“I imagine it hurts as much as having someone die in front of you. Someone you let yourself love and then couldn’tkeep them safe? I know that kind of pain.” My voice cracked on the last word. Air stuttered out of me. I bit my lip to keep it in. To keep everything in.
“I’m not going to die, Reg,” he murmured.
“Yes. Yes, you are. Everyone dies. And with our peculiar friends—the danger they put themselves in. The chances are greater.” I took a breath. “Everyone leaves. Always. I’m so tired of it.”
“I— Okay, I get it. Yes. People change, leave, move on, some of us even die.” Hunter’s eyes were light now, a brilliant warm whiskey color. His mouth twisted again. “Not me, you understand, but some of us. I, for one, intend to be very hard to kill.”
My lips twitched as my chest expanded with a tiny feeling of relief. Still, I searched his expression for the lie. All my life, people had lied. They’d let me down, betrayed me, left me. But he wouldn’t, would he? Not Hunter. Hunter was good.
His eyebrows ticked up. “If you’re being honest about wanting something other than friendship, what now? What do you want to do?”
My immediate answer was him. I wanted to do him. Right then and there. I forced myself to take a beat before answering. Every other time I opened my mouth, things went awry.
“I want you. In all the ways, Hunter.” I touched him now, just a hand on his arm, but it was something, a connection that grounded me. “But I also want to be better. Trusting folk with my life is easy. Well, easier. My heart is a different matter. I want to be your everything. I want to be the guy you’ve fallen for. And let myself love you back. I want to love you back really, really, well.”
He smiled, reaching out for me. I stepped forward ready to melt into him. Kiss him within an inch of his life. A car drove by and honked, a lady waving as she edged past the house.
Hunter chuckled and waved. “Come here.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the door. We were out of sight of the nosy neighbors but not far enough into the house to be seen by the poker players. “Now. Tell me again how you can love me really, really well.” His words were a hot whisper against my neck.
“So good. I can be so good to you, Hunter, Bruce Hunter.” I tilted my head, lips seeking the heat of his mouth.
Neither of us were for holding back. Not anymore. Lips and tongue and breath and hope all mixed into a fiery ball inside me as I nipped and licked into his mouth. I couldn’t stop myself pushing my hard dick against him and groaning softly. Hunter’s hand on my hip pressed us closer. The touch was electric and desperate. I responded with a sigh, but he stepped back, putting an unwanted distance between us.
“If we were alone in this house, I’d let you take me right here,” he whispered into my ear. “But my mom’s friends don’t need live-action porn with their poker game.”
I heaved a breath and pushed down my need for a moment. Thinking of rotting fish and dead kittens and all things horrible to get the tent in my jeans to fade. I nodded and studied the dark paneled walls. I couldn’t look at him. For it would start all over again. After we wrestled our mutual desire under control, he held his hand back for me to take. We made our way into the living room.
“Ma. Is there room for another player? Regge wants to learn.”
“Of course, dear,” Marjorie said. “Regge, you come sit right here in my seat. I need to refresh some drinks. Bruce, grab the extra chair.”
I sat down and looked around the table. “Thank you. I do hope that my novice card skills will not hinder your enjoyment of the game.”
“I do love the way you talk, dear,” Eloise said from across the table. “Now, we play five card stud.” She proceeded to explain the basics of the game. Hunter pulled up a chair next to me and slid his thigh alongside mine. Under the table, his hand squeezed my knee briefly.
With every game, the heat between us seemed to grow. We played four rounds of poker—I managed to win the last round before a yawn snuck out of me. “Oh. Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“That’s our cue, I think,” Marjorie said. She patted my hand. “Besides, dear, you caught on very quickly and I’d like to keep the rest of my money.” She winked.
“It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Thank you for letting me sit in on your game.” I stood as everyone settled up their wins and losses and gathered whatever dish they had brought. “I should go as well.”
“Nonsense,” Marjorie said. “We can make up the couch. You can stay here. I know Bruce would like it.”
“Like what?” Hunter carried a large Tupperware container from the kitchen. He handed it over to a departing player and held open the door for her.
“I don’t want Regge to have to find a hotel tonight. It’s late. I said I’d make up the couch.” Marjorie escorted the other players outside, saying their goodbyes.
We waited near the round table until she returned to the living room with a slight smile—as though she knew what Hunter was going to say.
“There’s no need for that,” Hunter told his mum.
“I’m sure there’s a decent hotel…” My words trailed off as Hunter took my hand.
“Regge will stay in my room, Ma. No need to make up the couch.”
I marveled at how simple it was. Just like that. The most normal thing in the world. I would stay in Hunter’s room.
Marjorie nodded. “Good. It is a lumpy couch. I really should replace it.” Her gaze swept fondly over both of us. “I’ve fixed the coffeemaker, so you just hit the button. Don’t forget to shut off the lights. I don’t own Con Ed stock.” She headed upstairs.
