Chapter 2 Hunter
TWO
HUNTER
All I wanted was a cup of coffee before I went to my interview at Angel Security.
Instead I was kneeling on the ground next to a cute little redhead with fair skin and freckles who had literally run into me and knocked himself out cold.
My coffee had ended up on the ground and on my brand new wool coat. How was this my life?
The redhead’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at me in confusion. Then his brow creased in pain. “Ow. My head. What happened?”
“You ran into me,” I replied.
He blinked and then his bright blue eyes grew wide. “Oh no! The wind caught my scarf and I couldn’t see. I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
I couldn’t help the chuckle that rose up. God, he was adorable. “No, little one. You didn’t hurt me.”
His cheeks turned a deeper red that wasn’t from the cold. “I-I guess not seeing as you’re so…big.”
I stifled another laugh and said, “How about I help you sit up?”
“Okay.” He shivered. “The ground is cold.”
I slipped my arm under his back, my hand tangling briefly with the strap of the large leather satchel he’d been carrying. I slowly raised him to a sitting position, keeping my hand on his back in case he fell back again. “How’s that,” I asked.
It seemed like he was doing an internal check before he answered. “I’m a little light-headed. I think my blood sugar is low.”
“What about your head?” I asked. “You hit the ground pretty hard.”
He put his hand on the back of his head and winced. “I have a lump.” He carded his fingers through his auburn curls. “No blood though.”
I had to admit, I was impressed by how calm he was. “You’re not freaking out. Are you a doctor or a nurse?”
He looked confused. “No. I work in a bookstore. I just…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
Before I could question him some more, the barista from the coffee shop came running out. She knelt beside the redhead and asked, “Charlie! Are you okay? Should I call EMS?”
The redhead—Charlie—shook his head, wincing as he did so. “Thanks Kelsey, but I’m fine. Just low blood sugar and a bump on the head.”
He moved to stand and I hurried to help him. “Take it easy. You don’t want to fall again.
“Thank you,” he said shyly.
I got him on his feet and held onto him until he seemed steady. The first thing he did was check the satchel he was carrying. When he found that it was still closed he breathed a sigh of relief. I’ll admit I was super curious about what was in the bag. “Are you okay to walk?”
Charlie nodded. He opened his mouth to speak, but then his gaze focused on my chest and his hand went to his mouth.
“Oh no. I made you spill coffee on your coat. I-I’m so sorry.
” He took a step back from me. “I-I can pay to have it cleaned.” To my surprise, his eyes filled with tears.
He looked terrified. “Please let me make it right.”
My gut twisted to see this sweet guy looking so scared of me.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I said softly. “It’s just a coat.
A little water will take care of it.” I noticed Kelsey standing in the window looking anxiously at Charlie.
She obviously knew about his problem with low blood sugar.
I pointed at her. “Look, Kelsey’s waiting for you.
Why don’t we both go inside? You can get something to eat and I’ll get a new coffee. Okay?”
He held my gaze for a long moment looking for I didn’t know what. Finally, he nodded. “Okay. But let me buy your coffee since it’s my fault you spilled it.”
I wanted to object. I got the impression he didn’t have a lot of money to spend, but if it would make him feel better to buy me a coffee I wasn’t going to stop him. Just in case, I stayed next to him while we walked to make sure he wasn’t going to keel over.
When we got inside, Kelsey fussed over Charlie, ushering him to a small table by the window and placing a plate with a heart-shaped Boston cream doughnut on it in front of him.
She set a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the table and said firmly, “Eat and put that on your head. I’ll bring you your favorite tea in a minute. ”
“Hold up, Kelsey,” Charlie said. “Would you please also get…” He looked at me in consternation. “I never asked you your name.”
“Hunter,” I said.
He turned back to Kelsey. “Please get Hunter whatever he ordered before I plowed into him and a wet cloth so he can clean his coat.”
She looked at me and I said, “Just a large coffee with one cream and one sugar. To go, please.”
“You got it,” she replied and hurried away.
I put my hand on the chair across from Charlie’s. “Mind if I sit here while I wait for my coffee?”
“Of course not,” he replied.
Charlie carefully set the satchel on the floor under the table then picked up the ice pack and placed it gingerly on the back of his head.
With his free hand he grabbed his doughnut and took a big bite.
He closed his eyes and moaned around the mouthful of pastry.
My cock twitched and my brain went to filthy places in the blink of an eye.
Jesus, calm the fuck down. I couldn’t help it.
I was a sucker for freckles. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat.
Gesturing toward the satchel I asked, “What’s in the bag, if you don’t mind me asking? ”
He took a moment to swallow before answering. “It’s a rare book. I’m supposed to be delivering it to a pair of researchers who live on Christopher Street.”
I studied him for a long moment. Christopher Street wasn’t that far away from the coffee shop but then he’d have to walk back to the bookstore, wherever that was. “Are you going to be okay to make the walk there and back to the bookstore?”
He set the icepack on the table and carefully felt the back of his head. “The lump’s not too bad. I’ll be fine. The bookstore is only a block from here. Their condo is by Stonewall. It won’t take long.”
Before I could respond, Kelsey returned with my coffee, Charlie’s tea, and a damp towel.
I checked the time on my smartwatch and winced.
If I didn’t leave soon, I was going to be late for my interview.
I quickly wiped what I could of the coffee off my coat.
“If I didn’t have an interview to go to I’d offer to walk with you to make sure you get there and back okay. ”
A blush tinged his fair cheeks. “That’s very nice of you, but I’ll be fine. I’m tougher than I look.”
“I believe it.” I rose and set towel on the table. “I’d better get going.” I turned to leave, but then turned back and asked, “What’s the name of your bookstore? I just moved to the Village at the beginning of January and I don’t know my way around yet. I’m always up for exploring a new bookstore.”
“It’s called Time to Read,” he replied, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “It’s amazing. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“I think I will.” I smiled at him. “Goodbye Charlie. It was nice meeting you.”
“It was nice meeting you too. Thank you for being so good about me literally running into you.”
I hurried out the door even though part of me wanted to stay inside with the cute redhead.
Instead, I pulled out my phone and ordered a taxi.
During the long drive to midtown in weekday traffic, I kept thinking about Charlie.
It was strange how casual he’d been about his injuries but how scared he got when he’d realized he made me spill my coffee. I didn’t like the implications.
I shook off those thoughts when the driver pulled up to my destination. I had to be focused if I wanted to get this job. Maybe later I’d visit Charlie’s bookstore. Just to see how he was doing. To make sure he was okay. I snorted. You keep telling yourself that.