FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM - HER FIRST LOVE

Hunter scoffed and shook his head in disappointment. "Of course, you are ready. That's why you were trembling with fear, praying for your dear life with your closed eyes as if I was strangling you to death with my touch," he said and scoffed again, which turned into a sarcastic laugh. Hera's eyes widened in alarm, and she shook her head frantically in denial. 

"You're misinterpreting everything, Hunter. Obviously, I'll be scared because it's my first time, but I wasn't scared of your touch," Hera gave her explanation sounding far too defensive. Hunter looked away and ran his fingers through his hair. "Fucking hell," he cursed before looking her in the eye. 

"Don't forget, Hera Hunter. I know when you're lying," he stated, pointing his finger at her. Hunter knew she wasn't ready for this, but something had forced her to take this step. He was angry because she was not telling the truth. Hera took a deep breath and tried to appear unaffected by the way he glared at her.. She felt like a child getting scolded for stealing cookies. 

"Why would I lie to you, Hunter?" She asked in return, keeping her poised facade on. 

"You wanted us to wait for our wedding night. Then how did you change your mind? What made you act so recklessly? Why did you feel the urge to please me all of a sudden?" He yelled in frustration. "Do you think I'm a sex addict or what?" He asked. The answer to his question was ready on the tip of her tongue. Hera wanted to say yes, but she stopped herself in time and swallowed before it could roll out of her mouth. 

'It's not the right time to be bitter.'

The sensible part of her brain provided helpfully. 

So Hera bit her lip and shook her head in response. 

"Did I ask you to please me, Hera?" Hunter asked. He sounded defeated, and Hera realised she'd chosen the wrong word to convey her point. 

'Oh, God, he's viewing everything wrong. How do I convince him that I want this.' 

Hera delved deeper into her thoughts. How would she tell him about all that hustle-bustle going on inside her chest without hurting his feelings? She needed to choose her words carefully. She took a deep breath, and with a determined sigh, Hera covered the distance between them and took his hand in hers. 

She was ready to swallow her pride if he rejected her advance. She was expecting him to yank his hand right away. Hera smiled and thanked her lucky stars when he didn't resist. She guided him back to the bed and made him sit on the edge. She was relieved that he didn't fight her on this. 

Hesitating, Hera let herself seated on his uninjured thigh and twined her arms around his neck. She immediately missed the feeling of comforting his hands around her waist would provide because Hunter didn't return the hug. But she was glad he subconsciously parted his legs, allowing more room for her. She licked her lips before planting a wet kiss on his cheek. 

She decided to be honest with him. There was no benefit in lying to him. Hunter would know it if she did. 

"You didn't ask me to please you, but I wanted to anyway. Because I'm afraid," Hera spoke in a soft whisper. "I'm afraid that," she paused, unsure of how to voice out her fears. Alarmed, Hera looked at his face as he removed her hands from his neck. "That I'll cheat on you," he completed her sentence for her. 

Hera shifted, placing both her legs to one side of his and settled comfortably on his lap, careful not to put too much weight on his wounded thigh though it had healed completely. She held him in a tight embrace, afraid that he would pull away. 

"Haven't your smart brain heard of this phrase, out of sight, out of mind?" Hera asked, but Hunter didn't reply. He kept his head down, not looking at her. Hera cupped his face in her palms and forced him to meet her eyes. 

Hera locked lips with him as soon as she saw the defeated look on his face. He was ashamed, and the guilt was hurting him. 

Hera broke the kiss as he didn't kiss her back. 

"We haven't seen each other for a week, and I missed you so badly. Hunter, I wanted to make sure you feel the same. I was afraid that you would forget me," Hera confessed. Hunter's large eyes pierced into her soul as he stared at her without blinking. He placed her palm against his heart and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead. 

"It wouldn't beat another second more if I forget you," Hunter promised with all honesty. "Because you're here in my heart, reminding me of your presence with every beat thumping against my chest," he said. Hera let out a slight chuckle at his confession. "Between you and me, you're always the dramatic one, Mr Hunter," Hera said, trying to ease the hovering tension.

"You let other girls entertain you when we broke up. I constantly worry that you'll go after them again in my absence. I wanted to take that leap in our relationship because I don't want you to go in search of sexual pleasure somewhere else. I can't get rid of this fear. Every time we are distant from each other, I get sick thinking about it. It makes me feel insecure," Hera confessed her deepest fears and finally felt relieved. 

It was a huge burden over her chest, suffocating her ever since he cheated on her. 

Hunter wrapped his arms around her middle and closed his eyes while inhaling her scent. They were touching nose to nose, forehead to forehead. 

"I'm the only one to blame. I was immature and stupid. It's not your fault that you feel insecure. It was my mistake, and I promise I'll earn your trust back. Just be patient with me. I would never hurt you again, I promise," Hunter vowed. 

Hera sniffed, and Hunter shook his head, wordlessly asking her not to shed tears. He kissed her fears away. 

"I'm tired of people taunting me that my boyfriend is a cheater. I want to show them that I'm absolutely capable of keeping you interested and entertained. They keep reminding me that you're too good for me," Hera admitted with a sulking pout. Hunter smiled and kissed her pouty beaks. He could understand her conflicting emotions. 

She was too young and immature. It was easy to confuse her and influence her mind. Hunter knew she was insecure because of his betrayal, and it was his responsibility to make her feel secure again. 

"You don't have to sleep with me to please me, Goddess. You are my happiness, my blissful heaven. I'll never lose you again because you're too good for me, the best of all," he stated with conviction. The determination in his eyes, the fond smile on his lips assured her of the same. 

"Now tell me the truth, when you said you're ready, were you?" He asked. His tone and the look in his eyes said he already knew the answer. Somehow he could always detect her lies. Hera smiled sheepishly and shook her head, earning a chuckle from Hunter. 

"When I said strip, you looked at me with your large eyes as if I asked you to plunge the dagger into my heart," he said, keeping a straight face, and Hera started to giggle before bursting out in hearty laughter. He was relieved that she finally felt at ease and laughing with her whole heart. 

"Seriously, Goddess, don't ever force yourself to do anything when your heart refuses to take part in it. The day you feel comfortable stripping in front of me, nothing would stop me from devouring you," he admitted without a trace of doubt or shame. Hera kissed the tip of his nose, nodding her agreement.

Hera attempted to steal a kiss, but Hunter moved his head back and scowled at her, refusing to oblige. Hera scowled and mouthed, "Fuck you".

Hunter laughed and said, "Not now, Goddess." She tried to slap him, but he dodged it easily. Hera was planning to jump on him to get her kiss, but the door swung open suddenly, revealing the intruder. Hera scowled when Bianca barged in without much preamble. 

"Don't you know how to knock? Where are your manners, Bianca?" Hera asked in a disapproving tone. For once, Hera got the chance to dig at Bianca's mannerless behaviour, and she wouldn't let it pass. However, Bianca ignored her existence and ran to hug her best friend. Hera scowled and moved away to avoid the collision. Hunter smirked at Hera's displeased face and returned Bianca's hug. 

"I can't tell you in words how much I missed you, Ace. How are you feeling now?" Bianca asked, pulling away from the hug. She checked his injuries like a qualified, professional doctor before kissing him on the forehead. 

"I missed you too, Sunshine," Hunter said. Hera flipped him the bird, and Hunter bit back his smile.