Page 67 of Because I Liked A Boy
My legs shook as I crossed the street, but his eyes held steady. Bright, dangerous, and all mine.
Even after a whole day apart, Hunter Hayes still knocked the air right out of me.
Heat of the Moment
The drive back to my place was quiet but charged, his hand heavy on my thigh like it belonged there. By the time he pulled up outside, my chest was a mess of nerves and heat.
Hunter killed the engine and turned, smirk tugging at his mouth. “Be ready by eight. I’ll be back for you.”
“Eight?” My voice came out steadier than I felt.
He nodded. “Theo’s dropping us at The Ember. I’m drinking tonight, and I’m not risking driving you home.”
It shouldn’t have made my stomach flip, but it did. Beneath the cocky smirk, there was something steady. Protective. Hunter Hayes, planning ahead.
I rolled my eyes, masking the way my pulse jumped. “Responsible of you.”
His grin widened. “Don’t get used to it.”
Before I could answer, he leaned across the console and kissed me, firm, hot, over too soon. Then he pulled back, wicked grin still curving his lips.
“Eight o’clock, princess,” he said, low and certain. “Don’t keep me waiting.”
The tail lights disappeared down the street, and I stood there a moment longer, lips tingling, heart racing like I’d just stepped into something I couldn’t undo.
Eight o’clock. Four hours.
“Shit.”
I fumbled my keys into the lock, dropped my bag on the sofa, and grabbed my phone.
Ruby answered on the second ring. “What’s wrong?”
“I need help,” I blurted, pacing the living room. “Like major help.”
There was a pause, then her voice, brisk and certain. “Say no more. Ten minutes.”
“Ruby—”
The line went dead.
Fifteen minutes later she was on my sofa, arms crossed, staring at me like I’d just confessed murder.
“Let me get this straight.” She ticked the points off with sharp jabs of her finger. “He showed up at your door last night. Carried you to bed. Ran you a bath. And then this morning he made you pancakes?”
I dropped my face into my hands. “I knew I shouldn’t have called you.”
Ruby leaned forward, voice dropping with mock-seriousness. “Tell me you didn’t let him stay over without telling me every single detail.” Her eyesnarrowed. “Wait. Did you two—”
“Ruby.”
She smirked, far too smug. “He did. He definitely did.”
“I hate you.”
“You love me.” She sat back, satisfied. “And you clearly love him, because you’re glowing.”
“I am not glowing.”
