COLD RECOGNITION

Chapter FOUR

Ashlyn’s POV

The moment my lips touched his, Hunt’s hand grabbed my waist closer, and he deepened the kiss.

He tasted of liquor, and as I moaned, I realized just how much I needed this. To feel him, to smell him, to know he was fully alive.

“Hunt.” I whimpered as his hands gripped my hips hard enough to bruise.

Beneath the bandage, the bite marked on my neck ached. But not painfully, each throb sent a shot of desire through me.

“More.” I panted, begging shamelessly, as Hunt’s hands made quick work of my dress.

Cool air hit my skin, making my nipples harden instantly.

He pulled back from my lips, and his grey eyes dilated with hunger. 

They were almost black. The needy look in them made my insides clench as Hunt’s grip on me tightened again, and he groaned against my mouth.

Burnt liquor, dark pinecones, and the faintest smell of chocolate enveloped me. 

He was driving me crazy.

My fingers shook as I tugged at his shirt, fumbling with the buttons. I needed to touch him, I needed to—

In a swift motion, he pulled his shirt off with one hand, and my mouth went dry.

If possible, his body seemed different. More– I traced my nails down his taut abs greedily.

A flash of pleasure burst through me as I felt him shudder. 

We hit the edge of the bed, and he shoved me down onto the mattress, his weight following right after. 

Hot delicious heat spread through me and I licked my lips with a swallow.

The room was dark.

Silent, save for the mixed sounds of our breathing as the golden candlelight illuminated the side of his face.

He was so handsome. 

I parted my lips when Hunt lowered his lips to my neck.

My body froze. What was he– He stopped, hot breath fanning just above the bandage there.

My breath hitched as his teeth grazed the edge of it, not biting but teasing, sending sparks straight to my core. 

"You’re killing me," I ground out, fisting my hand in his hair as I writhed against him.

My pussy was drenched. 

I needed him right now. Needed to fill more– my eyes flickered open and my gaze went down.

Down to where his cock strained against his pants. The length and hard and thick through the fabric.

“Wait.” He slurred in my ear.

But my pussy clenched, and I arched up, rubbing against him. 

I needed him right now.

Hunt cursed low under his breath and pulled back for a moment, fumbling with his pants.

They hit the floor with a thud, and he kicked them away.

Even in the dim light of the room, I could see his cock spring free. Heavy, veined, the tip already glistening.

“Now,” I begged and reached for it to wrap my fingers around the base and slowly stroke it. 

Hunt hissed sharply, thrusting into my grip with his eyes half-lidded and unfocused.

My heart thudded, and I paused. “Hunt?”

“You’re perfect.” He growled, his voice thick as he pushed my back, back to the bed.

I could barely breathe. Everything seemed narrowed down to this moment as I stared into his stormy eyes and swallowed.

“Part for me.” He murmured softly as his hot hands touched my thighs.

My body moved before I could think, cool air hitting the exposed skin. Hunt didn’t hesitate. He plunged two fingers, curling deep into my soaking folds. 

Goddess help me.

Stars exploded behind my eyes, and I moaned, arching my back from the bed. 

Hunt pressed a kiss to my taut nipple.

At the same time, his fingers began to move. He pumped them in and out, fast and sloppy, his thumb circling my clit.

He drove me mad.

My mind blanked as pressure built quickly, making my walls clench around him.

 "Please. Please.” I writhed, mewling like a cat as my hips bucked to meet his hand.

I was close. So close.

Suddenly, he pulled his fingers out, and air crashed back into my lungs. I opened my eyes in time to see him suck my arousal from his fingers with a low growl. 

Then he was over me again. His cock nudging at my entrance. My breath held as he pushed in slowly at first, stretching me inch by inch. 

I bit my lip, grunting and feeling every ridge, every pulse as he filled me up.

My hands hugged Hunter’s back. Feeling the hard muscles of his back as I grew accustomed to his size, and my breath came back.

“Okay?” He mumbled.

And I nodded. Then he began to move.

His thrusts were uneven but deep, hitting against that spot inside me and sending stars bursting behind my eyes. 

The room was no longer silent.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer, digging my nails into his back, or anything.

My husband was alive.

The thought rang in my head over and over again as I felt every inch of him slam into me.

Sweat slicked our skin, and his chest slid against my sensitive nipples, heightening my pleasure.

“Yes. Just like that. Please.” I moaned like a woman possessed as he reached down between us, rubbing my clit in tight circles, chasing the edge.

I could do this forever. 

Just me and my mate doused in ecstasy as he drove us to the edge.

Hunt moaned deeply, burying his face in my neck, his breath hot and ragged against the bandage. 

I was close. So close.

 My body tensed as I felt it come closer and closer. 

“I’m close!” I screamed, my eyes closed as my legs began to shake.

Hunt’s cock throbbed inside me, swelling, and I clenched around him, screaming as he slammed in deep one last time. His whole body went rigid.

 "Vanessa," Hunt gasped, his voice breaking as he came.

 Hot spurts flooded me, but my world had stopped. Who was Vanessa?!

My orgasm hit anyway, sharp and overwhelming, stealing the breath from my lungs. But my eyes flew open, and I stared at Hunt with something cold slithering over my heart.

“V- Vanessa?”

My voice seemed to jolt him back to reality. And his eyes widened, his drunken haze clearing. Faster than I could breathe, He pulled back from me sharply, and cold hatred snapped over his eyes.

No.

I tried to reject the thought. To wait for that cold recognition in Hunt’s eyes to fade.

But he just slumped back onto the bed, the alcohol pulling him under again.

And horror clawed my throat as the truth hit me.

In this world, my husband loved someone else. Vanessa.

He had no idea who I was. And even worse, he hated me.