Page 29 of Always You

He abruptly turns around, smashing me into his hard chest. Steadying me with his hands on my upper arms, I bring my head up to face him.

“Because I wantedyouto come.” His eyes darken, looking at me in a way I can’t decipher that causes a shiver to run down my spine, nonetheless. He makes it sound so easy, as if that’s all the explanation I need. But I’m not the kind of girl who enjoys watching a fight. Especially when it involves Hunter.

“Yeah, well, I don’t want to watch someone kick your ass.”

“Pff, no one is kickingmyass.”

“Hunter!’

“Aah, you don’t want to see me get hurt?” he coos in a slightly mocking tone that makes me roll my eyes.

“Only if I’m doing the hurting,” I rebuke.

He winces, and his face falls a little before that boyish grin reappears. “Well, that’s actually frightening. And kinda hot,” he adds.

“Stop flirting with me.” I scowl, hiding the smile that’s haunting my mouth. His warm hands rub over my upper arms at a soothing pace, making my head spin. “How about I just wait in the truck while I read my book, yeah?” I shoot him hopeful eyes.

“You can do that tomorrow, but nice try, though.”

“Hunter, I don’t want to see someone punch you in your face!”

“Babe, I’ve never lost a fight,” he explains in a more serious tone, the appreciation of my worry dancing in his eyes.

“Never?” I frown with disbelief.

“Never.”

“Well, what if me being here is jinxing that?” I counter, lowering my eyes to hide the unsettling feeling that forms in my stomach.

“What?” he exclaims. “Are you crazy? No! If anything”—his eyes soften, shaking the cage of butterflies in my stomach—“you’ll be my lucky charm, Charls.”

9

She’s looking at me with an uncertain glare that tightens my heart and strokes my ego at the same time. I like how she’s worried about me, rather than being the girl who wants to hang on my arm because I have the reputation of being the bad boy in town.

“Hey.” I nudge her chin up, getting a hint of her flowery scent when she keeps her gaze focused on my chest. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Her eyebrows crease as she turns her nose up and purses her lips in a scowl that’s supposed to be intimidating.

But really, it’s cute as fuck.

“I’m beating the crap out of you if you don’t keep that promise,” she spits with a fire in her eyes that makes the muscle between my legs twitch.

“Beating the already beaten boy? Ouch, that’s harsh, Charls,” I taunt with titled lips, wrapping my arm around her neck and tucking her into my side. I guide her to the two trailer huts in the back of the warehouse that serve as a dressing room. As I walk through the open door of the first one, I’m halted by Charlotte. With a questioning look, I turn back to her, seeing her lashes high and frozen at the spot in front of the threshold.

“I’m not coming in.” She shakes her head, and my eyes lower to slits.

“Get in here, Charls,” I gravel.

“I’m pretty sure ‘friends,’” she argues, bringing her fingers up to make air quotes, “don’t see each other naked, Hunt.”

I take a step, placing myself against her chest. Her gorgeous eyes dilate, and her lips part for just a brief second before she catches herself and snaps them back together in a scowl.

“We can change that?” I tease without hesitation.

“Stop flirting with me.” Her automatic reply only makes me laugh, before I rest my hand on her hip with a rougher grip than necessary.

“Have you looked around you? I’m not leaving you out of my sight with all these men around. Just get in there. I’m not getting completely naked. I swear.” I grab her arm and pull her in, slamming the door shut behind us. “Unless you want me to.”

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