A Step Two Close

by Jaimie Roberts

  “So, like a coward, I stopped, looked up to the hotel, and then I looked across to that bar on the beach. I was just going to drink a couple and then go back and apologise to you, but then a couple turned into a couple more, and the more I drank, the more I convinced myself that I wasn’t worthy of you.” He laughed sarcastically. “I had just lost my mum, and there I was drowning in my sorrows over you. I felt like a complete failure. I had just killed my mum, and now I was ruining the one good thing I had left in my life.”

  I shook my head with a sigh. “Hunter, you didn’t kill her.”

  Hunter smiled. “I know. As usual, you made me see that. You made sense. You make sense.”

  I smiled at first. Then, I remembered what he did and what he said, and it brought all of the pain back. “I never want to go through that again.”

  Hunter looked at me a moment, and I could tell he knew exactly what I meant. “I know, and I’m sorry. I fucked up because that’s the only way I know.” He leaned over and grabbed my hand. “But I promise you with all my heart that no matter how bad it looked last night, I was never planning on sleeping with her. Sure, for a fleeting moment I thought about the old Hunter, but then you cleared my thoughts. I was so fucked up by then that I just ran along with it. I was stringing that girl along because I hated what she represented. I hated that she was just like me. I was actually hoping you would find me with her last night, so that you could see the kind of person that I am... or... was. I know I’m not that man anymore. I was being stupid, dumb. Fucking up something good I had in my life because I didn’t feel like I deserved you.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, I don’t even know if I’m making any fucking sense here.”

  I nodded. “No, you’re making perfect sense.”

  He looked to me with a smile. “See, that’s why you’re it for me, AJ. You know me better than I know myself.”

  I huffed out a laugh. “I think I could say the same about me to you.”

  Hunter squeezed my hand. “See, that’s why we belong together. Because, without each other, we’re just two people trying to exist. With you, I feel like I can finally belong.”

  I looked into his eyes and felt a tear slide down my face. “You’re full of shit, do you know that?” We both laughed, and Hunter wiped my tear away.

  “That’s because you fill me full of shit.”

  We both laughed again, and then we fell silent for a moment. I knew I had a decision to make, and I knew Hunter was expecting it. For me, there was only one choice. There was only ever one choice when it came to him.

  “So what now?” I asked instead. I wanted to surprise Hunter by flipping the decision back on him.

  Hunter looked at me with hope in his eyes. “Now I take you back to the hotel and start my grovelling until you forgive me. And then, when we get home, I’m taking you on our first proper date.”

  I smiled when he did. The thought of a real date sounded pretty fantastic, but I was becoming acutely aware of what I had lost on the plane. “Hunter, I don’t have any clothes, any toiletries, nothing.” The only things I did have were my purse, my passport, my contraceptive pills, and a couple pieces of chewing gum.

  “Then we’ll go shopping now and get everything you need. I will ring the guys up and tell them that we won’t be going out for the whole day. I want to spend it with you. When tonight comes, you decide what we do. I’ll let you make the choice for us.” He saw the way I was beaming and smiled. “I promise I’ll sort everything out. I will ring the airline and have them courier your suitcase to the law firm. I’ll make sure someone there looks after it.”

  I snorted. “Just make sure it’s not that secretary of your father’s please.” I didn’t want her touching my stuff.

  “She’s gone.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Gone?”

  Hunter nodded. “I told Dad about the way she behaved at the party, and he was disgusted with her. Not to mention the fact that she may have tried that shit with my dad, and there was no way he was going to ruin his relationship with Kat.”

  “He really does love her, huh?”

  Hunter smiled a little. “He wouldn’t have married her if he didn’t.”

  I nodded. I knew all too well. I was just hoping and praying that she was good for him. She was a shit mother, but I really wanted her to be a good wife for Mason. He seemed like a good man who deserved to have a good woman by his side.

  “Okay, Hunter. Let’s go.” I got up, and Hunter looked as eager as a beaver all of a sudden, so I pointed at him. “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you. You said ‘grovelling.’ I need the grovelling.”

