Chapter Seventeen
Wheech: verb, snatch or remove something quickly. Pronounced: Whee-kh (again the kh is more of a throaty, back of throat sound. Remember that fish bone I asked you to imagine having stuck in your throat, that sound again.)
* * *
Eden
Shower, check. Teeth brushed, check. Hair blow-dried and straightened, check. Cute outfit, check. Keeping it simple, I went for dark indigo wash, high-waisted skinny jeans and a white tee with a large red sequined star. Dark-navy wedge trainers, check. Definitely need them to boost my height today when out with Hunter. Feeling horny still, check. Boy, it’s going to be a long day if I feel like this already. Fluttery excitable tummy at the prospect of spending all day with Hunter, double check.
I can do this. I have my big girl panties on—well, my string thong on, but you know what I mean.
Still swooning over last night’s incredible bedroom antics with Hunter, I still can’t quite believe how sensual he was. He’s a big man with a gentle touch. He’s funny, smart, and so fucking hot. Christ, will I be able to keep my hands off him today?
I’ve been holding back these last few weeks from him, but now it feels like I’ve opened my social media and can’t stop scrolling, he’s that addictive. We couldn’t keep our hands off one another earlier. If it hadn’t been for my mum interrupting, I think we would have had sex right there in the doorway. Note to self, must visit Mum tomorrow to apologize.
A text comes in on my phone with a ding. My on-screen notification shows it’s from the car broker… Ralph will deliver your car tomorrow between 9:00 and 10:00. Please let us know if you need to rearrange by calling us on this number.
I got my days mixed up, most unlike me. I’m Mrs. Planner usually but so much has been going recently; even though I’ve been off, I’ve been busy. Well, I’m as free as a bird now to go out. I’ve already let the guys in at the studio. I texted Ella asking if she could come down, check the job, and lock up when they leave, so yeah, I’m good to go.
Grabbing my little navy leather Ted Baker rucksack with the gold metal bow logo I love so much, I stuff my phone, wallet, and clear lip gloss into it. I think I’m set. Oh, nope, I need a hoodie. Running back up the stairs, I grab my red hoodie with pink embroidery flowers that run down the arms. I fold it up and slip it inside my bag once I’m back down the stairs. It’s a glorious day today so I won’t need it now, but I probably will later when the sun goes down.
Dashing out the door, I pick up my keys and sunglasses from my oak console table and quickly check myself in my oversized oak floor mirror.
I’ve never been on a day out with anyone other than the girls, and I’ve never really been out on a date before, well, since Jamie. I'm not sure getting drunk with friends around a beach fire classifies as a date. We always spent our time with friends. Looking back, our relationship was stuck in a bad high school movie. I shake my head. No more silly thoughts. This is a fresh new start.
“Bye, Victor.” Yes, I know, even though I have more of a life these days, I still chat to Victor, my cheese plant. That’s still sad. But it would be a shame to stop. We’re great friends; he’s been there for me through everything.
Flinging my front door open reveals a waiting and eager Hunter, standing mid-knock on the other side of the door, looking sexy as sin from head to toe.
Fabric skims across his muscly arms and broad chest. He’s casually dressed in a dark-forest-green collared button-up polo tee shirt, dark-navy jeans, and designer trainers to match, wearing a smile larger than a coconut crab.
My heart blooms. “Ah, I was just about to walk around to come get you.” I smile.
He gently pulls me in close to his hard chest. “You forgot to text me. Who’s Victor?” He leans in and kisses me, making me feel all swoony.
“My cheese plant there.” I point to the spot on the floor beside my console. “Sorry, I just received a text to say my car is coming tomorrow. I got my days muddled up. Can we take your car today? And you now have really shiny lips.” I reach up and wipe it off. “Suits you.”
“You’d be as well taking it all off because I’m only gonna lick it off, anyway. I won’t be able to keep my lips off you today, so it's pointless, Miss Wallace. What is that taste? Is that your lip gloss?” He licks his lips and rubs them with his long fingers, trying to remove it. I now know the things he can do with his tongue and those hands. My eyes zone in on his actions for a few seconds before I realize what I’m doing.
Get it together, Eden.
