Sanction (Heart Hunter Series Book 2)

Chapter 10

All this and that

Kara felt a lot better that day than any previous day since finding out some of the most life-altering news of her existence—even greater than when her mother and grandmother had sat her down at nine years-old and told her she was a Hunter like them. It hadn’t been a surprise to her at that age, but it didn’t help prepare her for the ascension at fourteen into her bloodline. That all seemed easier than this though. The news had left her anxious for days and though James had tried his best to be supportive of it, she’d needed the time to think it through. That morning, it had all lessened on her nerves.

She slipped the hoodie over her head as she walked down the hall and found James at the kitchen table.

“Hi…” She flipped on the electric kettle to make herself some tea. It had become part of her morning ritual, even if she slept in almost everyday to eleven.

“Good morning.” He looked up as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek.

“You’re leaving today.” She sighed, hugging him.

“Yes, what would you like to do? I have to be at the airport at around five.”

“Argh.” She didn’t loosen her grip on him. “Why didn’t you stay in bed with me?”

“I needed to go for a run. I got you something to eat though.” He pointed to the white parchment bag in the middle of the table.

She put her hands through his shower damp hair, giving him a kiss on his neck before she pulled away.

“After my run I read a bit on the computer this morning.”

Kara walked across the kitchen and picked out a tea bag from the canister. “What did you read?”

“I just wanted clear information on what you need before I go away to this next game.”

She turned back to the kettle. “Way to come off OCD, James.”

He stood. “So, I bought you vitamins and made you another doctor’s appointment.”

Kara turned to him. “I’m only just pregnant.”

“This is not the same doctor. She comes recommended.”

“By whom?” Kara blinked, questioning what type of doctors he could possibly know. “Did you tell people I was pregnant?”

“Just the clinic. You need to be taken care of,” he pressed. “And this is not an option, sorry. Did you know these doctors are hard to get? I rang six different offices.”

She sighed. “You did all this while I was sleeping?”

“I woke up at six-thirty, love.”

She made her tea and sat at the table, pulling the parchment bag over to her to look inside to the muffin and croissant options. “Don’t you ever want to sleep in?”

“No.” He smiled at her suggestion. “Not really.”

She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. “What else did you have planned for today?”

“If you have nothing you’d like to do… I’ll take you out for lunch.” He walked to the cupboards. “You have to take one of these a day.” He shook out a vitamin and returned the container to the shelf.

She wrinkled her nose. “Why?”

“Because you’re pregnant.” He handed her the vitamin.

She looked over the huge, ugly pill. “This smells sorta weird.”

“Take it.”

She sighed and swallowed it with a mouthful of tea. “Good?”

“Brilliant.” He sat back down. “We should also consider moving out of this flat.”

“What?” Kara blinked from the sudden change of topic. “Why?”

“Carter’s parties and drinking didn’t bother me so much before but they do now, with you here.” His honesty made her not know how to respond.

“I’m okay with him around. He keeps me company when you’re away.” Kara’s attempt to reassure him may have been in vain but he didn’t press it further. “What else did your run inspire in you?” She teased him, poking her toes into his near side and biting into the muffin.

He smiled, grabbing her ankle. “It didn’t quite satisfy me as much as it generally does.”

“Why’s that?” She tried to poke him again but he didn’t let her.

“I let you sleep last night.”

She giggled. “Oh, I noticed.”

“Mm.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“You’re taking this pregnancy thing very seriously,” she continued to tease him.

“Perhaps.” He looked at her. “I did find a picture online of what the baby looks like.”

“Oh.” His comment broke her concentration. “You did?”

“I’ll show you. Then we’ll go for lunch.” He stood, taking her tea for her and her hand too, and he led her down the hall towards the office in the back of the apartment.

She smiled as he sat in the swivel chair and brought her into his lap with him.

The computer took a moment to come to life and then he went about finding the image as she drank a bit more of her tea.

“Right there.” He paused the mouse over the tiny little drawn graphic of what the peanut shaped thing inside her looked like.

She swallowed. “Weird.”

His arm on her waist adjusted and he looked as if he were searching for the right words. “I think it’s rather impressive.”

Her stomach tightened. Her heart pounded and his words echoed in her head. He thought the baby was impressive, that she’d maybe done something amazing for once in her life.

“You do?”

“Women are much more talented than men,” he joked.

She turned in his lap to look at him. “I think most would agree you’re actually talented at soccer and I’m just knocked up.”

He watched her a moment and she saw his struggle, his wince.

“Sorry,” she breathed.

He shook his head and dropped his nose to the crook of her neck. She’d killed the moment between them, and perhaps even his pride in her. She needed to think of a way to dig her way out of it.

“I just don’t quite see how I’m impressive.”

He kept her close and kissed her nape. “One day I hope you will see what I see.”

Her heart pounded and she shut her eyes, not knowing quite what he meant but hoping too one day she might.

They walked in the door of the apartment and she took off her warm boots, wincing through the discomfort of her full stomach lunch had brought with it.

