Free Hidden (To Love A Killer #1) by Lexie Ray Page A

think my place is with them in the country. They think my job should be taking little girls from their beds at night, dragging them out to the barn.”
                  Hunter’s voice, which had grown thin and trembling, burst out into stuttering sobs. She freed her hand from Ash’s to cover her mouth, trying desperately to silence the wails of anguish from pouring out.
                  The fragments of her words, the images they carried were bone chilling. Ash had to admit that very little of what she had said made sense. However, it didn’t matter. He knew exactly what she was talking about. He didn’t need the pieces from her end to fit into his own, to understand.
                  He scooped his arm under Hunter’s neck and pulled her in close to him, wrapping her up in his strong embrace.
                  Hunter’s tearstained cheeks pressed against his warm chest. It felt so good to be held. She felt cared for. There was something dominating and commanding about Ash. He had a way of taking charge, and always seemed to know what to do, which made Hunter feel safe and cared for. She felt like she was in good hands.
                  She discovered her tears had ceased, though she was whimpering, trembling, still reeling from the outpouring of dark emotions that had sprung forth. Eventually she quieted. Had any of what she had said made sense to him? Maybe it didn’t need to. What would the details matter really? It’s not like he would be able to go back in time and save her. It’s not like anything she had survived up in New Hampshire, any information that might be stored in the corridors of her memory, could help them. Anything she had said to Ash had served only to relieve the anxiety, the pressure that had built up inside her. It didn’t matter that it had been gibberish.
                  Hunter’s hand migrated slowly down Ash’s chest, then rounded up over his side until it rested on the middle of his back. She liked holding him close. She felt his back rise and fall with each breath he took. It felt good to be this close to something alive. It helped her to remember that she was alive as well. She was living. She had survived. That was not to be taken for granted.
                  His body felt warm and inviting. He probably thought she was some kind of mess, nothing but issues and baggage. Assuming that, and reminding herself that a guy like this would probably never really want a girl like her, were the only things preventing Hunter from exploring his body further. He was so sexy, and the way he was holding her, the way he had accepted her embrace and reciprocated it, felt amazing. After all he had done for her that night, she wanted to give herself to Ash. But the possibility of rejection was overwhelming. Hunter didn’t dare make a move.
                  Then she felt Ash’s hand lowering down until it found the curve at the small of her back. He pulled her in, pressing her body against his. Her lips pursed reflexively against his neck. She wanted more. She hoped he would take the initiate, giving her permission to touch him.
                  Hunter could sense the outline of his legs, his bulge where his left leg met the right. He pressed into her in perfect alignment, guiding her legs to spread open. He was still wearing his briefs, and she had her skirt on as well, but could feel him, unquestionably straining against her.
                  She wanted to lift her face. She wanted to offer her mouth to him to see if he might claim her lips with his own. Ash pressed his hips towards her, holding her firmly in place against him. His grip was tight, hungry. She could hear his breathing increase, the rise and fall of his chest growing more pronounced. Hunter knew he was aroused, growing hard.
                  Finally, she lifted her face and met eyes with