A Step Two Close

  He grabbed my hands and placed both on the table. “It’s not just an ice cream though, is it?” I shook my head. “Does it taste how you remember?” I nodded with a smile. “That’s good. Mine’s pretty good, too.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, for boring old vanilla.” I poked my tongue out a little.

  Hunter looked hurt, but he smiled. “Hey, I’ll have you know that vanilla is sometimes the best ever.” He winked at me and I nodded.

  “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

  We fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, both of us licking our ice creams. It was only when Hunter absentmindedly started tracing a delicate line across my scar that I looked up.

  “How is your arm now?” He was still looking at it as he asked.

  “It’s better, thanks.”

  He looked up then. “Do me a favour.”

  I frowned. “What?”

  He tried a smile, but it looked like it was an effort. “Next time you want to cut melons, come and look for me.”

  I knew from the look in his eyes, that wasn’t what he was asking. I nodded my head anyway, and Hunter laced his fingers through mine. I loved it when he was like this. He was so comfortable to be with... too comfortable in fact.

  As we sat there eating ice cream, I laid my head on Hunter’s shoulder. He, in turn, wrapped an arm around me. It felt nice. It felt safe. It felt as though I was where I should be, and it frightened me to death.

  After we ate our ice creams, I didn’t want to leave, but I knew time was passing, and I needed to get that paper finished. Even if it meant I was up all night. Hunter knew this and nudged me when we were done. “Right. Let’s get you settled at the penthouse. I’ll order you pizza at around seven. Is that okay?”

  I frowned. “I can order my own pizza, Hunter.”

  He shook his head. “I know a reputable firm that knows me well. I’ll order it in for you. We have an account with them anyway.”

  “I’ll pay for it,” I blurted.

  Hunter’s lips thinned in irritation. “Will you stop being so fucking stubborn?”

  I poked my tongue out at him again. “No.”

  Hunter shook his head, got up from the bench and offered me his hand. “Stop showing me that tongue of yours, AJ. I only have so much restraint.”

  The little imp in me wanted to push it because, man did I love flirting with Hunter! I knew if I did, though, things would get pretty serious and fast. We both knew how important it was to keep things purely platonic between us.

  Against my raging hormones, I held my tongue and took his hand. Hunter helped me up, and we began walking back to the car.

  “Thank you again for this. I’m glad I came here today, and I’m glad it was with you.”

  I looked away blushing, but Hunter stopped me. When I looked up, he grabbed my chin and started rubbing my bottom lip with his thumb. I couldn’t help it... I shivered under his touch. Just that one small little touch and I was putty in his hands.

  “Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now? You make me feel things. I don’t know what this is between us, but by fuck does it make me want to scoop you up in my arms and never let go.”

  I gasped. I never in a million years expected those words from him. “Hunter, what are you saying?”

  He lowered his hand away from my face, and I immediately felt the loss of his touch. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying, AJ. I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong anymore. Before, this was just a game. I was ready and willing to play, but now, I just... I don’t know what.”

  I nodded, but didn’t say anything. What could I say that would make our situation better or maybe even worse?

  “It’s your birthday in a few days.”

  I sucked in a deep breath. “Please don’t remind me. I never celebrate that day.”

  Hunter nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.” He placed a strand of hair behind my ear. “If I could bring him back for you for your birthday, I would. I just wanted you to have a piece of him back with you today.”

  The tears welled again. It didn’t take much when it involved my dad. “Thank you, Hunter.”

  He pulled me into his arms momentarily before breaking our spell again. We didn’t say anything more. We both knew we shouldn’t.

  We drove to the penthouse in silence. Only briefly looking each other’s way every now and then. I couldn’t help but think this thing between us was something I had never felt before. It was as alien to me as it was to him. Maybe it was sexual frustration. I didn’t know, but something had to give soon.

  As we parked in his space, Hunter got out and carried my bag and laptop. He pulled out the card in the lift and the doors soon closed. Once inside, he placed my bags down and looked at me.

