Chapter 14
Still Izzy
As we pulled up to Beau’s house, Lucas kept driving on down the road.
“I think you missed the driveway,” I pointed out.
“No, miss,” Lucas replied. “It looks like someone is waiting at the gates. I’m just pulling around to investigate.”
I craned my neck to look for myself and spotted the baby blue Dodge Charger parked on the curb.
Hunter.
My heartbeat sped up and a silly smile pulled at my lips. “Oh, that’s just Hunter.”
Saylor tossed me a mischievous grin. “So you recognize his car, huh?”
“What? He showed up the first day of practice with a bunch of equipment in his car. I might’ve noticed it. I mean, it’s kinda distinctive.”
“Uh huh…”
“What? Stop it!” I squealed before covering my face with my hands. “It’s not a big deal.”
“If you say so,” Saylor replied in a sing-song tone, clearly mocking me.
I grinned despite myself. I don’t know if it was the giddiness from Hunter’s visit or the rapport I’d built with Saylor today, but I was feeling so light and happy. It had been a great day.
And it looked like maybe tonight might be fun too.
As we pulled back around, Hunter climbed out of his car and headed for the gate with a piece of paper in his hand. Was he leaving me a note?
I really, really wanted to see what it said.
I turned to Saylor. “I don’t want to put you in an awkward spot, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to Mal. He seemed bothered last night about Hunter and me.”
“He just felt guilty about leaving you alone. He knows Hunter is a good guy.” She shrugged. “At least that’s what he said after we dropped you off.”
She clearly hadn’t seen the look he’d given Hunter when they came back from backstage. Or the look he gave Hunter right before we left. He had that whole ‘don’t touch my daughter’ face ready.
I sighed. “I hope you and Mal have boys because I’d pity your daughters. He has all the makings of a crazy, overprotective daddy.”
For some reason Saylor’s face flushed bright red. Then she covered her face with her hands and bent over her lap, clearly hiding from me.
I waved my hands. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just, he was… It’s sweet—just totally unneeded. I mean, I’m an adult. I can take care of myself. Really.”
A wave of giggles came from her corner of the car. She sat upright and wiped under her eyes. “Sorry. It’s not you. You just said something—” She shook her head. “Anyway, you don’t have to worry. I won’t say anything about Hunter, and neither will Lucas.”
She raised her voice at the last bit.
I leaned forward, but Lucas didn’t even so much as flinch.
He also didn’t verbally agree, but I decided to pick my battles.
“Well, thanks. I’ll call you later, okay?” I opened my car door and headed for the gate and Hunter before I remembered my bags.
Lucas was a whole step ahead of me. He exited and moved to the trunk to pull out my purchases. I gave Saylor another wave while she mimed for me to call her.
And when I turned back to my—Beau’s—gate, Hunter was standing in front of it with his arms crossed over his chest and a smug, little smirk curving his lips.
No man had the right to look as hot as he did. From his dirty blond hair to the stubble on his jaw to those tattoos racing down his arms, he was like my sexiest fantasy brought to life. Or maybe that was the message I was getting from his expression.
He waited for me at the gate with that sexy little smirk.
I stopped in front of him and cocked my head. “Looking for someone?”
“More like found someone.” He pocketed his note before he reached out and took the bags from my hands.
“Is that what it says in your little note?” I tried to hide the shiver that shook me when his hands brushed against mine.
“It’s not a state secret.” His smooth deep voice rolled over me, making my nipples stand at attention. He had this deep grumbly note in his voice that was so freaking sexy. “Just my number so you can call me if you were interested in meeting up.”
Oh I was interested. Not that I would ever say as much. I was determined to not be that obvious. “Really? Aren’t you afraid of my—er, Beau—seeing it?”
He cocked his head. “I’m not hiding. We’re both adults here.”
“But aren’t you afraid of this”—I gestured between us—“interfering with the band? I kinda thought you’d want to keep it quiet.”
“I mean, if that’s what gets you hot, sure. I don’t kink shame.”
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. The amusement in his voice made me feel ridiculous.
“Princess, the writing is on the wall. Leif has it out for me. You’ve seen it. And there’s a band vote at the end of the month. If it’s not unanimous, I’m out.”
“Hey!” Saylor suddenly shouted from somewhere behind us.
I whipped around and found her leaning out the rear window of the car.
Saylor waved. “If you two could go inside, I’d appreciate it. Lucas here won’t leave until he’s sure you’re safe behind the gate. And as much as I’m enjoying your little flirting show, I’ve got things to do today.”
I rolled my eyes even as I felt my face heat up. After sending a deadly glare her way—that she just grinned back at—I spun around and punched in the code.
The gates slowly pushed open.
I turned back to Saylor, but she just made a rolling motion with her hand.
Clearly, we had to be inside before they’d leave us alone.
Hunter laughed lightly as he walked around his car to open the passenger door for me.
I ducked inside quickly, and he shut the door before stowing my bags in the backseat and taking a seat behind the wheel.
All the leather inside matched the baby blue of the exterior.
And it was buttery soft. I ran a hand over my seat as Hunter threw his car in gear and we shot forward.
“Ack!” I squealed as I grabbed for anything to hold onto.
“Sorry, princess. Just wanted to put some distance between us and our audience.” Hunter laughed at the glare I pointed his way. But his speed slowed as we approached the garages. “That just proves my point though.”
My death grip on the handle over my head relaxed a little. “What point was that again?”
“There’s no point in keeping this secret between us. Mal already knows, right? That was his wife you were with.”
“We didn’t talk about you. I don’t know her all that well. And I might’ve asked her not to say anything to Mal about you—this.”
