Leading the Witness

by Chantal Fernando

  “Now we’re going for another drive,” he says, but instead of going back the way we came, he heads the opposite way, toward a four-wheel-drive track. When the ride starts getting really bumpy, he looks over to me, smirking.

  I’ve never been four-wheel driving before, so now it’s a first for me.

  “Hope you don’t get motion sickness,” he says, reaching over and squeezing my thigh. “Because we’re fucked if you do.”

  “I’m fine,” I assure him. “Can I drive, though? Because this looks fun.”

  He chuckles to himself and finds a place he can stop so we can swap seats. I didn’t actually think he’d let me. It’s obviously an expensive vehicle, and I’ve never done this before, but apparently he trusts me. I put the car into drive and hit the accelerator, laughing at the way the sandy hill makes the four-wheel drive shake.

  “Why haven’t I ever done this before?” I ask myself out loud.

  “You haven’t?” he asks, sounding surprised. “Guess today is a day of firsts then.”

  “I guess so,” I whisper. I had no idea a date could be this fun. I was picturing maybe lunch and a drink, or something along those lines, nothing like this. I should have known Hunter would shake things up though; he’s not exactly an average man, at least not in my mind.

  “Turn left here,” he says, pointing. We come up to a mountain, and he gets me to park near one of the big rocks. Before we get out though, he leans over and gently kisses me, smiling against my lips, before deepening the kiss, his tongue tasting mine, teasing me. When he pulls away, he kisses my cheek, and then my nose, before my lips again. “Good thing you wore sneakers.”

  He chuckles and opens his car door, getting out. I open mine, but then he’s there, scowling because I opened my own damn door, which only amuses me.

  “I can open my own door,” I let him know. I mean, it’s a nice gesture, but he doesn’t need to do it every time. I appreciate the chivalry, and I know he has some old-school values, but we live in modern times—the world won’t end if I open my own door.

  “I know,” he replies, offering me his hand. “But I like opening it for you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you deserve to be treated in a certain way, appreciated, and because I’m a fucking gentleman, okay?” he says with a grin.

  I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. “A fucking gentleman, huh?”

  “Yes,” he says, stopping in front of a giant rock. “Now we need to climb up there.”

  “What would you have done if I hadn’t worn sneakers?” I ask him. “You didn’t exactly give me the best brief on what we were doing today.”

  “I’d have carried you up there,” he says, stepping up onto the rock and giving me his hand. “Are you ready?”

  “I was born ready,” I tell him, my competitive side kicking in. I’m going to climb the damn rock, and I’m going to look great while I do it. He lets me go in front of him, and I can feel his gaze on me as I climb to the very top, him close behind. When I make it up there, I turn in a circle, my eyes wide.

  The view is breathtaking.

  On one side is the ocean, and on the other it’s all green from the forest trees. The sky is a clear, deep blue and the sun is about to set. Did he time this just so?

  “I don’t think I have any words for how beautiful this is,” I say, spinning around again, slowly, taking everything in. I smile and move next to him, and he tucks me under his arm, my cheek against the side of his chest as we both watch the sun descend into the horizon. It’s kind of romantic, and a moment I don’t think I’ll forget, as we both stand in the middle of a giant rock, on top of the world. I can’t remember the last time I’ve done something like this, if ever. I smile into his jacket, then look up at him, watching him as he stares at the sky, a peaceful look about him. Once the sun sets we climb back down, and I watch curiously as Hunter opens up the back of his vehicle, pushing the seats forward to make space.

  “Climb in,” he says, and I do as I’m told.

  “Are you hungry?” he asks, starting to set up what looks like a mini picnic. He pulls out different cheeses, dips, crackers, cold meats, and wine. Holy shit, the man came prepared. With the back of the vehicle open, we still get the view down the mountain, and of the water. It’s amazing.

  “I’m always hungry,” I tell him, smiling.

  I never knew he could be so thoughtful.

