A Step Two Close

by Jaimie Roberts

  “Well, get them then. There’s no harm in you wearing them at home, is there?”

  He smiled devilishly. “I guess not.” He went back to stroking the shoes again as I turned to Mandy. “Sorry. Carry on.”

  She smiled. “He apparently wanted to ask me out ages ago, but didn’t think I would say yes. He was worried that I would turn him down because of our working relationship. When we were in the kitchen making coffee, our hands touched when we both reached out for the coffee granules. At that moment, we looked at each other, and he just blurted out, ‘Go out with me tomorrow night?’ I blurted back, ‘Okay,’ and that was it.”

  I squeezed her shoulder. “How romantic is that?”

  Mandy’s eyes widened. “I know, right? He told me later how he felt about me. I wanted to jump his bones then and there.”

  I looked at Mandy briefly. “You’re not going to tonight, are you?”

  Mandy looked away, and I saw her cross her fingers. “No.”

  I pushed at her arm. “You are such a tart. Come here, woman!” I pulled her in for a hug again. All the while, she was giggling away.

  “What’s all the laughter about?” Christian stood tall, wearing his tight T-shirt, low cut jeans and sporting a pair of six inch black high heels. He so didn’t look the part, but he also looked simply animated.

  “Mandy was telling me about her date.” I looked at Mandy briefly and winked.

  “Oh yes... Charlie boy. He sounds simply dreamy.”

  I patted his stomach. “What about you, big guy?”

  Christian sighed. “No time for long-term relationships. Plus, I haven’t met that guy who just... you know... makes your heart flutter. The one who you want to spend time with and be with—despite wanting their cock twenty-four-seven.”

  I laughed, but I knew exactly what he meant. Unfortunately, I knew all too well what he meant.

  Deciding not to dwell on it too much, I asked, “So what shoes do you want me to try on?”

  The hysterics started, and before I knew it, I was being whisked down the aisles, arms bulging with shoes. Thank God I still had an hour left before I had to get back for class.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I drew the limit at two pairs of high-heeled shoes. Christian was determined for me to buy more, but I was the one who had to carry the bags home with me later. Mason may have kindly given me a lift in this morning, but I knew I would have to find my own way home. Thankfully, it was a short bus ride away.

  Back in class, we were discussing terrorism again, and I knew at the end of it some homework was coming. Sure enough... We had to write a five-thousand-word essay on where we were before terrorism, during nine-eleven, and where we are now. I wasn’t looking forward to this one, but I was glad we had a full three weeks to complete it.

  Class was dismissed, and I was packing my books away when Trey approached me. I had completely forgotten about him until then. With Hunter swimming in my head all of the time, it was hard to think about anything else. I really needed to stop that.

  "It’s lousy we have to do this essay, innit?"

  I looked up to Trey with a smile. “Tell me about it.” I rolled my eyes. “At least we have three weeks to complete it. That should be plenty of time to write five thousand words.”

  As I gathered my bags, Trey bent down. “Hey, let me help you with that.” He took the two shopping bags off me. “Thank you.”

  Trey smiled, showing me his dimples. “You’re welcome. So, where would you like to go? We could go for coffee, or maybe you would like something a little stronger?”

  I started laughing. “Stronger would be good.”

  “How about the Angry Blackfriar down the road?”

  I nodded. “Perfect.”

  We started walking out of the class when Trey spoke. “So, your dad was kind of famous.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, he was. I miss him.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about the accident. I’ve read all his books. He was awesome.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, he was.”

  “I think it’s also awesome that you’re following in his footsteps. What made you decide that this is where you wanted to be?”

  I sighed. “I guess I was around the age of fourteen when I was going through some of my dad’s things. My mum packed some boxes of his stuff and stored them in the attic. They’re still there now. I went up there one day and found his first book.”

  “A Killers Mind.”

  I looked at Trey and smiled. “You know your stuff.”

  Trey shrugged. “It’s always something I’ve been fascinated with. Anyway, go on.”

