Page 122 of My Treasured Obsession

I walked into the mirrored hallway, taking a moment to appraise my reflection. My hair was pin straight, not a single strand out of place, with my cat-eye-shaped sunnies resting on my head. I wore a black blazer dress, black lace stockings, and black knee-high boots. Pearls adorned my earlobes and I wore a matching Vivienne Westwood necklace around my throat. The love bite Hunter sucked highlighted the side of my neck. I couldn’t find it in me to cover the mark with makeup. I liked how it looked and I didn’t care who saw. My ensemble was complete when I grabbed my red vinyl coat and small red Lady Dior bag that Mamma had gifted me last Christmas.

When I swung open my door, Hunter stood at the threshold looking dapper and quintessentially prince-like.

Long black hair tied at the nape with a single ruckus strand escaping the fold and lingering near his temple. Blue eyes shining with happiness. Smiling lips surrounded by trimmed stubble. He was as handsome as ever. And because my pretty rich boy actually knew how to dress well, Hunter wore polished shoes, ironed black pants, a white dress shirt, and a crisp grey melange coat that was masculine and elegant. His silver chainand watch glinted under my entrance light as he stepped inside, a bouquet of red roses in his hand. “Good afternoon, doll.”

I slinked straight into his arms. “Hi, long time no see.”

“I know, right? Feels like I haven’t seen you in ages,” he joked, kissing the apple of my cheek. “These are for you.”

“Oh, Hunter, I love them.” I grabbed the roses from him. Red was my favourite colour and roses were my favourite blooms. I liked that he paid attention to all these details. “Come in. I’ll put these in a vase and we can get going.”

I heard Hunter sweet-talking to Luna and her purring in response, while I filled an empty glass vase with water in the kitchen sink. Upon my return, I saw him sitting on the foyer bench with my cat in his lap.

He caressed a hand down her back. “I also brought you a gift, Luna.”

She rubbed her head against his bicep.

Arranging the flowers on my console table, I asked, “What is it?”

“Remember how you told me you’ve been meaning to get Luna a new collar?” Hunter smiled. “I hope you don’t mind, but I got one for her.”

He pulled out a small velvet box from his coat pocket and plucked off the lid to reveal a cat collar. It had a red strap encrusted with rhinestones and a gold heart-shaped pendant withLuna Bellafioreengraved at the front and my phone number at the back.

I watched Hunter, stunned.

A few weeks ago, during one of our commutes to school, I told him the kind of collar I intended to get Luna. He took notes and delivered exactly as I envisioned.

There weren’t enough words in any language to explain how amazing Hunter was. I clasped his face and planted a series ofclosed-mouth kisses on his lips. “Thank you.”Kiss. “Thank you.”Kiss. “Thank you.”Kiss. “It’s gorgeous.”

Pink tinged the tops of his cheeks in an endearing manner. I loved that I could easily make this strong man blush.

“You’re welcome.” He glanced at Luna, who kept pawing at his shoulder, telling him she wanted his attention too. “Want me to put it on, sweet girl?”

Luna meowed like she was sayingyes.

We removed her old collar and once her new one was on, she eyed herself in the mirror and, dare I say, even preened a little. Just like her momma.

“You look so cute, girl,” I hyped her up, bending down to stamp a kiss on her grey pelt. She leaned into my affection with closed eyes. I loved her with my whole heart. “Anna will be here in less than ten minutes. Be good for her, okay?”

“Ready?” Hunter asked when I rose, standing up as well.

I grabbed my coat and purse again. “Ready.”

He perused me with keen interest. “You look beautiful, Gabriela.”

I did a small three-sixty spin to showcase my outfit. “You like?”

Grabbing my hand, he brought my knuckles to his lips for a kiss. “Ilove.”

My breath caught in my throat and I blinked quickly, feeling unbalanced by the four-letter word. He was showing his appreciation for my clothes as usual, yet a small part of me couldn’t help but wonder if there was another underlying meaning to the sentiment.

We bid Luna goodbye, locked my door, and headed downstairs to the underground garage.

Hunter absentmindedly drew half-moons on the back of my hand with his thumb. It was such a simple thing, but it made my heart race.

He helped me slide into the passenger side of his Jaguar. Once he sat in the driver’s seat and the car roared to life, Hunter’s hand crept back into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Like we were two halves of one whole.