  We eat the platter of food, and I can’t stop grinning to myself.

  “What?” he finally asks.

  “You just surprised me, is all,” I tell him. “Thank you for taking me out today.”

  “You’re welcome,” he says, lying back. He takes my hand in his. Fuck, he’s so cute.

  Sweet.

  I always knew there was more to him than he lets the world see.

  Darkness takes over, and we continue to talk, getting lost in each other’s minds.

  I can’t think of a better first date.

  chapter 22

  HUNTER

  “WHERE ARE WE GOING now?” she asks, and I can hear the smile in her voice. She hasn’t stopped smiling since we climbed back in the car, and I’m going to take that as a sign that she loved the day.

  “To my house,” I tell her cheerily. “I thought I could cook you something, and we could have some wine in my Jacuzzi.”

  “Of course you have a Jacuzzi,” she says in a dry tone. “Wait, a Jacuzzi, as in naked in the Jacuzzi together?”

  I chuckle at the panic in her voice, because she couldn’t mask the excitement mixed in at the idea. “There will be bubbles in the Jacuzzi, and I’ll keep my hands to myself, I promise.” I pause, adding, “Unless you don’t want me to. I can take you home if you like, but I kind of don’t want today to end yet.”

  “Me either,” she admits, looking down at her hands. “And a Jacuzzi sounds nice.”

  She looks a little unsure though, and I don’t want her to do anything she doesn’t want to, or for her to regret anything. I don’t plan on doing anything more than kissing her, and maybe catch a glimpse of that beautiful body in the water. There’s no rush.

  “It’s your call,” I say to her, watching indecisiveness pass over her. If she wants to go home, I’ll drop her off with a kiss at her door. I’ve loved spending today with her, and I think, or maybe just hope, that she’s changing her mind about me. There’s still the chance that she will suddenly decide this isn’t a good idea for her, but I’m hoping our connection wins out, and that she’s willing to at least explore what’s here between us.

  “Let’s go to yours,” she eventually decides. “I’m not ready for tonight to end either.”

  I nod, not wanting to react too much, but inwardly, I’m jumping for joy.

  I COOK HER A steak, with a beet-and-feta salad and roasted potatoes, while she sits at my breakfast bar with a glass of red wine. I also aim to impress her with my mushroom-pepper sauce.

  “I didn’t know you can cook,” she muses, lifting the crystal to her lips.

  “I have to feed myself somehow,” I tell her, lip twitching in amusement. “My sister will come over now and again and cook for me, but the rest of the time I need to fend for myself.”

  I want her to know I’m not a boy, I’m a man. I don’t expect a woman to look after me or take care of me in any way. I can cook, clean, and I don’t expect anyone else to do those things for me.

  “I can see that,” she murmurs, taking another sip of wine. “I’m impressed, Hunter.”

  “With what?”

  “With everything.” She smiles, placing the glass down. “With you. With tonight. I don’t think anyone is going to be able to top that date.”

  “I will,” I tell her, grabbing the plates and placing them on the countertop. “Tonight is not the peak of us, Riley; this is just the beginning.”

  She rolls her eyes and laughs, but she also blushes a little. “We’ll see about that,” she murmurs. She looks different without a bandanna on her head, her hair down below her shoul
ders. She looks softer, I think, without the more pinup style she usually chooses for herself. Not that I don’t like that look though. I serve the food, and then we sit at the dinner table to eat.

  “You never told me who you ended up leaving in charge of the pub,” I say, remembering that she wasn’t sure what to do about that situation.

  “I couldn’t decide between them,” she says, putting her fork down and scowling. “If I heard either of them say they were the backbone of the place I was going to go to prison for murder. The new guy, Izaac, has some manager experience, so I left him in charge.”

  I go still, surprised. “So instead of choosing between your two friends you put a random in charge of them? Someone who hasn’t even worked for you before?”

  She cringes, nodding. “It was that or they were going to kill each other. Now they have some common ground—they both want to kill me, so they’re probably best friends now.”