“What? Why?” He stopped the car in front of the closed garage door and turned in his seat to look at me. “I don’t have anything to hide. Do you?”
I sighed. “You get that things are weird for me right now, right? I don’t really know my—Beau—all that well. I just found out about him a few weeks ago. This is all so new and just…I don’t want to do anything to screw it up.”
He gave an incredulous little laugh. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted.”
“I also don’t want to screw up anything for you with the band. I don’t want to be the reason they vote against you.”
“You’re not listening to me. They’ve already made their minds up.
Nothing I do now will save my fate. Leif is an ass.
He wants to go solo, but he’s too much of a bitch to tell the guys.
He’s sabotaging me so he’s not the bad guy breaking up the band.
Me and my hack skills are taking care of that for him. ”
“One, you’re not a hack. You have so much talent.”
“Fuck yeah I do.” That annoyingly hot, smug little smirk was back on his face.
“Weird way to say thank you, but okay. And two, you don’t know how they’re going to vote. Maybe this is all part of Leif’s process. You shouldn’t shoot yourself in the foot when you still have a chance.”
“I’m confused—are you the foot? And are you arguing that we shouldn’t do this?” The look he sent me was so naughty it made my thighs clench.
A little whimper escaped me. And judging by that damn gleam in his eyes, Hunter heard it.
“No.” I huffed in annoyance. Mostly at my lack of control. “I’m saying I don’t want to tell anyone about this. For now. At least until after the vote.”
“So you’re saying you want to be my dirty little secret?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not exactly, but yes. Sure.”
Hunter shrugged. “It’s been a minute since I snuck around like a teenager, but I’m game.” He paused and tilted his head. “Honestly, it’s weird to have a state of the relationship talk before we’ve even fucked. Feels kinda backwards.”
“Only a guy would say that.” I huffed as I pushed open my door and climbed out. I reached into the backseat for my bags then headed for the house.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hunter hollered at my retreating back.
I stopped and turned to face him. “I’m not asking you to marry me.
I’m not asking where is this going. All I’m saying is that I don’t want everyone in my business.
I want to keep the one good thing currently in my life to myself and not have everyone dissect it and decided whether or not it’s a good idea.
Fuck, I just want to live! Is that too much to ask for? ”
I was panting by the time I finished my little rant.
And that annoying smirk was back on Hunter’s face. “One good thing?”
“Oh, fuck right off.” I huffed again in annoyance and flounced to the front door. I punched my code into the panel aggressively and went to shove the door open, but Hunter was already standing there.
“I’m sorry. You’re just too much fun to wind up.”
I rolled my eyes and looked away.
But he wouldn’t let me. His hand came up and cupped the side of my face, urging me to look at him again.
“If this is what I gotta do to have you, I’m in.
But for the record, I think it’s a bad idea.
I’m not ashamed of you, and I don’t think Beau has any ground to say shit about it.
He’s never been your dad, and he’s doing a piss-poor job of showing up for you now. ”
Tears sheened my eyes, and I’d have to drop my bags to swipe at them. But Hunter beat me to it. His thumb gently swiped under my eye. My heart stuttered in my chest as he bent down and pressed a soft, sweet kiss against my lips. It was almost over before it even began, but I wanted so much more.
I wanted to lose myself in this man.
“He’s missing everything and is too stupid to figure it out. I know a little something about shitty dads. Sometimes, you’re better off cutting them out of your life.” He pressed another soft kiss against my lips then bent down and grabbed my bags. “You hungry? We could order something in.”
“I, uh, no. We just ate.”
“Do you mind if I order a pizza? I’m starving. I was sitting out front waiting for you and missed lunch.”
I boggled at that. I’d assumed we’d just showed up at almost the same time. He’d waited.
For me?
Wow.
The knowledge filled me with wonder and a sense of power.
But first I had to feed my man. “How about I cook something for you?”
“Fuck, I’m never going to turn down a homecooked meal.” He followed me inside and set my bags down near the door.
“You’re on.” I pressed a quick kiss on his lips then skipped to the kitchen. “Do you have any allergies or picky dislikes?”
I heard him following behind me, his bootsteps loud in the silent house. My heart raced with anticipation. It felt almost predatory, hearing his slow, heavy progress behind me. I made a mental note. Maybe some chase fantasy sexy time was in our future. Hunter had said he was up for anything.
I headed for the huge Thermador fridge to look for something edible. Oh! There were some chicken cutlets on the bottom shelf.
I bent over to grab them and heard a muffled groan behind me.
Hunter’s hands grasped my hips just before he stepped up behind me. His jean clad erection brushed against my butt. The thin sundress I wore did absolutely nothing to protect me.
Not that I wanted to be protected.
“Christ, princess. This ass is fucking criminal. I want to see it. I want to taste it.” He groaned low in his throat as his fingers tightened on my hips.
My sex clenched. I wished it was clenching around him. I wanted everything he’d said.
“Fuck the food.” He pulled me back and away from the fridge.
The chicken fell…somewhere. I was too busy turning in his arms and clutching at his shoulders to track anything.
Then he did something I’d never experienced before.
He bent down and lifted me in his arms. No groan. No wince. Just like it was easy. Expected even.
His lips came down on mine, and he kissed me with a voracious need I felt from my tingling lips to my throbbing sex.
Hunter cursed as he pulled his lips away. “Fuck, Iz. Which one is yours?”
As we kissed, he must’ve carried me out of the kitchen and down the hall. I blinked at our surroundings in confusion.
“Fuck it. This one is good enough.” He pushed open the nearest door—which wasn’t my room here—and carried me inside.