  “Well, I read the back of it, and then I started reading the rest. I was up there for so long that I didn’t even realise it was dark outside. It was only when my mum called me for dinner that I realised just how late it was.” I cringed inside knowing I was lying. I was never in the attic of my own choosing. My mother just put me there on regular occasions while I was growing up.

  “Wow, that’s fantastic.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, it was.”

  Trey looked away shyly. “You know I’ve liked you for a while. I didn’t know anything about you when we first started here, but I knew the minute I saw you and how pretty you looked that I wanted to ask you out. I hope that’s okay?”

  We neared the exit doors when he said this. I was smiling and was going to turn to face him when something in the corner of my eye alerted me to something outside. I looked through the windows, and sure enough, Hunter was standing there waiting for me. But that wasn’t it. Oh no! He had “fake tits” Samantha hanging from his arm.

  How dare he?! How fucking dare he come to my college after having phone sex with me mere hours ago to come and pick me up with her in tow?! Who the fuck did he think he was?

  In that moment, I got mad—so mad that I didn’t even think. I just acted. Knowing that someone would open those doors and he would see me soon enough had me acting fast.

  I grabbed Trey, pushed him up against the wall, and slammed my lips to his. At first he stiffened, but once he knew what was happening, he relaxed and let me lead. After a bit of lip action, our tongues danced, and I was actually quite surprised to learn that Trey was a really good kisser.

  “Get a room,” someone shouted as we walked out the door. I heard giggling, but I didn’t care. I knew that Hunter must have seen me. Good. Hopefully, when he did, he got the message loud and clear.

  Just as I was thinking of pulling away, Trey suddenly dropped my bags, spun me around, and pinned me to the wall. It was surprisingly sexy. He grabbed my waist and pushed his hand up my back. I moaned, unable to help myself. This was a lot more than I had bargained for.

  But, just as I was really starting to enjoy myself, Trey was yanked from me, and within a split second he was out the door.

  “What the fuck?”

  I grabbed the bags on the floor and raced outside to find Hunter rushing towards a bloodied up Trey. He was on the ground, his mouth bleeding, and Hunter was going in for more.

  “Hunter, what the fuck are you doing?” I ran in front of him to stop whatever he was planning on doing next.

  Hunter glared at me. “What the fuck was that... ” he pointed to Trey, “doing attached to those... ?” He pointed to my lips.

  “Who is this guy?” Trey asked, still on the floor.

  Hunter pointed at him. “Shut the fuck up.”

  I gasped. “Hunter, what the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Ayden, what’s going on?” Trey got up from the ground, and I could tell Hunter was ready to throw another punch.

  I sighed and looked at Trey and then back at Hunter. “You stay here. I’m going to talk to Trey.”

  “AJ.”

  I pointed at him. “Don’t you fucking ‘AJ’ me after what you just did. You had no right.” He was about to speak, but I cut him off. I looked away from him and back towards Trey. I took a few steps towards him and grabbed his hand. He walked with me away from the onlookers. Samantha
was one of them—gaping like she couldn’t believe what just happened. She looked pissed as hell as she went stomping towards Hunter.

  I turned to Trey. “Are you okay?”

  Trey rubbed his nose. “I’ve been better. Who the hell is he?”

  I sighed. “He’s my stepbrother... or will be soon.”

  His eyes widened. “He’s your stepbrother, and he’s acting like that?”

  “He’s a little protective of me.”

  Trey huffed. “Yeah... just a little.”

  “I’m sorry,” I offered.

  “Why? It’s not your fault.” We both looked over to where Hunter and Samantha were. They were having a heated debate and then Samantha stormed off crying.

  Hunter closed his eyes momentarily before looking at us. I glared at him and looked back at Trey. “Shall we go inside and get you cleaned up?”

  Trey looked over at Hunter, who was coming towards us. “No, it’s okay. I’ll go inside and get cleaned up. You go talk to your stepbrother. He’s obviously having a bad day. I’ll see you on Thursday, yeah? Maybe we can go out then.”

