“Clearly. I’m asking you about your pet history.”
“Don’t be deliberately obtuse, Eleanor. Stupidity doesn’t look good on you. I get you don’t always grasp the finer details and points of social situations, but you knowexactlywhat you are doing.”
Called out by a tattooed bad boy biker. That wasn’t on my bingo card for this year.I don’t respond, given he didn’t ask me a question, and wait for him to fill me in on Charlie.
He twists his lips to the side, his thumbs still rubbing my knuckles. “Charlie is a rescue. Local police found him huddled in a drug den hours away from death. He was barely two months old. His mother had already passed, as had his siblings.”
My heart twists for the happy pooch and his brutal entry into this world. Is it wrong to feel a kinship with a dog? “How did he end up with you?”
“Jess is the local vet in town, and her husband is part of the MC. I was at their house when she got the emergency call. Itook one look at those eyes and knew I had to give him a life he deserved. One filled with love, security, and comfort.” His throat bobs as he remembers how vulnerable Charlie must have been, his knuckles going white against mine.
“He was lucky to find you.”
Hunter’s eyes catch mine and there’s a wealth of emotion deeper than Charlie. “They are here for such a short time in comparison to us. They are a gift, one people like that didn’t deserve. I made sure, and I always will, that his life is happy.” A soft smile lifts his cheeks, and I swear I can hear Charlie over the din of the music. “Dogs have this ability to strip away all the bullshit of our lives. They cut through everything getting in the way of experiencing that light you mentioned. They don’t judge. They keep our secrets and have a sixth sense on how to break through emotional trauma.” He squeezes my hands, and my eyes burn. “They might not do mathematical equations, but they are smart in a way that can’t be taught. I’m honored he chose me to be his dad. So no. No pets before Charlie. The thought of losing him is crippling, but we can’t live for the pain that is to come. We have to exist in the moment, Ellie, otherwise what’s the point of living?”
I get it. But I’m not trapped by future pain. The demons of my past cling to me no matter how hard I try to shake them off, keeping their talons wrapped around my heart and bleeding me dry.
The ribs arrive, breaking our serious stare off, and he releases my hands. My heart squeezes as I suddenly feel adrift in the world. I shake myself internally, forcing myself to refocus on my mission. My revenge. My purpose. I can’t fall for him. It will hurt too much.
Lea hands a napkin to each of us, then slides our drinks onto the table before turning and getting lost in the growing crowd. The entire time, Hunter watches me carefully.
I glance down at the plates for the first time. Correction, boards. “What the hell are you feeding your cows?” The rack of huge ribs is almost falling off the side of the wooden board, the spices and charred meat making my stomach rumble in anticipation.
Hunter chuckles as he tucks his napkin inside the top of his shirt. He looks no less appealing for the childlike action, dressed as he is in stonewashed jeans and a black shirt that hugs his body and shows off his strength. I follow his lead and tuck my napkin between my breasts, securing it with my bra, and tear off the first rib, biting into it. The groan that leaves me is better than any orgasm I’ve ever experienced.
“Good?” he asks with a hint of amusement.
“So good.”
His lips twitch, and we focus on our food. He peppers me with questions as I pause to let my stomach make room. I learn he has a degree in finance, which is not surprising, but it is shocking that he chose to go into the military. He felt he needed to contribute to our country in a more tangible way, and his degree made him an expert at making very rich people even richer. He’s originally from Kentucky, but settled here with the Reapers. He enjoys running, which I can’t understand, but isn’t an avid sports guy. Although if pushed, he’ll spend time with the guys watching football.
I finish my drink, and he waves his hand, having it replaced straight away. Eventually, all that’s left is bones. I can’t believe I ate all that, and I still feel sad it’s over.
The table is cleared, and he leans forward, his hand lifting to my face and swiping his thumb along the corner of my lip. Then he sucks it into his mouth, causing a flash of heat to sizzle down my spine.
“Now that I’ve fed you,” he says with a wink, “it’s time for us to partake in the town’s favorite Friday night pastime.”
He grabs my hand and tugs me out from the booth. The music gets louder. Country, not rock. We round the corner of the bar, and my steps falter at the sight of the open area filled with rows of people moving in perfect sync.
I shake my head, digging my heels into the worn wooden floor. “No.”
He snorts and pulls me into the crowd. I’m causing more of a spectacle than necessary, but I don’t care. I cannot dance. Coordination is not my strong point. Never has been. The fact I made it out of the forest alive is a miracle.
He spins me so his front is against my back, and his hands clamp my hips. “We’ll take it slow,” he whispers into my ear.
“No, we will take it off the dance floor.”
“Anticipation makes it so much sweeter, Ellie. Stop rushing to get back to my bed.”
Someone chuckles next to him. Right. We’re playing the loved-up couple for the townsfolk.Focus, Ellie.
I move against him, rubbing my ass against his length. He groans and leans down, his breath whispering against my ear as his hand spans my stomach, securing me to him. He nips my ear. “Careful, Ellie. You might be acting, but my cock doesn’t know the difference.”
The song changes to something with a slightly slower tempo, and he guides me to the left, then the right. I almost trip over his feet, making me huff. “This is dangerous,” I grumble.
He spins me so I face him. “Put your feet on mine.”
I glance down at his shit kicking boots, then at my heels. “I might hurt you.”
