His Love Lesson (17 page)

Chapter 31

H
unter quietly removed his clothes, tiptoed into the bathroom and snatched the shower curtain back. Chey's screams pierced his ears and he laughed.

“That's not funny!” She pouted with her hand over her heart. Hunter leaned over into the stream of water and kissed her pouting lips. “I didn't even hear you come up the stairs.”

“How can you hear anything with this music blasting?” He motioned toward her phone resting on the countertop.

“That's my get-up-and-go playlist. It gets me going in the morning!” She chuckled, rinsing the lather from her body.

Hunter suddenly felt hot water splash on him. He ducked. “What was that for?”

“I found out how Estelle London got my products. I spoke to my dad and he said the only order that he shipped to New York went to a company named Barrington and Associates.” Hunter remained quiet. “Mm-hmm! Nothing to say, huh?”

“You're welcome?” Hunter roared, happy his meddling had worked for the best. Fortunately, she didn't seem upset. “How long will it be before you're ready to go?” Hunter said, reaching for his toothbrush.

“Just give me about twenty minutes.”

“Yeah, right,” he said under his breath before brushing.

“I heard that!” Chey pushed the curtain aside and peered at him. “Are you getting in?”

“Mm-hmm.” Hunter bobbed his head to her music as he brushed his teeth. “I'm all sticky from helping my parents set up the backyard for the barbecue,” he said after rinsing his mouth.

Hunter joined her in the shower, and because Chey had been hard to resist since the first day he laid eyes on her, an erection swelled at the sight of her slick naked body. He palmed her breasts from behind.

“Hunter! I've already washed.”

Pressing his body against hers, he kissed the back of her neck and behind her ears, muting her protests. Chey turned around, lifted onto her toes and met his lips as the water rained down on them.

“We...have...to...go,” she said between kisses.

“Then let's make this quick.”

“You're so bad.” She giggled.

Hunter disappeared into the bedroom and returned with a condom. He lifted her. Chey wrapped her legs around his waist and he entered her slickness. After a while, she slid her feet back to the shower floor, turned and bent over. Hunter eased into her from behind, held her by the hips and thrust until his release made his legs too weak to stand on, but he didn't stop until she met her release and crooned his name. They washed each other and exited the shower.

In his room, they dressed—Chey in a short floral sundress and Hunter in jeans and a designer T-shirt.

“Is that what you're wearing?”

Chey looked down at her attire. “Yes. Why?”

“I planned on taking the bike.”

“Oh. You hadn't told me. I'll change.” Chey dug in her overnight bag and pulled out jeans and a beaded tank. Hunter loved that she had taken a liking to his motorcycles.

“I need to make room for you to put some of your stuff here.”

“Is that an invitation?” Chey raised a brow.

“Who knows?” Hunter walked out of the room, letting his ambiguous response hang in the air. “Come on, lady. Let's go,” he said, briefly peeking his head back in. He huffed at Chey in the mirror combing her hair.

“Had you let me shower in peace, I'd be ready by now.”

Hunter glanced into the room once again, wearing a silly smile. Down on the first level of his four-floor brownstone, Hunter pulled out a light riding jacket and helmets.

They had been inseparable since her graduation in mid-May, but today would be her first time meeting his parents face-to-face. He'd accompanied her to Virginia for Memorial Day weekend, and each weekend since then, they'd explored different areas in Brooklyn. Hunter made it his duty to make her fall in love with his borough the way she'd fallen in love with Manhattan. He hoped that she would be convinced enough to move there when her lease was up in October.

Chey came strolling down Hunter's steps as if she belonged there. Hunter handed her the light jacket he'd bought for when they went riding and a helmet that matched his. They mounted his Ducati and headed to his parents' home in Long Island for their annual Fourth of July party.

Naturally, holiday traffic was atrocious and it took double the usual amount of time to get there. When they finally arrived, his hands were numb from the bike's vibration.

“Are you nervous?” Hunter asked, helping her out of her helmet.

“Of course.” Chey adjusted her jeans, which had ridden up her leg.

“Don't be.” Hunter pecked her lips. “My parents are some of the coolest people on this side of the Mason–Dixon Line.” He took her by the hand and led her to the backyard.

“Drew's here,” he acknowledged, inclining his head toward his brother's motorcycle.

Music and laughter met them as they drew closer to the backyard. Hunter could hear splashing from the kids in the pool. Adrenaline surged as he prepared to introduce Chey to his parents.

He pushed open the gate with authority and yelled, “Hey! What's with all the noise back here?”

At first people paused, then laughed as they realized it was Hunter.

