CHAPTER 30 #2
Currently, we were standing inside one of my favourite places in the world.
A bookstore.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked. “Did you need to pick up some titles for your new shelf?”
The last time I was at his place, I saw the bookshelf he’d set up in the living room, right next to the TV. It was barren and in desperate need to be filled with colourful spines.
Hunter plucked a basket at the store’s entrance and tipped my chin up with his leather-gloved hand. “The plan is for us to grab the books you want to read and to replace all the ones your asshat of an ex damaged.”
I almost stuttered back a step. “What?”
A furrow pinched his brows. “I’m sorry Franco ruined your books and shamed you for your reading taste, Gabby. Being a voracious romance reader doesn’t make you a loser. Fuck him for making you feel that way.”
My exhale stalled as I oscillated between shock and contentment. How did one even reply to such a thing—to such a thoughtful gesture?
In two months, Hunter had shown me how a woman truly deserved to be treated. He was attentive to every aspect of my life, catering to all my wants and needs without me ever having to ask him.
Hunter didn’t make my life harder. He made it easier by simply being in it and living alongside me.
I didn’t care that we were in a bookstore surrounded by a milling crowd. Didn’t care about any unwritten PDA rules. Nothing could have prevented me from rising on my toes to plant a gratitude-laden kiss on his lips.
Hunter was a once-in-a-lifetime individual.
I meant it when I said I wouldn’t allow anyone to steal him from me.
He was mine, mine, mine. I’d do anything to protect this man who I was beginning to fall for hastily, knowing that I was safe with him.
He would cushion my fall with his strong arms and that expansive heart of his, filled with so much tenderness.
He kissed me back softly, like I was as delicate as the red roses he gifted me.
I realized quickly that this was what I had been missing my whole life.
This was what none of the past men ever gave me.
Romance. Kindness. Thoughtfulness.
“How many books can I get?” I murmured when we broke apart.
He appeared ruffled, my kiss tilting him off his axis. So adorable. I wanted to keep smooching him and never stop. “As many as I can carry, Gabby.”
I fought the Cheshire Cat grin twitching my lips. “And we both know you can lift a hefty amount.”
“That’s right.” Turning me around, he tapped my ass in a quick swat. “Now go do some damage.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice.
I dragged him into the romance section. Hunter waited patiently as I piled one book after another into the basket. He evaluated each title with interest. “This looks good.” He picked up a fantasy novel, weighing the thick paperback in his hand. “Have you read it already?”
“No,” I replied. “Do you want to read it with me?”
“Like a book club?” He smiled and I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
I was happy that he wanted to read this. No one else in my immediate circle read fantasy romances, and I liked that Hunter and I would have something that was just ours.
We moved over to a shelf housing a particular paranormal romance series that I was fond of. “Technically, I already have these books…but these rebranded covers are super cute.”
He shrugged. “So? Get the new editions. Grow your collection.”
“Really?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Do I look like I’m bluffing, Gabriela?”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and gazed up at him, blinking innocently. “Okay, I’ll get them all since you insist.”
Hunter puffed out a laugh and kissed my forehead. He saw through my facade. I wanted these books and he was here to indulge me as always.
“Let’s play a game,” I told him as I stacked the entire series in the basket. We were already at forty books.
A sly look crossed his face. “What kind of game?”
I nudged him with my elbow. “Not that kind of game, you pervert. We’re in public, for heaven’s sake.”
“As if that would stop you, you little exhibitionist,” he whispered in my ear.
I blushed and whispered back, “Hey, you don’t see me kink-shaming you!”
“I would never shame you.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I like your kinks.”
I tightened the sash of my red coat around my waist, giving my hands something to do before I climbed him like a tree and pecked my red-stained kisses all over that handsome face. “Do you have any I should know about? For research purposes, of course.”
He smirked. “Tying you up to my bed and fucking you like a dirty little doll.”
An old granny happened to walk by next to us and she squeaked upon hearing that tidbit. Oops. I supposed we weren’t as quiet as we thought. She scurried away, scandalized, leaving Hunter and me alone in the aisle.
When the coast was clear and our embarrassed chuckles subsided, I said, “Throw in a blindfold and I’m game, pretty boy.”
His blue eyes danced with amusement. “Cool. It’s a date.”
