bChapter /bb59/bb: /bHunter bPOV /b

    Watching Xavier spiral is a beautiful sight to behold.

    Of course, we know who Mason is. And of course bwe’re /bnot one bit threatened by a seven year–old. But he doesn’t need to know that. At least not byet/b,

    anywayb. /b

    We also know exactly where she is and what she and Mason are up to because we aren’t too chicken shif to contact the girl we like to find out what’s happening in her life.

    Texting La to yfully scold her about teasing Xavier, and her acting all innocent–like about it, makes me fall even further in love with her.

    Yeah, I said it. I’m falling hard for this woman who is proving daily that she’s a fighter, and nothing or anyone

    will get her down, least of all Xavier.

    I’ve missed her so much this week. Not being able to see her in passing around campus, or popping over to Xavier’s dad’s house to surprise or just spend some time with her, was fucking hard.

    But, luckily, I’m taking her out for brunch tomorrow morning so that I can get my fix of her before our gameter in the afternoon. I can’t wait to see herb, /bhold her, and most definitely kiss her. We’ve had a few stolen moments, but nothing bas /bevolved as she’s had with the others. But I’m rectifying that tomorrow. Mark my words.

    Xavier stomps off in a state, irritated with himself because he believes he let her slip through his fingersb, /band irritated at us because we did nothing about her allegedly finding another guy to rece him. He’s one of the smartest guys I know, but he can be an absolute idiot sometimes.

    My soft chuckle at his antics catches Cade and AJ’s attention.

    “Was that as much fun for you as it was for me?” Cade asks bas /bhe grins.

    “Oh, most definitely,” AJ bsays /bwith a broad smile.

    “Does one of you know if she’sing to the game tomorrow?” Cade looks between us bas /bhe sits up and leans against the couch I’m lounging on.

    “I n on asking her tomorrow morning,” I reply nonchntly, but on the inside, I’m positively jumping with excitement and anticipation.

    AJ suddenly sits up straight, his attention now zeroed in on me. “What do byou /bmean? Are you seeing her tomorrow morning? Isn’t she supposed to be working?” he rambles on, which makes me chuckle at him.

    “She’s got the day off. And I’m taking her to brunch. I’m going to invite her to our game then,” I reply matter–of–factly bas /bI look pointedly at them, “And don’t you two idiots even ithink /iof joining or interrupting us. You’ve both had some alone time with her, not meb./bb” /b

    Cade holds his hands up in front of his chest as a sign of surrender, saying, “Hey man, you’ll get no pushback from me there.b” /b

    I nod my thanks to him before looking at AJ with a raised eyebrow, silently questioning him if he will cause problems tomorrow for La and me.

    His shoulders sag, but eventually says, “Fine, I’ll y niceb, /bbut only in the morning. At the game, she’s fair y.” His eyes light up at the end as if he’s already thinking of possible ways to get her alone – the bastard.

    Saying my goodnights to them, I head upstairs to my room. I’ve still got a bfew /bsmall things to finish before having to leave tomorrow morning to go and fetch her.

    She’s under the impression we’re going to a diner of coffee shop, but bI’ve /bgot a much better setting in mind.

    Pulling up to Tessa’s townhouse the following morning, I’m clutching the steering wheel of my truck with nervous anticipation.

    I can’t wait to see her, but I’m also nervous about whether she’ll like what I nned for us.

    bI /btake a final fortifying breath before I step out of the truck and head to the front door. I’ve barely rung the doorbell when it’s ripped open bby /bba /blittle tyke of a guy with a toothy grin and a freckled face.

    bChapter /bb59/b: bHunter /bbPOV /b

    bHi/bb, /bbare /bbyou /bbthe /bbguy /bbthat /blikes La?b” /bbhe /basks before bI’ve /beven had the chance to say good morning to him. I bsmile /bat him nheless,

    bMy eye /bcatches movement at his back, and my beautiful girles into view as she leans against a doorframe a few feet down the hallway, bintent /bon se where this is going.

    Crossing my arms over my chest, I mock scowl at him, “Who’s asking?”

    b“/bI’m her real boyfriend, and I want to know what your intentions are with her,b” /bes his macho answer when he puffs out his chest and tries to look intimidating.

    Having trouble containing myughter, I crouch down to his height and lean in conspiratorially while replying in a whisper that’s still loud enough for her to hear as well, “Well, I intend to treat her with the utmost of respect while I take her out for something to eat. Then I intend to hold her hand as we go for a walk. And then I intend to bring her back to you, fed and happy.”

    I surreptitiously look up to find La looking at us, a tender smile softening her face. Mason looks at me with narrowed eyes for a few seconds before bfinally /banswering, “Fine. But no funny businessb./bb” /b

    I finally crack up as I stand up and ruffle his brown curls, “All right, little man, no funny business.”

    He steps to the side as La approaches. She leans down and kisses him on the cheek, causing a blush to rise bover /bthe bridge of his nose. “Thank you, Mason. Be good for your mom.”

    He watches us as bI /btake her hand and lead her to my truck, only closing the front door when he bsees /bme opening the passenger door for her. bBefore /bshe can get inside, though, I stop her with a hand on her waist. She looks back at me expectantly, probably thinking bI’m /babout to say something.

    bI /bbuse /bthe moment to my advantage and kiss her. Languidly, tenderlyb, /bsensually. She instinctively leans closer to bme/bb, /bfisting bher /bhands into my t–shirt to help keep her bnce.

    Reluctantly, I slowly pull away after a few more seconds of drowning in her taste, but still holding on to her as I look deeply into her beyes/bb. /b“Good morning. Beautiful.”

    The giggle that erupts from her makes my heart soar, and my broad smile is automatic.

    “Good morning, Hunter,” she says in a sweet but sultry voice before giving me a final kiss on my lips, making me groan.

    Without another word, I help her into her seat, shut her door, and walk around the front of the truck to my side.

    Once I’m buckled in and the engine’se alive, I pull her hand over the console,ce my fingers through hers, and ce it in myp.

    The drive to our destination is filled with afortable silenceb, /bwith the radio softly ying in the background.

    When I finally put my truck in park, she looks around and asks confusedly, “Where are we?b” /b

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