Baked (Love Burns #3)

EPILOGUE

One week later

I t was time for a new chapter. A new start. That’s what Rachel told herself as she stacked the final box against the front door. God knows she was used to starting again, but this time it was different. She was no longer running. From anything.

Look at you, growing up.

The past week had gone by so quickly. One minute she was questioning her life choices in Clarke County and the next she was an engaged woman moving in with her fiancé. Talk about what a difference a week makes. It still felt unreal.

She took another look around her apartment. She’d miss this place. It had been the nicest home she’d ever had, and she’d made it her own over the years.

Any minute now, the guys would be here to move all of her worldly possessions over to Hunter’s. They’d both agreed that it made sense for them to live at his place. Not only was it bigger, but he owned the apartment, unlike her, who was just renting.

I can’t wait to make everything pink.

And Hunter had already said she could. His exact words were, “If it makes you happy, honeybun, then that’s all that matters.”

How did she get so damn lucky?

Rachel’s gaze drifted back to her hand. To the shiny sapphire surrounded by diamonds Hunter had surprised her with last night. Every time she caught a glimpse of it, her heart squeezed. It was perfect. Just like him.

I can’t believe I’m freaking engaged.

She knew it was soon, and realized that most people would brand them both certifiable. But she felt like she’d been waiting a lifetime to find Hunter. So why wait? If she’d learned anything over the past few weeks, it was that life was short. Almost losing Hunter and then actually losing him was the wake-up call she’d needed. She was in charge of her own happiness, and she wasn’t going to let her past define her anymore.

Big girl pants officially on.

Cat would be proud.

Her pondering was temporarily paused by a knock on the door.

Perfect timing.

Unlocking the latch, she swung open the door to find five burly men. But it was the fifth she wasn’t expecting.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Her hands went straight to her hips as she activated her glare.

“Is that any way to talk to your fiancé, honeybun?”

Zach, Cody, Luke, and Benny were all grinning at her like little kids. Good thing there was enough of her glare to go around.

“If he so much as touches one of those boxes, I’m counting all of you responsible,” she admonished. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cody said with a chuckle, while the others dutifully nodded.

Stepping aside to allow the others in, her hand came up to Hunter’s chest as he too tried to pass. “Not so fast, mister.”

“Baby, don’t be like that.” He flashed her that panty-melting smile. The one he knew she couldn’t resist.

Bastard.

“Don’t even try it. You’re supposed to be at home. Resting. You’re not even cleared to drive yet, let alone lug boxes! What were you thinking?”

Another thing she’d also learned over this past week. Hunter was possibly the worst patient ever. She’d had to practically force-feed him his medication. And don’t even get her started on trying to get the man to rest. Good thing he was so freaking hot.

“I was thinking there’s no way in hell I want to miss a minute of moving day. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”

“Uh, a week?” Rachel felt her mouth stretch just a little.

“Try a lifetime, honeybun.”

He knew she couldn’t stay mad at him when he said romantic things like that.

“Come on, baby, don’t be mad at me.” Hunter tugged on the hand that was still on his chest until her body collided with his. “I promise I won’t lift a thing.”

Her neck stretched back to look into those deep brown eyes. “Okay. If you swear you won’t touch anything, then I guess you can stay.”

Those smile lines made an appearance, reminding her just how gone for this man she was. Pulling up on her tiptoes, she was hoping he would get the hint and do the rest. Proving once again that he was not a stupid man, his head bowed a moment later, and their mouths met.

She breathed him in like he was oxygen, filling her lungs with sugar and spice as her tongue ran across the seam of his lips. He let her take her fill, granting her access to everything she wanted. As always.

It was only when he got his own taste that a growl emanated from his throat, the vibration not only making her mouth tingle but sending a quiver down her spine. She would never get enough of him. She knew it down to her very bones. His taste, his touch, his smell. It was like he was custom-made especially for her.

I’m one lucky woman.

***

Four weeks later

H unter had finally been cleared to resume normal activity. And that meant all activities. It was why he was in such a good mood. That, and he had his fairy snuggled into his lap.

They were at the fire station today, he wasn’t back at work until next week, but Rachel had insisted that they go visit Luke. Because apparently, they were friends now.

