Chapter 15 Max
FIFTEEN
MAX
Hunter
Happy Monday, angel. I hope you have a good day.
Me
What do you do on days when you don’t have Fright Nights? Sleep until noon?
Hunter
A little bit of everything. Today is going to be yard work.
Me
Do you own or rent?
Hunter
I own. Leo, my best friend, lives with me. Six bedrooms, five acres. The property backs up to the woods, and there’s no neighbors around for miles.
Me
Sounds like that start of a slasher film!
Five acres? Are you some trust fund nepo baby?
Hunter
Far from it. I pick up odd jobs here and there to make some extra money.
Are you busy tonight?
Me
No. Why? Do you want to do something?
Hunter
Feel like taking a ride?
Me
To where? The slaughterhouse you have on your one million acres?
Hunter
You’re funny. I can confirm the property is slaughterhouse free.
Me
A ride sounds nice. Skyler has plans this evening, so she won’t be around.
Hunter
Keeping me your dirty little secret, baby?
I’d be honored, but it can’t be that. I remember you saying I was very big. HUGE.
Me
Wow. You know what? I think I’m busy tonight.
Hunter
I’m just kidding, angel!
Forgive me?
Me
I don’t know. You might need to get on your knees and beg.
Hunter
On my knees? There’s something I’m very good at.
Text me your address?
Me
We’ll see
I can’t help but smile at the knock that comes later that evening. I skip down the hall and wrap my hand around the door handle, bursting out laughing when I see Hunter kneeling on our welcome mat with his hands clasped in front of him.
“What are you doing?” I ask, leaning against the door frame.
“Repenting for my sins.” He looks up at me, and I realize he’s in a white motorcycle helmet, bulky jacket, and dark jeans. His voice is muffled and I can’t see his eyes until he flips open his visor and winks at me. “Do you forgive me, angel?”
“Of course I forgive you.” I reach for his hand and tug him to his feet. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a tight hug, and I can’t help but grin when he rests his chin on top of my head. “I’m guessing you rode your bike here?”
“Whoa, okay. Easy, Max. My Ralphie isn’t a bike. She’s a goddess.”
“Do I have competition?” I squeal when he presses his fingers into my ribs and tickles me. “Show me the other woman so I know what I’m working with.”
Hunter leads me down the porch stairs and stops in the middle of my driveway. He points to the blue bike with silver rims and unbuckles his helmet. “Here she is. I’ve had her for two years, and I thought I could take you for a spin.”
“Me?” I shake my head and step back. “No way. I’m a four-wheels-on-the-ground kind of girl. A motorcycle is too dangerous. I have too much to live for.”
“I got here safely.”
“You’re wearing proper gear. And you’re experienced.”
“You don’t think I brought a helmet and jacket for you?” He walks to the bike and holds up a black helmet sitting on the leather seat. “Gotta make sure my girl is protected.”
My stomach swoops low at the my girl declaration, but I still hesitate. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” Hunter smiles. “Ralphie would love to have you anytime.”
“Are you going to tell me what Ralphie means? Is it short for Rapunzel?”
“No. The bike is a Kawasaki Ninja.” He pulls his helmet off and shakes out his hair.
“There’s a hockey player in Washington DC who rides the same one.
He named his Donatella, after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I thought it was a great idea.
So, I went with Ralphie. Short for Raphael, but I call her Raphaella. ”
“Boys and their toys.” I shake my head. “Do you want to come inside? I can give you the tour.”
“Sure.” Hunter follows behind me, slipping into the foyer and unlacing his boots. “Your place is nice. How long have you lived here?”
“Three years. Skyler and I were renting before, but this place became available, and we took it. It’s close to Adventure Oasis and my school, and the neighborhood is great. It’s very close-knit. There is a block party on Halloween and caroling during the holidays.”
“Sounds fun.” He unzips his jacket and folds it neatly, setting it on top of his boots. His gloves come off next, and I frown when I see a cut on the back of his hand. I take his palm and examine it.
“Are you okay?”
“You don’t need to worry about me. Just a scratch from a stick.”
“And your cheek?”
“Courtesy of a tree branch.”
“Do you want some ice?” I touch the small red mark under his eye and he winces. “That looks like it hurts.”
“I’m fine, angel, but thank you for offering to take care of me.” Hunter flashes me a grin and puts his helmet on the small foyer table. “Where’s Skyler tonight?”
“She’s hooking up with this guy who—wait a second! You know him!”
“I do? God. Is it my roommate? I hope so. He needs some love and affection.”
“No.” I lead us to the living room, taking a seat on the couch. “It’s Dustin, the guy who works at your haunted house.”
“Dustin?” He lifts an eyebrow and sits next to me, pivoting my hips so my legs drape across lap. “I had no clue he had any game. Good for him.”
“He does, apparently. I thought he would tell Skyler he saw me at the haunted house a second time, but I guess he’s been too distracted.”
“Men are weak creatures.” Hunter presses his thumbs into my calf muscle, and I sigh. “If you flashed me your tits, I would be speechless. Incapacitated for the rest of the day.”
“Please. You’re not that pathetic.”
“Oh, Max. When it comes to you, I’m pitiful.”
“Will you tell me more about yourself?” I blush and hug a pillow to my chest. “I feel like we’re working backward after having sex, but there’s normally at least dinner before I take my clothes off.”
