Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Cassidy
“ I ’ll take the cow with the big eyes!” I say, jumping up and down. Once the man hands it over to me, I shine my toothy smile at Hunter. He has one hand over his face while the other still holds the BB gun.
My dad loved going to the shooting range, so if there’s something I’m good at, it’s shooting. I can’t really shoot hoops, and my beer pong skills are on par. Some of the other games are chance, but this game was all skill and a skill I have.
I hit all six of my targets before Hunter hit three of his, so then I shot two more of his. Like I said, I may be a sore loser, so I don’t often play games I know I can’t win.
I hand the cow over to Hunter and rub his back. “I told you I’d win you somethin’.” I add a dramatic southern drawl to my voice.
“Isn’t it cute?” I say, sweetly flipping its ear.
Hunter looks down at the cow’s face and starts to laugh. I can’t help but join him. His laughter is contagious. The sound brings a smile to my lips immediately, and the next thing I know, I’m laughing too .
“Where did you learn to shoot like that?” He tucks the cow under his arm and picks my flowers up from the counter. I reach over and grab the flowers and give a small shrug.
“My dad and I would go to the range. I even did a little skeet shooting when I was younger. So, when I want to get out of the house by myself and clear my mind, I go shooting.”
“It’s impressive,” he notes.
“Thank you.” I scrunch my nose in his direction.
We have spent the night walking around and talking. After the heavy confession of my one failed relationship, Hunter made a point to make me smile and laugh. We played games with other people and listened to music while we just talked the night away. I can tell it’s coming to a close. The problem is, I don’t know what direction it’s heading.
The better part of me knows it needs to end right here, on a funny note. He can take the cow home and laugh off this whole thing. I can go back to my room, shower, and indulge in some self-loving, and then drive back to the city and get back to my regular life.
The city. Everywhere we went tonight, people were so sweet to me. Asking me how I knew Hunter, and laughing when I told them we were both tricked into a blind date. They asked about my city life and never made me feel out of place or unwelcome. Whereas you could walk into the wrong store in the city and people were shooting daggers at you.
A man who looked an awful lot like Hunter was wandering around by himself. I caught his gaze a few times, but he would look away and keep walking. If I had to guess, I would say it was his little brother, Harrison. Handsome runs in the family. I don’t have any single girlfriends for him, but I know the man probably has women throwing themselves at him. Probably as much as Hunter.
Hunter says he’s the domestic type, which means the polar opposite of me. I’m sure he would think I’m a terrible match for his brother. Not that being a match to Hunter really matters since nothing is happening between us. I know that even one night with Hunter would be bad for me. There is something about him, it’s like my body or a deeper part of me is pulling me toward him, but my mind is telling me firmly to stay the hell away.
He reminds me a lot of my last boyfriend, checking all those perfect partner boxes. Except with Hunter, I don’t feel the need to run away. If anything, I kind of want to curl up. The thought has my mind spiraling out of control. I am not the curl-up-and-get-cozy girl. Hunter kind of makes me wish I was, in another life.
“You tired?” he asks me. My eyes travel over every feature of his face. I can’t get over how beautiful this man is. I didn’t even know men could be beautiful. Sure, supermodel men were beautiful, but they were that magazine, airbrushed beautiful. Hunter is real, in every sense. His physical appearance is devastating, his energy is excitable, his nature is calming. It’s a cocktail of trouble.
“Yeah, Mary picked me up early. I should probably call it a night, while I’m ahead.”
He steps close and pierces me with those ocean eyes.
“I’m glad this is the town Mary chose for the weddin’. I got real lucky today.”
“It’s a really great place, Hunter.”
His name leaves my lips and he drops his head to capture them. His lips are soft but strong. The tension in his mouth isn’t stiff or weak. It’s guiding and encouraging. I couldn’t deny kissing him back if I tried, so I don’t.
I kiss him back and he puts an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. I sigh into his hold and relax. It feels so damn good to be in this man’s arms. As the thought crosses my mind, I stiffen a little. Hunter stops the kiss and puts his forehead to mine.
“Come back to my place.”
I breathe him in. God, he smells so good.
“I don’t think I should.”
He rubs his head side to side a little against mine.
“Come over, Cassidy.”
I mull it over. I shouldn’t. I know that I shouldn’t, but I was going to sleep with him last weekend. Why not this weekend? What could honestly be the worst thing that happens? He stops texting me and I never see him again. We live over an hour away from each other. This is practically a safe bet in my book. Like vacation sex.
“Okay,” I whisper. He kisses me deeply, appreciating my answer.
He steps back and grabs my hand, pulling me along. We walk through the people and cross the dance floor, heading straight for the stage. My eyes widen wondering where the hell he’s taking me.
As we walk, I catch the eyes of someone staring at me. Looking over, I see it’s Franny. That shooting daggers look I said you can get in the city, oh I’m getting it right here in this small town.
I blush but stand a little taller. I’m not ashamed to be heading home with this man. I will never see that girl again; I don’t need her judging eyes trying to convince me I’m doing something wrong .