Hunter didn’t mind though. Their friendship was actually quite sweet to witness. His honeybun was all sugar and sunshine, and Luke was all sarcasm and darkness. They were polar opposites, yet it worked. He would brood in corners while she would ruffle his hair and feed him cupcakes.

Cheers rang out as Luke finally joined them in the communal lounge.

“You shaved!” Rachel bounced on Hunter’s lap. “We can finally see your handsome face, Luke!”

“I don’t know if handsome is the word, Rach.” Zach snorted.

“Don’t be mean.” Rachel whipped her head Zach’s way, likely shooting him daggers. “I think he looks great.” He watched her head snap back to Luke after that. “So, what made you shave the beard, sugar?”

Luke took a seat on the ratty couch opposite them. “Just felt like a change, that’s all.”

“Talking of change,” Benny piped up, “I heard you guys set a wedding date?”

That question was directed at Hunter and Rachel. They had indeed set a wedding date.

“So help me God, it better not be before Libby and I get married or she’ll lose her shit. She’s still pissed at Cat for eloping with Cody,” Zach chimed in.

“You’re getting married in a couple of months, right?” Hunter asked.

“Three months,” Zach confirmed, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, man, ours isn’t for a while. We decided to wait six months so we can save up for the honeymoon.”

“Hunter’s taking me to Paris. We’re going to eat Parisian pastries and munch on macaroons.” Rachel dipped her head and snuggled into the crook of his neck.

God, he loved it when she did that. Automatically, his grip on her tightened. Damn right he was taking his woman to Paris. He wasn’t kidding when he told her all she had to do was ask for something and he’d give it to her.

“Paris, huh?” Luke let out a low whistle. “Sounds expensive.”

“Nothing’s too expensive for my woman.” Hunter laid a kiss on her hair and breathed in vanilla. Life was damn good.

It got even better as he spent the next twenty minutes catching up with the guys. Who knew he’d miss them so much while he was back home recovering? He’d even missed listening to Luke and Benny squabble. He actually couldn’t wait to get back to work.

Not that he hadn’t enjoyed spending time with Rachel, he had. But all that cake combined with laying on the couch all day was making him fat. And that just wouldn’t do. He needed to get back into shape. For his fairy.

Talking of getting back in shape, it was time to get back to his favorite kind of cardio. Picking Rachel up as he pushed off the couch, he chuckled at her squeal and laid another kiss on her temple.

“Time to go home.” He nuzzled into her neck and nipped at her sensitive skin. “We have plans.”

Her giggle rang out as her hands wrapped around his neck. “Oh really, and what kinda plans do we have, Hunter?”

“You know what kind.” He wiggled his eyebrows, only causing her to giggle harder.

“And that’s our cue to get back to work,” Zach announced as he stood.

The others were off their seats seconds later and following him back out onto the main floor.

“I think we scared them away.” Rachel’s smile was blinding.

“I think we did, honeybun.”

Just as he took his first step, a chorus of ooh ing and aah ing rang out. He looked up to see Luke clutching his forehead.

Placing his fairy carefully onto her feet, he gave her one last quick kiss on the head before making his way over to his friend. Luke had passed through the door by the time Hunter had gotten to him.

“You okay? What happened?”

A pissed off Luke twisted to face him. “Fucking door hit me in the face!”

“You’re supposed to push it open with your hands, dude, not your head!” Benny yelled over.

“Fuck off!” was Luke’s curt reply, clearly not seeing the humor that everyone else was.

Hunter tried to keep his face straight. His friend was going to be ripped on enough today, he didn’t need anyone else giving him shit.

“Luke Cappelli?” A feminine voice he didn’t recognize had him turning to the entrance. Actually, it had all of them turning.

A woman around their age was looking straight at Luke.

“I’m looking for Luke Cappelli?” she repeated, her gaze never leaving his friend.

Hunter looked between them both. Their eyes were transfixed on each other, but neither of them made any move to get closer.

What was happening? His friend also hadn’t responded, something he became aware of as the woman once again asked for “Luke Cappelli”.

“Uh, yeah.” Luke finally snapped out of his trance, his hand immediately shooting up to his face to rub his no doubt sore forehead. “How can I help?”

The woman took a wary step forward and tucked a long strand of dirty blonde hair behind her ear. “I’m a friend of your brothers ...”

Luke has a fucking brother?