I bit back a squeal. I loved this banter between us. It was refreshing and a reminder that dating should be fun and easy-going, right?
“Now back to what I was saying.” I edged him into an Arts & Crafts aisle. “Let’s pick a hobby-related book for each other, something new for us to try, with only one minute to spare on the clock.”
Hunter perked up at the challenge. “Okay. I’ll set a timer.”
The second he pressed the start button on his phone screen, we darted down the aisle on separate ends with swift excitement. My eyes scanned through the titles. Woodworking, glassblowing, gardening, birdwatching. It was past the forty-second mark when I fell upon a mandala colouring book.
I knew Hunter’s shier disposition and the events from his past had given leeway to his mild anxiety.
The front page of the book claimed that colouring mandalas was a stress-relieving activity that helped promote mindfulness and relaxation.
With the end of football season looming close, a championship to win, and a fast-paced academic schedule, I figured this would be an optimal hobby.
The alarm on Hunter’s phone went off and we met each other halfway. I panted from having run in my heels and Hunter’s own chest bowed with quick breaths. “What did you get me?”
I held up the colouring book with a beaming grin. “Ta-da!”
He scooped it from my hands, impressed. “This looks fun, Gabby.”
I knew he’d like it. “What did you get me?”
Hunter passed me a guide on diamond painting, parroting my, “Ta-da!”
I flipped through the pages. “Right up my alley. Good choice.” I stared up at him, hopeful. “Maybe we can get some supplies next week?”
He’d need colouring pencils too if he didn’t already have them at home.
For our second date, I was thinking something laid-back at my place, watching a horror movie while we worked on our respective art.
“I’m down.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, drawing me deeper into his chest. “Is there anything else you want to get from here?”
“Nope. I have everything I need.”
“C’mon, let’s get these checked out.”
But on our way to the cash register, I spotted a comprehensive Greek mythology encyclopedia and placed it in the basket along with my other books.
Hunter gave me a surprised look. I winked at him.
He’d done such an amazing job immersing himself in my world of interests that it was only fair I do the same for him. I’d start with this and eventually work my way through the other classic tales he liked to read.
While we waited at the end of a long cue, I burrowed myself into Hunter’s side and rested my head on his chest. His arm was still draped around my shoulders.
“Do you mind?” I asked him after a few seconds.
He frowned, perplexed. “Mind what?”
I’d always liked to hug and cuddle. But Franco hated that, calling me an attention seeker. “That I’m clingy.”
“No.” Hunter squeezed my body closer like he couldn’t get enough. “I like it. Cling to me all you want.”
Enamoured, I peered up into his handsome face. “I really like you.”
My sentence transformed Hunter’s entire face. He practically lit up, lips parting and eyes widening with glee. He tried to play it off like it was no big deal, but I saw through it.
Hunter waited so long for me to say those words. I wished…I wished I’d started falling for him over a year ago, like he had for me, when we first locked eyes at Josh’s birthday party.
If I’d just paid more attention to him, we could have been dating long before now, I thought regretfully.
“Is that so?” he asked, not in a way that stated he needed reassurance, but more in the playful manner of his I was coming to love.
“Yes.”
“What a coincidence.” His nose skimmed over my cheek before he brushed a kiss on my blushing skin. “I really like you, too.”
Nothing more needed to be said. We were finally on the same page. I’d caught up to Hunter and now our real story could begin.
I listened to the gentle pitter-patter of his heart as we waited for the line to advance.
Fifteen minutes later, we walked out of the store with bags filled with books and a cloud of bliss surrounding.
I’d never felt happier in my life.
Hunter wasn’t kidding when he said he planned an entire day for us. This was easily the best date ever. Food, books, shopping, and good conversations really were the key to my heart.
Presently, we were at a mall in a formal menswear boutique. Hunter needed to pick up a suit he’d had altered. As he spoke to one of the employees, I wandered around until a row of ties caught my attention.
Amongst the neat display, there was a hunter green one and a light blue one. The latter reminded me of the exact shade of my boyfriend’s eyes.
Thankfully, he had his back to me, still in discussion with the employee, so he didn’t see when I quietly purchased the two ties and hid them in my purse.
“I’m parched,” I told him when we stepped out of there.
“Let’s get you something to drink, doll.”