held hands above Hunter's head against the back of the couch. Cam watched Hunter's chest heave with each breath. He stared at Hunter and tried to telepath his desire, want, and need for him. Hunter closed his eyes and let out a moan as Cam sank deeper onto him. Hunter's head lolled to the side, his eyes lazily opened in a drunken stare.

Cam entwined his fingers with Hunter's and reached down for another kiss as he slowed the pace, pushing back, binding them closer, inch by inch. The muscles of his thighs burned from the forced tension as he moved slowly, sinuously, enjoying the rise and fall and fullness of Hunter filling him.

Hunter gasped and arched his body as he squeezed their hands tighter. He bit his lower lip and pushed his head back farther into the couch.

Cameron latched onto Hunter's neck and licked, kissed, and sucked, renewing one of his marks that dared to fade this past week. He continued to tug and pull at the sensitive skin until Hunter hissed under the pressure.

"I'm close," Hunter said, spellbound, his pupils dilated and his eyes colored in that shade of molten silver Cam loved so much.

"Wait for me," Cam commanded. He slowed the pace, wanting to extend their lovemaking as much as possible.

Hunter groaned with each slow grind. He could see the tension in Hunter, obvious restraint in every inch of his body. He heard a low rumble escape Hunter like the growl of a predator, the sound further igniting Cam's desire.

He released their hands and sat up. He grabbed Hunter's thighs as sparks of white light invaded his now blurred vision. Shocks of electricity began to travel up his spine and spread through his body—every muscle hypersensitive to the slightest movement, to the barest touch.

He wouldn't last long.

"Finish us off," he said weakly, unable to control the shudders that began to ripple within.

Hunter straightened and took control. He grabbed Cam's hips and bucked up repeatedly, unleashing the desire he had kept restrained. Cam was numb to everything but the feeling of Hunter inside him, the friction of his skin, the pressure of the grip on his hips. The spring that had coiled in his body finally snapped with one last powerful thrust and pushed him off the ledge. He gave in to each shudder and every pulse until he finally heard Hunter reach his peak.

Strong arms pulled Cam down moments later. He fell onto Hunter, still straddling him. He rested his head on Hunter's shoulder. Their shaky breaths mingled, their bodies quivered. Hunter held him tight until their breathing settled to their usual rhythm.

Cam smiled when Hunter's fingers trailed along the curve of his back until they reached the dip. The soothing circular patterns he traced on his skin always felt like an intimate caress. He sighed, his body melting onto Hunter's.

"I like this couch," Cam mumbled against Hunter's neck.

Hunter chuckled. "I think you like being in control."

"Sometimes," he said absently. "Does that bother you?"

"Not in the least. I like everything you do to me."

Cam stroked a single finger along Hunter's neck, smiling as he circled the mark he had renewed on him. "So if I wanted to blindfold you, make you beg, and have you at my mercy while I bend you over your desk—"

"I trust you. If I'm going to let anyone top me, it's you. No one's ever dared manhandle me the way you do and I fucking love it." Hunter nuzzled Cam's cheek and kissed him below the ear.

A chill traveled Cam's body. "Even though I've got you all bruised and marked," Cam said. He looked at Hunter and stroked a teasing finger along Hunter's full lips.

Hunter grabbed his exploratory finger and gave Cam a fierce glare. "I'm game for anything as long as it's you and only you. I don't fucking share."

Cam groaned as he delivered a lazy kiss. He was possessive of Hunter and tried not to linger on the reasons why but was happy to hear the territorial streak ran both ways. He sighed with contentment, glad to stay exactly where he was, brushing his lips against Hunter's and tracing each slope and curve, enjoying each twitch of Hunter's muscles under his touch.

Hunter wrapped his arms around Cam tightly and rose from the couch, taking Cam with him. He encircled his arms around Hunter's neck, never wanting to let go. He rested his head on Hunter's shoulder as he was hauled to the bed. The exhaustion overtook his body when he pressed against the soft mattress.

"I'll be right back," he heard Hunter say in a hushed tone.

A cool towel gently pressed against his skin before he drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.

"Where are you going?" Hunter mumbled as he reached for Cam.

"I'm going to get something to drink, I'm thirsty as hell. Go back to sleep," he said, finally freeing himself from Hunter's hold. He loved how Hunter always seemed to have either an arm or a leg wrapped around him to keep him close in bed.

