Running For It by Allyson Lindt

Twelve

“Was I being sincere?” Hunter filled in my unfinished question with a very different response. “Absolutely. That’s what you wanted to ask, right? Because you don’t assume I’d use you.”

Not that I was going to admit to now.

Hunter sighed and leaned his weight against the wall. He tugged on my fingertips and held on as our arms hung between us. “Just because I’m jealous you’re a permanent part of my boyfriend’s life, doesn’t mean I don’t like you.” His voice was almost a whisper. “I’m a complex individual, capable of feeling more than one thing at once.”

“Do you want me to not do this?” Awkward phrasing.

He shook his head. “I would have said so, if that were the case.”

“But—”

“First of all, backing away from something you want isn’t any more you than it is Ramsey. You’re giving it another try because you feel something for him.”

“Yes.” I almost felt guilty admitting it.

“And second, you’re not responsible for how I feel. You can’t second-guess anything outside of what I tell you.”

I wanted to argue that I could try. That instinct and reading beyond the surface—seeing the subtext—was necessary in their world.

Hunter pushed away from the wall, pulling me with him. “How about this? I enjoy your company. I like the way Ramsey lights up when you’re around. All of that outweighs the jealousy. I mean that. You don’t have to dig through it for a double meaning. I’d rather have you around than not. But whether you decide to stay with Ramsey—to hang out with me—has to be based on what you want and what we all agree on. Not on what you think one of us might want that we haven’t said.”

That was a lot to absorb. “You’re so fucking reasonable sometimes.”

“I’m reasonable all the time. To a fault. Besides”—Hunter leaned in so his mouth was near my ear—“you’re the only woman I’ve ever enjoyed fucking, and gods, do I enjoy it.”

I smiled past the flush in my veins. “You’re such a charmer.”

“Junior League Champion, three years running.”

And now we were back to being us. I was good with that. The teasing wouldn’t silence my inner nagging over his confession, but I appreciated his honesty. “Of charming?”

“Of everything, I assume. I’m the full package, babe.”

“You most definitely are.”

We chatted until guests started trickling—and then pouring—in. Ramsey still hadn’t returned. I recognized a handful of people, but for the most part, this was all new territory. Hunter seemed to know everyone, though. He introduced me to one person after another, always with a one- or two-sentence snippet about them, to help me remember who they were.

“Violet. Hunter.” Dottie’s familiar call came from behind.

We turned to find Ramsey’s grandmother approaching, wearing the warmest smile of anyone in here. She wasn’t a frail old granny. She was as tall as Hunter, in her heels, and unlike most of the women here, she wore a tailored suit.

She gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I was so happy to hear your name when Ramsey called me. I’ve missed you.”

“Same.” I meant it. I didn’t know my grandparents, but Dottie always treated me like a member of the family.

“I’m glad you’re here, too.” She greeted Hunter with the same hug and kiss. “Where’s my Crow?” That was her nickname for Ramsey. She said his parents had missed out by naming one child Ravyn and not naming the other in kind. Especially since, like a crow, Ramsey always insisted on being heard.

Hunter gestured broadly. “Your guess is as good as mine. Publicity photos, I assume.”

Dottie raised an eyebrow and looked at me. “Does he realize this is your event, not his?”

“Not his doing.” I assured her.

“He’s perfectly capable of telling the media hounds no.” Dottie squeezed my hand. “When you see him, tell him I’m looking for him. And I hope I’ll be seeing more of both of you.”

A call pulled Dottie away, and Hunter and I were left to mingle again. The shoes Ramsey picked out were amazing, but not for standing in for hours. After I was certain I’d talked to everyone at least twice, I begged off to a quiet corner, to sit for a little bit, with Hunter for company.

That was where Ramsey found us. “Hey.” He pulled out another chair across from us, frustration etched on his face. “Debbie set up an interview and didn’t tell me first.” He looked at Hunter. “Don’t worry. I’ve told her this not-warning-me-first shit doesn’t fly.”

But he’d done the interview anyway, because he couldn’t turn away the perfect press opportunity. I didn’t have to ask if that was the case. The fact that he’d vanished for several hours said it all. I almost wished my brain defaulted to maybe he was with someone. It wasn’t a concern, though, even before he was with Hunter. I’d always been more worried about Ramsey’s love for the cameras than whether he was fucking around.

“Dottie was looking for you.” Hunter didn’t sound any more forgiving than I was inclined to be.