Hunter walks around the stage and I see a line of trucks on both sides of the street. He walks right up to his and opens the passenger door for me. He’s about to close the door but stops for a moment and looks directly at me. I can tell he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. When he closes the door, he pulls out his phone, brings it to his ear, and he walks around back. I can hear his muffled voice as he rounds toward his door. He stands outside it for a beat, his hand on the door handle.
“Yeah, time and a half for your trouble. The tasks are in the barn on the big board. Thanks, man.” I look over to him as he slides the key into the ignition, starting the truck up. I’m about to buckle myself in, but he grabs my arm and slides me across the bench seat closer to him. Once my thigh is pressed against his, he reaches over my lap and grabs the belt to buckle me in.
“I can buckle myself in, you caveman.”
“Cavemen didn’t have cars, Cass.”
“Fred Flintstone did.”
He chuckles and kisses my temple. Putting the truck into drive, he takes off into the night, tossing that arm over my shoulder and pulling me to him. I watch as the buildings in the square change to groups of homes, then to a few sparse houses. Pretty soon we’re surrounded by nothing, no streetlights, just pitch-black nothingness.
“I came here with Mary, and people saw me leave with you. If I go missing, people are going to eventually come looking for me.” He laughs and I smile.
“Nah, I know this land better than anyone in that town. If I wanted you gone, Cassidy… you would be.”
“Is there going to be a stop sign anytime soon? I don’t think jumping out of the car right now would be in my best interest.” He just laughs harder .
“Ain’t nothin’ stoppin’ me from here until we hit my bed, Cass. Not a single fuckin’ sign or light.”
Heat blossoms within me. Uncertainty has been lingering in the back of my mind all night. Suddenly, all I can think about is Hunter’s back hitting his bed and me on top of him, riding him like a blue-ribbon cowgirl. Is that a thing?
“That sounds awfully better than being buried in a field in the middle of nowhere.”
“You’re comparin’ sleepin’ with me to dyin’?” he says, and I laugh hard.
“The way you left me feeling last week was close to death, Hunter Hill. A girl has needs, and you seemed to like to deny mine.”
“Funny, it felt like torture to me too. No sense in rehashin’ the past, Cass. How about I make it right this time around?”
We pull up to a long driveway with a huge open ranch gate.
“Was all that land yours?” I look around but can’t see anything past the headlights. Everything is just black.
“Most of it,” he chuckles.
He parks near a huge farmhouse with a large porch. I’ve never seen a house like it in person before. Even the houses closer to town don’t look like this one. It’s two, maybe three stories, all off-white siding with darker wood pillars holding up the awning over the porch. There isn’t a railing along it, so the porch is just left open, but there is a variety of planters and a few knick-knacks lining the edge. Dark shutters frame the windows and a soft light glows from inside.
“Is your brother home?”
“No, remember, he lives in a trailer on the property?”
“Is someone home? ”
“Nah, I just like to leave a house light on when I’m out.”
I don’t wait for Hunter to get out of the truck and open the door for me. I climb out on my own and walk toward the house. I’m mid-step when something tells me to stop. I turn to my right and see a huge barn sitting in an enormous field. The space feels endless, airy, free. I can hear crickets, the wind, and running water?
“You have a river on your property?” I spin around to see Hunter leaning against the hood of his truck, his hands in his front pockets.
“Just a small creek that leads to our pond. I never really followed to where it ends, so it runs for a while.”
I spin back around and start walking toward the wood fence at the edge of the driveway separating the dirt and gravel mix from the lush green pasture. The fence is just three rails held together by thick posts. I climb up on the bottom rail and look out. My eyes have adjusted to the lack of light and the meadow has this hypnotizing look about it. I can see the wind dance across the deep green grass, lit up by the moon. It moves methodically back and forth, like gentle ocean waves. Then I see a sparkle, followed by another, and another.
“Hunter!” I yell, looking over my shoulder. He hasn’t moved; he’s just patiently waiting and watching.
“There are fireflies!” I can barely hold it together. I hop over the top rail and hit the soft ground.
“Hey! You don’t know what’s in there. Don’t go hopping fences!” Hunter jogs up behind me and hops the fence with ease. I freeze, holding every muscle stock-still.
“What’s in here?” I whisper.
Hunter walks up to me and snakes his hand into mine, linking our fingers.
“Fireflies,” he says so boyishly.
“Jerk,” I joke.
“During the day, there are animals out and about. So best not to make a habit of that.” I believe him and nod.
I don’t know a thing about animals, especially farm animals, and the last thing I want is to get on one’s bad side.
Hunter leads me deeper into the meadow and we start up an incline. I trek alongside him taking in the view of the natural firework show and the endless green space. When we reach the top of the hill my breath catches. There is no end to the space. I see a large pond on the edge, thick trees, rows of crops, and open fields. Everything is exactly where it needs to be. I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m shocked at how beautiful I find it all.