Pulling my front door closed and locking it shut, Hunter then takes my hand in his and interlaces our fingers as we walk toward his car.
“It’s peach flavor.”
“You always taste and smell divine,” he replies, his eyes twinkling.
I wave to the workers in the studio as we pass by, although I have to skip a little to keep up with Hunter’s long strides.
Some of them are Jamie’s old mates and the guys I went to school with. They follow us with their eyes as we pass. One of them, recognizing Hunter, says, “Awright, Hunter, is The King back?”
Hunter laughs, answering back in his relaxed American drawl I so love, “Yeah, man, I sure am. You coming to watch the Championship Cup?”
“Yeah, we all are, eh, boys?” A rowdy, low murmur of yeses is mumbled from the construction team.
He waves goodbye. “See ya there, guys.”
Everything seems to come so naturally to him.
Oh boy, it’s going to be a long day, and he’s holding my hand without a care who sees.
A girl could get used to this.
* * *
It’s almost dinnertime now and we’ve had an incredible day together. It’s been fun-filled and jam-packed.
We parked Hunter’s Range Rover at the beach earlier and grabbed some brunch from the food shack first, where we sat on the wooden benches lined along the path and made the most of the rare sunshine, just watching the world go by.
Hunter and I have eaten and chatted all day. We haven’t been able to stop. It’s easy and comfortable. We get on so well, everything feels so natural, like we’ve known each other forever.
He’s shared his love of golf with me, telling me all about how he started as a young boy. He opened his heart to me about his dad passing away when he was just a young boy, but how his mum fell in love and married his incredible step dad. He also mentioned that he can’t wait for me to meet his parents who are coming over for The Cup. That freaked me out a little. It’s not like we’re together, together, you know? He’s also suggested we go out for a meal with his sister, Pippa, too, so we can get to know each other. He’s such a surprise to me, a loyal family man with a really tight-knit team around him.
I’ve learned he’s very passionate about his family, friends, and his profession, and it turns out he’s funding a new golf coaching school in his hometown for underprivileged kids. What a guy.
We walked for miles, touring around Castleview Cove, visiting the castle and the many other little ancient ruins around the town. We even trampolined, and I nearly wet myself with laughter at the silly moves Hunter pulled in the air. His face was a picture, and he didn’t care what anyone thought about him fooling around. He enjoys having fun all the time. We also whipped into one of the Scottish tourist shops and I bought Hunter a Scots dialect book. Fingers crossed it helps him to understand me now.
Next we visited The Championship course as he wanted to show me where he won The Cup the last time. Pointing out the exact spot he shot his winning putt from.
Hunter was instantly recognized. Several golfers stopped asking for selfies and autographs. This was another world to me. I’ve never been around a celebrity like this before. In the golfing world, Hunter seems to be big and people love him. He took his time with his fans today, chatting with ease, asking what their handicaps were, if they were here on vacation or visiting for the day with plans on coming back to watch the Championship Cup.
Hunter even introduced me to them all, placing his athletic arms around my shoulders as if to protect me. All the fans wished him well and were rooting for his comeback. He’s so well presented and knew exactly what to say. You would never know he’s only three years older than me. He acts older than his age when he slides into professional golfer mode. I do not know what a golfer makes in terms of money, but he acts like the guy next door, so grounded and very appreciative of his life and his dedicated fans. It was quite special to watch him in action today.
We stopped by for ice cream at Castle Cones. Toni wasn’t working today, but Hunter hinted at the possibility of that being due to her spending the day with Noah. Goodness, Toni must like him if she’s taken a day off.
When we stood in the huge queue, waiting to be served, Hunter informed me he’s now on flavor thirty-five. He’s made real progress on his ice cream bucket list, which I had totally forgotten all about. I think I need to check out my bucket list again and get cracking on that bad boy.
Grateful I put my wedge trainers on today, Hunter loved the fact he didn’t have to bow so low today when we kissed, because, well, we have kissed an insane amount of times today, and Hunter doesn't seem to care who’s watching. He literally hasn’t stopped touching and caressing me; it’s filled me with energy all day. I think I might be glowing with happiness. Or maybe that’s the redness glowing from the stubble rash on my chin.
