Page 68 of Now and Then

I swear, I don’t know what it is about this man and bossing me around, but . . . I think I kind of like it. I drop the towel, leaving my body completely exposed to his hungry gaze.

“I could get used to this,” he says, bracing his hands on the top of the doorframe.

Me too. I look at my toes and shuffle my foot nervously over the plush bathmat. Before I completely combust, I turn back to the vanity and grab my comb, but it’s at this exact moment I realize I’ve still got my shower bonnet on. My face heats, and I glance at Hunter through the mirror. He steps up behind me.

“Can I?” He gestures to my bonnet.

My cheeks turn a deeper red, but I nod. He carefully lifts the lavender silk from my head, releasing my wild mane. I shake it out, the ends brushing along my collar bone.

“I love your hair like this.”

He leans forward, sets his hands on the counter, and blocks me from escaping. Hunter dips his head down and places a soft kiss on my shoulder. My eyes close on their own volition.

He drags his nose along my skin, up the column of my neck, and gives me an open-mouthed kiss right below my jaw. I stutter out a breath. His lips pepper kisses along the back of my neck to my other shoulder at the same time my hands caress over his.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow night,” Hunter says as he steps away.

My eyes snap open from his abrupt departure, and the cool air left in his absence sends shivers down my spine.

I huff. “That’s really not fair.”

“What’s not fair?” His smirk gives him away too easily.

“First, I have to listen to you pleasuring yourself in the shower, and now this,” I say. “I think if you don’t touch me again soon, I might actually die.”

“Baby girl,” he says, his voice deep and gravely, “you might like to control everything and be in charge out there in the real world, but when it’s just us . . .” He licks his lips.

My breathing accelerates. “When it’s just us, what?”

“I’m going to need you to let go.”

“Okay.”

I’m slightly shocked at my immediate acceptance. But I know he’s right. I’ll need to loosen the grip I keep on every aspect of my life—thinking and overthinking everything imaginable. Thinking and worrying and worrying and thinking gets exhausting. I’d love to turn my brain off every now and then and just be, but it’s harder than it looks.

“You look really handsome,” I say in an attempt to veer us to safer, less combustible territory.

He holds his arms out to the side and does a half turn. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to not having to wear a uniform for work.”

I step into the hallway now and crowd him. I stand on tiptoes and capture his lips in a kiss. “Have a good day, baby.”

His eyes flare at the nickname. Warm hands smooth over my hips and settle on my low back. Hunter lifts me off my feet, and I wrap my thighs around his waist. His thickening cock strains against his jeans. He walks me into my bedroom, not saying a word, and lowers me onto my unmade bed.

“I wish I had more time,” he says, “but I’ve got to get going.” Hunter crawls over me, placing his knee between my thighs. He reaches for the top drawer of my nightstand and pulls out my vibrator. The soft hum fills the room as he switches it on and hands it to me.

“How did you—”

“Because I know you, Sutton.” He bends his head and places a kiss on the side of my breast. My entire body goes numb.

I dip my roller in the tray of blush-colored paint and watch the color spread across the wall with each smooth stroke. You’d think the repetitive motion would calm the buzz of emotions swirling inside my head, but it only seems to magnify them.

After years of what-ifs and almosts, Hunter and I have crossed into something more. My chest tightens at the thought of our date with a mix of anticipation and something I can’t quite name. I haven’t been on a date in well over six years, and I’ve certainly never been on an official date with Hunter.

Suddenly, the door downstairs slams open, followed by two voices echoing through the empty house. I freeze, and my heart leaps, but then I recognize the very distinct tones.

Navy and Greer.

I glance at the clock. Of course. I should have known they’d come by right after work. Instead of heading home or doing whatever they usually do when they get off, they’ve decided to ambush me. I roll my eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips.