Page 39 of Because I Liked A Boy
His arm tightens around me, pulling me closer. “Then I guess I’m not going anywhere.”
I want to believe him. God, I do. But my mind won’t stop racing. Saturday is only a day away and it has been sitting heavy in my chest all day.
I tilt my head just enough to look up at him. “Hunter?”
“Yeah, Princess?”
“What… what does Saturday mean?” My voice is small but the question feels huge.
His lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile. “Means exactly what I said. I want to be with you. All day. All night. As friends.”
Relief and disappointment twist together in my chest, too tangled to pull apart.
Then his grin spreads wider, wicked and knowing. “Unless you’re after more…”
Heat flashes across my cheeks. “Hunter!” I shove him hard and he tumbles sideways off the sofa with a startled laugh.
He pops back up, eyes bright, grin unrepentant. “What? Just clarifying.”
I glare, but the corner of my mouth betrays me, tugging upward. “Ridiculous,” I mutter.
“Admit it,” he teases, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt. “You’d miss me if I didn’t show up Saturday.”
I roll my eyes. My heart is thudding too fast, too loud. This isn’t supposed to matter. He isn’t supposed to matter.
A yawn catches me off guard and pulls the tension out of the room.
Hunter smirks. “See? Knew it. Bedtime.”
“I’m fine,” I protest weakly, but he’s already standing.
“Uh-huh.” He bends and scoops me up before I can argue. I squeal and smack his chest. “Hunter!”
He laughs, carrying me down the hall like it’s nothing. “Relax. You’re light as a feather. Though if you keep inhaling pepperoni like that, I might have to start training for it.”
By the time he sets me gently on the bed my cheeks ache from trying not to smile. He pulls the covers over me, movements careful, almost reverent, and for a second I think he really might leave. He should leave. It would be safer if he did.
He straightens, tugging at his jacket. “Alright. Sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Panic claws at my chest. “Stay,” I blurt. My voice cracks, small and needy. “Just… stay until I fall asleep?”
The word is out before I can stop it. Pathetic. Needy. Exactly what I swore I’d never be again. And yet I can’t take it back.
His eyes search mine, something unreadable flickering there.
“You like me that much, huh?” he teases softly, leaning on the bed frame.
I roll my eyes, but my voice is unsteady. “I like your smell. It… makes me feel safe.”
I hate how true it is. How stupid it sounds. How dangerous it feels to hand him a piece of my armour like that.
That grin of his turns wicked. “Careful, Princess. Keep saying things like that and I’ll start thinking you actually like having me around.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I mutter, tugging the covers higher to hide my burning cheeks.
For a second the air shifts. He leans closer and my breath stutters, traitorous hope sparking in my chest. Is he about to?
He smirks, eyes glinting. “Relax, Princess. Not gonna kiss you goodnight. Unless you’re asking.”
