by C S COURT
I try to place a grasp on reality, my chest rising and falling deeply with every breath I suck in to my lungs.
I use this time to take in his appearance. A pair of dark denim jeans, white long sleeved shirt and black leather dress shoes.
He looks scrummy, I could eat him up and swallow him whole, nothing can ever look plain and simple on him.
The shirt doesn’t hide an ounce of muscle in the slightest on his tall, well-built form. His sun kissed skin looking more pronounced against the white of his shirt, which in turn makes his blue eyes pop from his face.
I lean behind myself and pat the surface of the breakfast bar, locating my drink and bringing it back around, downing it in one swoop.
As I do this, Hunter’s eyes hold a wicked glint. He knows he has affected me and is down right pleased with himself, the arrogant nob. Time to up my game plan!
“Did you dress up just for me? Cause let me tell you, you look down right sexy baby.” I practically melt into a puddle at his feet, well on the inside anyway. On the outside, I place a mask of indifference on my face and make the decision to play it coy.
“Oh, you’d like that wouldn’t you? Well let me tell you something, if I were to dress up for you, I’d be wearing a lot less clothes.” Wait, what? I did not just use a Lottie line.
Judging from the astonished look on Hunter’s face and the smug knowing look on Lottie’s, I did, and she also knows why I did it.
See what this man does to me, I have never dressed up in my life and here I am coming across as some sort of nympho who wants to dress up for a man I just met. Ball bags!
“Hmmm, now that I’m dying to see. Are you sure you really want to go out? We could stay in and I’d ravish this gorgeous body.” I flush crimson, the picture of Hunter ravishing my body is like a punch to the gut, winding me and rendering me immobile. I cannot crack, I will not crack.
I look up at Hunter through hooded eyes, and lick my increasingly dry lips, Hunter’s eyes flare when they take in the action.
“Ooooh,” I draw out the word and hope it comes across as sexy, “As good as that sounds, I would prefer to get on the dance floor and show you how I grind.” I am cringing on the inside, but I cannot crack, if I do that I lose face and will more than likely come across as the biggest prick tease out there.
“O-kayyy, if you two are quite finished, I am dying to go and get my groove on, this body is far too tense and needs a partner to help it unwind.” Lottie’s words are dripping with innuendos and aimed in Harry’s direction.
Harry doesn’t miss a beat, he wraps her under his arm and whispers something that makes her giggle like a five year old school girl.
I roll my eyes, wondering if that’s how Hunter affects me. Us women really do need to stop thinking with our vaginas.
“Can we grab a Nando’s on the way. I am starving and really fancy chicken with the peri tamer sauce.” I ask no-one in particular. I am craving that sauce so bad, not in a pregnant sort of craving, but a mouthwatering, stomach clenching craving.
“Are you hungry baby?” I nod eagerly, so close to drooling all over Lottie’s kitchen floor. “We all up for Nando’s or do you and Harry want to go ahead and we can meet you there?” Although said as a question, there was no denying Hunter was telling them to go ahead without us.
Lottie catches my eyes and gives me a look asking if it’s what I want.
I give her a small smile, excited at the prospect of spending some time alone with Hunter in an appropriate setting where we can get to know each other better and talk without distractions.
“Meet us at Funky Buddha when you are finished. We are getting the driver’s to take us, it’s a bit of a drive and we don’t wanna be stranded in the early hours. Don’t be too long though, I need to get my groove on.” I nod at Lottie’s words, buzzing inside at the thought of going to such a high profile club, eeeekkk!!
My face breaks out in the cheesiest grin ever, my cheeks hurting at the strain of it. “Connie, give me your phone babe.” And the grin drops, why would she want my phone. I need it for when the children call, which should be pretty damn soon.
