“You are. Did you think I wasn’t watching you when you’ve been doing your stretching exercises? How you go through each one with such attention to detail? Your dedication is admirable.”
My cheeks must be the color of a tomato with how hot my face feels. I look down and spot the same hole in his jeans I wanted to poke at the movie theater. My fingers itch to touch it, and this time, I let the impulsive thought win. I reach over and stick the tip of my finger in the small tear, poking his warm skin.
“Or maybe I don’t want to risk being thirty-five and needing a completely new hip. I don’t want to be that old.”
He lets out a choked scoff. “Wow. I think you just called me old.”
I snap my head back up, eyes widening in shock. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
He grins. “I’m only teasing you.”
“Are you two lovebirds done? Is it safe to come in?” Walt’s voice echoes from the hall.
“Yeah, it’s safe,” Hunter calls out, then reaches over to give me a quick kiss. “I’m making a chicken stir-fry with rice noodles. Is that okay?”
“Mhm,” I murmur, stealing another kiss from him before he stands up. “Want me to come and help? I might not know what to do, but I can be there for moral support.”
He shakes his head. “No, you take it easy. It won’t take me long.”
Walt places my drink on the side table next to the couch, then returns to his armchair as Hunter disappears into the kitchen. “So, Elliot. Now he’s gone, tell me all about how you kicked Detroit’s ass last night. The game was magical to watch.”
And the nerves I was feeling earlier are nowhere to be found.
“Thanks for coming, Elliot. It was great meeting you,” Walt says, holding out his hand.
“I had a really good time. I can’t wait to hear more stories about Hunter.” I grin, giving his hand a shake.
“There’s plenty more where they came from. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I’ll be home in the morning,” Hunter tells his uncle.
“There’s no need to rush back on my account. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
Hunter grumbles something under his breath.
“See ya.” I wave, then turn on my heels to follow Hunter down the narrow path to my parked car. He climbs into the passenger seat and tosses his duffel bag onto the back seat.
“Ready?” I ask, switching on the ignition. Air blasts from the vents, and I shiver at the chill. Thankfully, my car doesn’t take long to warm up.
When he doesn’t reply, I glance over to the passenger side and catch him staring at me with a small smile.
“What?” I ask dumbly.
“You’re wonderful, you know that?”
I snort, batting off his compliment because I don’t know how to handle it. “I think all that ginger ale you’ve had has gone to your head. All the bubbles are having a disco in your brain.”
“If it is, then it’s a disco I never want to leave.”
I’m unable to wipe the smile from my face on the drive back to my apartment.My cutlery still in my pocket because it turns out, Hunter really does know me well.
It’s dark and quiet when we walk in. I kick off my shoes and flick on the low-level lighting.
Hunter places his leather jacket on the back of the couch, then holds out his hand to me. I close the distance and slip my hand into his. He leads us down the hall to my bedroom, where he turns on the aura lamp, the room lighting up in a dim but warm, gentle glow.
Letting go of my hand, he cups my face and angles my head up slightly. His thumb traces my bottom lip, and I suck in a breath.
“Will you fuck me?” I ask, voice barely above a whisper.
