Page 127 of Hunter

It was thepleasethat did it. I opened my eyes and looked at him, my bottom lip trembling, something I was sure he didn’t miss.

His eyes roamed over my face, as if he was trying to figure out what I was thinking or feeling.

“What are we?” I asked, finally caving.

I had to know.

I couldn’t go on with this uncertainty anymore. I had to know what I was fighting for, as I was sure there would be a lot of fighting once my parents caught wind of this.

He paused, his eyes studying me. “You’re mine.”

I scoffed. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” he said seriously.

“Does that mean you’re mine?”

He shook his head, smiling a little. “Silly girl. Don’t you know I have been yours long before you were even mine?”

Tears sprung to my eyes. “You make it sound easy.”

“Oh, it’s very easy. Falling for you is as easy as breathing. Natural.”

I shook my head. “This doesn’t erase all of our problems.”

It was his turn to scoff. “We don’t have any problems.”

I nodded. “Yes, we do.”

“No, we don’t,” he retorted. “Now kiss me.”

I was startled in surprise over the sudden topic change.

“You really think a kiss is going to solve everything?”

He didn’t answer me. His smiling face was the last thing I saw before he leaned in close to me, his lips pressing against mine in a sweet, quick kiss.

I didn’t open my eyes when he pulled away. He pressed his forehead against mine.

“Doesn’t it feel like all of ourproblemsare disappearing because of this?” he asked.

My eyes jumped open as I realized what he was trying to do.

Distract me.

And it was working.

I shoved him away with two hands on his chest, and I must have surprised him enough to give in because he didn’t even put up a fight.

I didn’t think.

I took my chance and moved away.

I had to get away from him.

I couldn’t think with him nearby, though my freedom was short-lived.

He caught up to me soon enough.

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