A Step Two Close

by Jaimie Roberts

  As if Hunter could sense what I was thinking, he spoke. “Do you really think after tomorrow we can go back to the way things were? Do you think we could just ignore what happened tonight?”

  I sighed. “I don’t know. I suppose we have to. Can you imagine what your dad and my mum would say?” I actually shuddered at the thought of my mother. I firmly believed she would do more than say something. The evidence on my arm convinced me of it.

  Again, as if he knew what I was thinking, Hunter started stroking the scar on my arm. “I know. I don’t fucking like it, but I know.”

  I pulled myself up to look at him more. “It’s not as if we would have a relationship anyway, is it? You only wanted me for one day. ‘One day’ you said and then you would have your say, remember?”

  Hunter cringed at my use of his words, but then leaned forward grabbing the back of my head. “I don’t think an eternity of days could ever be enough for me to get my fill of you.” He kissed me, and I melted into him. It wasn’t long before the kiss turned heated as his erection poked at my stomach.

  Hunter pulled away, breathless. “Another condom?”

  I nodded and watched as he got up. “Bring more than one.” I smiled.

  Hunter turned to me at the door. “Oh, I will, don’t you fucking worry about that, AJ.”

  He disappeared out of sight for a moment leaving me to wonder what the next day would bring. I supposed I wouldn’t have to wait long to find out.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Why does “the morning after” sound so sinister? I had no reason as to why, but I suppose it could have so many meanings in the cold light of day.

  For me, it was spent wrapped up in Hunter’s arms. I had been lying there awake for the last fifteen minutes, but couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. I was too comfortable. That was what I kept telling myself. The real reason? I didn’t want this to end. I didn’t want us to have this awkward air between us because we finally crossed the line that should never have been crossed. I was in sweet, ignorant bliss after the most intense and satisfying sex session I have ever had in my life. We only stopped because Hunter ran out of condoms. I supposed that the next batch he bought would be for his next conquest. I didn’t know why it ached to think so, but by fuck, it pained my heart.

  With that last thought in my head, I decided it was now or never. It was the big day, and Hunter and I needed to get ready.

  As I made a move to leave, Hunter grabbed my wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  I turned to look at him, but he still had his eyes shut. He was on his front, his head to the side facing me, and his hair was all messy from sleep. My God, he looked sexy as hell first thing in the morning.

  “It’s morning now, Hunter. We have to get ready for my mum’s and your dad’s big day.” I put my fist up in the air in mock salute. I was looking forward to this about as much as a zebra crossing a lion’s path.

  “Not yet.” He pulled me to him and I yelped as I fell backwards. “Do you realise how fucking hard I am for you this morning?”

  I rolled my eyes. “What is it with men and their morning glory?”

  “It hurts, baby. Make it better.”

  I laughed. “Hunter, are you dreaming? You still have your eyes shut.”

  Hunter moaned. “Don’t want to get up. Want to stay in bed with you all day.” He wrapped his arm around me pinning me to him. I could feel how hard he was and immediately I was ready for him if he wanted to push this.

  But then I remembered. “Hunter, no condoms left, remember?”

  He groaned again. “I’m clean, sweetheart. I can prove it to you.”

  I sighed and when I didn’t answer, he opened one eye. “What’s wrong?”

  I sighed again. “Hunter, I know it sounds crazy but doing it like that seems so intimate. I only ever thought I would go there when I started a long-term relationship. Nothing about us is going to be long-term—is it?” I didn’t know why I had ended that sentence with a question. There was no future for us, and I had to live with that fact.

  Hunter stared at me for a moment. He looked like he was having a hard time trying to figure out what to say. When it went on longer than necessary, I saved him.

  “Look, we have to get ready.” I looked at the time. “We have about two hours to get showered, dressed, and ready before the caterers arrive.”