  “I will come round about nine tomorrow—if that’s okay? You and I have some planning to do.” He smiled knowingly at me.

  Mason and my mum weren’t staying at the house the night of the wedding. Mason was going be on his stag do, and my mum was going to be out with her friends. Mason asked if we could stay and help set everything up. My mum thought it was just a small affair at the house, but Mason had this big surprise involving a marquee, expensive flowers, and the most expensive caterers. My mum was supposed to be leaving at nine, and then, at ten, the company setting up the marquee would arrive. During the next day, we would have people arriving to drop some food off, so not too much was left for the actual day. Hunter and I agreed to deal with all that stress, so Mason and my mum could relax and only worry about turning up on time.

  I nodded. “That’s fine.”

  He walked towards the lift. “I’ll get them to deliver your pizza at seven. The code they have is four-two-four-one. Can you remember that? It’s for safety so we know it’s them.”

  I nodded. “I’ll remember. Four-two-four-one.”

  He nodded, placing his hands in his pockets. Why did he have to look so damn fuckable all the time?

  “Right. I had better go. Good luck with your paper. I have all the faith in the world in you and your ability to do it justice.”

  I smiled at his confidence in me. “Thank you.”

  The staring commenced, and so too did the awkwardness. He needed to leave because I wasn’t sure whether I had the strength to say no if he didn’t.

  “See you tomorrow, AJ.” He walked to the lift and got in. He pressed the button and looked up. “You’ll be in my dreams tonight, sweetheart.”

  I gasped just as the lift doors closed. In that moment, I had this sudden urge to run to the doors and bang them with all my might. For the last few weeks, he had been irritable and moody. I knew the reason why finally, but at the time, it was easy to ignore him. It was easy to forget that I wanted him so damn much it hurt.

  Instead, I took a deep breath. Despite wanting Hunter, my paper had to come first. Just for one night, it had to come first. Hunter understood that, and that was why he did this wonderful thing for me. So wonderful that it was hard to even try to hate him for anything. I just wished I could hate him even a little... just enough so that I didn’t have this gut-aching feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever he wasn’t with me. I always missed him like I would my last breath.

  It took a while and a shot of bourbon to calm my nerves, but I shook myself out of it and got my laptop loaded. Hunter did this for me—so that I could get a better grade—and, by God, I was determined not to let anyone down.

  I went over the paper again before looking at my notes on the suggestions my tutor made. I highlighted the parts that were good and deleted the parts that weren’t. Paragraph by paragraph, I went through each meticulously and thought long and hard about what to replace it with. I was so into it that a buzz at the lift doors made me jump.

  I looked at my watch and saw it was seven on the dot. It must be the pizza guy. I briskly walked to the intercom. I pressed the button and an image immediately appeared.

  When he saw me, he smiled. “Delivery for Miss Pearson, code four-two-four-one.”


  I nodded with smile. “Okay, come right up.”

  I buzzed to let him in and waited a couple of minutes before the doors opened. When he emerged the smell of pizza hit me. “Wow, that smells gorgeous.”

  The guy with a slight beer belly and silly red cap with the pizza logo on it smiled haphazardly at me. “Supposed to be the best in town.” He looked at the note on the side. “Pepperoni with added mushrooms.”

  I bit my lip trying to stifle the stupid smile on my face. I remember Hunter asking me ages ago what my favourite pizza was, but I never in a million years thought he would remember.

  “That’s the one,” I said, slightly swaying on my feet. My God, I was behaving like a giddy little girl.

  He placed the pizza down on the counter for me and motioned to the doors. “Enjoy your pizza.”

  I ran after him. “Oh, hold on. What about a tip?”

  He got in the lift and turned around. “All taken care of. Have a nice evening.” He tipped his hat.

  “Thank you. You, too.”