  I grabbed his hand. “Sure. I would like that.” I rounded off my mobile number for him, but I wasn’t sure if he would remember. He said he would, but I would understand if I didn’t hear back from him.

  Hunter was onto me the minute Trey smiled and walked away. People were still milling around, hoping to catch act two. As soon as Trey was gone, I turned to Hunter.

  “What the ever loving fuck is wrong with you?”

  Hunter pointed at himself. “Me? What’s wrong with me? I’m not the one you found with my tongue down someone’s throat.”

  I shook my head—unable to fathom how he had so much cheek. “No, instead I find you waiting for me outside my college with your fuck-buddy hanging off your arm. What the fuck was that all about?”

  Hunter put his hand out to me. “Wait a minute. That’s why you kissed him?”

  I sucked in a breath and looked away. “No.” I brushed past him towards the bus stop.

  “AJ, where are you going?”

  I carried on walking. “I’m getting the bus. What are you doing here anyway?”

  Hunter caught up with me. “Well, if you would fucking stop for five minutes, then I would be able to explain it to you.” He grabbed my shoulder and spun me around to face him. All I could do was cross my arms, which was difficult considering my arm still ached like a bitch.

  “What?”

  He looked me up and down with the bags attached to my crossed arms. “Isn’t that a little awkward? Here, give me your shopping bags.”

  I gritted my teeth. “I’m fine, thank you. Do you want to tell me why you were such a fucking jerk over there?”

  Hunter ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know why. I just saw him pressed against you and saw red. I didn’t think—I just acted. I have no other excuse.”

  I huffed. “Says he who brought Samantha along to pick me up. What did you think we would do? Go for a ride in the car together and compare notes while you drove us?”

  Hunter looked pained. “That wasn’t my intention.” He waved his hands in the air in frustration and then turned to me. “Look, I rang Samantha up yesterday so we could talk. I had study period today, so it wasn’t a full day for me. I was in the middle of driving us to get coffee in town, so I could tell her that I didn’t want to see her again, when my dad rang out of the blue and told me he couldn’t make it to pick you up.”

  My mouth hung open a moment. “Oh, for fuck’s sake! I don’t need a babysitter. I’m quite capable of getting on a bus.”

  Hunter sighed. “We know that, but Ayden, that jerk-off is out there somewhere. Hell, he’s probably spying on us right now.” The moment he said this, I looked around and shivered. I turned back towards Hunter, and he looked softer this time. “I’m really sorry about Samantha. If I had known my dad couldn’t pick you up, I would never have contacted her. I would have done it tonight or later on tomorrow. I didn’t have enough notice to drop her off. I invited her. How much of a prick would I be if I just dumped her on the side of the road?”

  I looked around. “Well, she’s certainly not with you now.”

  Hunter sighed. “Yes, that’s because in the heat of the moment I told her that she was a clingy bitch and I never wanted to see her again.”

  I pulled a face. “Ouch. Hunter, that’s nasty.”

  Hunter gritted his teeth. “I know that, but I was still pissed about what I saw. All I could think was, ‘How dare he touch what’s mine?’”

  My eyes practically bugged out of my head. “Hunter, I am not yours. Just one day, remember?”

  Hunter paced a little. “I know that. Fuck!” He ran his fingers through his hair. Hunter looked like he had lost his cool. I had always seen him in control. It was a strange sight to witness his vulnerability. Perhaps he was a human after all.

  “I was supposed to be going for drinks with him before you showed up.”

  Hunter stopped his pacing and pointed at me. “Over my dead body.”

  I laughed. I didn’t know why I found it so comical; it was anything but. I just couldn’t help the roaring sounds of laughter coming out of me.

  “What’s so funny?”

  The minute he asked, I started walking towards the bus stop again. “Where are you going?”

  “Home. Where does it look like?”

  Hunter pointed to his car. “The car’s parked over there. You may as well get in with me.”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “AJ, stop being so childish.”