  Hunter inhaled sharply and pierced me with his lust-filled green eyes. “When you command me like that, how could I possibly say no?”

  I turned to walk away, hiding the big smile on my face as I went. Soon though, Hunter caught up. “Tell me that again, darling.”

  I nudged him. “Hunter, don’t be so disgusting.” I bit my lip to hide a smile as a thought came into my head. “You have to play nice, Hunter because I’m planning on visiting a lot of changing room cubicles today.” I stopped, turned to him, and with a seductive undertone, I whispered, “A lot.”

  Hunter’s eyes widened to saucers. “Shit!” he shouted. “As one shepherd said to the other, let’s get the flock outta here.” Hunter grabbed my hand, virtually carrying me to the taxi rank outside. All I could do was let him. All the while, I was laughing my head off. I was going to have fun making him squirm today.

  Once in the taxi and on our way to the shops, Hunter fell silent, and I stared at him for a while. I had this urge to touch him, so I reached out and grabbed his hand. When he felt it, he looked across and smiled at me. “Hunter, are you okay?”

  It was a silly question to ask someone who had just lost his mother, but I needed to know, and I needed him to know I was there for him.

  He eventually sighed with a nod. “I will be.”

  I gave him the nicest smile I could offer. “If you need me, I’m here. I just want you to know that. If you want to vent, that’s fine. It’s what I’m here for.”

  “You’re too good to me, do you know that? I don’t deserve you.”

  I could have gone all serious on him, but decided light-hearted was best at that moment. I thought he needed it. “Yeah... definitely a lot of grovelling.” I poked my tongue out at him, and Hunter laughed.

  “You’re too much, AJ. I may have to put you over my knee when we get back to the hotel room.”

  I gasped. “No, Hunter. You have this all wrong. You grovel. I spank. You’re the one that’s been naughty, remember?”

  Hunter laughed a little. Then, he leaned over to grab my chin. “I don’t receive spankings, sweetheart; I give them.” He winked and quickly kissed me on the lips. Just that alone had my knees trembling.

  “You’re being so alpha.”

  Hunter chuckled. “Better an alpha than a pussy any day. The day I let a woman spank me is the day Hunter Davenport hangs up his dick cape.”

  I gasped. “Oooooh, you have a cape? Can I see?”

  “It’s invisible.”

  My eyes widened. “You have an invisible cock cape? That’s awesome!”

  Hunter laughed again. “It certainly flies whenever you’re near it; that’s for sure. But then, hey, I am Mr. Orgasmic after all.”

  I rolled my eyes at the Mr. Orgasmic comment. “Hmm, I’m not so sure it will be flying anywhere unless its owner starts to behave himself.” I smacked him on the knee and marvelled at his shocked face. “Buckle up your bronco, tiger. Phase one of grovelling is about to commence.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I was absolutely knackered after our shopping spree. I was happy to just get a couple pairs of Capri trousers, dresses, tops, skirts, along with some underwear, but Hunter seemed to want to buy me the whole shop. He actually loved walking around saying things like, “I think you would look sexy in this,” and “Your legs would look fucking fantastic in that.” My personal favourite was,
“I’m getting a hard-on just thinking about you wearing this.” It was quite entertaining to watch him at times.

  After we shopped till we dropped, Hunter took me for pizza because, by then, I think I would have dropped to the floor without something in my stomach. Hunter also needed a little hangover cure. Despite trying to be attentive, I knew he was suffering at times.

  Once we refuelled, Hunter and I went to the pharmacy to grab some toiletries. While we were there, he bought some more condoms. He was trying to hide buying them, but he wasn’t sneaky enough. Hunter definitely would not make it as an undercover spy—that’s for sure.

  The last thing we bought on the way back was a suitcase to hold all of my new clothes. It was after lunch, and the weather was getting super hot. As we waltzed back in with all the shopping bags and suitcase in tow, we spotted all the guys at the bar together. They waved us over, so we went to join them.

