Hidden Roots (Citrus Cove, #3)

by Clio Evans

I’d taken a lot of time to think about what I wanted, and had come to the conclusion that I wanted Hunter.

Why does he hate me so much?” “Who? Hunter?” “Yeah. I don’t get it. I know we fight. But the sex was really good. I mean. I want him in my life, but it’s clear he doesn’t want me. But…”

“If he hated you, he would have just said no to this whole thing.”

“From where I’m sitting, it seems like Hunter made the

choice to pretend to be your fiancé because he actually likes you. But instead of using his words, he’s being a dumbass about it. And darling, I don’t know how to break this to you, but sometimes men are like that. Dumbasses.”

“You know, when Haley told me about the two of you, my first thought was finally. You should see the way he looks at you when

he doesn’t think anyone is watching.”

“Then why would he help you? Have you ever seen what it looks like when a Harlow actually dislikes someone? Because he sure as hell would not help you out with a damn thing if he hated you.” “Am I being stupid?”

“A little,” Honey sighed. “Love makes you stupid sometimes.” Love.

“Okay, so wait. Tell me about Hunter. Why did he do this?” “I don’t know,” I said. “But god. I think I’ve fallen for the asshole.”

“Like for real?” “For real,” I said. “I can’t fake this feeling. But I don’t know what to do about it. He told me we’re done.”

“Oh god. Oh god, he’s such an idiot. It’s obvious he wants you. And now, looking back over the last three years, it’s so fucking clear. He pulled a Cam.”

He pulled a Cam. He had all these feelings and instead of being mature, he

reverted back to acting like a dumbass.”

“We’ve told a lot of lies, but one thing is true. I do love that woman. But I can’t be who she needs me to be. I’m not worthy of her.” Cam grimaced. “Did she tell you that?” “No. She didn’t need to. I know it’s true.” “Okay.”

“I’ve loved her since she came to Citrus Cove. The first night we met, she tased me. And I think she must have broken something in me, Cam.”

“Stop. Hold on,” he said. “Hold on. I love our dad, Hunter. I love him. But he’s got to stop this shit with you. It’s gone on too long. You do so much for all of us. You always have.” “He’ll never see it that way,” I said.

“There’s trying to help and then there’s trying to take over, and I’ve known you my whole life so I know that sometimes you do both at the same time, but Emma is used to taking care of herself. Haley is one of the few people she’ll be vulnerable with because she’s always trying to be independent.”

“Aren’t you mad at me?” “I’m mad that this is definitely real and the two of you are being stubborn about it,”

“I don’t hate you,” I whispered angrily. “I’m fucking obsessed with you. Ever since you fucking tased me, I haven’t stopped thinking about you night and day. Every waking moment, there you are, haunting me. All your little dates? Wanna

know why they didn’t work out? Because I ran them all off. Every single one of them. Every. Single. One.”

“Remember Kyle? Or Jaxon? Drake? Billy? Alex? Robert? I remember the look on each of their faces as I told them I’d make sure they never saw the light of day again if they didn’t back off.”

“Why would you do that?” she asked. “I’ve been thinking I was cursed. That there wasn’t a single guy in Texas who would ever want me. That there was something wrong with me.”

“The only thing wrong with you is me. Ever since I’ve met you, I’ve acted like a caveman. A feral, stupid, unhinged caveman. For months, I’ve thought about touching you. Kissing you. Fucking you.”

But I’m not good for you. I’m not good enough for you.”

“Who ever told you that, Hunter? Who ever told you that you’re not good enough for me? Because I never did. I never said that. And I’m the expert on who is good enough for me, not anyone else.”

“You really ruined all of those dates?”

“Every one of them. I also stroked my cock watching you masturbate on your security system.”

“I’m not letting you escape me.”

“No. Emma, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how I’ve acted. I’m sorry for how I’ve hurt you. You’re not too much work and you deserve someone who will be the prince you deserve. But I’m not a prince.”

“I don’t want a prince,” she said. “I just want someone who looks at me and sees all of me. I just want someone who loves me, Hunter. I want a messy kind of love, a dopey kind of love. I want to be stupid together. I want to grow old together. I want to wake up knowing that whatever shit happens, I will still have that person beside me.” “I want that too,”

“Do you want to know a secret?” I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “Yeah.”

“I fantasized about you watching me on the camera. That’s what got me off.”

“And not only that—when you kicked Josh out? I’ve never wanted to fuck so...

“Want to know something else?” “Yes.” “I need you, Hunter. I want you. Even knowing how much you’ve fucked up, even knowing that you’re the reason I haven’t been laid in months—which sucks by the way—you’re the one I want.”

“Let me finish. I’ve spent the last couple weeks wishing this relationship was real. I’ve wished that I was really your fiancé. More than anything else. And not seeing you this last week? I missed you.” “You missed me,”

“I think we deserve a chance.” I nodded slowly. “I want that chance, Emma. I really do.” “Can we try? Can we give us a try?” “Yes,” I whispered. “God, yes.” “Then kiss me, you idiot.”

“Ah, I see. You knew I was in love with you all along then?”

“I thought you hated me,” I said.

“Never. I could never hate you. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to get my head out of my ass.”

“What are you doing tonight?”

“You? Since we’re official and everything now.”

“Ope. No kissing tonight, I guess.”

“I’ll wear your kisses as a badge of honor.”

I was going on a first date with a man I was madly in love with. Or at least falling in love with.

I’d been in love with this woman since the moment she tased me.

“When you look at me like that, I feel like I’m the only person here.” “You are,” I whispered. “When I look at you like that, you’re the only person who matters, Emma.”

“I want to peg you.”

“If you let me peg you, I’ll… Now you tell me what you want to try.” “Jesus,” I rasped. “Can you let a man eat first?”

“So much sass for me to fuck out of you later.”