My conversation with Bella from lunch came back to me. Asking if she could touch me without me touching her. “I understand.”
“Good. I just don’t want you to be discouraged. And maybe she’s been to counseling, I don’t know. Like I said, I haven’t spoken to her in like seven or eight years now, I guess.”
“I appreciate all the help you’ve given me, Lori.”
“Of course. Don’t hesitate to call again if you need anything.”
I nodded and smiled, even though she couldn’t see me. “I will, and congratulations on your new baby. I bet Bella would like to know when you do have her.”
“I think so too. Thanks, Hunter. Bye.”
“Bye, Lori.”
Hanging up the receiver, I looked over at Kyle. All he had to do was nod once, and I knew he had the information I needed.
“Hang on to it for now,” I said. “Tonight is the first time I’m taking Arabella out, and I don’t want anything to ruin that. If you give me his information now, I’ll want to drive to Maine.”
He nodded.
“You coming out tonight?”
“Hell yes, I am. Aiden and Willa are too. Aiden said Willa’s going stir crazy, and when she found out Arabella was going, she jumped at the chance to join.”
Smiling, I said, “Good. My sister deserves it.”
“You ought to call Lacy and Connor…”
I laughed. “Are you kidding me? Those two would always rather have a quiet night in. They’re not into going out anymore.”
Kyle frowned. “I pray to God that never happens to me.”
I laughed. When I stood, Jack jumped up, which had Cat waking up from her nap. She took one look at Jack and sprang into action.
“You going to bring a date?” I asked.
Kyle dropped his head back and let out a roar of laughter. “Am I bringing a date? Hell no. Hopefully there’ll be some ski bunnies down from the slopes looking for some fresh meat.”
I rolled my eyes. “Right. I’m going home to change. Thanks, Kyle, for all you’ve done.”
He stood and reached his hand out for mine. “Dude, you’re like my brother. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Same goes for me, Kyle.”
We shook, and he pulled me in for a quick bro hug.
I hit him on the side of the arm. “I appreciate it, man. More than you know.”
The moment the front door to Greer’s house opened, I heard the ladies. Hudson smiled and said, “You’re just in time. I think something was going down with them earlier, but I could be wrong. I’ve yet to be able to read that group.”
Laughing, I walked into the foyer. “Yeah, good luck with that, man.” I went to say something else to Hudson, but then I stopped in my tracks.
Bella was walking toward us, her arm linked with Candace’s. I took a slow perusal of her from top to bottom and felt my heart rate pick up tenfold. When her eyes met mine, I couldn’t help but smile. The glow of happiness on her face left me breathless. Candace let go and Bella made her way over to me.
“You look beautiful.” Her cheeks flushed, and I felt my cock jerk in my pants. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a white button-down shirt again without thinking about this moment.”
Bella giggled and shook her head. She glanced down at the floor and then back up to me. Her blue eyes were bright and full of life.
Fucking finally.
I cupped her face in my hands and leaned down to kiss her. She reached up and deepened the kiss, and I could have easily gotten lost in her, had it not been for Hudson clearing his throat.
Bella took a step back and let out a nervous chuckle.
“Now that’s what I call a greeting,” Candace stated. I glanced over at her and noticed Abby, Greer, and Brighton all smiling as they nodded their heads.
“It’s about time!” Abby clapped.
“What’s about time?” Bishop asked, walking around the corner.
“Arabella and Hunter locking lips,” Greer said with a wink in Bella’s direction.
Candace let out a laugh. “Not just locking lips—for a moment there I thought we were about to see some R-rated action.”
I put my arm around Bella and drew her closer to me. “Sorry, guys.”
“Dude, you don’t need to apologize for kissing the woman you love,” Hudson said as he gave me a slap on the back and made his way toward Greer. “You look beautiful, Greer.”
She blushed and reached up to give him a quick kiss. “Kyle’s coming, right?” Greer asked me.
I nodded. “Yeah, he’s going to meet us there.”
With a clap of her hands, Brighton made her way toward the front door. “Come on, Candace, let’s head on out.”
Candace followed Brighton. “You do remember I’m meeting my boyfriend there, right?”
Brighton glanced over her shoulder and frowned. “Wait. Am I the only single person in the group now?”
“Kyle,” everybody responded at the same time.
“You two should totally hook up,” Candace stated, waggling her brows.
Brighton gagged, then covered her mouth. “Not even if he were the last man on Earth.”
Greer folded her arms over her chest. “And what’s wrong with my brother?”
Brighton shrugged. “Nothing. He’s fine as hell, has a hot body, and is definitely not the type of guy for me.”
Candace laughed and made her way to the front door. “Lord only knows the type of man needed to keep up with you, Brighton.”
A wicked smile played over Brighton’s face as she followed. “Well, for one thing, he needs to have a huge—”
“Oooookaaay,” Abby quickly cut Brighton off as she took Bishop’s hand, and they followed her out of Greer and Hudson’s house.
I glanced down and saw Bella smiling and slowly shaking her head. I was glad she wasn’t uncomfortable around Brighton, especially when she started talking about sex.