I raise my eyebrows in question at her, willing her to explain her demand. “Babe, it’s for your own good. You haven’t answered a single phone call yet, and I can guarantee that wanker will keep ringing and messaging you and you will crack and reply, even if it’s not in the way he wants. I don’t want you to have any reason to be put on a downer. Leave your phone here and send your mum a message off of Hunter’s phone for her to call you on that.”
“Lot’s no. I have my Mum’s number assigned to a separate ringtone, so unless I hear a bit of Christina Aguilera coming from my phone I won’t touch it, I promise. For fuck sake, I don’t want to be any more of a burden than I am now.” I can feel the anger building, it’s not directly aimed at Lottie, but at everyone in my life thinking I am some little mouse that needs their protection. I put up with years of abuse and I’m still standing.
I did pretty well walking away considering.
I’m so sick of the ‘poor Connie’ attitudes. It’s about time I grew the fuck up and fought back. Dan can shag whomever he wants, he’s not my problem anymore.
It’s actually quite surprising how for the first time in my life, the picture of Dan in my mind with someone else, even those pictures of Rhia, doesn’t bother me.
I‘m more upset about the fact that my friend backstabbed me, someone you trust and share parts of yourself with goes and shows how little respect they have for you.
I take a few deep breaths, needing to calm myself down before I say something hurtful to the one person who has been there for me through thick and thin, this anger needs to keep me focused on moving on.
The three of them are silent, studying my reaction and looking at me with pity, which I hate more than anything else! I do not need their pity, I just need my friends to help me move on.
“I’m sorry, Dan just gets so far under my bloody skin. This isn’t because of you Lot’s, it’s because of him and how I allowed it to go on for so long. Here take my phone.” I pause to hand it across to her, she looks at me with trepidation, unsure of whether to take it or not after I snapped at her. “Please, I will use Hunter’s phone to contact my Mum and I will see about getting a new phone tomorrow, just so Dan cannot reach me. Is that okay with you Hunter?” She takes it, relief washing over her features.
I know, deep down that her taking it is her way of looking out for me, she wants Dan completely scrubbed from my life.
Hunter’s phone is placed on the counter in front of me, he swipes the screen to show me it’s ready to use whenever I want it.
I peck him on the cheek in thanks and dial my Mum’s phone, she answers immediately and passes me across to my babies for a few minutes, the pair of them are so sleepy and are ready for bed, thankfully they should be arriving within the next twenty or minutes or so, if traffic holds off.
I feel instant relief at hearing their little voices, missing them so bad it hurts at the same time. There is no doubt that this is the right thing to do, it’s just so hard being so far away from them for such a long period of time.
I say my goodbyes, and ask them to message me as soon as they are settled and call me in the morning when they wake up.
God I miss them so much. I give Hunter back his phone, my mood has turned somber and I’m not so sure I want to go out anymore. Hunter places the phone in his pocket and wraps his arms around me, kissing me tenderly on the corner of my mouth.
“I know you miss them baby, but this time is for you as much as them. You need some time away from everything to live and grow in to the girl you used to be. Just think of the cuddles they will give you when they see you.” I wrap my arm around his neck, grateful for whoever decided to send me this sweet, gorgeous man.
I kiss him back, showing him how much he means to me in this short space of time we have known each other.
Hunter’s lips part and I slide my tongue in, loving that he allows
me to take control when I need it.
Hunter growls from the back of his throat and pulls me to him, kissing me deeply before coming up for air. My legs nearly buckle from the intensity of such a short kiss, prompting Hunter to hold me up by my waist and give me a lopsided grin.
I can’t tear my eyes from his lips, what I wouldn’t give to have those lips making me quiver in pleasure. I shudder from the image and force myself out of his arms and away from the haze that is impenetrable when I am too close to him.
As I take in several lust clearing breaths, I notice Lottie and Harry have made themselves scarce, not that I blame them, I wouldn’t want to be witness to a scorching hot make out session with the pair of them either.
“They left when you were on the phone, they decided to go to a bar and grab a few drinks before they went to the club.” Oh, how did I not notice them leaving?