Just before we headed back to the car, we nipped into Cupcakes & Castles to buy a selection tray of my favorite cupcakes, letting Hunter pick which ones he wanted too.
I’m currently standing and watching Hunter fumble about in the back of his Range Rover and watch as he pulls out a tartan blanket which I recognize from the cabins. He begins to take off his shoes.
“Whatcha doin’?” I ask.
“We are going to sit on the beach, watch the sunset, and eat cupcakes, and maybe we can get some dinner later. I just want to go grab some bottled water from the food shack before we head down to the sand. That okay?”
“Sounds amazing.” How romantic.
He struts off to grab what we need as I shuck my trainers off my feet. Once we have everything we need, we plod barefoot a couple of feet down the sand, find a spot, lay the blanket out, and park our bums on it.
My feet throb from a long day of walking.
Covering my hand over the top of the tray of cupcakes, I say, “Before we begin, there are rules, Hunter.”
Tanned arms straight out behind him, with his long legs stretched out in front, sunglasses now atop his head, he looks at me, confused. “Rules for what?”
“For the cupcakes. There are cupcake rules.”
“Okay.”
I start. “First rule.” I hold my finger up. “You can’t change your choice. What you chose back there in the shop”—I point back in the direction of the town center—“that is yours. You can’t change your mind.”
He laughs at my absurdity.
“Second rule, no laughing—cupcakes are serious business.”
“You just made that up; it’s not a rule.”
“It is now, Hunter. It is now.” I narrow my eyes with seriousness.
“Third and final rule, no asking for a bite of the other person’s cupcake.”
“What? Not even a nibble?”
“Nope, not even a nibble. That’s breaking the rules. Now which one did you pick again?”
“The Yolo one.”
“Like hell it was,” I say a bit too loudly, turning heads. “That one is mine; that is my all-time favorite. You are so not having that. And if you take it, I will wheech it off you.”
“You’re a peculiar little thing, Eden Wallace.”
“In a good way though, huh?” I cheekily raise my eyebrows as I open the box.
He shakes his head. “Yeah, in a good way. Mine is the bright-blue-and-pink one. I think it was bubble gum or something.”
“How very masculine.”
“You learned exactly how masculine I was last night, so don’t even go there or I will have to give you another lesson right here on this blanket, missy.”
I snort as I retrieve my cupcake from the box. “I’m not sure if the mums and dads would like that,” I say as I take my first bite and moan out loud.
“Are you teasing me?”
I cheekily grin with my teeth full of chocolate sponge and frosting. “Yup.”
“You’re an animal.”
“I am when it comes to cupcakes.”
“And sex, you were a fucking animal last night for sure. Where did my quiet girl disappear to? I unleashed a sex-crazed goddess last night.”
Myquiet girl.
I blush. Or dear Lord, here we go. “I think someone invaded my body last night.”
“Too fucking right they did; it was me,” Hunter firmly states.
I burst out laughing, spraying sponge and crumbs everywhere. Hunter screws his eyes closed, crinkling his nose and puffing out his cheeks before he brushes the crumbs off his face, top, and jeans.
I’m so ladylike; I would definitely never have made good wifey material if I lived in Bridgerton times.
“Do cupcakes make you gaga or something?”
I hold in a muffled laugh with my mouth full of cake and nod my head furiously. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. They really do,” I mumble, covering my mouth.
“Come here. I need protection. Sit in between my legs before you spray me again.”
Crawling over, I rest my back to his front, sitting between Hunter’s legs, and let out a sigh of contentment as he wraps his free arm around me.
“That’s better. My eyes are safe now from your cupcake spitfire rounds.” He chuckles.
We sit in silence, watching the sun kiss the ocean as it goes down for the day, listening to the seagulls shrill and circle above, ever hopeful of a stolen snack. I hold on tight to my cupcake, knowing the bravery of these cheeky gulls, and enjoy the sweetness of my cupcake.
I take my time with mine, nibbling along the bottom first, saving the top part for last—that’s the best bit.
Quicker than I can react, Hunter leans over my shoulder, lunges at my hand that’s holding my cupcake in the air, opens his enormous mouth, takes a massive bite, and wolfs it down.
