Page 98 of Bloom

I go off like a freaking firework. Biting down on my palm to stop from screaming, my eyes screw shut as stars dance across my lids, ears ringing as wave after wave after wave of ecstasy floods my body. I crumple, caught by strong hands before I hit the ground, and I melt against Hunter, listening to the erratic thump of his heart as I try to steady my own rapid breathing.

“I think about doin’ that every time you wear one of your pretty dresses.”

I fist the wrinkled cotton of his barely dry t-shirt. “I always wear pretty dresses.”

His smirk is boiling hot against my temple. “Exactly.”

Forehead pressed against his sternum, I choke out a laugh.

A hand coasts up my trembling back, cupping my nape. “We should talk, honey.”

“Not today.” I swallow hard. “Please.”

I just want to enjoy today. Take my little win. My bright side.

There’s no argument from Hunter. No pushback except for the physical kind of him gently nudging me away so he can crouch to drag my jeans back up my legs. I shiver when he zips and buttons them, his thumb brushing my lower stomach before curling around a belt loop and dragging me towards him again for another leisurely, messy kiss.

“C’mon.” He spins me around and guides me back inside the barn, then through the doors on the other side. “Gotta wash my hands.”

I die inside, but I’m laughing. I laugh my way to the main house, giddy and buzzing, hoping I’m not quite as moon-eyed as I feel as I slide secret glances towards the man strolling beside me. Hunter doesn’t look at me, he doesn’t touch me, he’s not even walking within touching distance, but he’s smiling. Smiling at the ground with his hands in his pockets, looking so damn good, I could just—

“Hey.”

I freeze on the top step of the porch, almost getting bowled across it when Hunter barrels right into me. Steadying hands settle on my waist, and I’m not sure if it’s nerves or instincts that has me batting them away before the woman crowding the open doorway notices.

“Hi,” I cough out. “What’s up?”

Lux’s eyes dart from me to the man looming behind me, and back again, “Where’ve you been?”

Her question is innocent, not a hint of suspicion to be found, yet I still duck my head to hide a raging blush. As nonchalant as I’m capable of, I shrug. “Out riding.”

God, I hope she doesn’t hear Hunter’s quiet snicker.

A dark brow arches. “All day?”

“We got caught in the rain.”

“Yeah,” Hunter adds. “Got a little wet.”

I hate him. Smug freaking bastard, with his teasing eyes and wandering hands and smirking, swollen lips. Do I look like that too? So thoroughlykissed? I hope not. Talk about obvious. Not that we’ve decided not to be obvious—not that we’ve decided anything.

Idecided, though. Just now. I decided I don’t want anyone to know, not yet, not until Hunter and I talk. I want to keep the bright side shiny and pretty, untarnished by well-meaning mockery and jokes.

Aiming a subtle elbow at Hunter’s abdomen, I take a cautious step towards Lux. “You okay?”

“Yup,” my friend lies, oblivious to my master’s degree in fake, sunny smiles as she flashes one before disappearing back into her house. “Dinner’s almost ready, if you’re hungry.”

The dismissal is disappointing, but who am I, with my vast experience in waving off concern, to judge? Who am I to push when she’s made it so clear that whatever's going on with her—with Everett—is none of my business?

Who am I to do anything vaguely normal when the big man behind me slaps my freaking ass on his way inside and claims he already ate?

It takes me a second to recover before I follow him inside. While he washes his hands thoroughly, casting me a teasing sideways glance, I make a beeline for the kitchen table. Within seconds of flopping into a free seat, three pairs of eyes burn into me, and my stomach heaves. “What?”

Wearing the least devious of smiles, Grace reaches up and plucks something from my hair. She holds her hand out, showing the speckles of red flakes littering her palm.

Red flakes that look awfully like dried paint the exact shade of the barn.

“Huh.” Clearing my throat, I run a hand through my hair, panic flaring when, sure enough, it comes away dotted in red. “That's weird.”

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