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Authors: Stephanie Brother

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Chapter 15
HUNTER

I am rich. I am successful. I've achieved all I ever hoped for, and then some.

But deep down, I am so unhappy. I long for the girl I love every day, and I regret the day I walked out on her every minute of every day.

But I keep my distance, knowing I'm not welcome in that household, well aware of the fact that I need to stay away from the whole family or risk getting everyone involved hurt.

Allura is a distant memory, a mistake I made when I was feeling out of sorts. As soon as I walked into her hotel room and she dropped that towel to the ground, I knew I couldn't do it.

For once in my life, I couldn't just replace one woman with another. I ended up breaking down in front of her, slamming a fist into the wall, plaster falling everywhere.

Allura may be a minx, but she's become a good friend. She's the one who talked me off the ledge, who convinced me I had my business to take care of. She's the one who told me I can still prove myself and maybe, just maybe, things will be different after that.

In only 6 months, I've achieved more than some people do in a lifetime. I've got a company up and running, a social media app that is shooting up the popularity charts, and a load of cash in my bank account with more on the way every day.

But I am deeply unhappy, and my thoughts are plagued with Candy every time I take a breath, a sharp reminded of what I could have had, but ultimately lost.

I am in my office today, tired and in a foul mood. It's one of the bad days, a time when she is on my mind even more than usually. I feel like breaking something when my secretary comes in.

"What?" I bark at her. That poor woman, she has to deal with my tantrums daily.

"You have a visitor," she explains nervously. "He won't leave and didn't introduce himself ... I'm worried-"

"I can introduce myself," a voice grumbles behind her and a man makes his way into my office, out gazes connecting in a game of wits.

It's Mr. Winters, my old nemesis.

As if sensing the change in atmosphere, my secretary quietly excuses herself and heads out of the office, but not before shooting me a worried look. I try to respond calmly with a nod, but truth is, my heart is beating wildly in my chest.

"Can I help you?" I ask coldly as soon as the door shuts.

Mark Winters doesn't even try to acknowledge the fact he's on my turf. Instead, he strolls around, checking out the view - impressive, to say the least - and finally sitting down on a chair in front of my desk.

His eyes burn into mine and my fists tighten. I'll take him if I have to. I don't care if he's Candace's Dad - he pretty much ruined my life.

"I came to talk," he admits, and there's a certain note of defeat in his voice that piques my interest.

"Then by all means, start speaking," I say bitterly, staring him down.

He returns the venomous gaze and I'm pretty sure a fight will ensue, but in the end, he sighs heavily, rubbing his eyes and my expression becomes one of surprise.

"She's unhappy," he finally says, and that small admission breaks my heart in two. I stare at him in silence, waiting for the man to go on. And so he does, deciding my fate with each word coming out of his mouth.

"She goes to college, gets good grades. She lives in the dorms," he explains. "But when she comes home ... she's empty, like a shell. It's as if a fire went out in her. She's not my daughter any more, just a remnant of what she used to be."

"Why do you think that is?" I ask.

He shoots daggers with his eyes. "You know why," he finally spits out, and I can tell this will be hard for him to admit, but I love seeing him squirm in the seat I paid for.

"She wants you," he admits brokenly, and finally looks up into my eyes. "She always has. You need to ... I think you need to come home, Hunter."

The words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. I can hear my heart beating louder than ever, the pounding resonating in my head and making me go crazy.

I get up abruptly from my seat and walk over to the window, looking at the bustling city beneath me. "It's over," I say brokenly.

Mr. Winters gets up and forcibly makes me face him, which takes me by surprise. "Dammit, don't make this harder than it already is," he groans. "I know my daughter. I can see she's suffering. And if you're the only one who can help ... I need you to come home."

We have a staring contest, and my mind shifts slowly to his side.

Could it really be possible that she misses me like I do her? Could it be that she still wants to be with me ... after all the problems we had, the way I treated her?

Slowly, my face breaks into a hesitant smile, because I honestly don't give a fuck. I just know I have to try to win her back, otherwise I'll never forgive myself.

Suddenly, I can't get out fast enough. I grab my blazer and rush towards the door, my mind swimming with plans to get her back.

"Hunter," Mr. Winters' voice interrupts from behind. I turn back hesitantly, and he's giving me this intense stare. "You hurt her, and I'll come for you," he promises darkly.

I stare back. "Not planning on doing that," I say, and am about to leave, but I just can't help but be a prick for a moment longer. Let's say it's for the sake of the good old days.

"Hey, Mark?" I ask and he immediately looks angry since I used his first name. I grin devilishly at him.

"Don't expect your daughter home for a while. I intend to make up for lost time."

I leave him raging in my office and head out with a huge grin plastered on my face.

***

I need to go home first to take care of some stuff, but the ride drags and drags. I finally come to my stop and get off the bus, heading towards my apartment building. My hands are shaking as I enter the elevator and press the button for my floor.

The ride takes forever, but I finally walk out into the hallway. Immediately, the image before me makes me worried.

There's someone standing in front of my door, pacing the length of the hallway. I look at the figure as I walk closer, and my heart beats faster and faster as I come closer to her.

And it's
her
.

My sweetheart, my love, my stepsister, my only one. Sweet little Candy.

I nearly lose it when I see her there, but I decide to play one final game with her, promising myself it will be the last one.

"Can I help you?" I ask out loud, and she immediately turns around, her eyes latching on to mine. I can almost feel her quickened heartbeat as her eyes dance over my face, drinking me in like she's an addict.

She's more beautiful than ever. Her hair has grown somewhat and is now all the way down her back, the soft curls just begging to be tugged on. Her lips are full and pouty, her dress the perfect mix of sweet and naughty. And I've never wanted her more.

"Hunter," she gasps, her voice raspy with the need I feel mirrored in my own body. I raise my eyebrows at her, enjoying her fidgeting in front of me.

But instead of shy little Candace whom I'm used to, this woman straightens her back and looks me straight in the eye when she speaks. Determined.

I like it.

"I've come to get you back," she claims proudly, and I can't fight the smile that makes its way on to my lips.

"Is that so?" I ask her, raising my eyebrows. "And what makes you think I want you back?"

She doesn't squirm from my teasing, instead she looks even more determined. "This," she whispers, stepping on her tip toes and pulling down.

She kisses me, deeply and passionately, her kiss revealing everything she's been through since I last saw her. She's sweet as fuck, still forbidden, but perfect in every way. her little tongue darts in and out of my mouth, making me go insane.

"OK," I whisper against her lips. "I'll take you."

"Damn right," she groans, biting my bottom lip.

I laugh as she takes my keys from my hand and drags me into my apartment. Sweet little Candy is all grown up, now more so than ever.

She shuts the door behind her and comes after me with a mischievous smile.

"Now, remind me where we left off?" she asks seductively, dropping her dress to the floor.

THE END

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