CHAPTER 5
Nothing More Than Platonic
Gabriela
The sun was setting, melting into the horizon, and shading the blue sky in gorgeous tones of yellows and oranges as evening fell upon the city.
Normally, I’d have pulled out my phone and taken a picture to add to my gallery of sunset images.
However, today was far from normal circumstances and my hands were otherwise occupied, fidgeting anxiously over Luna’s carrier in my lap.
The only thing that seemed to calm me down was the scent floating in the sports car—a mixture of Hunter’s cologne and the pine-scented air freshener suffusing the inside of his luxurious car.
“Gabby?” Oh, and Hunter’s voice, calling out to me in his deep, husky tone.
It was a soothing sound in the chaos buzzing through my mind.
I dragged my gaze away from the blurring scenery in the passenger window and shifted in the beige leather seat to face him. “Yes?”
The hands holding the steering wheel tightened and I couldn’t help but stare at the veins exposed due to his sleeves being rolled up. I’d always had a weakness for strong arms, and Hunter’s physique was clearly honed from years of training and playing football.
The pièce de resistance was the realistic snake tattoo wrapped around his left forearm. The one I hadn’t been able to properly see last night in the dark. Shaded in blacks and greys, it disappeared under the cuff of his shirt, no doubt stretching all the way up to his shoulder.
My goodness. Athletic, tall, muscular, and tatted?
Hunter was easily the handsomest man I’d ever seen.
His blue eyes met mine when he caught me staring. “You okay?”
Was I okay? Far from it. But would I be once we figured out who broke into my apartment and dealt with them accordingly? Yes.
“I’m fine,” I croaked. “Thank you for driving me.”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Gabby,” he insisted. “This is the least I can do for you.”
I was correct in my assumption last night that Hunter was a well-bred gentleman. Offered me his services to conduct homicide and now he was driving me home like a personal chauffeur. All because he saw someone in need and was willing to extend his help.
The last twenty-four hours came crashing back to me and I sagged in my seat, completely spent.
Finding my sanctuary broken in and knowing I may not be safe anymore was a harsh pill to swallow.
And now, on top of all that, I couldn’t believe I shared the hottest kiss of my life with a beautiful man who was my new neighbour.
I wasn’t one to believe in cosmic interventions, but this felt pretty damn close. Like fate was playing with Hunter’s and my strings, forcing us to collide with no choice but to obey.
The car suddenly rolled to a stop.
Lost in thought, I hadn’t realized Hunter veered off the GPS-guided route and brought us to a café.
Before I could say anything, he directed a sheepish smile my way. “I’m really hungry after an entire day of moving and I could use a bite. I’ll just grab something quick to-go. Can I get you anything?”
I recognized this place. Le Petit Moulin was one of the cafés in the city I liked going to during the week to get some work done. Pink, flowery, and with romantic girlish décor, they had a great selection of pastries and I had a voracious sweet tooth.
“Actually, can we sit inside for a bit?”
I was exhausted and not exactly eager to face Mamma and Papà.
Though I loved them dearly with all my heart, they were loud, passionate, overbearing, dysfunctional, and I feared being in their presence would only speed up the headache that was already looming close.
Before leaving Hunter’s apartment, I’d texted my parents in our group chat, saying that we needed to have a family emergency meeting in an hour.
I didn’t build up on what was wrong, just that it was urgent.
But anticipating their reactions made my stomach flip.
Mamma would cry and Papà would go berserk.
“Yeah. I’d like that.” He threw a glance at my cat. “Will Luna be okay inside?”
“Yup. She’ll be okay. Plus, this café is cat friendly.”
Chivalry obviously wasn’t dead because Hunter turned off the ignition, unfolded out of his car, and quickly rounded the front to come open my door. Wordlessly, he grabbed Luna’s carrier from my lap.
My throat tightened at his kind gesture and the way his gaze moved over my body in a lazy perusal that had my toes curling in my red platform heels.
Now that the adrenaline from the horrible situation was wearing off, I finally registered the polished loafers, the black slacks moulding to his muscular thighs, the grey Henley wrapped over his roped torso, and the same silver chain and watch from last night.
Hunter was a pretty rich boy if I’d ever seen one.
When he wasn’t in football gear, it was clear he enjoyed the finer things in life.
From the outside, he appeared suave and put together, but the unshaven jaw boasting a five o’clock shadow and the black wavy hair carelessly tousled gave him a hint of ruggedness.