“It’s amazing,” I whisper to myself, and maybe a little to Hunter too.
He rubs his thumb along mine in our tangled hands and then pulls me closer to him. I turn to face him, and I’m stunned by how handsome he looks in this light. I can barely make out any details of his face; his hat casts a dark shadow over his brows but there’s a glint from the moonlight in his eyes. I can see the squareness of his strong jaw. Even in the most minimal sense, Hunter is an Adonis among other men.
I tilt my face up in request for him to kiss me. He complies with a simple pass at first, the brushing of our lips matching the sway of the wind over the grass. That only lasts as long as the single flicker of a firefly. Before I can act, he presses his lips firmly to mine.
I’m so fucked. I’m standing in a meadow with some cowboy god, making out in the moonlight. This isn’t the way my encounters with men usually go. They’re usually more direct, to the point, flash fires.
This flame is burning strong and fierce, and Hunter seems like the kind of man who can keep feeding a healthy fire. He knows what he’s doing, and I am out of my element.
Hunter slides a hand to the base of my head, weaving his fingers into my hair. He curls those fingers, and they apply firm pressure at my skull. Possessive and attentive. With his hold, he guides my head to tilt slightly, and the angle grants him more access. His tongue expertly dances with mine. There is no battle for dominance, just attention and lust.
I sigh at the feeling. I feel cherished in this simple moment. I haven’t felt this way in so long. Even when I had, it wasn’t in a romantic sense, but more familiar or friendly. The idea of romance usually has me dry-heaving. In this particularly picturesque moment to personify a romantic night, I am sighing and moaning.
Hunter’s hand that is holding mine squeezes lightly before releasing. His hold on my nape loosens and he pulls me from him.
I look into his eyes and swim in their gaze. I feel his pull, and in this moment, I don’t fight it. He has a small smirk across his lips, and I mirror it.
“Any of those city slickers tell you that you kiss like a fish?” He drawls, and my jaw drops.
“I do not!”
Hunter chuckles as he bends slightly at his knees and slides his forearm under my ass. He hoists me up, my hands falling onto his shoulders as I gasp in surprise.
“Do too. It ain’t your fault, darlin’. You haven’t had a real man show you how to kiss. It’s a shame, too. Your lips are made for kissin’.” He moves closer to try and kiss me, but I use my hands on his shoulders and push him back.
“If I kiss so badly, I might as well call it quits. I’m thirty. Ever heard that saying? Can’t teach an old dog new tricks? ”
“You’re not an old dog. Thirty-one is old. I got to you just in time.” Hunter slams his mouth against mine and I immediately open to him.
We kiss like this for what seems like an eternity. Me, held up his arms, my arms draped around his shoulders. I’m beginning to worry that his arms are tiring from holding me, but he never shows a sign of it. I pull back and catch my breath.
“Show this city girl the inside of that farmhouse,” I demand.
“Can I show you around tomorrow? It’s too big and will take too long. We can skip the formal room, kitchen, libr?—”
I jump out of his arms. “Oh my God! Hunter! The library!” I start jogging toward the house.
“—and go straight to the bedroom.” I hear him finish his sentence, but I just shake my head.
“You show me the book room, right this instant!”
Hunter chuckles to himself and starts walking down the hill toward me. I’m waiting to hop the fence with him, but my excitement has me hopping from one foot to the other.
“You really want to see it that bad, huh?”
“I have never seen a personal library, Hunter Hill. Wait, yes, I have. I’ve done some architectural tours in some really fancy houses, but never like personally. I wasn’t allowed to touch anything before. Can I touch stuff?”
He just continues to laugh at me before he hoists me up onto the fence. I sit on the top rail and brace my hands on the post. He tosses himself over with ease like he does it every day, whereas I climb over more carefully. I wonder how I jumped over it so easily earlier, but I don’t think I was as concerned with Hunter’s watchful eye. Now I am acutely aware that Hunter is around me and watching my every move. The new environment and firefly excitement consumed me for that moment.
“Come on in.” Hunter grabs my hands and walks me up the porch steps. Once he gets me through the door a sudden warmth runs through me. It feels like a warm blanket around your shoulders and a cup of steaming hot cocoa on a cold winter day. It feels like weekend barbeques and laughter. I can imagine Hunter and his brother running across these wood floors wreaking havoc on his parents.
The floors are old wood but in a good way. They are a mixture of light and medium planks with just the right amount of scuff and scrapes. The kind that are earned not made in a factory. There is a long hallway ahead of me and a large open staircase to my right. Simple thick railings run along one side and the other is a white-planked wall filled with frames.
I can’t even take it all in before Hunter is pulling me up the wooden stairs. I want to look at the pictures, but we’re moving too fast. When we hit the second floor, he takes me to two huge French doors with a sign on one that says “Shhhh… or else”. A swift giggle leaves me because I totally get it.
This is going to be legit, I already feel it. Hunter opens the door and ushers me in.
My hands cover my mouth as I gasp. “Oh, Hunter.”
I wasn’t ready for it.