  I moved away from him, but this time Hunter let me. He sighed behind me, and I couldn’t tell if it was in sadness or frustration. I didn’t want to stop to find out. Instead, I walked to my shower and stepped in once it was warm. I stayed like that for a while letting the lukewarm water trail down my skin. It was hot outside already and it was only eight o’clock.

  As I stayed there for a moment, wetting my hair, I let warm tears slide down my cheeks. I felt like a fool for crying, but I just couldn’t seem to keep the tears from falling.

  When I was finished in the shower, I stepped out, blew my nose, and inspected my puffy eyes. I really needed to put some make-up on and fast. I didn’t want Hunter to see me looking so upset.

  I brushed my hair, then my teeth, and went to work on my make-up. By the time I was putting it on, I could hear Hunter’s shower next door to me.

  Back to normal.

  In the couple of hours that passed, the mood was sombre, yet filled with an air of celebration as all the flowers, balloons, and ribbons were all set in their places.

  Shortly after, Mason arrived looking chirpy for someone who had been out on the town the night before.

  “Ayden, you’re looking beautiful. I see everything seems to be in order?”

  I nodded. “Yes, and thanks.” I looked down at my lilac chiffon dress. It was long, flowing, and very elegant looking. “I hope it’s appropriate for a wedding?” I giggled.

  “Of course. More than appropriate. How was your night last night, okay?”

  I felt a twinge in my stomach thinking about what Hunter and I had done the night before. “It was good, thanks. Hunter and I ordered take-out and lazed about for a bit on the sofa.” It was a total lie, and I knew it!

  Mason just nodded, completely oblivious. Meanwhile, I was becoming a paranoid freak. “Well, I just need to make a couple of phone calls. I will be back and maybe we can have a chat?”

  I frowned, and again I felt this paranoia in my gut. “Sure, Mason.”

  Mason nodded, walked off, and just at that moment, my phone pinged.

  Fuck Face: You look absolutely stunning.

  I smiled like an idiot, then looked up to find Hunter staring at me through the patio door outside. I sighed. He looked pretty amazing himself. He was wearing a tuxedo and boy did it suit him. It made me wish for a moment that there was no wedding and that Hunter and I were getting ready to go out somewhere. It would be nice to have a proper date for once.

  Me: You don’t look too bad yourself.

  I saw him look at his phone. He smiled and then started typing back.

  Fuck Face: I think I need to visit the pharmacy. We’re going to be alone later, remember... and for three whole weeks after that.

  My head snapped up to look at him. What was he implying? That we just continue a sexual relationship without any strings? I was conflicted. Although it sounded ever so tempting, I knew things between us were more than just physical. Well, on my part, for sure. I wasn’t sure what it was I felt, but I knew that, for me, the connection was more than just a good fuck.

  Me: I don’t know, Hunter.

  Fuck Face: Stop thinking, AJ. All I know is I won’t be able to live three weeks in this house without touching you. And I also know that once I do, I will push it further. I can’t stop thinking about you.

  The butterflies were going in my stomach again. I needed time to think, time to breathe.

  Without looking back up, I walked out to the front yard. There were too many people milling around the house, and it was starting to get claustrophobic.

  I walked up towards the main gates. I felt safer there—out of the w
ay of everything.

  Fuck Face: Why did you run off?

  Me: I needed a breather.

  Fuck Face: From me?

  Me: No, never from you. I don’t know what to think. I’m just so confused.

  Fuck Face: I want you, AJ. It’s as simple as that. Do you want me?

  Me: I think you know the answer to that question.

  Fuck Face: Then why fight it?

  “Is everything okay?”

  I jumped out of my skin, dropping my phone in the process. I bent down with Mason and he picked it up for me. He briefly saw the screen and frowned.

  “Fuck Face?” He smiled at me, but my heart was beating like a drum.

  I coyly smiled back. “Yeah, it’s like a pet name.” I giggled nervously.

  “Whoever he is, do you like him?”

  Shit, if only he knew.

  “At the moment, it’s a little too early to tell.” I shifted nervously from one foot to the other.

