Chapter 33
Hunter
A fter I got interrogated by Jade’s housemates somehow, they managed to invite themselves to our breakfast date. Actually, I know exactly how.
Jade
It’s evident how much these three people mean to her. So if they’re important to her, they’re important to me.
The Drunken Duck is only around the corner from Jade’s apartment, and it seems they spend a lot of time here. When we walk in, the barman comes from behind the bar, giving each of them a hug. “It’s so good to see you all. I’m guessing Beck is here for the breakfast, given his choice of pants?”
“You’d be correct.” Beck tugs at the hem of his sweats. “I’ve a bet with this one that I can eat more than he can.” Beck points toward me, puffing out his chest. “And trust me, I can’t lose.”
“He has to call football, soccer if he does.” Trixie bounces next to Beck.
“Oh, Beck, you best have brought your A-game. Otherwise, I’ll have to bar you.” The barman chuckles, “You look like you’ll definitely give him a run for his money. What’s your name, son?”
“Hunter, sir.”
“Less of the sir.” He notices my grip on Jade and smiles. “Right, let's find you all a table.” I can see why they like it here; it’s cozy. We all file into a booth in the corner. “So we have two of the ultimate breakfasts. And ladies, what can I get you?”
“I’ll just take the standard full English please and a breakfast tea,” Jade says, and both the girls order the same.
I take hold of Jade’s hand under the table, giving it a little squeeze as the barman leaves. We settle into conversation, and I soon understand why Jade holds these people so close to her.
Our food is brought out and I’m shocked. There’s no way I’m going to eat all that. If those are the standard breakfast, how big are the ultimate breakfasts?
Answer: Fucking huge.
“Dig in Hunter.” Beck offers me a grin, silently challenging me.
Putting down my fork, I pat my stomach. “Alright, pretty boy. I give in, you win.” Beck punches the air, but it lacks any enthusiasm, mainly because I think he might be sick if he moves quickly. The whole bar, who’ve been watching our eating challenge closely, erupts into cheers. Jade’s hand settles on my thigh, and I cover it with mine and brush a kiss to her temple.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“For what?”
“I know you gave up.” Her eyes sparkle up at me.
“I think it meant more to him than me, plus—” Leaning in, I whisper. “—I’ve something tastier I want to eat later.” Nipping her earlobe, I bring my eyes back to look her in the eyes, which have now blown out with desire. It takes all of my strength—and the fact that I can currently barely move—not to drag her away. I can’t remember a time I was ever this content, this happy. It’s all because of her.
She excuses herself to go to the restroom and I’m left in the lion's den. Three pairs of curious eyes pin me to the spot. “Everyone okay?” Their gazes are unnerving.
“You’re earning some pretty good brownie points here, Stone.” Lily speaks first. “You’re attentive.”
“Funny,” Trixie chimes.
“Intelligent,” Beck chips in.
“Hot,” Trixie and Lily say in unison.
“Jesus girls, cool off will you?” Beck rolls his eyes.
“Stop being so touchy.” Trixie nudges him. “Okay, I’m focused. Mr. Big Shot Billionaire, real talk. I’m not sure how much our girl has told you but she’s been through a lot these past few months and she deserves to be happy. Especially after what Dick did to her.”
“Dick? I thought the asshole's name was Dave.” I ask.
“We renamed that fucker after he pulled that dick move.” Lily shrugs.
“Fuck my life. Why do I hang around with you guys?” Beck rubs his temples.
“Because you’d be lost without us, Becky Boy. You love how we make your head hurt.” Lily smiles over at him. “Now back to Jade. She’s one of the most important people in all our lives. This is your warning not to hurt her.”
“If you do, I know a pig farmer.”
“Trixie. Seriously.” Beck says, a little shell-shocked by Trixie’s comment.
“What? They eat everything. That’s what they said in that film, what was it called?” She taps her lips with the tip of her finger.
“Snatch,” Beck mumbles as he continues to rub his temples.
“That’s it.” She clicks her fingers.
“Look.” I lean forward, assessing each of them. “In the short amount of time I’ve had Jade in my life and I mean properly in my life. I've thought of nothing more than how I can make her happy, how I’d rather crawl over broken glass than to see her upset. So I could actually use your help.”
“God damn it, you’re smooth.” Lily grins.
“Thank you. But it’s all true. Jade’s flipped my world and brought color to my very gray life.”
“Okay, stop it. You're going to make me fall for you.” Trixie laughs. “What do you need?”
I explain my plan, taking their numbers down so we can discuss the finer points. I’m putting my phone back into my pocket when Jade sits back down. I pull her into my arms and brush a kiss to the top of her head.
“You two are ridiculously cute. It’s sickening.” Lily smiles. “Don’t hurt her, Stone.” She points her slender finger at me, a knowing look on her face.
“I don’t plan on hurting her, not unless she asks me to anyway.”
“Hunter.” Jade smacks my shoulder and the whole table erupts.
“Come on, I’ve seen those books you girls read and listen to, no point in being shy,” Beck chips in.
“Now I’m interested.’
What sort of books is she reading?
“The details in those books are widely exaggerated anyway,” Lily muses.
“Exaggerated?”
“Come on, Hunter, you're a clever man.” Beck looks at me wide eyed, like I should know what he’s getting at. “Romance books?”
“You mean like The Notebook ?”
“No, Hunter, I don’t mean The Notebook unless Noah has a red room, his cock is described as huge, throbbing and never going to fit. I mean, unless I missed that part.”
“Beck,” All the girls scream in unison, and Jade is now glowing red with embarrassment.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Maybe we can reenact a scene from your favorite book?”
“And that’s why he’s a keeper.” Trixie giggles into her tea.
“I think we may have already.” She says it so quietly I don’t think she wants me to hear. Damn if it doesn’t make me want to know what we did, so I can do it again because I want to make all her fantasies come true in and out of the bedroom.