We flirted relentlessly with one another through high school, but then we always found a way to ignore the fire between us.
That fire is still there, though. And God help me, I don’t want to pretend anymore.
* * *
An hour later, Hunter brings the last of my bags into his guest suite.
And just like that, I’ve moved in.
“Looks like you’ve officially got yourself a human housemate,” I say with a smile. “I promise to take good care of Theo.”
“I know you will.” He gives me a nod. “I’m off to practice.”
“Okay. Have fun.”
He pauses in the doorway. “I signed a six-month contract with the pet sitting agency,” he says, leaning against my doorjamb.
“Right. Six months.”
“So.” He settles in more against the door frame. “Does that mean you’re returning to Broadway in six months?”
I clench my hands into balls at my sides. “That’s the plan.”
His gaze on me feels as hot as the sun. It’s like he can see right through me.
Desperate to change the subject, I say in a rush of words, “I’m meeting Ashley and Peyton at The Riverway tonight. I think Oliver will be there. Why don’t you join us after practice if you’re up for it?”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Great.” I remember my car. “Shit! I left my mother’s car in the street while we unpacked the truck. I need to move it.”
“I’ll come with you.”
* * *
Hunter
All these years, and I never once saw Winter Allen. Now I can’t get away from her. And I don’t want to.
We walk together down my short driveway and over to her mother’s BMW that’s parked by the curb. I wait for Winter to unlock the doors before getting into the shotgun seat.
I’m still wound up from our argument at her parents’ house earlier and by the way Winter’s body felt when I put my hands on her. I haven’t touched Winter in ages, and the last two times we’ve touched, my whole body fucking lit up. I could have taken her against the bathroom wall right then and there. And if her mother hadn’t come upstairs, I might have gone for it.
“So your mama’s BMW fetish is still going strong, I take it.”
“Of course.” Winter puts the key in the ignition, and I try to ignore how every little movement she makes turns me on. “My mother can be counted on to never change. Always wanting me to be the best, and never happy with what I achieve.”
She jerks her head over to me after she says it, and I know she didn’t mean for all that to come out of her mouth. She nearly drives right past my house in her distraction, but I gesture to the left, and she veers into the driveway at the last moment.
“Shit.”
I bite back a grin. “You seem a little out of it. Are you tired from being woken up early?” I ask her as we get out of the car. “You could take a nap with Theo. Like human-cat bonding time.”
“Maybe I will.” She flicks her gaze over to me. “If you didn’t have practice, I’d invite you to join us.”
My dick hardens immediately. “Is that right?” As we step inside my house, I pause in the doorway, causing Winter to bump into my side. Which was exactly my plan.
I reach out and wrap my arm around her waist. “Can I take you up on your offer another time?”
