Page 24 of Between Hate and Desire

CHAPTER SIX

HUNTER

The momentI wake up and smell the sweetness lingering in the air, I grin. Fucking hell.

Lennon makes the best damn homemade cinnamon rolls, and if I weren’t trying to keep her at a distance, I’d stroll right into that kitchen and snag myself one. Shit, I just might anyway.

She normally makes them on the weekends, but then I remember tonight is the start of their anniversary celebration. Valentine’s Day feels like it was yesterday, and now we’re already halfway into March.

Groaning as I think about their special weekend, I slide out of bed and put on some gray joggers so I can face the reality of my unfortunate life.

“Mmm, babe. These are delicious.” I hear Brandon moaning as I round the hallway into the kitchen.

“Oooh, thanks, baby,” I mock his sickly sweet tone. “I made them just for you, big boy.”

When both of them face me, Brandon chuckles, and Lennon flashes me the death glare I’ve become so accustomed to. I lick my finger, then circle it around my nipple, making kissy noises. “I have somewhere you can put that thick cream.” I wink at Brandon, and he shoves my shoulder, laughing and shaking his head as he makes his way to the table.

“What?” I ask Lennon as she continues to scowl. “Not a fan of the cream, huh?”

She rolls her eyes, grabs her mug of coffee, and walks away. “Grow up, Hunter.”

“You first, honey buns.” I toss a grin over my shoulder just in time for her to look at me.

Without asking, I take one of the cinnamon rolls and shove half of it into my mouth. I take a drink of milk and then inhale the other half.

I overhear Brandon telling Lennon he’s going to take a shower and head to work. Then he’ll be able to leave early so they can go to whatever prissy-ass place he’s taking her.

As I lean against the counter to finish my second cinnamon roll, Lennon returns to the kitchen. She walks past me to rinse their plates and load them in the dishwasher without saying a word.

“Well, at least you didn’t bother dirtying a dish since you clearly don’t know how to clean one.”

She loves getting under my goddamn skin. Good, because I love returning the favor.

“Fuck, you’re a damn good baker. No wonder Brandon keeps you around. All this time I thought it was because of your sweet pussy. Guess I was wrong.” I push off the counter to walk away.

“What’d you just say?” Her voice is venom, and I’m begging for more of it.

“You heard me loud and clear.”

“Don’t make me junk punch you. I’ll do it without a second thought like that first night,” she threatens, which is adorable, considering I’m twice her size, but then she had to go and mention the night I found her in this very kitchen after hooking up with my best friend.

My scowl deepens. “Ooh, don’t threaten me with a good time, honey buns.” I shoot a wink over my shoulder and keep walking.

She bangs around some dishes and groans loudly, making me smile all the way back to my room.

After I get ready for work, I walk down the hallway to get my keys and immediately regret looking into the living room.

Lennon’s in her yoga clothes or, rather, yoga scraps since what she’s wearing isn’t considered clothes. A sports bra and tight-ass spandex shorts hug her tiny body. She’s on the stupid mat in front of the window, and her arms are out as if she’s soaring into the wind.

I swear she does this just to shove it in my face that she’s not mine and never will be.

“What the hell are you doing?” I bark, and she nearly jumps.

“Do you mind? I was in the zone!” she snaps back before changing positions to one where her ass is straight up in the air. Just fucking kill me already.

“Aren’t you going to be late for work?” I check my watch, and she’s definitely not supposed to still be here.

“Not that it’s any of your business,” she says in a bitter tone, “but there’s no school today. Don’t mess up my downward dog.”

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