  Mason nodded. “Okay. If it gets a little more serious, then feel free to invite him around for dinner, won’t you?”

  I almost choked at the mental image. “Erm, okay.”

  “Firstly, I just wanted to let you know that your uncle won’t be attending the wedding.”

  My eyebrow hitched. “Oh?”

  Mason nodded. “Yes, I spoke with him a few weeks back about his behaviour here at the party.” He sighed. “Listen, it’s none of my business, but the way he was with you was unacceptable. I told him that in no uncertain terms.”

  I started to panic a little. “Did you speak to my mother about it?”

  Mason shook his head. “I didn’t want to embarrass you any further or upset your mother. I just advised him to go away quietly and make up some excuse to your mum. He’s not welcome in this house anymore.”

  I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

  “Have you had any more problems with Robert?”

  I shook my head. “Surprisingly, no. Maybe he’s forgotten about me. Well, I hope he has.”

  Mason smiled. “Maybe.”

  Mason moved in closer, and I knew then he had something else to say. The uncomfortable look on his face was evident, so I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy one.

  He scratched his head. “How are you feeling about today?”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  The uncomfortable look didn’t disappear. “You know with me and your mum getting married, and what happened between us.”

  My mouth formed an O, before I smiled. “There’s no need to worry, Mason. What happened between us was a year ago. Before you and my mum had ever met.”

  Mason nodded. “Yeah, I know. For some reason, though, it makes it more awkward—what with you being a virgin at the time and everything. I didn’t realise at the time—”

  I stopped him. “Mason, please don’t bring it up again. Like I said back at the penthouse, it’s water under the bridge. I want to move on, and I’m sure that’s what you want, too. It’s your wedding day. That’s what you should be concentrating on. I’m fine, Mason. Believe me. Just don’t ask me to call you Dad. That would be a little too sick.”

  Mason started laughing, and then he cringed. “Yeah, I think it would. I would never ask that under the circumstances.”

  I nodded. “Great. So are we good then?”

  Mason nodded. “Yep, we’re good. Do you mind if we hug on it? The moment we do the past will be forgotten and never mentioned again.”

  I walked up to him and opened my arms. “Deal.”

  We embraced quickly and pulled away. “Right, well I better get dressed. We only have another hour before the guests start to arrive.” He was starting to look nervous.

  I smiled. “Deep breaths and you’ll be fine.” Mason took a deep breath, laughed, and then he noticed the bracelet I was wearing.

  “That’s new, isn’t it?”

  My face reddened a little. “Yeah, it’s an early birthday present. I don’t celebrate my actual birthday.”

  Mason smiled sadly. “I understand.” He put his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll see you later. Thank you for helping with the set up.”

  I smiled and watched as he started walking away. “No problem, Mason.”

  Fuck Face: What was that all about?

  I looked up and saw Hunter standing at the front door.

  Me: Your father wanted to make sure I was okay with him marrying my mother.

  Fuck Face: A bit late for that now!

  Me: Shut up, Hunter. You’re father was being a gentleman. You could learn a thing or two from that. :P

  Fuck Face: I don’t think anything about what we did last night was very gentlemanly.

  I giggled and made my way back to the house. As I got to the front door, Hunter made a quick perusal of my body. It made me shudder a little.

  “Fuck, that’s it. Tell Dad I’ll be back in ten.”

  Before I could ask him what was going on, Hunter ran past me, got in his car, started her up, and was out of the gates within thirty seconds.

  It took me all of about five seconds after that to realise what he was up to, and another split second after that to feel wetness pool between my legs. Added to that, I wasn’t wearing any knickers again. Call it me being subconsciously optimistic; I just seemed to want to be bare whenever I was around Hunter.

  As I gathered my thoughts, I walked back into the house and found Mason looking out of the window. “Where is Hunter going in such a hurry?”

  I shrugged. “He just said to tell you he’ll be back in ten.” When he nodded, I took that as my cue to ask. “Erm, Mason.”