"I'll be right back." He grabbed the sleep pants at the foot of the bed.

Hunter groaned then shifted before settling back to sleep.

Cameron quietly shut the door when he walked out of the room. He knew his way around Hunter's place and exactly how many steps were needed in between rooms to avoid stubbing a toe. He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He scanned the contents then decided on the juice at the back of the shelf. He closed the door and saw the looming shadow of a man waiting in the darkness.

He grabbed Cam by the throat with one hand and the bottle of juice in the other. The large man casually placed the bottle on the counter as he effortlessly held Cam by the throat. With his other hand now free, the man grabbed Cam's throat with twice the force. Cam reached for the grip around his neck and desperately clawed at the hands and fingers. His face burned and his vision began to blur. He kicked viciously when he was lifted off the ground, held only by the suffocating hold.

Save Hunter.

His heart raced, and he kicked, punched, and thrashed, trying to break free. The grip on his neck tightened and the heat and pressure in his face intensified. He had to fight, he had to break free.

Something.

Anything.

Save Hunter.

He gasped. He couldn't breathe. He could barely see.

His hands were roughly tied behind his back while another shadow taped his mouth. The tape would have stopped any screams if the suffocating pressure at his throat hadn't.

The breath-stealing grip around his neck stopped. The hold on his arms held him up as his body slumped.

"You're a little fucking troublemaker," the large man in front of him growled once he released Cam.

"Be quiet, Joe," the man behind him whispered with commanding authority. "Grab his feet."

Additional figures emerged from darkness like an army of ants. They came from the dining area off to the side and around back. They hid well in the shadows in their dark clothing and moved around silently with practiced barely-there shifts in movement.

Save Hunter.

His heart raced as panic surged throughout his body, awakening his limbs. He fought the hold on his arms. He didn't care what happened to him.
Hunter
. Warn him, get to him, protect him, and make sure nothing happened to Hunter were the only things that mattered.

Cam was on auto-pilot, thrashing, needing to break free.

Save Hunter.

A kick landed on one of the large shadows in front of him knocking them to the floor. Another came at him.

"Grab his fucking feet," the man behind him said in a hushed tone.

"He's kicking too damn much," the other shadow said. Even though it was a whisper, Cam could swear he heard a woman's tone in that voice. "Where the hell are the other knuckleheads?"

"They went to get the other guy," the large man, the one called Joe, responded.

Desperation began to build—he needed to get to Hunter.
Now
. The thought of something happening to him was too much to bear. Cam kicked with more force, pushing his body off the man in the back who held him tightly. He managed to land a second kick and the woman hit the edge of the pantry before she fell to the ground.

"You son of a bitch!" she hissed.

Cam yelled as much as he could, hoping some sound would escape his taped mouth and resonate throughout the silent house as a warning. His heart beat fiercely, echoing in his chest, head, and ears. His face was hot, ready to explode. The tension in his neck painfully building from his muffled yells as his head pounded. The trickle of sweat fell into his eyes, stinging, forcing them shut. He kicked with greater force and fought the hold on his arms, trying to free himself.

God, please.

Save Hunter
.

The large man delivered a blow to Cam's stomach that instantly stopped him, followed by a second punch even harder than the first and another to his face. He doubled over in pain, an unbearable pressure in his stomach and a taste of blood in his mouth numbed him.

"Stay still, you little shit," Joe said through gritted teeth as he grabbed Cam's jaw and dug his fingers into Cam's pained cheek.

Cam couldn't focus on anything past the pain in his gut. He met the man's gaze—dark and filled with nothing but cruelty. His nostrils flared with each intake of breath. He could barely breathe past the sharp pain.

He released Cam's face and reached a hand over to help the woman off the ground. She stood and walked over to Cam to deliver a punch to his cheekbone. His head swung to the right and his vision blurred from the impact—compounding the pain in his face.

"That's enough, baby, you don't want to risk messing up your hand." The man behind him held Cam's arms painfully tighter. "It'll all be over soon," he whispered in Cam's ear.

Cam had a hard time focusing. His head throbbed and his vision was still blurred. He barely made out the other shadow that appeared in the room, shorter than the man who held him but just as muscular as the larger man standing before him. "So you're Brad's pretty boy?"