  I laugh at that. “And planning your mutiny?”

  She nods slowly, expelling a deep sigh. “Yeah, it’s not going to be pretty when I go in tomorrow. I hope they weren’t too mean to Izaac, but Callie thought he was good-looking, so maybe she’ll control the sass.”

  The look we give each other says that we both highly doubt that.

  “Do you think he’s good-looking?” I ask her, keeping my expression neutral.

  She shrugs. “I suppose so. I mean, I was being professional, so it’s not like I was checking him out. But yeah, I guess he’s a good-looking man. Probably another reason for Preston to be angry at me, but Callie might cut me some slack.”

  She better not be checking him out.

  “Fair enough,” I reply, watching as she bites into her steak. “How is it?”

  “Delicious,” she says, licking the sauce from her lips. “I’m awful at making steaks, I always end up flipping them ten times and cooking them until they’re dead.”

  I glance down at the pinky goodness of my creation. “Well, I guess I’ll be making all the steaks from here on out.”

  She laughs softly, and then says, “I’m good at other things though.”

  My brows rise. “Like what?” I choke out.

  Her eyes narrow, and she puts down her cutlery again. “You know what I mean.”

  “No, I don’t think I do, why don’t you explain it to me,” I tease, provoking her.

  She continues eating, ignoring me, while I watch, entertained by her behavior. “Already giving me the silent treatment?”

  “Nope, just not going to take the bait. You like getting a reaction out of me; I’m not going to give it to you,” she states, lifting her chin and flashing me a glare.

  “Is that right?” I murmur, chuckling. “I’m getting used to that stubborn look of yours.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she replies, lip twitching. “I’m such a sweet, amicable woman. I don’t have a stubborn bone in my body.”

  “And I’m a virgin,” I mutter under my breath.

  “I might as well be,” she replies, muttering under hers, getting my instant attention.

  “What do you mean by that exactly?” I ask, studying her.

  She chews slowly, swallows, and then avoids my eyes. “I just haven’t had sex in such a long time, I pretty much can’t even remember what it feels like.”

  “How long?” I ask.

  She winces, shifting on her seat. “Just over a year.”

  A year?

  She hasn’t had sex for a year?

  Surely that can’t be good for her health.

  “Wow,” I manage to get out. “A year is a pretty long time.”

  “You’re telling me.”

  Her tone is dry, her expression sarcastic. I can’t exactly empathize with her. The longest I’ve gone without has been now, ever since I decided I was going to fight for a chance to be with Riley.

  “Is that why you’re so grumpy sometimes?” I blurt out, chuckling. I have to make this into a joke, because right now I’m imagining dragging her to my bed, stripping her down, and kissing her from head to toe, taking my damn time, worshipping her, and then going down on her and eating that pussy until she’s come enough times that it makes up for her year of celibacy.

  “Probably,” she replies, and we both share a laugh. “It’s laugh or cry,” she admits. “I don’t know. Jeremy stopped touching me when things went to hell with us, which was fine with me. But I didn’t want to get into anything else, and I don’t think one-night stands would be for me.”

  “You don’t need to explain,” I tell her gently, reaching over and taking her hand. “You’ve just made tonight a hell of a lot more difficult on me though.”

  “Why’s that?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.

  Fuck, she’s cute.

  “Because I wasn’t going to . . . and now . . . Fuck. I just wanted to kiss you tonight. And now, after that, you have me wanting to show you exactly what you’ve been missing,” I admit, putting my hands up in a surrender movement. “That didn’t come out right. Obviously it’s up to you what happens or doesn’t tonight, but I really just wanted to spoil you and kiss you . . . a little . . . okay a lot, and—”

  “I get it, Hunter,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, but I’m glad you made that awkward speech so I actually have to consider it and decide what I’m ready for.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.” I grin. “But yes, just know that I have no expectations whatsoever, and I’m more than happy to just cuddle you in bed if that’s all you want to do.”