“Are we going now or are we staying here for a bit?”I bite my lip as I finish, naughty pictures flowing though my brain with what I am desperate to do with Hunter.
When did I turn in to such a slut?
“Yes baby, as much as I would love to stay here and have my way with that drop dead sexy body of yours, I need to feed you, and then I need to show you how to really break it down on the dance floor.” His words bring out my competitive nature, and I reply immediately. “Ha, really? You don’t stand a chance buddy, if there is one thing I was born to do it was dance. You’re about to have your arse handed to you if you challenge me.” I say, eyebrows raised daring him to say the words.
“Oh, you want a challenge, well you have one. I’m gonna tear that dance floor up. Think you can handle me?”
“Hunter you don’t stand a chance. You have until we get to Nando’s to drop out, after that I will show you how it’s meant to be done. This body was made for dancing.” I pur the words, flinging my hair over my shoulders and swaying my hips away from him as I walk towards the front door.
“Too late, I’m in. And just for the record, that body was made for more than dancing. I can’t wait to show you exactly what I mean.” Damn him.
I keep my face aimed at the front door and open it, refusing to look behind to the god following me.
“Bring it on,” is all I can reply due to my frazzled brain.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We walk hand in hand to Nando’s.
This is all so new to me and I’m ecstatic. It feels like a date, and I suppose on some level it is.
The young waitress becomes flustered at the sight of Hunter, she practically picks her jaw from the floor and places a seductive look on her face.
I bristle on the inside, can she not see me attached to the man she has gone in to heat over? Have some bloody self respect.
Of course, me being me just ignores her, and I put my head down, anything to avoid any unwanted confrontation.
I peak up through my lashes and take in her appearance, my inner bitch making comparisons between me and her.
She would be quite pretty if she didn’t have such harsh features. Her nose is small and button like, but her eyes are heavy and dark, she has thin, straight lips.
When all of these are paired with the sneer she throws my way, she comes across as a bulldog chewing on a wasp, either that, or a strict school head mistress. Miss Trunchball type.
Her body is one thing I envy though, an hourglass figure with huge boobs. I would kill for her body on my height, but with her being so short it comes across as a bit chubby.
I really can be a bitch sometimes, but if some brazen waitress can ignore my presence and outright flirt with the man I am with, then I think I am more than entitled to some inner bitching.
“Hi guys, how many of you this evening?” Young waitress says to Hunter, without removing her greedy eyes from his body.
So she obviously noticed me then, just doesn’t see me as deserving of so much as a glance. Bitch! Hunter, to his credit doesn’t bat an eyelid at her and requests a table near the corner, for a bit of privacy and kisses me on the lips as she watches.
The waitress frowns, but makes no comment, whereas I am doing a little happy dance on the inside at having her put in her place.
He’s my man bitch!! I think, but abruptly shut my inner dialogue up, when I conclude he isn’t really my man. Yes he wants to be with me but we’re not exactly exclusive, and to be perfectly honest, I don’t think I’m ready for that sort of exclusivity.
Of course I don’t expect either of us to make out with other people, but I just can’t deal with the heaviness of being part of a couple. It’s too much right now.
We are placed in a corner booth, a few of the tables surrounding us are empty, giving us the desired privacy we required.
I give Hunter my order of a half chicken, chips, garlic bread and peri tamer sauce.
He laughs when I mention the sauce, making a joke of it being a children’s condiment and walking to the counter with a grin on his face. I inwardly sigh at the sight of his tight backside in those jeans, the man sure can rock a plain pair of jeans.
I’m left to my inner musings while he places the order, I can hear a racket coming from behind me, but don’t turn around to investigate, I’m too busy wondering what the night will hold.
“Is she taking the piss, what is a skank like that doing taking up a whole fucking booth? They have the cheek to put us in a table in the middle of the fucking room, but her in the corner.”
