Page 74 of Plentywood
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: Hunter
“He’s coming over, girl,” I said, tossing a thin slice of carrot at Bella. “You need to behave and stay outta his lap. That’s Daddy’s move tonight.”
I was almost done with the salad. The steaks were marinating, and the baked potatoes were wrapped in foil and ready for the oven. I stepped back and examined the salad after laying a decorative layer of carrots over the top.
Besides whistling to myself all afternoon, I was talking to myself too. “I don’t know,” I mumbled, still studying my meal prep. “Too country? Too middle America?”
Cooking wasn’t a specialty of mine. Since living on my own after nearly a decade, I only cooked to survive these days. Most days I headed into Jill’s, so she’d feed me. The meal choice was the meal choice, I decided. Ben may as well see me as who I am. A lonely guy taking life a day at a time.
The microwave clock read five. One hour to go and I still couldn’t get the sense of doom out of my brain. I was going to fuck this up. Ben would see how boring I was in my everyday existence. He wanted glitz, glam, and big city lights. I wanted the Northern Lights peeking over the Canadian horizon a few miles north of Plentywood.
“Okay. Shower time,” I announced, still treating Bella like she understood what I was saying. “Blue button-down? Or the green shirt with stripes?” I asked her. Her ears perked up, andshe glanced at the counter. I’d asked for fashion advice. She thought she heard, ‘Do you want another carrot?’
The choice of shirts had me concerned. Had Ben seen me in the blue or green one? Would I look pitiful if I accidentally wore the same shirt again? Clothing choices were always left to Mark in the past.
“Shit, Bella!” I exclaimed. “Maybe a T-shirt? Go super casual? Don’t act like his coming over is a big deal? Whatta ya say, girl?”Carrot. Carrot. Carrot.Bella had a one-track mind. Food. “Fuck it! T-shirt and jeans.”
Pacing through my house, examining each room and its cleanliness, occupied my time while I waited for Ben. I noticed a clock doesn’t go any faster when watched. I sat down, and then I stood up. I stood up, and then I sat back down. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Bella’s ears perked up, and she tilted her head toward a noise outside. I pulled the blinds to the side and saw the dust clouds swelling behind Ben’s old Chevy as he barreled down the driveway. Never had a more handsome man looked as out of place as he did in the old truck. He had sold the vehicle he came to town in. The Benz that had fit him to a tee. Maybe there was more to Ben than my original impression.
A quick glance at the dining table confirmed I was prepared to host a dinner date. Two plates. Two wine glasses. I’d agonized over how many pieces of cutlery were required and where to position each piece. What about water glasses?
“Shit,” I hissed, hurrying to the kitchen.
A knock at the door, and Bella’s barking, diverted me back toward the front entry. Inhaling slowly, I glanced at the mirror to my left. Maybe a T-shirt wasn’t a good choice.I fucking hated self-doubt.
As if Bella had actually heard me earlier, she stayed by my side and did not jump up on Ben when I opened the door.I’d underdressed.
“Hi,” I said, stepping back to allow him inside.
Ben looked like a million bucks but smelled like abillion. A fresh citrus scent invaded my nose. I remembered the scent from inside my SUV a few days back, and now it stood mere inches away again.
“Hi,” he greeted in return, seeming softer and quieter.
I had little experience regarding the beginnings of a romantic involvement. But this felt like one of those times. The wondering where to start off the next time you saw each other. The questions about whether what you’d felt the last time was real, or did they feel the way you felt? All the insecurities our mind uses as roadblocks to sabotage our chances at love.
Those and many other thoughts coursed through my mind as we stood across from one another, but Ben was having none of it. Maybe those thoughts belonged only to me. He moved within inches of my body, presenting his hand toward mine.God! This man.
“I’d like one of those kisses,” he stated. “I’ve done nothing but think of them for the past three days.”
Bella looked up at me like she wondered how dumb was I that I just stood there frozen. She instinctually headed for her favorite bed in the corner, leaving me to my own devices.
“You thought of me too?” I asked.
“Well, sure,” he agreed. “Youandthe kisses.”
I held his hand and pulled him into me. He relaxed and allowed me to manipulate his body to my liking. His actions spoke volumes about the type of lover he’d be. I knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Ben wanted to be led.
He desired to play the role of a willing lover, but one who wanted to relinquish control. Lucky for both of us, I craved beingthe leader, making the moves, and creating the desire from my man.
My hand went to the small of his back, where I gently applied pressure and lifted him to his toes so our mouths could connect. Ben went limp when I placed my mouth on his, taking my sweet time by nipping at his full lips before darting my tongue in and out. A sigh escaped his mouth while my cock became engorged from his response. I felt powerful and in control.
“In case you’re wondering, I’m not that hungry at this time,” he whispered into my mouth, while we continued to tease and invade. “There’s something you need to know about me, Hunt,” he added, pulling away and looking into my eyes.
“Do share,” I encouraged. “Tell me everything there is to know about you.”
“I’m direct concerning having my needs met,” he stated. “I like to express my needs and have them met.”