  “Yes?”

  I breathed out a heavy sigh. “This is a little awkward, but did you and Mum sign a pre-nup?”

  He looked at me strangely. “Why do you ask? Are you afraid I’ll take your mother’s money?” He started laughing and so did I.

  “No, that’s not why I asked. You’re both wealthy. I just wanted to make sure you’ve both protected yourselves.”

  He looked at me for a moment without saying anything. I thought for a moment that I had really crossed the line and he was mad at me. But then he smiled. “Yes, both of us are protected. I know it’s not very romantic, but you have to these days, don’t you?”

  I bit my lip and nodded. “Yes.” I smiled to try and lighten the mood.

  Mason just nodded, and that was the end of the conversation. I went back to planting a fake smile on my face for my fake mother, and to pretended we were one big happy family.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Everyone was in position and the ceremony was about to begin in the next ten minutes. I was fidgety and agitated about it and went inside quickly to visit the ladies. As I walked back out the door, I heard the buzzer sound. Whoever it was had some explaining to do. The wedding was going ahead in less than ten minutes.

  I rushed to the intercom and looked through the camera. A lady, who looked to be in her forties with chestnut brown hair and legs that went on forever stood looking at the camera.

  “Hello,” she squealed.

  “May I ask who this is?”

  She smiled. “I’m Hunter’s mother. Are you the stepsister?”

  I cringed, both for Hunter and for her referring to me as his stepsister. “Yes, can I ask why you’re here? The wedding’s about to take place.”

  She looked apologetic. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just wanted a very quick word with my son.”

  I sighed. “Hold on a sec.”

  I took my finger off of the button and wondered what the hell I should do. With Hunter outside, I thought it best to try and resolve the situation myself. I didn’t want to stress him out unnecessarily.

  So I rushed out the door and to the gates. I quickly opened them up and found Hunter’s mum standing there. “Hi,” she said, extending her hand to me. “I’m Laura Davenport. Nice to meet you.” She quickly made her appraisal of me as I shook her hand. “You’re quite the pretty one, aren’t you? Is Hunter here?
” She started poking her head over my shoulder.

  “Hunter is busy. Can’t this wait until tomorrow? It’s a very important day for us all today.”

  Laura smiled. “Quite. I just wanted to see him. It will literally only take two minutes of his time.” She suddenly looked past me and smiled.

  “Mum, what are you doing here?”

  I turned and saw Hunter glaring at his mother. He looked at me briefly and then back towards her.

  “I just wanted to see you... to talk to you.”

  I bit my lip, worrying for Hunter. “I explained that the wedding was happening now and asked if she could come back another time.”

  Hunter turned to me. “I’ll handle this. Just get back to the ceremony.”

  I bit my lip. “Are you sure?”

  Hunter gave me a tight smile. “I’m sure. I’ll be back in two minutes, okay?”

  I nodded and went back inside. I wasn’t sure why it was so important that she had to see him now. I supposed Hunter went along with it because he didn’t want to cause trouble for his dad on his wedding day.

  As I jogged back inside, I saw my mother at the top of the stairs. She smiled, which was unusual, so I went up to her. “Are you almost ready?”

  She nodded. “Yes, thank you. You’re looking very pretty today, Ayden.”

  My eyes nearly widened. My mother was paying me a compliment without a sarcastic tone? That was a first.

  “Thank you. You look beautiful, Mum.” And she did look beautiful. She was wearing a white dress, but it wasn’t a proper white dress in the traditional sense. It was a long figure-hugging dress. Her blonde hair was a mass of waves, and her blue eyes sparkled with happiness. She looked every bit how a bride should look on her wedding day. Happy.

  My mum took a deep breath and straightened her dress. “I’m so nervous. I still have two minutes before I have to be down there, but every second feels like an hour.”

  I smiled. “You’ll do well, Mum. You’re marrying the man you love. It can’t get better than that, now can it?”