  “Is everything okay?”

  I looked across at Lindsay and smiled. “Everything is good now, thanks.”

  Darren shook his head. “We were all worried about you last night, mate. You should have called.”

  Hunter looked humbled. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t handle things at first, but now I’m good.”

  Darren smiled. “Are you sure?” Hunter nodded. “Well, come and join us for a drink then.”

  Hunter stiffened. “Actually, we were going to go and have a rest for a bit. We’re both knackered.”

  I nudged Hunter. “We can stay for one drink.”

  He looked uncertain. “Are you sure?” I nodded. “What would you like to drink?”

  I shrugged with a cheeky smile. “I don’t know. Surprise me.”

  Hunter walked off, leaving me to sit down next to Lindsay. Next to her was Darren, and they were holding hands underneath the table. I raised my eyebrow at her and looked at their hands. She just shrugged and carried on sipping her drink.

  “So, did you manage to pry lover-boy away last night, or did he send you on your way?”

  Scott looked at me expectantly as Hunter sat down. I was about to say yes when Hunter interrupted me. “Actually, I have something to say about that.”

  I frowned, and the whole table fell silent. Just as he was about to speak, a waiter came over and started pulling the cork out of a bottle of champagne. A lady then appeared, handing out glasses to us.

  I looked towards Hunter, and he leaned in to whisper, “The most beautiful woman in the world told me she loved me last night. What is there not to celebrate?”

  I smiled like an idiot as Hunter stared at me intently. God, he was bloody gorgeous. It was times like that when I could do the most unspeakably wicked things to him.

  As the champagne was poured, I placed my hand on Hunter’s leg and moved up to grab his cock. His posture straightened in surprise, and then he groaned. I felt him harden instantly.

  He leaned in again. “You are going to be in so much trouble when we get up to our room.”

  I pulled back—biting my lip a little. “Oh, Hunter baby... I’m counting on it.”

  “So what’s this all in aid of, Hunter?”

  Our heads snapped up to Paul, and Hunter immediately smiled. He then did something that shocked me. He wrapped his arm around me and kissed me in front of everyone.

  “Holy shit! We’re going to land ourselves in jail.” Hunter pulled away, smiling at Darren’s comment.

  “This is not some passing crush, guys. This... for me... right here,” he pulled me closer to him and smiled, “is the real deal. I’m a changed man.”

  “What the fuck? Did my ears deceive me?” Darren chuckled. “Yeah, I kind of got the feeling you two were shagging, but I would never have guessed this. So, what you’re saying is you two are an item now?”

  Hunter nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. AJ is my girl.” He glared at Scott when he said this.

  Scott chuckled putting his hands up in the air. “Hey, don’t shoot me. I wasn’t to know. I certainly fucking do now, though.” He started laughing, and everyone followed suit.

  “Do your parents know about this?” All laughter abruptly stopped as we turned to Carly. “What would they say knowing you two are together like that? Won’t it cause problems?”

  Both Hunter and I visibly shifted in our seats. “We haven’t got round to that part yet. Ayden and I have yet to discuss how we’re going to tell them.”

  My eyes widened as I looked at him. “We’re going to tell them?”

  Hunter smiled, kissed me, and pulled back. “We’re not doing anything wrong, AJ. We’re adults now, and they will have to learn to accept that.”

  I just stared in wonder. We had to carry on this conversation at some stage, but that wasn’t the right time.

  Suddenly, Darren lifted his glass up. “To the brother and sister who are fucking.” He rolled into full-out belly laughter.

  Hunter stood up and made out like he was going to hit him. “You little piece of shit!”

  Darren was still laughing hard. God, that was embarrassing. “Sorry, mate. Couldn’t help that one.”

  “Well, try,” Hunter replied with gritted teeth.

  Darren nodded. “Okay, okay. To the happy couple.”

  Hunter nodded in agreement and everyone lifted their glasses in toast. “To the happy couple.”