“Hey, man. What's good?” his uncle said and hugged him before assessing Chey approvingly over the top of his glasses. “Who's your friend, young man?”

Hunter introduced them. Yelling erupted at some commotion near the grill. Hunter looked over to see his mom and dad in the midst of their usual antics, dancing—this time doing the bump while the crowd cheered them on.

“See.” Hunter pulled Chey to him. “I told you they were cool.”

When they finished their routine, Hunter presented Chey to them. Floyd shook her hand. Joyce pulled her into a tight embrace, shifted her back to arm's length and looked her over.

“Oh! She's a pretty one, Floyd. Isn't she?” Her smile was warm.

“Thank you, ma'am.” Chey smiled back.

“Wow! And she says ‘
ma'am
.' Good ole Southern manners. You're welcome, baby. Make yourself at home and enjoy the party.” Joyce let her go and craned her neck in her son's direction. “Hunter, get the lady something to eat.”

“Will do, Mom.”

Joyce went to walk away and turned back. “Wait. You can have babies, can't you?”

Chey's mouth fell open.

“Mom!”

“Now, Joyce!” Floyd chided.

Joyce's hearty laugh made everyone within earshot laugh. “I'm just messing with you.” Her expression turned serious and she looked over her glasses. “But you can, can't you?”

“Mom!”

“Alright. Alright!” Joyce laughed all the way back to the house.

Blake, Cadence, Drew and Alana came out and greeted Chey. Then Cadence and Alana took her to the gazebo to do what girls did. Hunter wasn't quite sure what that was but saw that she was comfortable, so he let her be.

For the next few hours, Chey seemed to enjoy herself in the girls' company, while the brothers mingled with family and friends. Kids swam, music flowed, people danced and everyone ate.

Floyd banged on the table, garnering everyone's attention. “I want to make an announcement.” He waved his wife over and put his arm around her. Staring at her lovingly for a brief moment, he cleared his throat. “This wonderful woman—” he looked at her again “—my amazing wife, is being honored by her sorority for her many years of community service and her selfless contributions to the lives of underprivileged women and girls. I, for one, am extremely proud of her and I'm glad to see that she is being recognized for all the wonderful work she does.” Joyce beamed as Floyd leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“I'd like to invite you all to the gala, which is next Saturday evening. I'm very excited about this honor and hope many of you can make it. That includes you, too, Chey,” Joyce said.

Chey smiled sheepishly and nodded. “Thank you so much for the invitation, Mrs. Barrington, and congratulations.”

Hunter sidled up behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I guess we've got a gala to attend.”

“But I don't have a dress.” Chey looked genuinely concerned.

“Don't worry about the details. I'll take care of those.” Hunter fulfilled that promise. Before they left the barbecue, he asked for Cadence and Alana's assistance.

The next week, Chey met up with the girls and went shopping. Hunter had no idea what she would look like when he pulled up in front of her building in his convertible, the car he saved for special occasions. He took the steps two at a time, anxious to see his lady.

When Chey opened the door, the air left Hunter's lungs in a rush. Several moments passed as he stared. She spun around, giving a three-dimensional view of her form-hugging red halter gown and silver shoes. Hunter always thought she was beautiful, but tonight she looked exceptionally stunning.

Lifting his chin, Chey closed his mouth. “A bug is going to fly in there.” She pecked his lips. His arms slid around her back and he pulled her tighter.

Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers—something that had become a familiar gesture between them. “I think I'm in love.”

Chey swatted him, laughing and shaking her head. “Silly! I guess that means you like what you see.” Chey twisted from side to side, presenting her ensemble and relishing in the compliment.

“No. That means I really think I'm in love.”

Chey's smile vanished. She looked at the serious expression on Hunter's face. He nodded. Now her mouth hung open.

“I love you, Chey.”

Impulsively, she covered her mouth with a shaking hand. “Oh my goodness, Hunter. I love you, too.”

They collapsed into each other's arms and stayed there for a while before sealing their love with another kiss.

Taking her by the hand, Hunter led her down the steps. He truly felt like a prince. Gently, he placed her in the car as if she were a delicate doll and sauntered to the driver's side. They held hands all the way to the gala and remained devoted to each other's sides throughout all the festivities. No one seemed to be there but them.

When the event was over, they cruised with the top down, enjoying the breeze. Hunter took her to a park along the west side of Upper Manhattan. First they got out, walked and talked for a little while, taking in the scenery and the lights at night. They went back to the car and, instead of getting in, sat on the hood, letting the moon cast its treasured light over their newfound love.

Hunter put his forehead against hers and said, “You're mine now!”

“Finally,” Chey said and lifted her lips to his.

* * * * *

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