Chapter 17

Hunter

I felt the sun’s rays hit my face as I slowly woke up, feeling like I’d just had the best sleep in my whole life. I wanted to go back to snooze and cuddle with Jamie again, but when I turned over and reached for her, there was nothing but sheets. She was gone.

I shot up in bed like a lightning bolt, dread creeping into my system, as I wondered why the hell she wasn’t sleeping right next to me. Damn it, did I screw it up? Was I too forward last night? Did she want something to happen and I disappointed her?

I swung my feet down the bed, and ran out of my room and into Jamie’s, opening her door with a bang. Most of her things were still inside, but that didn’t mean she was still here. Frantic, I thundered down the stairs and almost crashed into Nana. I steadied her with both arms, and looked at her urgently.

“Nana, where is she? Have you seen her?” I asked her quickly.

“In the kitchen—,” she stammered.

I leaped over the rest of the steps, and ran toward the kitchen, skidding to a stop as soon as I saw her.

She spun around to look at me, one hand in the middle of her chest like she was trying to keep it from flying out of her ribcage.

“Hunter! What’s wrong with you?” she cried.

I didn’t bother answering her, and instead crossed the distance between us. I pulled her against me, and lowered my head to hers so I could finally do what I’ve been dreaming about ever since I met her.

I mashed our lips together, translating all my longing and fear that she had disappeared into one steaming kiss. She gasped, and I took advantage of the opening, spearing my tongue inside her sweet mouth and caressing hers. She tasted of cookie batter and chocolate, smelled like it too. She was intoxicating enough to make me groan.

She responded to my kiss timidly, before pushing me away, and lightly slapping my face with a slight scowl and a pinkish tint in her cheeks.

“You surprised me,” she mumbled, pushing me away to get busy with the bowl and spatula. “You’re not going to get so lucky next time,” I smirked at her.

I could never pass on a chance to tease her. “You scared me. When I woke up without you in bed, I thought you had left me.”

“Oh, I couldn’t sleep, so I woke up early and decided to bake some cookies for breakfast,” she said, smiling brightly. “I was going to wake you up once I was all done, though. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I said, wrapping my arms around her belly with a sigh, happily content to just hold her like this.

She, however, had other plans.

“What are you doing?” she asked, and I frowned at her.

“Holding you. What does it look like?” I asked back, and she scoffed at me, pushing my hands away.

“Well, excuse me, sir, but I don’t think I’ve given you permission to do that yet,” she said defiantly. I stared at her like she’d grown a second head. Was she insane?

“What?” he asked dumbly. She turned back around to face me fully, putting her hands on her hips with a huff.

“You can’t just go around kissing me without even asking me out!” she cried, and I stared at her.

“Huh?”

“I don’t know what you think of me, but I am not an easy girl. I’m the type you have to court or woo for a while before I agree to have a relationship with you. Do you understand?” she asked. My eyebrows skyrocketed.

“I have to woo for a while?” I repeated.

“Yes. It’s a requirement,” she stated, matter-of-fact.

Oh, this woman…I couldn’t keep myself from snickering at her antics, and she just pouted at me.

“It’s not funny,” she whined and I shook my head.

“No, no. You are absolutely right. You deserve to be courted,” I said, surprising myself that I really do agree with her. “So, how long do I have to prove myself before you agree to being mine?”

“Well, I think the shortest time would be six months—,”

“Six months?!” I yelled, shaking my head. “Oh, no. That won’t do at all, Miss Elric. Two months is too damn long.”

She crossed her arms and lifted her chin up defiantly.

“Well, tough,” she said simply.

I caged her in with my arms, bracing myself on the counter while I leaned in until my lips were a hairsbreadth away from her. She shivered under me, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the goosebumps forming in her skin.

“I don’t think I can last that long, baby,” I whispered, planting soft kisses against her skin. “So, I’m just going to have to work very hard to change your mind.”

“Y-you…,” her breath hitched as I licked her neck up to the soft cartilage of her ear, and then nipped it with my teeth. Her hands were crushing the front of my shirt now, but she was conflicted whether to pull me closer or push me away.

“I what?” I said, loving the way I’m affecting her so badly.

‘You…you can’t do that,” she gasped.

I blew into her ear, and she quivered violently.

“Oh, I think I can.” I snagged a quick kiss from her lips before shuffling away, leaving her in shock. I was so going to enjoy wooing her.