“Do you want the Hunter Wilder memoir? I’m pretty boring.” He smiles my way. “I’m an only child. I’m born and raised in Orlando. Leo and I are co-dependent. I like long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain.”
“Such a romantic.” I lean my elbow on the couch cushion and look at him. “Do you work at Adventure Oasis year round? Skyler is in the Mardi Gras parade too. Have you two ever crossed paths?”
“Nope. When I was younger, I did other things around the park, but now I’m strictly seasonal to Halloween. This is my last year, and for as much as I’ve loved it, I’m ready to take a break.”
“Anything exciting on the horizon?”
“Hoping I can keep this cute girl around when I don’t have my mask and knife with me,” he teases, and I dip my chin. “Besides that, I have a few things I do that pay the bills.”
“Mysterious.” I shift my position, leaning against his shoulder. “Do you work for the FBI?”
“Fuck, no. I’m not a fan of authority.” Hunter runs his fingers through my hair, and I relax into him. “Are you going to tell me about yourself, angel?”
“I’m also an only child. Born and raised in Orlando. My parents divorced when I was younger, and I don’t see my dad a lot. My mom likes to travel, so I don’t see her a lot either, but for different reasons.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“Don’t tell me you’re into astrology.”
“I could be for you.”
I laugh. “My birthday is in July, and I have no clue what my astrological sign is.”
“I’m a February baby. Valentine’s Day, actually.”
“Wow. You must be so full of love then.”
“For the right people.” He kisses the top of my head. “Can I have a tour of your place?”
“Is that code for wanting to see my bedroom so I’ll take my clothes off.”
“I have other interests besides your body, angel.”
“Oh yeah?” I poke his side, grinning when he takes my hand in his and kisses it. All of this feels so natural, like we’ve done it a hundred times before. “Like?”
“Baseball. I used to play on a little league team when I was younger.”
“Baseball? Huh. Arguably the most boring sport.”
“Jesus Christ, Max.” Hunter groans and puts a hand over his chest. “You wound me.”
I laugh again and stand, pulling him to his feet. “Will showing you my room make up for the pain I’ve caused?”
“Oh, without a doubt, sweetheart. I think I also need to try out your bed.”
I lead him down the hall, telling him about the pictures hanging on the wall. He asks questions here and there, wondering about my soccer career and what position I played, genuinely interested in hearing what I have to say. When we get to my room, I pause before opening the door.
“I have to apologize,” I say, and Hunter lifts an eyebrow.
“Are you the one with the slaughterhouse?”
“No way. I hate blood, remember?” I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “My room is messy. Teaching takes a lot out of me, and I also handle after school care for students who don’t get picked up until late in the day. I haven’t had time to clean up.”
“Hey.” He cups my cheeks and tilts my head back. “You don’t need to do anything to impress me, Max. I don’t care if there are clothes everywhere and dirty towels on the floor.”
“What about cockroaches?” I whisper, and he grins. “Or spiders?”
“From all the haunted houses I’ve worked in, nothing phases me anymore. I hope there are rats too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“If you say so.” I open the door and hold out my arm. “Welcome.”
“Wow.” Hunter steps across the hardwood floor in his bright pink socks and surveys the space. Never in a million years did I think he’d be here after our first encounter, but I’m glad he is. “I like it.”
“Thanks.” I move to the bookshelf and stand on my toes, fixing a book with a dark spine that’s out of order. “Can’t forget the bed you’re so eager to see.”
“Feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.” Hunter flops on the bed and frowns. “This mattress sucks.”
“It’s not the best, but it was cheap, and it gets the job done.” I join him on the bed and wiggle on the comforter. “Okay, yeah. This does suck.”
“You sleep on this every night?”
“Where else would I sleep?”
“The floor might actually be more comfortable.”
“It’s not that bad.” I rest my hands on my stomach and look over at him. “I’m getting a raise at the end of the school year, and I’m planning to put some of that money toward a new mattress.”
“The end of the school year is months away.”
“It is, but I’ve survived this long, and I’m doing just fine.”
Hunter hums, and I rest my cheek on his chest. “You deserve to be spoiled, Max.”
“I’m a simple girl,” I say. “It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy.”
“That was before you met me.” He scoots out from under me, letting my back press into the mattress. He holds himself above me, a lock of hair curling over his forehead. “When I’m around, I’m going to take care of you, okay?”
“Okay.” I smile up at him. “If you insist.”
“I insist, angel.”
My eyes flutter closed when he strokes my arm with his knuckles.
It’s a gentle caress, something sweet and soft and so right, and the attraction I’ve been feeling for him bubbles to the surface.
I need to remind myself to keep my feet on the damn ground.
It’s too soon to be so enamored with someone, but he’s magnetic.
Pulling me toward him, and I’m not doing anything to stop it.
“Do you have any plans the rest of the night?” I whisper, my breath hitching as his thumb moves to trace along the underside of my breast. Sensual, teasing. Enough to make me squirm. “Or can you stay?”
“My only plans involve you.” Hunter dips his head, pressing a kiss to my cheek, my neck. “I told you I’m pitiful, Max, and entirely at your mercy.”
He brings his mouth to mine, kissing me, and it’s far different from the other night.
He helps me out of my shirt, delicate when he unravels my hair after it gets caught in the sleeve.
My shorts come off next and so do his pants.
His hands wander and he takes his time kissing down my body, learning every curve, every inch.
It’s slow, patient, exactly like the no-frills sex he said he’s had before, but it’s absolutely perfect.