The sounds of laughter and a few punchy remarks came from the kitchen, and James took it upon himself to investigate it further. They found Carter with Greg, another tall boy and her, all chatting it up.

Kara paused when her eyes fell on the visitors.

“Jim!” Greg turned towards him.

James nodded. “Hello.”

They shook hands and James continued the hellos with the other boy. Kara recognised him finally, his name was Frank.

She kept to the hall though, waiting.

“Ello,’ Kara.” Greg smiled at her. “How are you?”

“Alright.” Kara spoke but she was unsure if it was heard, as she had only taken one step inside the kitchen.

Lila’s eyes flashed to James and she smiled at him. “Seeing you on television isn’t the same as in person, must say I’ve missed it.”

“Who else misses me?”

Carter and Greg just grumbled and played along with it.

Lila didn’t buy into it though. “It’s also a bit odd going to the games without you there.”

“Mm.” He smiled. “Sometimes I miss you all too.”

“Do not.” Carter coughed it out and started to laugh with Greg.

Kara kept her eyes on Lila as she kept her eyes on James. She’s obsessed with him.

“You’re thinner,” Frank added.

“Camera adds ten pounds,” Carter said.

“No,” Lila disagreed, “he’s definitely thinner.”

I would know. Kara felt her cheeks heating.

“Do I look thinner, love?”

Kara pushed aside her want to choke Lila and walked over to him. “Too much running, told you…”

Lila shook her head. “No, he’s always ran every day. Are you sure you’re eating enough?”

Kara’s eyes went to Lila and didn’t move. The awkward moment fizzled into unbearable until James reached and took her hand, pulling her into his side. “Kara just gets jealous when I expel too much energy on running.”

“I do not.” Her face burnt, hitting his chest.

He smiled at her, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I’ve got to get my bag ready.”

Kara swallowed as he stepped back.

“You’re leaving?” Lila asked.

“Away game.”

“Lila, I told you about the game on the way over here.” Greg added, “Really should be a decent match.”

James nodded. “Should be.”

Lila shrugged. “Oh well, what do I know? I’m just a girl.” She looked at James again with a pouty expression.

“Just a girl,” Greg echoed with a laugh. “Got that right.”

Lila reached out and hit his forearm. “You’re such a prat.”

“Jim, when you get back, we should all go out,” Frank suggested.

“Sure,” James agreed, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I really should go get ready.”

Kara grabbed his hand, so she’d be forced to leave the situation. Following him into his room, she shut the door once they were inside. “Do you think they’ll be here long?”

James looked to her from the foot of the bed, where he had his duffel bag mostly packed and a stack of clothing next to it ready to go in.

He shrugged. “Haven’t a clue.”

She scurried over to the bed. “Can I come with you to the airport?”

James zipped up the bag. “It’s a bit of a drive.”

“I don’t care,” she said in a hurry.

He looked up to her. “Lots of traffic, love.”

“You don’t want me to come?”

“That’s not it.” He assured her.

“I just don’t want to be here… with them.”

James paused to look at her. “Why?”

She looked to her hands and then the bedding, anywhere but his eyes.

“Did something happen?” He pulled the cotton shirt over his head as he started to get dressed for the plane.

“Not really…” She sighed and looked up to him finally, watching him walk to the closet and walk back out with a white dress shirt in hand. “Well… Lila told me at the Halloween party that you don’t fit down her throat.”

James paused mid shrug as he put on his shirt. His face hardened into a creased line across his brow.

“To be honest, she seems a bit pissed that we’re together. Were you two in a relationship? It’s okay I can handle it, if that’s the truth.”

“No, Kara, we’ve been over this,” he said with annoyance, walking over to her. “I’ll talk to her.”

“No!” Kara snapped in panic. “God, just—leave it.”

“Leave it?” He echoed. “You’re upset.”

“Of course, I was, it was… messed up. I mean, she obviously knows what she’s talking about… you are big.”

He took a breath. “We were just friends.”

“That doesn’t really make me feel better, James.”

“No, I’m sorry.” He thought for a moment. “Would friends with benefits make more sense?”

Kara cringed. “Did you have a lot of those types of girls?”

“No, Lila was kind of it but I have been with other women.”

Kara stared up at him. “Can you count them on a hand?”

He watched her a moment before he started to do up the buttons along his chest. “Kara, I generally have zero emotional attachment. I’m not proud of it but it’s also kept me focused on things I do want in my life.”

“Am I one of those things?”

He let out a tight breath. “You’re everything to me and more.” Her cheeks got a bit hot when he crouched down in front of her to say, “I love you, Kara, only you.”

“I know. So, can I come to the airport?” she asked.

“Of course.” He kissed her forehead as he stood back up, undoing his dark jeans as he walked back to the closet for the last of his clothing change.

Kara shifted on the edge of the bed as he stripped and she saw him finish dressing out of the corner of her eye. He walked back into her view with his crested sports jacket on and cleanly pressed clothes. He sat next to her and loosened the laces on the leather shoes he’d chosen.

“Are those comfortable on a plane?”

“Not particularly but they won’t let us wear trainers on the plane.”

