I refrained from rolling my eyes at the macho attitude coming from Hunter.
I turned to go wait in the living room, but Hunter clearing his throat had me stopping and turning around.
He had this smirk on his face, one that told me he had something nasty on his mind.
“You seeing anyone?”
“Kind of a personal question for someone you don’t really know,” I said honestly, not trying to be a bitch about it, but also hating when this kind of thing happened. It wasn’t like it happened a lot, but in college, there had been a few times I got hit on, featuring lewd comments that made me feel like oil had been poured on me. I just knew where this was going by the way he was eyeing me and seeming to smack his lips.
“Just trying to be friendly,” he said, his grin widening. “So, seeing anyone?”
“No.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “No? Well, how about you let me take you out?” He came closer, and I turned around, about to tell him no thanks, but he started talking again. “Dinner, movie, and maybe afterward we can head to my place for some drinks?”
I refrained from rolling my eyes for the second time in less than five minutes of being in his presence tonight.
Then, surprising the hell out of me, Hunter reached out and wrapped his fingers around a lock of my hair.
“Just say you’ll go out with me.” He leaned in a little closer, and I cocked my head back, not about to go there with him. Before I could say anything, I heard Brendan.
“What the fuck, Hunter?”
Hunter looked to his side.
“She’s not on the market, so get the fuck away.”
I was surprised at what Brendan said, but also at the anger coming from him.
He came closer, his hair damp, and only a pair of sweats hanging low on his hips covering his body. He glared at Hunter, and I looked at the guy, seeing he was still close to me, and still had my hair wrapped around his finger.
“I said back off, Hunter.” There was a distinctive sharpness in Brendan’s voice, and instantly Hunter moved back. He looked between Brendan and me, then shrugged.
“I came by to talk you into coming out tonight and drinking.”
Brendan shook his head. “I texted you back I was busy.”
Hunter knitted his brows. “Busy with what? You’re like all ready for bed and shit.”
“I have plans already” was all Brendan said. “I’ll talk to you later.” The finality in Brendan’s voice had Hunter nodding. There was no argument, no trying to push him into going out. Instead, Hunter just turned and left.
I stood there, wondering what in the hell had happened. Brendan had been protective while we were growing up, but this seemed a lot different. He seemed possessive almost.
Or was that just my wishful thinking?
“Brendan, is everything okay?” I ran my now sweaty hands down my jeans and stared at him. He looked down at the ground, his jaw clenched. Under the stubble-covered flesh, I saw a muscle ticking.
“He didn’t do anything else before I got out here, did he?” He looked at me then, and I shook my head. “He didn’t touch you anywhere but your hair, did he?”
I shook my head again. “No. But are you okay? You seem … intense and angry about what happened.” Although Hunter had been forward as hell, Brendan’s reaction shocked me. He’d been incensed.
“I’m fine. It’s just Hunter has a pretty filthy reputation, and I don’t like the idea of him near you.” He looked at me, and I saw something flash across his face.
Was he lying?
Was he jealous?
Before I could really let that sink in, he came up to me, placed his hand on my shoulder, and led me into the living room. I didn’t miss how his fingers flexed on my shoulder, or how I felt his body heat seep into me. I also swore he leaned down and smelled my hair.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked and looked over my shoulder at him. I froze when I saw exactly how close we were. His face was lowered, and the only reason it would be that way was if I had been right and he’d smelled my hair.
If I rose up, I’d kiss him right now.
As if I said those words out loud, or maybe he thought the same thing, he lowered his gaze to my lips and held it there for long seconds.
“How about we watch a movie?” he said in a low, deep voice. He looked into my eyes again and as much as I wanted to kiss him, I nodded and turned back toward the living room.
Okay, there was something between us, and it wasn’t just one sided.
5
Brendan
Ever since the night I saw Hunter touching Meghan’s hair, and the kitchen incident, I’d tried to stay away and think about how in the hell I was going to go about this. It wasn’t as easy as just telling her how I felt; at least it wasn’t for me. I sure as fuck didn’t want to tiptoe around this, but I also knew I should be slow and gentle, and not just spring this shit on her.