“I found her. Thanks. I really am sorry.” Ramsey’s expression softened.

Hunter nodded. “I knew what I was signing up for.”

Somehow, I’d managed to forget. Or at least diminish the memories until they felt insignificant.

Ramsey turned to me. “It’s a universal apology. To both of you. How are things going?”

“I met the CEO of Insignia Oil. He stared at my tits the entire time he told me what great taste you had in causes. But at least I wasn’t the only one objectified. The woman brought in to fix the Digital Media problems loves Hunter’s ass in those trousers.”

“I’d have a hard time arguing with either of them.” Ramsey’s light tone said he wanted to laugh this off and move on. “I really am sorry, Violet. I’ve been trying to nail this interview down for months, and it just happened to fall tonight.”

Hunter’s snort was soft. “Go, Debbie.”

Ramsey twisted his mouth. Watching them not-argue was almost worse than arguing with Ramsey myself. “And?” Ramsey asked.

“I’m interviewing more people the day after tomorrow,” Hunter said and looked at me. “I can fire her if I find someone at least as good to take her place.”

That seemed fair. “You dropped almost everything, to make this happen. I can’t fault you that one or two things couldn’t be pushed, especially if you didn’t know about them.”

“So we’re all good.” Ramsey stood.

It seemed that way. I didn’t feel any lingering animosity.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he asked.

The idea of leaving definitely made it better. “Can we do that?”

“Things are winding down. The doors close in less than two hours. Dottie has her own Hunter, who set all of this up with the staff, and will make sure it all comes down.” Ramsey made it sound so easy.

Hunter pushed away from the table and tugged me to my feet. “It’s a fair point. I vote for leaving.”

“I really feel like I should stay.” This was my party. I should be here until the end.

“What are you going to do if you do stay?” Ramsey asked.

“Be here?”

He grabbed my other hand. “Not a good answer. Give me something more concrete than, I have to help.”

“Isn’t that enough?” I didn’t have anything else.

“Nope. They’ve got this covered.” Ramsey led us farther from the crowd, toward a rear exit.

We took the elevator up to the same floor as earlier. And stopped in front of the same room. I’d never even thought to ask if we were all staying together, though I hoped so. Would that be an issue if someone dug into Ramsey? People did that in politics, right? Had he reserved three separate rooms, to only use one?

“You two looked good together tonight.” Ramsey’s comment interrupted my rambling thoughts. “Like you were having fun.”

“We were,” I said.

“Someone had to keep the guest of honor company, while you were occupied,” Hunter said. “Besides, Violet’s way better to talk to than most of those assholes.”

“Fair point.” Ramsey opened the door and let us step past him. “I feel like I should make it up to you.” He spun on me the moment we were all inside, pressing me to the wall with his body and trapping me in place.

I knew this look. This posture. The heat and playfulness in Ramsey’s gaze. The possessiveness. My pulse raced in the most delicious way, but I was going to poke the bear a little more. Especially after he’d vanished for so long. “No need. Hunter kept me satisfied.”

“Really?” Ramsey slid two fingers into my mouth, and I sucked instinctively. “So you don’t need me?”

I shrugged, unable to say much with my mouth full.

The sound of fabric tearing filled the room when Ramsey ripped the slit of my dress with his free hand. He dropped his wet fingers to tease my bare pussy. “So I should just let the two of you go at it?” he asked, as he slipped between my folds.

His closeness and touch, and the threat in his voice made me slick with need.

“I should sit back and watch, while he slides his fat cock in your tight, wet pussy.” Ramsey dipped his fingers inside me, and I thrust into the penetration.

I couldn’t find my voice, as he pumped in me. When he pulled out, I felt empty, and I wanted more. This time he shoved his fingers, slick with my juices, in Hunter’s mouth. Watching Hunter suck him clean made me squeeze my thighs together.

“I think I like that idea.” Ramsey’s voice was low and suggestive. “Letting Hunter spill his load in you. Licking you clean after. Tasting both of you, while you writhe against my tongue.

I was pretty sure that was a submissive kind of thing, but there was nothing submissive in Ramsey’s posture or words.

“Would you like that, Taffy? Me, between your legs, sucking Hunter’s cum from your pussy?”

I licked my lips and nodded.

Ramsey turned to Hunter.

“I do like fucking Violet almost as much as I like seeing you on your knees,” Hunter said.

How was this the hottest thing I’d ever been involved in, when we’d barely crested foreplay?