Protecting Her - Alexis Noelle Page 0,21

head floats away. I get lost in him, in the feeling of his kiss. Every inch of my body is screaming for him.

I jump and pull away from Hunter as a loud slam echoes through the room. My mother is standing in the middle of the room, looking so mad that her head might pop off. “What the hell have you been doing all day, Samantha Baker?! I have been calling you non-stop, then I get word that you are finally back at the hotel and walk into this? I knew you were desperate, but do you really need to sleep with the help?”

My mouth drops open at her statement. The help? What the hell century are we in? “I’m an adult and I can do whatever I want. You have to stop dismissing him. He isn’t just an employee. He matters to me.” I know I sound like a rebellious teenager.

“You have a career beyond anything that he could ever dream of.” She looks at Hunter with such disdain. “You need to wise up before you lose everything. Do you really think that he would be with you if you didn’t have everything that you do?”

I want to answer her and tell her that he would, but I have those doubts myself. Hunter steps toward my mother. “Listen Audrey, I put up with your shit. I have let you talk to your daughter like she is some damn dog. I’m done. Don’t pretend to know me or my motives. You are nothing but a pathetic excuse for a human, who is capitalizing on her daughter’s success. What is it that they say? Those who can’t do, manage?” He gives her a smirk as he stares her down.

He walks away from her and I hear a bedroom door shut behind me. “I think you need to leave,” I say with much less assertiveness than I would have wanted.

“If you choose to sink yourself, that’s fine. Don’t come crying to me when you end up alone, pregnant, and even bigger than you are now. You still have responsibilities tomorrow. If you can get yourself out of bed with him, that is.” She gracefully turns and leaves without another word.

I turn, wanting nothing else but to run into my room and withdraw from everyone and everything. When I do, I see Hunter standing in the doorway. He opens his arms to me and I take advantage and run into them. His hands surround me and I let myself sink against his chest. He begins to walk us backward into the room. When we come to a stop, I look up to see us standing in front of a mirror. I turn away, not wanting to see the weak person I have become.

Hunter turns my body so my back is flush against his front. “Look at yourself.” I shake my head, a tear slipping down my cheek. His hand grabs my chin, slowly turning my face toward the offending object.

“I don’t want to.” It comes out as a whisper, just as weak as the person who is saying it.

“Samantha.” It’s all he says. Silence surrounds us and after a minute or two, I look up at him through the mirror at our reflection. “Look at yourself.”

My eyes focus on the image in front of me. Hunter’s head is resting on my shoulder, his eyes unwavering. It’s like I can feel them inside of me. Like he can see what I hide from everyone else. His hands slowly move down my sides until they reach the hem of my shirt. When he lifts it over my head, I look toward the floor. No one would ever guess the girl on every magazine cover can’t stand to look at herself.

All I see when I look in the mirror are flaws. My theory is, if I don’t look, I can pretend they aren’t there. Hunter’s chin scratches at my neck, eliciting a giggle. “Eyes on us, cupcake.”

I don’t look up immediately and he is quiet until I do. When I look into the mirror, I can feel his hands moving toward my back, unclasping my bra. As it falls to the floor, I’m exposed in more ways then one. Hunter’s hands wrap around me as he pulls me even closer to him.

“I know you may not see it, but you’re fucking beautiful Sam. Every inch of you is perfect.” His hands trail up until they reach my breasts, cupping them, his fingers gently tugging at my