Never Been Kissed(44)

“I’m up, I’m up.” I yawn a jawbreaker, and rub my eyes. My neck is pissed off, and my muscles are sore, but I’d still rather not move. My bed just feels so far away.

“Fuck, you’re cute.”

“I’m still dreaming, aren’t I?” I say, yawning again. “You want me to get Matty or you?”

“I’ll get him. Just make sure you can stand.” Hunter leans in and kisses my cheek. I tremble at the prospect of having his mouth so close to mine. If I were more awake, maybe I would’ve read his intention and moved my face over to get that final mouth-to-mouth contact. Anxiety curdles in my belly.

I can’t kiss Hunter. I’m going to be awful at it, like I’m awful at everything else. I’m going to fuck it up, and he’s going to laugh at me. Sucking in a deep breath through my nose, I get myself out of the car, stretching out my spine by reaching for the ceiling.

“Sera?” Matty’s voice is no longer sleepy. I think he got his second wind. He’s draped over Hunter’s body again, but his eyes are wide and alert.

“Yeah, little buddy?” I yawn again, huffing out a breath, and closing my door.

“Can you read to me again? But I want to be in my bed this time. Is that okay, Daddy? Can Sera read to me?”

I only read to him that one time he slept over, and now the kid wants it to become a nightly thing. I smile, and feel the warmth in my chest expand to hit my ribs.

“Only if she isn’t too tired,” Hunter says as we get into the elevator. “And buddy, she looks sleepy.”

“No way, she doesn’t! Look! Her eyes are open.” As if this is the only criteria for being alert. I can’t help but grin.

“Yeah, I’ll read to you. What do you want?” I hold back another yawn, clenching my jaw tight.

“Peter Pan!”

“Again?”

The little guy’s grins. “We didn’t get so far last time, I fell asleep! I want to read about Peter and Wendy going to Neverland!”

“Alright, I’ll get the book and come right over, okay?” I look to Hunt who gives me a nod. “See you in a bit.”

Letting myself into my apartment, I get myself sorted. I brush my teeth, fix my bun, and put on some sweats. I leave the tank on, lock up and head over with my copy of Peter Pan.

Hunter opens the door for me, probably having heard me lock mine.

“You don’t have to do this, you know.”

“I know. But I want to,” I say. “Where’s Matty’s room?” Hunt grabs my hand and brings me to his room. It’s a geek’s paradise.

“You have Transformers sheets!” Matty’s also got Spider-man pajamas on, the kind with the cuffs at the wrists and ankles. He’s sitting cross-legged in the middle of his room (painted sky blue), the covers half-on, half-off.

“Autobots, roll out!” Matty yells, trying to imitate Optimus Prime. I’m in love.

“Alright, scoot over, kiddo. We’re going to Neverland.”

Matty bounces to the very edge of his bed, almost squishing himself against the wall. Christ, I hope I’m not that big. I lie down next to him, and bring my book up. Without my glasses everything is kinda blurry, but I manage okay.

“You have to close your eyes now, Matty, and imagine every word I’m telling you, alright? Make a movie in your head with what I’m saying, ok?”

“What does Wendy look like?” Matty asks, frowning.

I zero in my attention on the little guy, ignoring the way I’m still straining to hear where Hunter is in the apartment. “I’ll tell you in a bit. Ready?”

He sits up, staring down at me, blue eyes intense. “Can you be my Wendy?”

I love, love, love this kid. “Sure, kid. Ready now?”

Matty settles down next to me as I hear the shower come on. Time to start reading and forget Hunter. And his naked body in the shower. And the way the water is travelling down, down, down that naked body. And how hard his body is-

Stop! I clear my throat and begin to read, making Matty has closed his eyes. Second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning. I read until I’m sure he’s asleep. He’s also half on me, and I’m afraid to move.

“Hunter?” I call out in a whisper. The hallway’s dark, and I know he got out of the shower a while ago – I was waiting for the water to stop. “Hunt?” I call a little louder, checking if I’ve woken the little guy.

“Yeah?”

Oh, frak. Oh, no. Hunter in...boxers? I close my eyes, but the image is still there, burned into my brain for me to fantasize over later. Oh, God. Of course he was sleeping. I’m so fraking stupid!