“You ready to go?” I asked.
She nodded and looked behind me. “Let me grab my bag. I set it by the door.”
“I’ll get it,” I said and walked over to the built-in bench in the foyer. I took the bag and put it over my shoulder while Bella picked up a small purse.
As we headed out to the truck, I wondered how this night might turn out. Just seeing Bella in that outfit—the black leggings, the white button-down shirt that barely covered her ass, and those damn black high-heeled boots—had my dick throbbing in my pants. She’d always had a great body, but her curves were now more defined and womanly, and they made my damn mouth water.
It was going to be hard to not touch her later, but I would do it. Hell, even if I had to have her cuff my hands to the bed, I wouldn’t touch her. Bella would have complete control over everything tonight.
Arabella
The way Hunter looked at me when he saw my outfit had my entire body tingling. The air in his truck was thick with the desire we both clearly felt.
“Are you excited?” Hunter asked with a smile.
Nodding, I replied, “I am! I haven’t been out in so long, I almost forgot what dressing up was like.”
“You look…stunningly beautiful, Bella. That outfit is…”
I raised a brow. “Is what?”
“Well, if I’m being honest, it made me want to bring you back to my house and skip the bar.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Who would have thought a plain old white button-down could be sexy?”
Hunter laughed. “On you it is.”
“If you want to drink, I’ll drive us home.”
Turning to glance at me quickly, Hunter shook his head. “I’m not drinking. I want to have my wits about me tonight.”
“I don’t plan on drinking either. This is my first night back out, and I want to remember every single moment of it with you.”
Hunter groaned, though I was positive he didn’t even realize it. I twisted my hands in my lap, fighting the urge to reach over and touch him.
“Tell
me what you’re thinking about, Bella.”
Tired of not expressing my feelings, I decided then that I would always tell Hunter what I was thinking. Besides, it wasn’t wrong that I wanted to touch him. Or experience pleasure from him. And I wanted both desperately. “That I want to touch you.”
He jerked his head quickly to the side to look at me. “Christ, are you trying to kill me?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, I just want to be honest with you.”
He gripped the steering wheel tightly before loosening his hold.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“That you’re going to have to cuff me to the bed to keep me from touching you later.”
This time, I giggled as I shook my head. Before I knew it, we were pulling into the parking lot of Brew’s Place. The heat between us grew thicker by the second, and I was not going to ignore my desire for Hunter any longer.
Hunter parked and turned off his truck, drawing in a deep breath before he let it out. “Bella?”
“Yes?”
He turned to face me. “I’ll never let anything happen to you again. I swear to God, I’ll protect you even if it means I have to give my last breath to do so.”
My heart did a big ol’ somersault in my chest, and I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “That’s a promise I don’t think you can make, Hunter.”
With a quick shake of his head, he said, “I mean it. If it’s in my power, you’ll always be safe. And if at any time my touch makes you—”
I pressed my finger to his lips. “Stop. I know in the past I’ve flinched away from you. I’ve drifted off to a dark place, but it was never because of your touch, Hunter. I simply needed to remember that your touch is magical to me and always will be. Every time I’m close to you, you…you make me so weak with desire, Hunter. I miss feeling you, all of you.”
“Bella.” His voice sounded strained. “You’re making me want to blow off Brew’s.”
I raised a brow. “But then we wouldn’t be able to dance, and I so miss dancing.”
Hunter leaned over and placed his hand on the side of my face before he moved it to the back of my neck and drew our mouths closer. The moment his lips touched mine, I melted into the kiss.
Before we could deepen it, someone knocked on the window, and Hunter and I both jumped. I looked past him and laughed. “It’s Kyle, and he has a goofy smile on his face.”
Hunter looked back and shot Kyle the finger.
“Come on, lovebirds, let’s get our party on!” Kyle shouted through the glass.
Turning back to me, Hunter asked, “You ready?”
I nodded.
“Bella, don’t be surprised if guys look at you. You’re beautiful. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“If I’m with you, I won’t feel anything but blissfully happy.”
Even in the dark cab of his truck, I could see his eyes light up. “Come on, let’s go in fast; you don’t have a coat with you.” Hunter got out of his truck and jogged over to the passenger side.
We hurried into Brew’s before we both froze. For a brief moment, I felt my breathing grow more rapid, but when Hunter placed his hand on my lower back and guided us over to the large table our friends were all gathered around, I felt myself instantly relax. The past wasn’t going to lead my future any longer.
When he pulled out a chair for me, I smiled back at Hunter and sat down. He sat next to me and said something to Kyle that I couldn’t hear, but whatever is was made Kyle nod his head. Candace and her boyfriend, Rick, were already on the dance floor. Abby sat on my other side, with Bishop next to her. Greer and Hudson made a beeline for the dance floor, but not before telling Bishop what they both wanted to drink so he could order for them when the waitress came by.
“Are we too late to join the party?”
We all looked up to see Willa and Aiden standing there, both wearing big smiles.
“Willa!” I said, jumping up to greet her.
She looked me up and down before she hugged me. “Arabella, you look gorgeous.”
