Chapter 22

Ava

On Saturday morning, the sunlight coming through the window disturbs me from my peaceful sleep. I hear running water—a shower—and roll onto my side, sinking back into the silky covers around me. I’ve almost drifted back to sleep when my eyes snap open and I shoot up off the bed.

~Silky covers?~ I don’t have silk covers, and I always close the curtains so that I don’t get woken up by the sun.

~Who the hell is in the shower? And for that matter, why can I hear it when the bathroom is across the hall?~

My mind racing, I take in my surroundings. ~I’m not home.~ I’m in a strange place, with strange walls and strange furniture.

Wait, no. It is slightly familiar.

Beyond the big windows is a beautiful garden that looks like one from a fairy tale book. It stares back at me with lustful, green eyes.

The silk sheets are a deep navy that shimmers slightly in the morning light, and I swear I’ve never felt anything so soft. Like a big, fluffy cloud.

The shower turns off, and I wait hesitantly for someone to emerge. It suddenly dawns on me that I have no idea who could walk out; I may need to be prepared to run for my life.

I look around the room frantically, searching for something I can use to defend myself. Lacking options, I grab the lamp off the bedside table.

Two minutes later, Hunter walks out with a towel wrapped around his waist. The towel sits so low that I can see his defined V-line, and his abs and pecs glisten with water drops. His arms bulge, and don’t even get me started on his back.

Hunter runs his hand through his wet hair, and damn, he looks fine—and he knows it too. He smirks and raises an eyebrow at me holding the lamp. Feeling my cheeks redden, I placed the lamp back.

“It’s rude to stare, princess.”

I glare at Hunter with all the dignity I have. “I was not staring, and even if I was, there’s not a lot to look at.”

Hunter brings his hand up to his chest, pretending to be shot in the heart and wounded. His mock-hurt makes me giggle.

Suddenly realizing where I am, I scramble for the bedsheets and check what I’m wearing. My underwear is on, but my clothes are missing; instead, I must be wearing one of Hunter’s shirts because it looks huge on my small frame.

I feel a slight panic rise in me as I wonder where my clothes have disappeared to. I glance around the room but don’t see anything that belongs to me.

~What does this mean? Did we have sex? ~

Panic rises in my throat, and I feel sick—until I notice Hunter laughing.

“I changed you out of your clothes and had them washed, and I put you in one of my tops.”

My eyes widen in horror and embarrassment while Hunter lights up.

“Don’t worry, I barely looked.”

I scowl at the amusement in his voice, but then my face falls as I realize he probably doesn’t like me anyway because he is Hunter Black, and I’m just Ava. Little Miss Unnoticed.

“Did I snore? Or move a lot last night? I’m told I do that—the moving, I mean.”

Surprised, Hunter laughs and shakes his head. His laugh is rich and warm, delicate and full of life, and hearing it fills me with happiness. It’s so different from his usual broodiness.

“Princess, I slept on the sofa.”

He points across the room to where a blanket is strewn partially on a sofa, partially on the floor.

I turn a deeper shade than red, wishing the bed would swallow me up. ~Why do I make such stupid comments? Did I snore? Now I’ve just admitted that I snore to Hunter freaking Black! I’m not even sure if it’s true.~

My head hangs in embarrassment for a moment, but then I notice Hunter watching me closely. I take a deep breath and look him right in the eyes.

“Hunter, I really need some answers about what happened last night.”

As he looks at me, I can see the pain in his eyes. He sits down on the edge of the bed and fumbles with his hands before speaking. I try to focus on his face and not on his sculptured body.

“You passed out last night after I told you about my history with the gang… So I took you home to keep you safe.

“Drew’s dad was a good leader, fair but strict. But Drew is ruthless and bloodthirsty with enemies and allies alike. I had to keep you safe. What he did to Jasmine destroyed me, and I thought I’d never be able to love again…until I met you.”

Tears run down my face as I look at Hunter. Realizing that he has been holding all this in for so many years, I push the covers off me, make my way to the end of the bed, and wrap my arms around him awkwardly.

He leans into my touch, and I feel a pulse go up to my arm, but I don’t let go. We just sit like that for a while.

I have the answers I wanted, but is it really better knowing the truth?