Dare I say, with the sun setting behind him in a picturesque sight, he even reminded me of the heroes from my favourite paranormal romance books.
A night creature from centuries-old lore.
He could pass as a charming vampire, a dominant werewolf, a filthy demon, and…
my musings were a clear indication that my state of mind was currently far from okay.
“I like your bow,” Hunter remarked with a low rasp that did nothing to tame the skyrocketing tension between us.
I enjoyed accessories and getting dolled up for any occasion. Whether it was for a night out with my girls or to run a quick errand. I never missed an opportunity to don my best. Smiling at Hunter’s compliment, I returned, “And I like your chain.”
Hunter smiled back and offered me his hand, helping me step out of his car. I ignored the way my skin buzzed at our fingers touching and smoothed a hand over the skirt of my black dress while he closed the door behind me.
Hunter walked ahead, his long-legged strides eating the distance from his car to the front door of the café. I almost wobbled in my heels, trying to keep up with him.
When we entered Le Petit Moulin, the aroma of coffee and viennoiseries wafted in the air. My stomach grumbled. I could go for a warm mochaccino and some donuts. The café wasn’t packed as per usual since we arrived at a peculiar time—too late for lunch and too early for dinner.
Adjusting the heart pendant choker around my neck, I inspected their selection of sweet treats while Hunter sauntered to the counter, Luna in tow. He started chatting with the server, a pretty woman who seemed just a bit older than us.
“Gabby,” Hunter called out after a few seconds. “What would you like?”
“I’ll have a small mocha and half a dozen of the mini donuts.”
“Assorted?”
“Yes, please.”
I walked over to them, but Hunter already whipped out his black card from his leather wallet and paid for both of us.
“What are you doing?” I asked, baffled. “I was going to get my own.”
Hunter crossed his arms over his barrel chest, pinning me with a serious look. “Don’t take it personally, sweetheart. I never let a woman pay when she’s out with me.”
Hearing sweetheart again brought a flood of memories from last night. Once more, I could feel the phantom of his masculine hand collaring my throat. Could feel the outline of his ridge against my stomach. Could feel his lips on mine. Sinful, greedy, and impatient for more.
“Thank—”
“For the love of God,” he teased. “Stop throwing around the T-word. I get it. You’re welcome.”
A small chuckle burst out of me. “Okay, fine, I won’t. Just know that I’m thinking it.”
I’d find a way to repay him. With a house plant, baked goods, and something else. Though I had a feeling nothing would be enough for the generosity he bestowed upon me today.
Quietly, we watched the woman prepare our order. She was wearing a minidress, strappy heels, a pink frilly apron, and her ensemble was complete with diamond jewelry and beautiful pin-up style waves that fell down her back. I’d seen her here often and was beginning to wonder if she was the owner.
Her name tag read Elsie.
She turned around with a radiant grin and a pink tray containing our food. Hunter took it from her, leaving her a generous tip in the jar. As we walked away, I couldn’t help but tell her how great she looked. “You’re gorgeous. I love your heels.”
She blushed and chuckled lightly. “Likewise.”
We found a secluded corner in the empty café.
Hunter pulled out my chair for me, then sank into his.
I plucked Luna out of the carrier and into my lap but kept her leash wrapped around my wrist so she wouldn’t wander off.
Noticing my sweet, furry companion, Elsie came over with a little bowl of cat treats and petted Luna, who relished the attention.
Once she wandered off, Hunter and I dug into our food.
He’d ordered himself a salad with chicken breast and sparkling water.
I watched as he placed a napkin over his lap, took hold of the pink cutlery—which his big hands dwarfed—and used his fork and knife to slice into the meat before bringing a forkful into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
He was so posh, sitting across from me with a regal posture, eating like we were at a five-course restaurant and not a casual, cute café with cramped seating.
He ate his salad and I devoured half of my donuts, companionable silence floating between us. I relaxed further into my seat. With other people, I sometimes felt the need to fill the quietness with chatter. But not with Hunter.
His presence was steady and solid, demanding no words and offering solace in return.
I liked that.
A little too much.
“You have a sweet tooth, don’t you?” Hunter asked after finishing his meal.
“What gave it away?” I joked. “The six donuts or the sugary drink?”
He chuckled, unscrewing his bottle of water. “By the way, you have frosting on your lips.”