Page 45 of My Treasured Obsession

With fall around the corner, I always found myself reaching for outfits that were gothic or dark academia inspired. My colour palette occasionally deviated from its usual shades of black and red to include a bit more of earthy browns, moody greys, and shadowy greens. Anna always drilled it into Layla’s and my noggins that the world was your runway and every day you should dress to impress. Therefore, even if tonight was a casual stroll, I’d be lying if I said a wee part of me didn’t want to hear Hunter’s mellifluous voice complimenting me because I looked like a ten out of ten.

“I’m feeling black thigh-high socks, black faux crocodile skin loafers, grey plaid miniskirt, and…” I held up two tops against my chest, letting Luna decide. She evaluated both before pawing at the black, full-sleeved mockneck. “This one it is.” I kissed her head. “Thank you, baby.”

I got dressed in record time, put my hair in a loose braid, layered some dainty gold jewelry, sprayed my signature fragrance, and by the time I finished my makeup by swiping my red lipstick on, Luna was trying to climb me, sensing that I was about to leave soon.

“Do you want to come with us?” I asked her.

Luna meowed in agreement.

My cat and I both had separation anxiety. I couldn’t leave her alone for too long. Nor did she deserve to be subjected to Enzo and Lucia’s soap opera unfolding downstairs. That was cruel even by my standards.

“Okay.” I slung on my crossbody bag with my necessities—aka wallet, keys, gun, and a mass market paperback—and grabbed Luna’s black carrier tote, lifting her inside of it after putting on her harness. “There you go.” Hunter’s text came through, letting me know he was outside. “He’s here, Luna. Will you be good and behave tonight?”

Luna rubbed her face against my chest, giving me that soft, innocent expression that never failed to melt my heart. She was grateful I was taking her along for the ride.

When my parents still lived under the same roof, heated arguments and explosions were the norm, something that unsettled both of us. Therefore, I’d often strap Luna into a harness and sneak out of the house so we could walk to the nearby woods and escape the contemptuous environment at home. My furry companion loved exploring new places with her four-beat gait, especially woodland where she could scavenge the area like a crow in search of carrion. A handful of times,she’d brought me disturbing gifts in the form of dead birds or small mammals. I’d tried to curb those tendencies, but she was a creature of habit, bound by her predatory nature.

“Mamma, I’m going out!” I called out as I descended the stairs. “I’ll be back late.”

“Where are you going?” she countered from the kitchen, irritation coalesced in her tone, obviously stemming from Papà’s goading. They’d been on the phone for over an hour and I was pretty sure he’d been prying information about Neal. And Mamma, who loved making Papà jealous, was more than happy to divulge.

“Um, on a walk with a…friend.”

“Which friend?”

Here goes nothing. “A boy from school.”

Mamma poked her head out into the hallway and waved a brownie-batter-coated spatula at me, her eyes wide and gleaming with excitement. The last time I mentioned anything about a boy was when I first started dating Franco ages ago. “What did you say—”

“Oscar will follow us. I’ll be safe. Don’t worry. Love you!” I shot her some air kisses and hurried out the front door before she could speed after me.

Like any typical mother, Mamma would want to be introduced to Hunter and when she saw him—every inch of his tall, muscular frame, expressive eyes, and long black hair—she’d tell me that I was a foolish girl for not locking him down pronto.

Hunter was already waiting for me by the passenger door of his steed. A thick palm coasted over the door handle, ready to open it when he saw me tear down the front steps like the hounds of hell were nipping at my feet.

He was devilishly handsome in an ethereal manner, cloaked in a collared dark coat that emphasized his allure, looking likea vampire lord on tenterhooks anticipating his long-awaited beloved.

The pallid sunlight flirted with the evening sky, casting blocks of shadows over his stature, leaving him half illuminated and half concealed in secrecy.

My feet truncated the distance separating us until I was able to catapult into him, throwing my arms around his broad shoulders in a loutish hug.

“Hi!” I gushed. “I’m so happy to see you!”

Hunter caught me effortlessly around the waist, carting me up his body so he could bury his face in my neck. He tightened his hold on me like he’d needed this just as much as me. My fragrance effused off my skin and melded with his in harmony.

Time could stop right here and I’d be content to have this as my final moment.

“Hi,” he breathed softly. “I’m so happy to seeyou.”

Luna, not liking being squished between us, voiced her displeasure with a sharp sound that had us rearing back. Hunter winced and I remembered his tender shoulder. I shouldn’t have held on to him so tight. The apology on my tongue frittered away, though, as he glanced down at my cat with gentleness. “And I’m so happy to see you, Luna.”

Luna agreed, closing her eyes as he stroked his fingers under her chin. Seeing him give her affection turned me to putty.

“I hope you don’t mind that I brought her,” I commented. “Luna loves walks.”

“The more the merrier.” He opened my car door like a gentleman, smiling. “Shall we?”

I belatedly noticed that we unintentionally matched, seeming like a perfect, blended unit. We were both accoutred in shades of black and grey fabrics, alongside my Nebelung cat with her grey pelt.