Page 7 of My Treasured Obsession

I usually kept my business to myself unless I was relaying it to my best friends. But maybe it was the needy side of me that wanted to confide in another because I found myself blurting,“I saw my ex kissing the girl he left me for and I…felt a certain way.”

Hunter’s body jerked back, his eyes widening. “Who?”

Not sure why my words incited such a reaction from him. “Um, Tom. He plays on the football team too.”

After Tom, I swore to never date or sleep with jocks ever again. I didn’t have the best track record with them and I didn’t see that changing anytime soon.

A muscle in Hunter’s cheek ticked with how hard he clenched his jaw. “Tom Prescott? You were dating that slimy motherfucker?”

Embarrassed about my poor taste in men, I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Well, I wouldn’t call it dating. We had a casual arrangement. It ended two days ago. He texted me that he found better and next thing I know, he’s cozying up with my peer.”

“He’s an asshole.” Hunter cursed. “I’m sorry, Gabriela. You didn’t deserve that.”

“It is what it is.” Though I appreciated his words. “And you can call me Gabby. That’s what all my friends do.”

An unnamed emotion passed over his face and when he spoke, his voice was a hint gravelly. “Gabby it is.”

Our gazes intertwined, the moment charged with an electrifying energy that lit up all my nerve endings. There was barely any distance between us.

Now I was all too aware of the heat emanating from his robust body, the height of him towering over me, the masculine fingers slightly callused from years of playing football sitting close to my own on the balustrade, and the blue in his eyes darkening as it swept over my features as though committing me to memory.

A gust of wind lifted the ends of my hair, causing them to fan against his bare forearm in an intimate caress. I glanced away,unable to maintain eye contact any longer. “I guess I should probably head back inside. I’ll see you around, Hunter?”

I really hoped I did. I enjoyed his company. Next time we went out with our group of friends, I’d make an effort to seek him out.

Hunter didn’t reply.

Instead, he stared at me with furrowed brows, like he was pondering something.

When his lips parted and no sound emerged, I took that as my cue to leave. “Bye—”

“Gabby.” His hand shot out swiftly to wrap around my wrist, halting me. “Do you want to get back at him?”

“What?”

“Tom.” He tightened his hold. “Do you want to get back at him?”

I chuckled. “I don’t actually have murderous tendencies, Hunter. I was joking.”

“I know.” A small smile flashed over his lips. “But that’s not what I had in mind.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “What do you propose?”

Never in a million years would I have expected him to utter the next words.

“Kiss me,” he rasped. “Use me to make him jealous. Show him what he was stupid enough to let go of.”

CHAPTER 2

Kiss Me

Hunter

Once I said the words, there was no taking them back.

Hell, I wouldn’t even if I could.

Tonight was about finally making a move on my dream girl and that’s what I intended to do. Despite my methods being a bit unorthodox, I hoped she didn’t shoot me down.