  I lifted my chin up. “Ha!”

  I heard him growl and then he asked me something which shocked me. “Okay, okay, but can you lend me some money?”

  I stopped still—unable to fathom how he could need money from me. “Sorry, come again?”

  Hunter placed his hand behind his neck and started rubbing. “I, err, lost my wallet, and I need some money for petrol.”

  I looked at him for a moment, then sighed. “Okay, how much do you need?” I placed the shopping bags down and swung my satchel around. I placed it on my leg and opened it to find my purse.

  “A twenty should do it.”

  I was still rooting, trying to find the damn thing, when all of a sudden, Hunter snatched it from my hand and started running towards the car.

  “Hunter!” I was going to fucking kill him.

  Grabbing the bags on the ground, I leapt into full race-mode after him. By the time I reached the car, he had already put my satchel in the boot and was sitting in the driver’s seat. Once I reached the passenger side, he reached across and opened the door for me. “Get in, AJ.”

  “Are you out of your freaking mind?”

  He looked me dead in the eye. “Yes, now get the fuck in the bastard car. I won’t ask you again.” When I didn’t move, he gritted his teeth. “AJ, get the fuck in the car, or so help me God, I will get out of the car and personally haul you in here myself.”

  I was pissed as hell with him still, but when I saw he meant business, I got in the car. Once I closed the door and put my seatbelt on, Hunter smiled. “Good. Now, we can go home.”

  “I so hate your arse right now.”

  Hunter kept his eyes on the road as he replied. “The feeling’s mutual, sweetheart.”

  We drove home in silence, but the whole way there I could tell something was brewing. It was like this electric charge between us. I was so angry with him, but the more I heard his breathing and watched his muscles flex as he changed gears, the more I wanted to rip his clothes off. I hated him with a passion, but the only thing I could think about was riding his cock like I was at a fucking rodeo.

  That thought just pissed me off even more, and the more pissed I got, the more I wanted to take it out on him. How dare he talk to me like that and still look drop dead fucking gorgeous. Just… how dare he?!

  So, I did something I knew would work. Slowly, but surely, I trailed my hand up my right thigh, exposing more of my
leg to him. I saw his eyes look, but his head remained in the same position. His jaw was flexing though. He was so mad.

  I left it like that and scrunched my dress up in my fist. Despite trying to be in control, I was still losing some of it myself. Hunter’s jaw remained tight as he gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were starting to turn white. His driving got faster as we neared our home, and his breathing was becoming laboured.

  By the time we reached the gates, we both sounded like we had been out for a run. Once parked, Hunter got out of the car, and so did I, bags in tow. He opened the boot, retrieved my satchel and we both went up towards the front door without saying a word.

  Hunter got his key out, flung the door open, and once I shut it behind me, Hunter dropped my satchel and pushed me up against the wall. His lips crashed against mine leaving no room for error as to what would be happening next. We both knew it would come to this. It had been simmering for ages, but the last few days had been reaching a boiling point.

  As his tongue entered my mouth, his hand wandered up my leg and around my arse. He moved his hand toward my thigh and squeezed as he holstered it around his waist.

  I moaned. “I fucking hate you,” I breathed into his mouth between kisses.

  Hunter growled. “You’re no fucking saint either, sweetheart.”

  He pushed his groin into me, and I could feel just how soaking wet my knickers were. I moaned out loud.

  “Do you want me to take you to bed or fuck you right here? Your choice. But I’m telling you now, AJ. This shit ends right here, and it ends with my cock deep inside you.”

  I groaned in pain. I was in pain. In sweet, tortured, heavenly pain. No matter what my logical thought was, all I wanted right now was Hunter. I didn’t care about the consequences after.

  I knew Mason or my mum wasn’t in as it was way too early, so I opted for the quickest option. “Fuck me now, Hunter. Fuck me hard—right here, right now.”

  Hunter reached down, grabbed my other leg, and held me up against the wall. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”