When he proceeded to wash me with utmost care afterwards, soaping my body and shampooing my hair in a soothing lather, like he marvelled at every strand of my hair and every line of my figure, an abundance of affection for Hunter unravelled inside of me, grander than anything I could contain in my frame.
Without a doubt, that was the most intimate shower of my life. We hadn’t had penetrative intercourse and it still rivalled all my past experiences with other men by a long stretch.
I couldn’t recall another human ever gazing at me with such innocent wonder and stark longing. Like I was punishing him by not letting him be mine. Like he was eternally grateful for every second spent together, regardless of the outcome. It made me hate myself a little for putting him through any sort of pain, when he’d only ushered joy into my life since our meeting on the terrace. It made me want to wrap Hunter up in my arms and safeguard him from any harm, though he was bigger and stronger than me.
Our companionable silence did not come to an end when Hunter turned off the shower and carried me out of the stall. He proceeded to pat my skin dry with a fluffy towel and massage his lotion into my lax muscles. No man had ever taken his time with me before, during, or after sex. Except for this one. And we hadn’t even gone all the way.
There was a lump in my throat as I watched Hunter go about the task with a concentrated frown on his face. I sensed that he needed this quietness to refuel himself before we actually talked.
I also wondered if he was afraid that speaking would shatter the magic of the moment.
Belatedly, I wondered if that was why I was also silent.
By the time he finished combing out my wet hair and brushing a kiss in the curve where my shoulder met my neck, I couldn’t help but grasp his stubbled cheeks and lay a kiss on his lips. It was filled with all the things I had yet to tell him.
Hunter sighed against my lips, eyes still closed.
“I’ll be right back,” he murmured almost vulnerably. “Please, don’t go anywhere without me.”
Oh, Hunter. I wouldn’t even if I could.
Overcome by the tightness in my chest, I simply nodded.
Hunter trudged towards the sinks and mirrors to give me privacy to dress. I imagined him repeating the same post-shower routine on himself as I put on my clothes, sans panties, becausethose were a dripping mess, and contemplated how to best broach the topic of us.
It was the entire reason for me coming to his game tonight and I wasn’t leaving until I mended what I foolishly broke yesterday.
My belly fluttered with nerves when Hunter re-emerged. He wore a pair of black pants and a white dress shirt that was half-buttoned haphazardly like he’d hurried with dressing himself to ensure I was still here.
His clothes clung to his strapping form, the material translucent where his skin was still damp and highlighting his big muscles. I couldn’t believe I’d seen him bare and had my hands and mouth all over him. My God, I was going to dream of that thigh tat. I wish I’d taken the time to lick the entirety of it with my tongue before I sucked his cock.
“You waited,” he breathed, relieved.
A pang travelled in my chest. Did he actually think I would bail?
I supposed I’d given him every reason to believe so.
My eyes rose to find his beseeching ones, waiting for me to break the spell we seemed to be under. A hint of fear lurked in his depths. I wanted to set him at ease, my own heart twisting in its cage as I beheld this perfect man who was fairy-tale handsome like a gallant knight in shining armour, besotted with the princess he thought he couldn’t have.
“Of course, Hunter.” I flexed my hands by my side. “I have something to say. Will you listen to me?”
His back straightened with attention and he nodded.
“I came here tonight to talk to you—to apologize for last night. I never meant to hurt you. Not when you mean so much to me. I hope you can forgive me for making you believe otherwise.” I inhaled deeply and cut straight to the chase. “AndI want to try being more than friends. I want to take that chance with you. If you’ll still have me.”
I barely finished speaking before Hunter was suddenly in front of me, cupping my face and staring down at me with hope. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“What does ‘more than friends’ mean to you? Because I won’t settle for being just your fuck buddy. I’m not some dirty secret to be hidden behind closed doors. I know my worth and I deserve more than that.” His thumb roved over my cheek. “So do you, Gabby.”
“I don’t mean as a fuck buddy.” I cleared my throat, glancing away for a brief second before meeting his blue eyes again. “I want us to date…To eventually become boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Exhaling, Hunter dropped his forehead to mine. I physically felt the relief penetrating through him. “You’ll really give me a chance?”
“Yes. If there’s anyone who’s going to be good to me, it’s you.” I ran my hands over his back in a gentle caress. His bunched muscles relaxed under my touch. “Just please be careful with me. For all my bravado, I am delicate.”
Admitting it out loud was freeing since I knew Hunter would never weaponize it against me. I’d tried my best to pick up my pieces after Franco. Some days, I felt whole. Other days, I felt like a teddy bear with its stuffing torn out.
