33. Hunter

Chapter 33

Hunter

now

I'm as soft as a feather, as light as tissue paper, as iridescent and transparent as cling wrap. A chill washes over me as Kabir lowers me to the floor.

Without Greedy at my back, pinning me against the wall, there's nothing holding me in place.

I drift and sink and fall, my mind glazing over, losing sense of place. It isn't until the scents of teakwood and peaches envelop me that I have the wherewithal to look around.

Levi is crouched in front of me, holding me by the shoulders gently, like he's afraid I'll break. He takes his time adjusting my bra until it's in place again. Then he fetches a blanket off the bed and wraps me in it. Once I'm covered, I sit back against the wall and suck in a heaving breath.

My lungs expand fully for the first time in several minutes. I exhale, but on the next inhale, my lungs seize, and I can't get the oxygen I need.

I suck in a short breath, then another, until I'm gasping.

Gasping.

Sobbing .

Crumbling.

"Hunter," Levi says, his face a mask of pain, his denim-blue eyes flitting back and forth, searching.

"Hunter," he repeats, shaking my shoulders as if I can't hear him.

I can. Though I can't tell him. I can't form a single word, and I can't stop sobbing.

"What's wrong with her?" he asks.

What is wrong with me?

I blink once, and then again. Then I snicker. My sobs transform into belly laughs that rock through my whole body. Crossing my arms on my propped-up knees, I bury my head and curl in on myself. Back and forth, I rock, my bare bottom brushing against the floor with each pass.

"What did you do? What's wrong with her?" Levi barks out, his voice aching and desperate.

I peek between my arms, avoiding Levi's searching gaze. He's trembling with rage, his sights set on a fuming, shirtless Greedy.

Kabir, wearing a murderous scowl, holds Greedy's arms behind his back.

Greedy's cheeks are red, his mossy-green eyes ablaze. His bare chest rises and falls with an effort that matches my own. His muscles are slick with a sheen of sweat and taut with tension. I survey his torso, scanning the dips and valleys of his perfect cut form. My focus snags on the soft tuft of hair leading from his navel down lower.

His pants are still shoved down past his hips, his hard length hastily stuffed back into his boxer briefs.

"What happened," Kabir demands.

"Nothing happened that—" Greedy tries.

"No," Kabir growls. "I don't want to hear a word from you. Not yet." Then, turning to me while still restraining Greedy, he asks, "Hunter, did he—"

My heart sinks at the same moment my eyes flit to Greedy's. "No. He didn't do anything I didn't want him to do. I—it wasn't—" I stumble over my words. How the hell do I make this make sense?

Greedy didn't force himself on me. I told him to fuck me. I wanted to feel his wrath. I was a willing participant in the twisted encounter they walked in on. But I don't understand how a hate fuck turned into… whatever the hell just happened between us.

Spence cocks a brow at me, then leans in close to Greedy. "Why were you just standing there?" he demands. He's still got a firm grip on Greedy. "What did she say?"

"She didn't fucking say anything!" Greedy bites back, shooting daggers at the man holding him back, then turning haughtily to scowl at Levi.

Greedy.

His name… in that context…

Groaning, I drive the heels of my hands into my eyes, then look to Spence. "I said Greedy," I admit, the memory hazy and heavy at the same time. Not that my first love knows what that means in that context.

Shoving Greedy out of his way, Spence takes three long strides across the room, then drops to his knees in front of me.

Without a word, Levi shifts, making room for the other man beside him.

Gingerly, Spence cups my cheek with one hand. He inspects me, turning my face from side to side. "You said greedy," he confirms, his tone low, but not so low that the other boys don't hear him.

Tears well in my eyes as recollection of the last few minutes floods my system. It's amazing what the human mind will do to protect itself. Moments ago, I couldn't recall what happened.

Now, those thirty seconds play on repeat in my mind. How Greedy sank into me but didn't make any moves to fuck me, as promised.

The energy that surged between us, emotions and heartbreak rising until they peaked.

The way he stilled inside me. Kissed me softly. The words that poured out of his mouth.

We went from hate-fucking to something so intense and vulnerable in the blink of an eye .

Greedy's lips on the back of my neck.

The softness with which he caressed my hips.

The way the tips of his fingers brushed my low stomach.

"What the fuck is happening? What's wrong with her?" Greedy demands, pulling me from my thoughts.

Spence glares over his shoulder. "She said ‘greedy' during sex,"

"Yeah. So?" Greedy grits out. "That's my fucking name."

"That's her fucking safe word," Spence booms, his anger rising along with Greedy's.

I hang my head in shame. Not because I used my safe word, but because I didn't communicate my needs or my boundaries to my partner. Not only that, but I was having sex with someone who's not my boyfriend, nor my lover…

"Get out," Spence says flatly, rising to his feet and turning. He crosses his arms over his chest like he's standing guard, protecting me from a threat.

"No. I need to talk to—"

"Your needs are of no concern to me at a time like this, Garrett Reed."

My heart sinks. Spence rarely loses his cool.

Levi reaches for me, tipping my chin up with two fingers. "You want him gone?" he murmurs softly. "It's your call, Daisycakes."

I smile meekly at the nickname. "I just need a little space."

With a single nod, he hops to his feet. He offers me a hand and helps me stand up. Once he's sure I'm steady on my feet, he turns to stand shoulder to shoulder with Spence.

"Get out, G."

"You can't be serious," Greedy protests, fisting his hands at his sides. "Tem, if we can just—"

"Out!" Spence hollers.

At the same time, Levi steps forward and grabs Greedy by the arm, guiding him out of the room before he can utter another word.