And I did lose control. Of everything. My toy. My inhibitions. My dignity. My body shuts down, fear winding through me. Then I remember Hunter’s tongue snaking out to lick the vibrator and warmth swirls low in my belly. That is not the reaction of a man trying to defuse the situation. Hunter’s pupils were blown the second he tasted me. I scrub a hand down my face as I replay Mark’s words.
“Light. Right. How does one be light?” Charlie lets out another cute snore. “Thanks for your input.”
I stare at my computer before glaring at Charlie. I need to order essentials. I drop into a few of my typical stores and order the packages for tomorrow. Next, I pull up my favorite adult site and reorder the toy Hunter stole. No man, no matter how pretty and hot, was going to withhold anything from me. My eyes snag on one of the tabs I’ve never bothered to explore.For Him.This could work. Nothing says light like a box full of sex toys bought by your fake girlfriend. On impulse, I explore the couples’ section and refuse to examine why I add a few extra items to my order. I separate the deliveries, ensuring Hunter’s will come in its own box. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
The tiny but uniquetingof an email being routed to my Ghost account from one of my fake accounts echoes in the room. Charlie snorts softly, opening his eyes before huffing and going back to sleep.
Pulling up my email, my brain registers the routing email first—Grace Halls. Followed swiftly by the sender—Christopher Burnside.
Subject: Game on. Let the bestHunterwin.
Roses are red, bruises are blue,
You can run, but I’ll always find you.
Your whispers in darkness, your footsteps at night,
I’m always behind you, just out of sight.
Locks won’t protect you, nor will his door,
I’m the shadow that creeps across his floor.
You might think you’re safe, but that isn’t true,
Roses are red, and soon you will be too.
- CB
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hunter
Practice makes perfect.
The downside of living in a town filled to the brim with MC members and their families is grocery shopping takes forever. Everyone wants to stop and talk to you about their lives, problems, queries, and concerns. Especially as the VP. All I wanted to do was grab enough food for the next few days and get back to Eleanor to ensure she hasn’t made a break for it. If I’ve learned anything, working alone means every victory and failure is yours to own, but it also means you don’t have anyone to bounce your ideas, plans, and thoughts off of. You can convince yourself a course of action is the best idea in the world, when it’s the worst fucking thing on the planet.
Mark raises his head as I let myself into the yard and smirks. “Hey, man.”
My happy-go-lucky best friend lives in the apartment below mine. He sometimes misjudges situations and needs a desperate upgrade into this century with his attitude, but he is a ride or diefriend. If I told him to bring a shovel, he wouldn’t ask why, he would ask where.
“What’s up?” I ask. It’s not like him to sit on the step and soak up the sun. If he’s not passed out on his couch, he’s in the bar or riding his bike.
“Met your chicky.” I want to correct him on this antiquated term, but it feels like we’ve had that argument a thousand times.
I raise a brow. “You went to my apartment?” I can’t see Eleanor even answering the door. I have the only key, and it’s not like she’s looking for socialization.
“No, she was down here talking to Charlie.”
I snort. She enjoys speaking to him like he has a clue what she’s talking about. I knew she was going to like him. Charlie wins everyone over, no matter how reluctant they are. Mark scratches behind his ear. Oh, boy.
“What did you do?”
He leans back on his arms and stares at me. “What makes you think I did anything?”
“Because you’re hanging around waiting for me, meaning you potentially fucked up. I’ll ask again—what did you do?”
He presses his lips together as I wait him out, his eyes searching mine. Eventually, he sighs, resting his elbows on his knees. “I told her she isn’t your type.”
