Page 39 of Always You

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, dear Hunter.

Happy birthday to you.”

With every step, his eyes grow wider, and his lips curl a little more. When I stop in front of him, he’s looking at me in complete awe.

My spine shivers under the intensity of his gaze as if he can control my body with just the movement of his thick lashes framing his eyes. He takes in a deep breath with unspoken appreciation, then drags his teeth over his lower lip, shaking his head.

My focus stays on his full lips, causing a flutter in my stomach as I swallow hard to push the feeling aside.

“Come on.” I push the Snowball closer to his face. “Make a wish.”

“Charls. You didn’t have to do that.” Maybe not, but the look in his eyes tells me that it’s worth doing it anyway. I want him to know that he matters. That he makes a difference in the world. Especially mine.

“No, I know, because you didn’t even tell me it was your birthday,” I sass, pushing my tongue out. “If it was up to me, I’d be throwing you a party right now. But this is all I can do with thirty minutes’ notice.”

His expression darkens, and I squeal when he grabs my wrist. He tugs me onto his lap while I hold the Snowball in the air to keep the candle up. Suddenly, his warm breath feathers over my cheeks, and a whiff of his citrusy, woodsy cologne still seeps through the sweat from his fight, teasing my nose, making it hard for me to think. I want to bury myself in his chest, emerging inthe safety of his arms, but instead, I keep our eyes locked, not moving an inch.

“This is perfect. You are perfect. Thank you.” His eyes move back and forth, drilling into mine, and for a second, I think he’s going to kiss me. I want him to. I want to know how his lips would melt into mine. If they would be the trigger for an explosion that has been building in my stomach for weeks now.But I can’t. I dip my chin to the Pink Snowball in my hands.

“Make a wish, birthday boy.”

He smiles, breathtaking as always, turning his face toward the candle to blow it out. I pull the candle out, then take a bite with a smug grin.

“Hey! That’s mine.” His calloused fingers pinch my side, and I squirm on his lap.

“I know, but I couldn’t resist. You took too damn long.” I let my back fall against the cushion to create some distance between us while I grab my tumbler from the table and take a long sip to calm myself down. My legs are still on his, and he starts to stroke my ankle in gentle rounds. Soft. Torturous. Only making me want more.

I don’t want to ruin what we have, and considering Hunter’s reputation, that will probably happen if we take this any further. But the aching sensation between my legs tells me I’m not convinced about that decision. Not to mention, the chemistry we clearly have. I’ve only had one boyfriend in my life, and I was madly in love with him. Lucas lives in the next town and he was a junior when I was still a sophomore. We met at the local carnival, and we were together for a year. We had a lot of fun and he’s the guy who took my virginity. In fact, if his parents didn’t decide to move to the other side of the country, we’d probably still be together. But even though he was the perfect first boyfriend,and I was heartbroken about him leaving, we didn’t have the same chemistry I have with Hunter. Everything with Hunter is… natural and heated at the same time.

We both settle into the lounger, sipping our drinks while we look out into the yard.

“What did you wish for?” I give him a quick glance.

“I’m not gonna tell you.”

“What? Why not?” My tone moves up a few inches.

“Because it won’t come true if I tell you.”

“That’s bullshit,” I bellow.

“Nah-ah. I’m not telling you shit.”

“Oh, come on!” I poke my elbow into his side, breaking out in a hushed laugh, clearly not wanting to wake up my mother.

“What the fuck, Charls? You’re really violent today.”

“Well, that’s what you get when you take me to one of your fights. I get all hyped up, wanting to punch something too.” I take another sip with a cocky look, feeling the cold liquid move down my throat.

“You know I can take you, right?” He moves toward me with one of his smoldering expressions crossing his face.

“Stop flirting with me.” I roll my eyes, ignoring that same flutter that grows worse every minute of the day.

“Fine,” he concedes, not even hiding his glee.

“Tell me what you wished for,” I demand again.

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