Page 79 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

Hunter balks. “I didn’t do that to –”

“I know, I said as much to her. Don’t worry, I was defending you.”

He grimaces, staring across the playground. “You shouldn’t have had to do that.”

“Of course I do. You’re my…” What is he to me? “We’re dating. I know that’s not what you did.”

Hunter smiles sadly and reaches for my hand. For some reason, I have the impulse to draw it away from him.

Fuck. She’s gotten in my head.

I don’t, of course, letting him take my hand into his broad palms, caressing it gently. “I know you don’t have a lot to go off. My track record is…spotty, at best. But you know how I feel about you, right?” Hunter kisses my hand tenderly.

I force a smile. “Of course.”

“Amy.”

“Hm?”

“Look at me.”

I let my eyes meet his. It takes every bit of strength in me to look at him and not see a wolf that might swallow me whole. Shit. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

“You’re still not saying something,” he says solemnly.

“That’s all that happened, I promise.”

“No, not that. I believe that. It’s…” Hunter sits up straighter, inclining his head to the side as he examines my expression. “You don’t believe me.”

I tear my eyes away. “No, that’s not it.”

“Then why have you been avoiding me?”

“You did it first.”

“But I told you why. I explained. You know how hard I’m trying to be here for you.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I know. I know how hard you’re trying. She just got in my head. That’s all. I need some time to recuperate. That’s all.”

Hunter does not take this well. He frowns. “You believe her over me.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“Then how could she have gotten in your head?”

I have to maintain an even keel. We’re in public for one. And Jessica is right across from us. While she might be in her own little world, all it would take is one look at us to see we’re fighting. She doesn’t deserve that. “I’m younger than you. Less experienced. Surely, it’s fair for me to worry that your intentions are –”

“Haven’t I shown you that you don’t have to worry? With my actions?”

“I’m just a human, Hunter. I can know things with my brain and not feel them in my heart.”

His grip loosens on my hand. “I see.”

Dammit. That’s not what I meant. I touch my chest meaningfully. “I feel things for you. Very deeply. It all moved so fast. I’m scared. That’s all.”

Hunter rips his eyes from mine. A punishment. “I understand.”

I wait for him to look at me again. He doesn’t. I lean over and kiss his cheek softly, the bristles of his beard rubbing my lips. I tighten that loosened grip of our hands. “Hunter…be patient with me. Please.”

---