Page 73 of The Triple Threat

We both laughed and then fell into silence, as Hunter gently stroked my cheek.

“We should get back,” I said wishing away the euphoria rising inside me. “I don’t think anyone is going to find us.”

“No, I don’t think so,” he replied but didn’t move.

I wasn’t sure how to deal. Did I make the first move to leave, or should I wait for Hunter? Did I tell him it was great—again—and that I was starting to want more for us, or did I act cool? I had no damn clue. The only thing I did know was that the stolen moments were starting to feel not enough. Having sex with a guy and getting off from his fingers were not the sort of thing I did. I’d always been a relationship kind of girl. Yes, Dominic had ruined that. Even though the sex and playing around with Hunter was amazing, I didn’t want to be his regular fuck buddy until he got bored and went back to his one-night stands.

“You think maybe this might be a good time to talk?” he asked as he pulled up my zipper. “Like I wanted to after we had sex.”

“We did talk.”

If we talked now, I knew I’d ask him for things he wasn’t ready for, and then I’d be the fool, once again. No, it’d be much better for my heart and self-respect if we didn’t talk.

“No, Ellie, we didn’t. You told me we weren’t happening and then closed me down. You didn’t even give me a chance to tell you what I want.”

My laugh sounded a little sarcastic. “Oh, I can imagine what you want,” I huffed out, unable to hide the hurt that I pre-empted from me wanting him so damn much.

“Really? So, you’re a mind reader now?” Hunter sighed heavily and shifted his body to reach for his own zipper.

“No, never said I was, but you’re so predictable. I’d be shocked if you wanted anything else other than to have me as a fuck buddy.”

I could just about make out his face. He didn’t look thrilled at my theory.

“Your opinion of me is so fucking stellar, isn’t it?” he said as he shoved up the lid of the basket.

He pushed himself up and maneuvered out. Pausing to fasten the button of his jeans he then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed at the white stain on his sweater.

“Has it come off?” I asked, trying to alleviate the awkwardness I felt at lying back in the basket as he stood over me.

Hunter glanced down at me with hooded eyes and sighed. “I’m going back,” he replied, not answering my question. “You coming or not?”

I nodded and held up my hand. Hunter tugged on it, pulling me to my feet. I then stepped out and brushed myself down, chancing a look at him as he continued rubbing at his sweater.

“I’m sorry, okay.”

“Just forget about,” he replied, glancing up at me. “I was stupid to even think you’d talk about what’s happening.”

“Which is having fun, just like you said. So why do we need to talk about it?” I argued as Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose.

“No, you’re right, we don’t.” He gave me a thin-lipped smile. “It’s just fun, nothing at all to discuss.”

Before I could respond, he stormed off back toward the house. Feeling a lot of annoyance and frustration of my own, I ran after him. I called his name, but his pace never let up. He flung open the door into the kitchen and then let it slam closed behind him.

When I spun into the den, Hunter was standing in the doorway, with his hands on his hips. Even from behind I could see his anger; his butt was tensed so it wasn’t difficult.

“What’s going on?” I asked, standing alongside him.

He let out a long exhale and pointed into the room. Everyone was in there, well into a game of Monopoly.

“They look like they’ve been playing that for an age,” I whispered.

“Yeah.” He didn’t say anything else to me but stepped into the room. “Did any of you actually come and look for us?”

Jefferson looked up from taking a wad of notes from Austen and smiled.

“Oh, sorry, son, we totally forgot. We kinda got engrossed in this game of Monopoly. Your Aunt L is raking the money in.”

I looked over at Lynn-Ann who was sitting proudly on one of the love seats with Shaw and counting the huge pile of money she had.