“I can’t take credit for Bree’s handiwork.”
Willa laughed and hugged me once more. She pressed her mouth next to my ear. “I’m so glad to see you out with Hunter. It makes my heart so happy.”
“Mine too,” I replied.
“I’m so happy you made it, Willa and Aiden!” Abby called out over the music.
As they both sat down, the waitress walked up. “Drinks?”
Everyone gave her their order as the waitress made her way around the table. Hunter and I both ordered Cokes and waters, which Kyle immediately noticed.
“Why aren’t y’all drinking?” he asked.
Hunter shrugged. “Just not in the mood.”
“Same,” I added with a smile.
“I’m not drinking either,” Willa said, giving me a warm smile.
“I sure as hell am.” Aiden told the waitress what he wanted. “Life with a newborn is…blissfully exhausting.”
Willa nodded and smiled as Aiden leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
“You look amazing, Willa,” Abby said.
“Thank you. It’s been hard to rebound after this pregnancy.”
Aiden turned to look at Willa. “What do you mean?”
I was positive I wasn’t the only person who could hear the concern in his voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was worried about postpartum depression, with his own past history of depression and PTSD.
Willa took Aiden’s hand. “It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s just been harder to get my figure back after this pregnancy.”
“Figure? You’re perfect, Willa. Everything about your body is beautiful.”
My heart melted on the spot, and one quick look at Abby told me hers did as well. It also wasn’t lost on me that Abby had ordered a 7UP and not a drink while everyone was focused on Kyle earlier. I smiled as I took in that telltale glow in her cheeks.
“What are you thinking about?” Hunter asked, leaning closer to me.
I looked at him. “How happy I am to be here with friends.”
Bree walked up to the table with two baskets full of chips and three bowls of salsa.
“Damn, girl, are you waitressing on the side and didn’t tell us?” Kyle asked as he took some of the items from her.
Bree laughed. “No, but my old days of waitressing in college are apparently still hanging on. Now that I’m not a lawyer anymore, I might need those skills.”
There was a short break in the music while the songs changed, and when the next one started, Bree gasped and Willa squealed. Or was it Kyle who’d made that noise?
“Oh God,” Bishop groaned.
“Willa!” Bree shouted and held her hand out for her.
Laughing, Willa said, “I’m too exhausted to dance.”
Bree looked devastated until she turned to Kyle. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up. “Come on, you’ll have to do.”
“Excuse me?” Kyle said as he came to a stop. “I’ll have to do?”
Bree glared at him. “I know you like BLACKPINK, Kyle. I need a dance partner.”
Kyle huffed. “Go dance with Greer.”
Bree looked out at the dance floor, where Greer and Hudson where currently slow dancing to a fast song while they kissed. Focusing back on Kyle, she said, “Yeah, I don’t think Hudson would appreciate that. Please, Kyle? Please?”
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Fine, let’s go.”
He took her hand, and they made their way to the dance floor.
“What group is playing?” I asked Hunter. He smiled at the two when they started to dance.
“It’s a K-Pop group called BLACKPINK.”
I frowned. “What’s K-Pop?”
“Korean Pop,” Bishop shouted. “Kyle is a whore for it.”
Abby hit Bishop. “Don’t be mean.”
“What? He is! Look at him.”
We all turned to see Kyle and Bree dancing together. The song changed to ano
ther one from the same group.
“Wow, Kyle can really dance,” I said, watching him and Bree dancing rather…close. “Goodness, they’re, um…really getting into it.”
Hunter laughed and looked back at me. “Kyle and Bree are both huge BLACKPINK fans.”
Smiling, I said, “Kyle never ceases to amaze me. First Jane Austen, now K-Pop.”
Willa and Abby both laughed.
“Here’re your drinks,” the waitress said as she and another server passed out the drinks at our table.
Greer and Hudson both came back to the table and sat down. After taking a sip of her beer, Greer looked back to the dance floor. “Man, how is it Bree and Kyle can look so incredibly sexy dancing together while arguing at the same time?”
“What?” Willa asked, laughing. “They’re arguing?”
Hudson nodded. “You should hear them. I swear if I didn’t know better, I’d think they were an old married couple.”
“What are they arguing about?” I asked.
Greer covered her mouth and laughed. “All I heard was Bree telling Kyle that if she felt him get hard, she’d kill him. Then Kyle complained she wasn’t dancing to the rhythm of the song.”
Hudson added, “To which Brighton told Kyle to go eat a bag of dicks.”
The entire table burst into laughter before small conversations broke out among everyone. I turned and looked back at the dance floor. Bree and Kyle were still dancing, and a part of me longed to be like Bree. So carefree and not willing to let anyone or anything hold her back.
“Do you want to dance?” Hunter asked.
Smiling, I nodded. “Yes. I’d love to dance.”
“Fast or slow song?” he asked.
“Both!” I replied with an excited giggle.
He stood and took my hand, then led me to the small dance floor. It wasn’t very crowded at the moment. A live band was playing later, and Greer said it would get much busier then, but for now there was a DJ onstage.
Surrender to Me (Boggy Creek Valley Book 4) Page 16