“Ask her, she’s a piss taker.”
“Harl’s, look at the tramp, thinking she’s so much better than everyone here. Bet she’s a right dog.” I hear several sets of voices coming from the table a few places across from me and look up, wondering who they could be talking about.
I catch the eyes of a group of girls, all giving me filthy looks and daring me to say something. Surely they can’t be talking about me, I’m here with Hunter?
I look across to the tills Hunter is standing at, but he’s busy placing his order and oblivious to the reaction I am receiving from what appears to be a group of late teens/early twenties girls.
“What are you looking at bitch? Think you’re so much better than us and can take the last booth in this place while we have to sit all squashed together in the middle of the restaurant. Are you gonna move or what?” The girl sitting in the middle shouts across at me, hands braced on the table and perched on the edge of her chair, as if ready to jump up.
I can tell they are raring for a fight and have made me their target.
My heart starts pounding at the idea of a group of girls attacking me. They all have hoodies in a variety of colours on, some heavy with jewellery and some with their hair in tight buns stretching their faces backwards towards their hair line.
They are the personification of a chav, and really are intimidating.
I make the decision to try and reason with them, I don’t want to have to eat with these girls breathing down my neck. “I know it looks bad love, but I’m here having a meal with the man at the counter and he requested the booth for privacy. There are plenty of other tables you can sit at. I didn’t choose this to sit alone.” The main girl’s nostrils flare, her eyes flashing in anger.
Her friend’s chuckle, and egg her on to smash my face in.
My heart starts pounding, there’s a roaring in my ears and I immediately want to disappear, or run and hide, either sounds perfect right about now.
“Who the fuck are you calling love?” She screams, jumping to her feet with her friends in tow.
I am about ready to throw up, the acid is burning my mouth and my stomach is churning. My chest starts to feel tight and I worry I am going to have an anxiety attack in the middle of a nasty confrontation in Nando’s of all places, all over me taking up a table they want.
I glance around desperately, noticing several diners watching and waiting to see what happens, no-one looks even remotely close to helping me, not even the staff. I search hunter with my eyes, but he has disappeared, this kicks my anxiety up another level, what if he has le
ft me here and I have to do all of this on my own? Please, please come back.
“You think you’re a clever little tramp don’t you, love?” She says as she starts to stalk towards me, her minions following closely behind her. “If I wanted you out of that booth right now, I’d drag you out of there by you hair. I’ll just stand right here and see if you are smart enough to move out of the seat yourself before I make the choice to do it for you.” She shouts, leaning back against the table across from me and watching my reaction with her eyebrows raised.
My stupid mouth makes the choice to answer before my brain can filter it. “Really?” It says, coming across so condescending it’s unreal. I start to think that maybe I should call someone, but then it hits me like a ton of bricks, I left my phone with Lottie, leaving me defenseless. Crap.
“Yes really, you slag. Want me to prove my point?” She says, edging away from the table and charging straight for me. I look up at her as she moves her face closer to mine, bending over me with an expression of pure hatred.
I look about urgently, hoping and praying Hunter will hurry up and return.
The staff are just stood watching the exchange.
Why won’t anybody do anything to help me?
“You listen to me you dirty little bitch, I’ll smash you up right here in front of all of these people. Who the fuck do you think you are talking to?” Oh my god. What do I do? Why is everyone just staring?
The fury in this girls eyes, and her aggressive stance tells me there is no reasoning with her.
I was targeted and I didn’t stand a chance from the get go.
“You hear this slag? Thinking she can get all mouthy, I’ll fuck her up so bad she won’t ever think of looking at anyone like her shit don’t stink again. Stuck up dog ugly tramp.” She spits the words out, spoken as if to her groupies but aimed at me.
I start to get up to leave, my whole body is shaky from the adrenaline rush I am receiving, needing to get as far away from here and as fast is possible. I can hear her spouting off to her friend’s, making threats and plans in regards with me.