  Once the doors were shut, I went over the pizza box and opened it up. The smell hit me hard making my tongue sting with anticipation. I quickly pulled one slice up and placed it in my mouth. I moaned. God, it was delicious. I didn’t know why, but Hunter had ordered me a large. There was no way I was going to eat a large one all by myself.

  I was just tucking into my second bite when my phone pinged. I pressed the button and lit the screen up. I smiled and pressed to read it.

  Fuck Face: I can just about imagine what you’re doing right now, so I’m kind of glad I’m not there.

  Me: I have tomato sauce dribbling down my face right now.

  Fuck Face: That’s an image I will definitely not shake now. You really are a little temptress.

  Me: It’s pretty damn hard being me.

  Fuck Face: I bet, princess. ;) How is the paper going?

  Me: It’s going good, thanks. It’s really helped being on my own. I’ve managed to get half done already.

  Fuck Face: That’s really good. I won’t keep you then. Enjoy your pizza and I’ll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams, AJ. xx

  Me: I will because I know who will be in mine. xx

  I wasn’t sure whether I should have sent that message, but thought what the heck. He said the same to me only a few hours ago.

  Despite the fact I knew I couldn’t eat all of the pizza, I managed to eat three quarters of it. Once full to the brim, I tucked the pizza away in the fridge with the sole intention of eating the rest for breakfast. That was a pizza you certainly could eat at any time of the day.

  Once I stored the pizza away, I went back to my essay. It was hard to get back into it after my disruption, but after about fifteen minutes, I found my rhythm again and started typing like a woman possessed. The next day might be my last day, but I was still determined to get this done and sent over to my tutor as early as possible. I wouldn’t be there personally. She understood due to the wedding, but I didn’t want to let her down by handing it in late.

  It got to around one in the morning, and I found I couldn’t keep my eyes open. The words on my laptop were becoming blurry, so I knew it was time to get to bed. I saved what I had done so far and set the alarm on my phone to go off at six. Three hours more should be plenty of time to finish it. I only had one more paragraph and a final read-through before sending it to my tutor.

  I virtually stumbled towards Mason’s bed. I had only just about landed on it before I fell to sleep. My last thought was of Hunter and what the next day would bring. I didn’t know, but whatever it would be, it was bound to end with me feeling just as lost as ever.

  Chapter Nineteen

  My alarm was unwelcome, but the moment I heard it, I knew the reason why it was set in the first place. It was all the encouragement I needed to get my arse in gear, get a shower, heat up the remaining pizza, and sit back at the laptop.

  By the time I sent my paper to my tutor, it was eight thirty. I sat there, took a huge deep breath, and was just shutting down my laptop when my phone pinged.

  Fuck Face: How you getting on, sweetheart?

  I smiled. I couldn’t help myself when it involved Hunter.

  Me: Just this minute shutting down my laptop. I feel more confident this time that I’ve done the best I can.

  Fuck Face: Good. Did you dream about me last night?

  Me: Wouldn’t you like to know?

  Fuck Face: Yes.

  Me: A lady never tells.

  Fuck Face: In that case, I won’t ask. :-) Is the lady-in-waiting ready for her chariot to come and collect her?

  Me: She is.

  Fuck Face: Well, I shall come in haste.

  I laughed and put my phone down, so I could go and get ready for Hunter’s arrival. Now that the essay was done, I could concentrate on enjoying the summer. I was even thinking it would be a great time to look for a job, since my mum wasn’t around to stop me.

  I went to work tidying the sheets, washing the dishes from last night, and getting myself a bit more presentable for Hunter. I was packing my bag—ready to sit down and wait—when the lift doors pinged.

  Hunter emerged looking every bit the god he was. I sighed because his great looks, dark sunglasses, pale blue shirt and cream coloured trousers were totally sigh-worthy. Everything about Hunter was sigh-worthy.

  When he saw me, his smile took my breath away, and I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot back at him. “Your carriage awaits, madam.”

  I nodded and was about to pick my bags up when Hunter beat me to it. “I’ll take these; you just hold the lift. Have you got everything?” I nodded. “Well, let’s go. We’ve got a lot to do today.”