“You should try,” she teased him.

“I wish,” he muttered and slipped the dress shoes on, tying each. “I’m starting to not be so fond of planes.”

“Well, aren’t you in pretty roomy seats?”

“My legs are still too long, apparently.”

She smiled. “You’re sort of long everywhere,aren’t you?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.” He laughed and stood, grabbing his cell phone that was pinging at him.

“Of course not.”

He took his bag off the bed and draped it over his shoulder. “Car’s here.”

“Okay.” She stood, needing her coat and shoes. He led her out of the room, his hand on her lower back but it dropped off as he stopped to say goodbye to his friends. She, however, continued to the front door, putting on her sneakers and a warm coat.

“Good luck,” she heard Lila say to him and he thanked her.

“Yeah, he needs it.” Carter laughed.

“Not nearly as much as you both need it,” Lila corrected and Greg and Carter’s annoyance could be heard along with James’ amusement. He said goodbye to them and joined her at the door.

“Ready, love?”

She nodded, doing up the last button on her jacket and following him into the hall. Happy to not be stuck in the apartment, she hopped into the back seat of the sleek car and waited for him to join her.

James sat, unzipping his coat before putting his seat belt on. “Seems like you’ve felt better today.”

“Yeah.” Kara nodded, “Other than my stomach is really full from lunch still.” She rubbed her abdomen as she reminded herself of the uncomfortable pressure.

“You did eat quite a bit.”

“I know.” She groaned. “And if I keep it up, I’ll be fat in no time.”

“You’re too thin anyway. Even the doctor said you’re a bit underweight.”

She leaned closer to him. “Why do you insist on pointing that out, like it’s a bad thing?”

“Is it.” He pressed his mouth to her ear. “We should have had sex before we left.”

She pushed him off. “Focus on the game, Mr. Dray.”

He leaned forward and hit the button for the black-out divider. Kara watched it roll up, enclosing them in the backseat of the town car.

“What are you doing?”

He leaned over her and undid her seat belt. “Climb on top of me.”

She stared at him and when he didn’t flinch away from the idea, she knew how serious he was being. His hands took the button of her jeans and he undid her pants, pulling them down her legs.

“James…”

He grabbed her waist next, coaxing her over to him, undoing his own seatbelt and putting her in his lap to straddle him.

“What about the driver?”

“It’s a privacy window. He can’t see or hear us.” His mouth bit into her neck as he undid his trousers and pushed aside her underwear. She’d be wearing evidence of this for hours due to the way her face had started to burn.

His hands moved under her coat and shirt, taking hold of her along her back before sinking her down on him. She took his length with a moan that he kissed away.

Her hands found and pulled at the collar of his smooth coat, bringing him closer, letting his tongue entice her into more. Her hips responded by thrusting into his lap and the deep angle made her burn. She almost forgot where they were as the minutes passed and he kept her close, letting her rock and bounce.

“That’s it.” He watched her eyes flutter open as they went to the crest under her fingertips. She traced the edges of the metallic embroidery. It symbolized everything he was, everything he’d worked for and everything he’d become since she’d been with him.

“Do you like what that means?”

She swallowed and nodded, rocking and letting his hands set the new pace.

He leaned forward to meet her mouth. “Show me. Fuck me.”

“James…” Her chin fell back with her eye roll.

“Yes, like that.” He took her waist and bit into her neck. “Just like that…”

She wanted more. Wanted to feel the burn of an orgasm because of him inside her and the way the leather of the backseat stuck against her knees, providing her the grip to go after what she wanted. She rocked harder, grinding herself against him until she felt what she’d been chasing and it caught her by surprise almost, sending her into a mess of moans and convulsions.

“Good girl…” He caught her, stiffening and keeping her still as he finished.

Her cheek fell to his shoulder and she panted against him as he held her. Her face was so hot, she’d never recover from the excursion. She was positive about it and due to embarrassment, she stayed cuddled into him.

“I think you should come to the game with me.”

“I have no clothes or… anything, for that matter,” she said softly.

“You can buy whatever you need.”

“I better stay here. Who knows what sort of puking-mess I may turn into on the plane or at the hotel. Think of how embarrassing that will be.”

He pulled back gently and took her chin. “I’m not easily embarrassed.”

She felt she wouldn’t win against him, so she told the truth. “You need to focus. I really will just distract you, or get in the way.”

“You won’t. You’ll help me focus.”

“How? By doing this with you?” She giggled.

“Exactly,” he mumbled back and kissed her.

“I promise, I’ll come with you to the next game,” she breathed, letting her words settle in and prepare her for the promise.

He watched her and dropped his chin with a nod. “How do you like having a pro-footballer as a boyfriend?” His arm dropped and wrapped around her waist, bringing her close.

She blushed and smiled at him. “It’s lots of fun.”

He chuckled. “Right, happy to hear.” Then rocked her in a tease, letting her feel the wetness between them and his half hard erection still pressing up into her. It melted her to putty and she almost agreed to just go to the game with him so she could have more of thatwith him right there.