Page 68 of Hunter

Something told me it would feel amazing if that were the case.

“I know you didn’t mean it in a mean way. I guess it’s just my insecurities talking.”

“And that’s okay. You are allowed to feel how you want.”

Wow. Was this man for real?

There was this darkness that surrounded him, sure, but he was also incredibly sweet. It almost felt too good to be true.

I reached out my hand and poked him on the cheek. His brows lowered in confusion. “What are you doing, baby?”

“You’re real,” I said.

His lips twitched. “Did you think I was a figment of your imagination?”

“More like a dream,” I answered honestly.

I had expected him to laugh. He surprised me when he didn’t do that. Instead, he said seriously, “I’m not a dream. I’m like a nightmare, but you never have to worry about that because I’myournightmare. You can unleash me to fight away all the monsters keeping you up at night.”

That was… actually really sweet.

I smiled shyly. “So, what happened with Trinity yesterday?”

He waited until I looked at him before he answered me. “She came over with cookies, trying to pass them off as something she baked. When I told her I don’t eat sweets, she tried to invite herself into my apartment. I refused and closed the door.”

“Oh.”

And I missed that!

Man, I should have stayed and watched a while longer. It would have saved me half a day of turmoil as I imagined all the ways they could have sex in his apartment.

“Yeah,” he said, smiling a little. “Oh. So what do you say? Go out on a date with me.”

I let out a small breath of air and looked into his brown eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity.

Was this really happening?

Was this gorgeous, sweet, amazing man really interested in someone like me?

And unlike the dates I had in college, I had a feeling it would affect me more if he suddenly left me without an explanation.

Yet, something told me it wouldn’t be happening.

But there was also an uneasiness that settled in my heart that told me there was more to this man than meets the eyes.

I just couldn’t bring myself to not take the plunge with him.

So I did the only thing I could do at that moment.

I said, “Yes.”

His smile widened as he pulled me in closer to him, burying his face in my neck. “Thank fuck,” he said as if he really thought I would say no to him.

I wasn’t blind or crazy.

For the first time in a long time, I felt not a flutter of excitement but an explosion.

I was smiling when he pulled away to look at me.

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