Free A Hero Grinch for Christmas by Samanthya Wyatt Page B

Denny.”
    “His second wife attacked him with a knife while he was sleeping.”
    Dani stared at him in shock.
    “Yep. Tough son-of-a-bitch.”
    “I can’t believe he tried marriage a third time.”
    “That woman’s lucky he took the chain saw to the house and not her.”
    Now Dani understood a little more about Denny’s gruff behavior. But underneath, he was a sweetheart. “He liked my aunt.”
    Hunter’s intense gaze held hers. Mere inches separated his lips form hers. Then the magical moment was gone, he turned back to the fire.
    “Denny got that certain gleam in his eye every time Fay’s name was mentioned.” Hunter’s voice lowered while he reminisced.
    “He meant a lot to her.”
    “Fay would have been a keeper.”
    It warmed Dani’s heart that he thought so. “Thank you.”
    “How did you end up in Wyattsville with your aunt?”
    “My parents divorced when I was eight. Both wanted to pursue their own dreams—which didn’t include me.”
    “That’s tough.”
    “It’s okay. I couldn’t have been luckier.”
    “When did you move in with Fay?”
    “Soon after Mom and Dad split. My parents were too preoccupied with their new lives, and having me around meant they couldn’t entertain their new friends , so I moved in with Fay. She loved me like I was her own daughter. Sent me to college.”
    “No kids of her own?” Dani shook her head. “Did she ever get married?”
    “My uncle died when I was little. I often wondered why she never married again.” She grinned up into Hunter’s face. “I think she had her eye on Denny.”
    “Yeah. I noticed that, too. I thought maybe she’d be number four.” Hunter took a drink. “Do you see your parents?”
    “No. I was bitter for a while. But Fay reminded me how much I was loved, and gave me a good life.” She shrugged as if it didn’t matter. She hadn’t really thought about her parents in a long time. Fay was her only family. She never needed anyone else in her life. Until she met Hunter. Now here was a guy she could definitely imagine making room in her life for—without any effort at all.
    Hunter nodded like he understood. “My dad was military. That’s why I enlisted. When he was killed in the Gulf War, Denny took it pretty hard. Mom remarried a few years later, and Denny and I got closer.”
    Hunter closed his eyes and his jaw tightened.
    “He was like a second father to me. And I let him down.”
    Dani touched his thigh. “No you didn’t.” The muscle in his leg tensed under her hand.
    “I made a vow, Dani. I promised. All he wanted was for me to come home.”
    “You couldn’t go AWOL. You had to finish your tour.” She cupped his face, liking the feel of his stubble grazing her palm. She tilted his chin so he had to look her directly in the eyes. “Hunter. You kept your promise. You’re here now.”
    “He’s gone.”
    “Shhh. I know.”
    Their gazes locked. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
    Suddenly he hauled her close, his mouth crushing hers. She’d never had a man kiss her so raw and hot, so full of need. She kissed him back with equal fervor.
    “God, Dani, I want you.”
    His warm breath was laced with wine. She couldn’t breathe or think for she wanted him just as much. She slipped her hands around his back, feeling every inch of tensed muscle. Tightening her hold, she lost herself in his slow, deep kiss. He groaned with pleasure.
    He tore his shirt off, and she did the same. His big hands sought her breasts and his hungry lips kissed a trail from her neck to her mouth. The ache deep inside her grew.
    She slid her mouth up his jaw and caught his ear lobe between her teeth. With a moan, he dipped his head and kissed her breast, then suckled her nipple. Liquid heat pooled between her thighs, her need building to a fever pitch. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, while he held her immobile so he could continue his torture. He worshipped her breasts, his gentle kisses and licks devouring her. Then