“I’ll call you later Gigi,” he says and then walks over and kisses me on the cheek before walking out. And despite him doing exactly what I ask, I feel like shit. All my freaking out brain caught is that Hunter was leaving, again.
I arrive home utterly exhausted after leaving my family at the hospital. The interview had gone as well as could be expected. Leah is briefing me on everything that happened at work as Matthew pulls up and parks downstairs in our apartment. Thankfully he had been quietly talking on his mobile the whole way home. I had asked for some space and that is what they gave me.
I let Matthew lead us up to our apartment and wait inside the front door while he double checked each room and once he gave me the all clear, I wander into my suite, closing the door and flicking the lights on.
I turn the TV on to something that provides a gentle background noise and then I stand under a hot shower for way too long. The last thing I feel like doing is blow drying my hair but I had little choice unless I wanted to look like a swamp monster in the morning. By the time I am done, I am pretty sure I am a zombie walking. My phone pings as I am just settling into the pillows propped up on my bed.
Can we talk?a little smile breaks over my face as I read Hunter’s text.
Come have breakfast with me. Early. Let me sleep now. You make me feel all sorts of things, but right now I can’t even speak.I quickly text back.
I’ll be there very early. And for the record you make me feel ALOT too.G’night my Gigi xx
I wait a bit longer in case he responds, but then put my phone on my bedside table and roll over so that I can see out my window at the lights. Thankfully my thoughts settle a little bit, I still don’t have any answers but at least my head isn't swirling as much.
A soft knock at my door woke me and a quick glance at the time confirms it is only five am. The door opens slightly before a dark shadow slinks in. I can smell Hunter before I can make out his face in the dawn light and I shuffle over in my bed and wait for him to take off his shoes. He is wearing gray baggy sweats that should not have looked as good on him as they did.
“Hey Gigi. I couldn’t wait any longer. Caleb let me in. Hope you don’t mind. Any news on your grandpa,” he whispers as he balances on one leg to pull off his shoe before hopping onto the other one. Then he climbs on top of the cover, grabbing my blanket to cover himself.
“Hop under Hunter. He is doing better than they thought. I am so thankful,” I say quietly, sleepy still.
“Good to hear. Safer for all of us if I stay right here Gigi,” he replies as he pulls me into his chest. “We got too much to talk about. You know what will happen if I climb in there with you.”
I smile into his t-shirt covered chest. Silly man thinks I won't be tempted with him still dressed and on top of the bed. I snuggle in deep before I let my hands wander finding the edge of his shirt and quickly feeling over his chest. My hands slow as they travel over his body, his warmth is all sorts of delicious and I try to get even closer to him. My eyes are closed and he feels very nice indeed.
Hunter rolls over onto his side so that I can cuddle into his chest and he drops the smallest of kisses to my forehead.
“Stop touching me Gigi. I came to have breakfast with you, not be your breakfast,” he laughs softly. I like this side of Hunter.
“Why does it feel so okay for you to be here Hunter? I haven't seen you for years. I have no idea where you have been but it’s like I don’t even care. We treated each other so badly at St Joseph’s, but it just seems so inconsequential. You make me feel so strong one moment, so weak the next but even at my weakest I am stronger. Strong enough to say I want it all with you irrespective of what we have said and done to each other before,” I say as I start making my way up his throat laying a series of little kisses as I get closer to his mouth.
“Gigi, you know you speak the very same words I think. Look at everything happening around us pretty girl. People, events, time, keep pushing us back to each other. I am starting to think fate is getting impatient with us,” Hunter holds me tighter to him as we both stop talking, the impact of our words hitting home. He kisses me softly, his touch a physical reminder of the truth in his words. Our kisses of course deepen, but he pulls away from me.
“We can’t lose ourselves again without first talking, Gigi. As much as I want that, we really do need to talk. So, you little monster, turn your ass around and keep your hands to yourself. Let me hear your story, what I missed out on. Then, to seal the deal on just how awesome a boyfriend, lover, partner, whatever we call this, I am going to make you, my world famous banana choc chip pancakes. Then I am going to lock that fucking door and pretty much devour you. But first, we talk,” he manhandles me so that I am looking in the opposite direction and then he pulls me back into him so that we are spooning as we both look out the window to the rising sun.
“So start talking Mister, then we can make out before we eat,” I offered, looking over my shoulder at him.
He leans in and kisses my mouth in a kiss that is definitely not chaste, nor friendly. It is lucky indeed that he turned me, or I will have no trouble taking it further. But Hunter is keen to talk this morning.
“Tell me about this thing with Dom, Gigi. I don’t understand why you didn't tell me sooner,” he growls into my ear, keeping his cheek to mine.
“Tell me why you left,” I respond tartily and I can feel myself tense up in his arms.
“Hey, I am not having a go. Just relax. Let’s talk about Dom first,” he soothes.
And despite not wanting to, I spill all about Dom. Hunter holds me while I cry. He squeezes me tight as I start to let my emotions steal my oxygen and then his gentle fingers unpry my fists, when they squeeze so hard my knuckles turn white.
Gentle golden rays from the dawning sun, starting creeping into my room as I talk. I follow their progress as they move higher over my quilt, a good indicator of how much I say to him. Hunter continues to console me in some parts, I feel his jaw clenching against my head in others. He doesn’t interject and lets me get the whole story out. We are just approaching the reason for me attending their engagement party when an alarm sounds above us.
“What is that?” I ask confused, listening closely to the siren, but Hunter is up and out of my room before answering.
Matthew is already in the hallway barking commands at Hunter within moments and pushes the door to my room open more. He keeps watch over me and uses a series of hand movements to get me up and moving as he speaks quickly into his mobile phone. He hangs up and then steps further into my room, deviating into my walk in to grab a set of clothes.
“Quick, it’s a fire alarm. We need to go. Security downstairs confirmed it is on the floor above. We need to move now Gin.” Matthew stands still and waits as I scramble to dress myself and then the three of us are sprinting to the door.
“Where is Caleb?” I ask as we near the front door.
“Went to get milk,” Matthew responds nonplussed, as he locks the apartment after us.
