Page 45 of Reforming Hunt
“Yeah, but I’ve got that covered.” Hunt walked into the kitchen to the fridge, reaching for a dish. He grabbed two plates and set out slices of chocolate cake with white buttercream. “Kaylee sent us home with a care package.”
Abby stared at the food. “You want to eat our wedding cake for breakfast?”
“Is there a better time?”
She laughed and grabbed forks. “No, I guess not.”
Abby sat across from Hunt and studied him. “Do you regret this morning? You’re stuck with me for the time being. From what I hear, you players regret taking thingsthere,if you can’t make a smooth escape.”
He snorted. “First of all, there’s nothing in life better than waking to a beautiful, sexy woman whose company you enjoy. Second, have you any idea who you’re talking to? What we did this morning, I could do all day and never grow tired.” He pointed his fork at her. “Keep that in mind. I aim to please.”
She sent him a look. “You’re not here to please; you’re here to help me with Noah’s grandparents.”
“You see, that’s where we differ. You see this as a single-purpose situation, and I see it as dual-purpose, even if we just realized the second, far more pleasing benefit of our arrangement this morning.” He winked. “I help you with the grandparents from hell, and we both enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company.” He shoved a huge bite of cake in his mouth and grinned.
Her eyes held a spark of humor. “And the player has returned.”
Hunt held back a frown. Abby thought what everyone did. That he wasn’t capable of a serious relationship. It was true, yet it bothered him. “Busted.” Hunt polished off his cake and stood.
Abby looked up. “Where are you going?”
“As much as I like this suit, I need more clothes here if we’re going to live together. I’m heading to my place to grab a few things.” For a moment, Abby’s light expression fell, and Hunt worried he’d said something wrong. “Or I can go later…”
“No.” She waved him off. “Go. I have house stuff to do before Noah returns. I’ll need to clear out a drawer or two for mynew husband.” She smiled, but her eyes didn’t hold their normal spark.
Hunt hesitated, then leaned over and kissed Abby on the mouth. “I’ll be back.”
He’d show her there was nothing to worry about. He could keep things in check and still show Abby a good time. He had to, because he refused to let Abby and Noah down.
* * *
Hunt wentto the place he rented on the lake, complete with a boat slip for his new Cobalt. The townhome was triple the size of Abby and Noah’s house, yet he liked Abby’s place better. It was filled with Noah’s laughter, crispy bacon, and flowerpots that bloomed from Abby’s touch.
Hunt scanned his home. Nope, not a damn thing lived in this place. It was where he showered and slept, and that was all.
He quickly packed up his clothes and toiletries and closed down the house. He’d already given his notice to the landlord, so there wasn’t much left to do. The place had come furnished, and he’d already moved his Cobalt to the club dock.
Hunt had sent out a text to his brothers this morning while Abby showered, asking to meet up. It was his honeymoon week; the least his brothers could do was meet him for an hour.
His honeymoon…Okay, so he hadn’t thought that part through. Was that what made Abby unhappy when he’d said he was taking off?
When Adam and Wes married their wives, Hunt and his brothers didn’t see them for weeks, due to all the honeymooning (sex) they were engaged in. They had gone off the grid, and here Hunt was, the day after his wedding, and already he’d left his bride behind. But she wasn’t in this for romance, though this morning’s activities were promising on other fronts…
He scrubbed his fingers through his damp hair after the shower he’d taken at his old place. Somehow, he felt like he was already screwing things up. The meeting with his brothers was for her. Maybe she’d understand once he explained.
Hunt pulled up to Levi’s house, all of his brothers’ cars parked in the front. He took a deep breath and stepped out of his Range Rover.Now or never.
He walked up the steps to the front porch and gave a courtesy rap on the door before stepping inside. “Greetings.”
Hunt leaned down to pet Levi’s dog Grace, who’d run up to him and proceeded to lick the crap out of his shoe and pant leg.
Wes yawned on the couch, and Levi had an arm around Emily’s waist near the kitchen island.
Hunt did a double take.Huh.He’d never seen Emily in sweats and a T-shirt. She always wore work clothes, dressed in a skirt and blouse most days.
Adam poured himself a mug of coffee, his hair sticking up at odd angles. Jesus, you’d think it was the crack of dawn. “Look’n good, everyone,” Hunt said.
Bran kicked up his socked feet and leaned back on the recliner. “We all have plans. What’s this emergency about?”