  The thought of her in my bed has me feeling really fucking excited, the caveman in me kicking in, and just wanting her in my space. I honestly don’t care if she doesn’t want to even touch me, I just want her here.

  Yeah, I have it real fucking bad.

  chapter 23

  RILEY

  I WANT TO SLEEP WITH him tonight.

  Badly.

  But that doesn’t mean I should, right? Is it fucked-up that the fact he said he only wanted to kiss me makes me want to jump his bones even more? What the hell is wrong with me? We finish up our meal and then get ready to get into the Jacuzzi.

  I’m going to be naked.

  In a close proximity with him.

  And I’m meant to act like everything is normal.

  How do I get myself into these situations?

  There are going to be bubbles to cover my . . . bits, but what about when I have to slide in? I’m just going to ask him to turn around, and I know he will.

  “What are you thinking about so hard?” he asks, coming up behind me and wrapping me in his arms. “We can skip the Jacuzzi if you like. Or you can go in alone.”

  “No, it’s fine,” I tell him, turning to face him, lifting up on my toes to place a kiss on his lips. “But you’re going to have to let me get in first.”

  “Deal,” he says.

  Once the Jacuzzi is filled, he leaves the bathroom. I jump in the shower and wash my body off before I slide into the warm water, an audible groan leaving me as I instantly feel my muscles relax.

  “Are you in?” he calls out.

  Pretty sure that’s meant to be my line, but anyway . . .

  “Yes,” I call back to him.

  He returns, nothing but a black towel wrapped around his waist. I can’t help but stare. His body.

  Holy fucking shit.

  He has his tattoo sleeves, then more over his chest and down his stomach. His body is built to perfection, toned, his abs so chiseled I want to lick them. He looks like he could be a fitness model, and I’m speechless.

  I just stare at him like I’ve never seen a man before, and I haven’t, not one like this anyway.

  “Well, since you’re not objecting.” He grins and lets the towel drop. “Unlike you, I’m not shy.”

  I open my mouth.

  I close my mouth.

  He’s . . . big.

  And hard.

  And yeah, he’s fucking b
ig.

  Thick, and long, and it’s looking right at me.

  Also, plot twist, there’s a piercing going through the head, just under the tip.

  Someone has a high pain threshold.

  I don’t know what to do with this new information.

  “Ummm,” I murmur, licking my lips. He has no tattoos below his lower stomach, just strong thighs, calves, and a penis that explains his huge ego and confidence. I heard someone once say that lawyers are overcompensating for lacking in a certain area, that’s why they want all the power their job gives them, but I can now personally attest that this is not the case.

  “Well,” I manage to get out. “That explains a few things.”

  “Like what?” he asks, chuckling. He covers his penis with his hands—well, as much as he can—as he slides into the water. Is that him trying to be respectful so it doesn’t fly in my face? Bit late for that, buddy.

  “Nothing,” I grumble, not wanting to give him an even bigger head. We both sit in the suddenly much warmer water, watching each other. My breasts are covered with bubbles, and I can’t help thinking that this moment, right now, isn’t exactly first-date material in my books, but then again Hunter and I aren’t just meeting each other for the first time. I see his gaze wandering over my face, my neck, my collarbone and shoulders, and then back to my eyes.

  “You have such beautiful skin,” he tells me, sliding down into the water farther. “So soft and smooth.”

  I want to say, You have such a beautiful penis, but I decide to smile and say “Thanks” instead. It’s been such an amazing day, and I know he’s not going to make the first move tonight. If I want him, I need to do that, and if I don’t, we can spend the rest of the night with this boundary between us. Am I even going to stay here all night? I don’t know if that’s the best idea. I could always catch a cab home, even though I know Hunter will drive me if I ask him. So much for taking things slow—I’m currently naked in a Jacuzzi with him the first time I let him take me out. I can only imagine how things will escalate from here.