  When we got back home, we were met with total silence. It was strange considering how manic everything was going to get. I had barely enough time to unpack everything and get settled in when the marquee arrived. Pretty soon after that, the caterers rang on the bell. It was hectic to say the least. Hunter and I barely spoke, and when we did, it was to let each other know progress updates and what to do next. By five o’clock, the pool and the garden looked set and so did most of the food for tomorrow. By the time six o’clock came around, we were about as ready as ever. There were just the last-minute, fresh plates of food to arrive tomorrow along with the cake, and that was it.

  Hunter and I were exhausted and sweaty, so we decided to take a dip in the pool before dinner. “We worked well today.”

  I looked over to Hunter. He was on one side of the pool and me the other. We were both as far apart from each other as possible without it looking rude. I knew why we were both doing it. Any closer and I would pounce on him. It didn’t help that he was half naked, his hair all wet, and his bronzed skin twinkling in the sunlight. I didn’t care that it was pool water—I wanted to lick those droplets right off him.

  “We did. We make a good team.”

  “We do.”

  Awkward silence ensued as a staring match commenced. How the fuck was I going to get through the next few weeks?

  Hunter cleared his throat. “Do you fancy Chinese tonight? I can go order now if you’re hungry? It will give you a chance to... er... get a shower before it gets here.”

  Was “shower” a code word for a good wanking session? There had certainly been a lot of those since Hunter moved in. He knew it and so did I. Our bedrooms may have been quiet, but the bathroom walls left very little to the imagination.

  “Yes, I think I’m going to need one.”

  Hunter nodded with a slight laugh. “Yeah, me too. You want to go first?”

  I jumped out of the pool and grabbed my towel. “Okay.” I covered myself up and started walking—all the while knowing Hunter was watching my every move. It didn’t help the urge to walk over the there, plunge back in that pool, and rip his trunks off. In fact, the more I thought about it, the quicker my steps towards my room became.

  Once there, I let out a sigh and ripped the towel from me. I got in the shower, had the two W’s, and found a nice lit
tle floral number to put on. It was short enough to show my legs, but not short enough that one could see what I had had for breakfast that morning.

  Once ready, I put on some make-up, blow-dried my hair, and made my way downstairs.

  When I got there, I found Hunter lighting some candles and placing them on the table outside. On the table was a bottle of bubbly and two glasses. Hunter looked cool as a cucumber in a loose-fitting white shirt with a couple of buttons undone. Sporting that was a pair of navy shorts that hung perfectly at his hips. I could see the well-defined muscles on his calves as he leant over the table. It was hard to pry my eyes away from him.

  As I took another step toward him, Hunter noticed and looked up. When he saw me, he smiled, and I couldn’t miss the small perusal of my body. It made the hairs on my neck stand to attention.

  “They should be here in about ten minutes.” I nodded and watched as Hunter picked up the bottle of champagne. “I hope you don’t mind? I thought we deserved it after our hard day today. I think you deserve it especially because of all the hard work on your essay.”

  I huffed. “I wouldn’t have needed to work so much if it wasn’t for the fact I didn’t put too much effort into it in the first place.”

  Hunter tutted. “What have I told you about being too hard on yourself, AJ? Have a little faith in yourself. I know I do.”

  Squeezing my hands together, I went all shades of red. Luckily, Hunter didn’t notice as he was too busy popping the cork on the champagne. He eventually managed and poured us a glass each. He handed me mine and picked his up. We both kept our hands up for a toast.

  “To happy endings.”

  I bit my lip to stop the smile. I was expecting a big toast, but Hunter managed to nail it all in one sentence.

  I clinked his glass. “To happy endings.”

  Oh shit! More staring, another awkward silence and as if all that wasn’t bad enough, the sheer presence of Hunter made my knees start to tremble.

  Hunter was about to speak again when the doorbell rang. Thank fuck for small mercies.