Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
T he last forty-eight hours were some of the best of my life. Hunter went to his last morning skate, and we holed up in his bedroom tangled up in each other. We spent hours on end discovering each other’s bodies and kinks. The things Hunter could do with his mouth were undeniable. He was greedy for my clit. Thoughts of how he sucked and nipped made a zing of pleasure ricochet through my body. I wanted him here with me to do it again and again. He was my new addiction. Who needed tequila anymore? Hunter was the burn in my throat I craved.
I rolled over to show Hunter my desire, but found his side of the bed empty and cold. I pushed up on my elbows, looking around his room like he’d magically materialize. My ears strained to hear any noises that’d give him away. But the house remained silent around me. I flung the sheets off my bare legs and rooted around for a pair of shorts to slide on. Quickly, I pulled on the nearest pair and one of Hunter’s t-shirts. It fell to my thighs and gave the illusion that I wasn’t wearing shorts. Tip-toeing out of his room, I ventured down the abandoned halls. There was no reason for me to sneak like a mous e, but the house's emptiness made goosebumps run up my arms and unease to turn my blood cold.
“Hunt?” I called out, approaching the stairs.
Hockey House barren of its occupants was a rarity. Even rarer was the lack of puck bunnies lingering. I walked down the stairs and made my way to the kitchen. Hunter probably went out on a run. He mentioned last night he might do that this morning. Shockingly, he didn’t drag me out of bed to join him. Perks of sleeping with the self-proclaimed coach? I hoped so.
My thoughts of coffee and food disappeared when I entered the kitchen. Every cabinet door hung open like a poltergeist had a party overnight. Glasses and plates scattered the floor, broken and smashed to pieces. The island in the middle dripped with dark red paint. Thick, wet acrylic encased the entire top. Tentatively, I stepped into the space, my attention drawn to something else on the island. My breathing stalled with realization. Multiple dead rats laid within the paint. My hands flew to my mouth as I backed away in horror.
The shrill ring of my cell phone caused me to scream and jump in the air simultaneously. I fumbled with my pocket to get it out and to my ear. The shock from the scene in the kitchen muddled my brain. Answering blindly, I didn’t look at the caller I.D.
A gravelly voice disguised by a voice augmenter leered in my ear, “Roses are red, violets are blue, murderous bitch, I’m coming for yoooou.”
Raw fear ran down my spine as the voice laughed maniacally. Dropping my phone, I turned and ran out of the house. Someone could see me right now. There was no other explanation for them, knowing I was in the kitchen when they called. Barefoot, I launched myself down the porch, looking behind me while I ran. Abruptly, my body crashed into a hard chest. Arms corded around my middle and I ‘oomphed’ before looking up and meeting Hunter’s concerned eyes.
“Maci? What’s wrong?” He looked behind me in search of the boogeyman I fled.
“T-t-the kitchen,” I stammered, wrapping my arms around Hunter’s sweaty middle.
I was right; he went on a run. That isn’t what I should focus on right now. The voice from my phone still haunted my mind, its message playing on a figurative loop. I dug my fingers into Hunter’s back, hoping his body would ground me. At this moment, I needed his scent and comfort more than oxygen.
Hunter pulled back from me, his eyes calculating his next move. “I need to go in there and check it out.”
I shook my head vehemently; I didn’t want him to leave me. He caressed my cheek with the pads of his thumb. The repetitive motion was soothing, and my lungs returned to a steady breathing pattern.
“You good?” He questioned, pulling away.
I nodded. He quickly kissed my forehead. “Stay right here. I’ll be right back.”
“You know, that’s exactly what someone says in a horror movie before they’re murdered, right?”
Hunter stared at me, his face a mixture of confusion and concern. “Um what?”
This wasn’t the most opportune time for my morbid sense of humor. Blame it on the adrenaline or the fear, but I felt detached. I waved my hand at Hunter. “I don’t even really know. Just go quickly, please?”
Hunter jogged into the house, leaving me to stand outside. I rubbed my hands up my arms as the chill of the November morning sank into my skin. I needed to figure out who was doing all of this. My life couldn’t be a constant state of fear. Who would have such a vendetta against me? Anytime I formul ated a list of possibilities, my mind drew a blank. Hunter draped one of his jackets around my shoulders and I looked up at him, startled. His return snapped me out of my thoughts.
Hunter blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “That is fucked up in there.” His eyes assessed me again. His concern for my well-being was palpable, and I appreciated his sentiment. Leaning into his broad chest, his arms welcomed me, wrapping around me. Hunter tucked my head under his chin. We stood that way, unmoving for a few minutes, soaking in each other’s comfort.
“Let me make this better, Sunshine.”
I pulled away from Hunter’s embrace. “Exactly how do you plan to do that? Hop into the Mystery Machine with the rest of the gang, Scooby?” I raised my eyebrows and waited for Hunter’s solution.
He smiled, “There she is.”
I rolled my eyes and walked back towards the house. I called over my shoulder, “That’s not a solution, Hunt.” Nowhere was safe anymore. It didn’t matter where I stayed; I kept being found
“Your safety is my top priority. We will lockdown Hockey House.”
“What do you mean ‘lockdown Hockey House’?” I questioned, stopping at the top of the porch steps.
Hunter pulled out his cell phone, not bothering to respond to me. I watched as his thumbs flew across his screen. Looking satisfied with whatever he just did, he pulled the phone to his ear.
“Crew, get three froshies to the house and then we’re shutting things down.”
There was a pause as he listened to Crew on the other end. I hugged my arms around myself, trying to put together what Hunter was coordinating.
“Someone broke in this morning, fucked up the kitchen and tr ied to scare Maci. I’m pretty sure it’s some kind of stalker. She’s moving in with us.”
Oh, I was? That was news to me. Hunter paused again. Jackson would have a field day about this.
“Yeah, no girls, no parties, just us. I’m changing the locks. I’ll call you with the new door code. Don’t send that shit in a text message either, or I’ll castrate you myself.”
Hunter hung up and smiled at me. “Let’s get your stuff roomie.” His mood change gave me whiplash. He whistled and headed towards the driveway to his truck. Opening the door, he stopped, realizing that I wasn’t following. He turned towards me, “Come on Sunshine, let’s get your stuff and stop at the hardware store.”
My body didn’t budge. “You think I’m willing to move in with you--” I snapped my fingers, “Just like that?”
Hunter smiled that panty-melting smile. “You don’t have to be willing, I’ll gladly handcuff you to my bed.” His eyes darkened. “I bet you’d like it too.” He didn’t wait for my response, but climbed into his truck and started the engine.
My mind refused to tell my body to move. Instead, it malfunctioned, repeating Hunter’s words on repeat. Hunter rolled down his window letting his arm hang out, “Come on Sunshine, if you keep thinking that hard, your face will freeze like that!” His booming laugh shook me out of my head and I scrambled to join him.
“Good girl.” He hummed after I buckled my seatbelt. My cheeks turned pink. Hunter somehow knew how to unlock all of my kinks, because ?I would love nothing more than to have him handcuff me to his bed.
I hoped hardware stores sold handcuffs. At the very least, we could get some zip ties.