  “It sounds like they’re getting married,” Lindsay observed.

  Hunter choked on his champagne. “Steady on, Lindsay.”

  I bit my lip, but was unable to stop myself. “What’s wrong with that?”

  Hunter turned to me. “What’s wrong with what?”

  I shrugged nonchalantly. “Us getting married.”

  Hunter’s eyes went wild. It was so hard not to laugh. “But... But... It’s a little too soon for that, AJ.” He then frowned. “You want to get married?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, and have kids straight away. I reckon six is a nice round number.”

  Hunter swallowed hard. “Six?”

  “Yep, and I think the sooner we get married the better because to knock out six kids like that it’s going to take some time. I’m not getting any younger.”

  Hunter’s mouth dropped. “You’re nineteen.”

  I nodded. “Exactly. Think about it. Six kids on an average of one every year and a half, and I’ll be hitting thirty by the time I’ve had our sixth child. I don’t want to be in my thirties having kids.”

  Hunter couldn’t move. He was rooted—stock still in shock. I looked across at the others, who were just as shocked. I winked at them, and they all smiled.

  I tapped Hunter’s knee. “So, what do you say, big fella? Care to start practising now for little Hunter junior?”

  He was starting to turn a funny colour. “But... But... ”

  I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I belted out a laugh, and everyone else joined in. “That was just too irresistible to ignore.”

  Hunter’s rigid posture relaxed instantly. “You were playing me. You little minx.” He pulled me in and kissed the top of my head.

  “I can see why you like her.” Scott winked at me and held up his glass.

  “Yeah, so remember what I said, you little fucker.”

  Scott laughed again. “I was only making an observation, mate. Keep your dick in your trousers.”

  I squeezed Hunter’s thigh. “I certainly hope not.”

  Hunter shot up. “Okay, that’s us ready to go now. Enjoy the rest of your champagne.” Hunter grabbed me under the arm and pulled me up. “Come on, AJ. I’ve become tired all of a sudden.”

  Everyone chuckled as Hunter went round frantically trying to grab all of our bags. I picked up one and dragged the suitcase along. “See you later.” I waved as Hunter ran off towards the lift. They all said goodbye, and I was left hightailing it to keep up with Hunter.

  “Hunter, that was rude. You didn’t even say goodbye.”

  Hunter didn’t look fussed. “They got a bottle of champagne out of me, didn’t they?”

  I laugh
ed. “Yeah, which, by the way, was lovely. Well, the little sip I got anyway.”

  Hunter smiled. “Considering I’m still on grovelling duty I will have to order room service.”

  I smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

  Once we got inside and dumped the bags, Hunter immediately got on the phone and started dialling for room service. I jumped in the shower because I hadn’t had one since yesterday, and I was all hot and sticky.

  Once I came out, I wrapped myself in a towel and wandered back into the living room. On the table lay a bottle of champagne, strawberries, and melted chocolate.

  I licked my lips. “Wow, this looks scrummy.”

  Hunter stared at me in the towel. “You look scrummy. Come here.” He motioned for me to come and sit on his lap. I did and watched as he grabbed a strawberry, dipped it in chocolate, and teased it along my bottom lip. I tried to bite it, but Hunter pulled away.

  “Hunter, please.”

  In an instant, I felt something hard digging against my bottom. Hunter just growled. “You are the sexiest thing alive.”

  “It seems the invisible cock cape has strapped itself on.”

  Hunter pulled at me resulting in my bottom rubbing against his cock. He groaned again, this time placing the strawberry in my mouth.

  I immediately sprang up and pointed at him. “Get up, Hunter.” Surprisingly, he did as asked, and I wasted no time unbuttoning his shirt and undoing his shorts. Once he was completely naked, I pushed Hunter back down into a sitting position.

  With one finger, I dipped it in chocolate and got Hunter to suck it off. I then dipped it in again—placed it on my tongue—and had Hunter kiss me. Hunter groaned in my mouth.