“What in the ever-loving hell is wrong with you? You broke the rules,” I cry out. “And you took the top bit with all the caramel. I was saving that.” I raise my hands to the sky.
Circling my head toward him, he opens his mouth, showing me the cake inside. “You’re a savage. Utterly disgusting.”
Hunter puffs out his cheeks full of cake, laughing. He’s so funny and so not what I expected him to be like. He’s cheeky and playful all the time.
I hold up what’s left of my cupcake. “You even ate the caramel chocolate Yolo. That’s like the most bestest bit. You know the whole, loving someone enough to give them your last chocolate slogan; I love myself enough for me to eat it, I really do. You have, like, no heart right now.”
Hunter stills suddenly. Oh, what did I say?
Leaning into my ear, he whispers, “Do you think you could ever love me enough to give me your last chocolate or cupcake, Eden?”
I actually have no idea what to say to that. Well, that’s a lie. I think I could really fall in love with him. I think I’ve already started to fall for this dazzlingly perfect man who’s entered my life like a whirlwind.
But I’m not so sure about sharing how I feel.
Should I share and show myself a little more? He hasn’t run so far and I’ve shared lots with him, even more than I have with some of my closest friends. He’s seen all my ugly parts and thoughts.
He clears his throat. “Relax. It’s okay. You don’t have to answer.”
Slowly, I place what’s left of my cupcake into the box, lick my lips, and turn myself to the side to face him. “You know I’m not good at this opening up stuff; however, around you, I think you keep lacing my food and drinks, or the air or something with truth serum, because I want to be honest with you.” Not for a second does he take his eyes off me, patiently waiting in anticipation.
“I really like you, Hunter. I do believe fate brought us together. We get on so well; it’s like instant magic between us. The sex is spectacular.” I splay my fingers out in the air. “I feel so relaxed around you. You make me feel safe and radiant. You give me the confidence to just be me, and you’re everything I could ever want, but I’m not sure how this works, this whole long-distance thing. I like you so much I’m not even sure that I could bear to be apart from you for long periods of time. I don’t know what your golf tournament schedule is like. I’m guessing it’s busy. And could you keep up with a relationship, ping-ponging back and forth between Florida, focusing on your career and then me here in Scotland?”
I draw a breath.
“My life has been on pause waiting for another man. And believe me, you are absolutely nothing like Jamie—that’s not what I’m saying—but it would be kinda the same thing, me waiting again. Continents separate us. My dance studio keeps me here in Castleview Cove. I have a business here. A really glorious business at that. We’ve just started getting sponsorship opportunities through Instagram and our TikTok account is flying. Eva had some brilliant ideas when I was off. My life is here.”
His shoulders sag.
I swallow as I continue my brutal honesty. “If I worked in an office or something and I could work anywhere, then it would be different. Maybe, in fact, I know I would leave with you in a heartbeat. I know this for sure, having spent just a few days with you. I watched you with your fans, the way you treat your team and talk about your family. We share the same values. I value all those things, the same as you.
“But…” And there’s that word again. “My family is here. My sisters are here. And I’ve started to find myself, enjoy my life and my family again. They’ve supported me through everything. I’ve had so much fun these last few days with you. Like laugh till it hurts fun. Exploring the town today with you, reminded me of the wonderful place I live.”
Hunter squeezes me tight in his chiseled arms and wraps his legs around me in comfort. I feel so tiny, cocooned within him, like a fragile egg in a sturdy robin’s nest.
“You are an incredible man, Hunter,” I say into his chest. “I want to spend the time you have in Castleview Cove with you, certainly as much as your training plan will allow, and then you have The Cup soon, but we can have some fun together. Honestly, I’m really not sure how I will cope when you go; I already feel so close to you. But I would like to spend more time with you, if you want to,” I finally say on a whisper.
My heart constricts.
“This is shit,” is all he says in response.
We huddle together in silence as the sound of people shrieking, the odd shrill of a seagull, and the crashing of the waves against the golden sand fizzes around us.
Eventually, he whispers, “Do you think we could we make it work? The long-distance thing? Shit, but you said you didn’t want to wait around. I’ll shut up.”
It’s odd how this impressive man really wants to try with me. He has no problems telling me how he feels, and I really like that he trusts me enough to open up to me.
I move out from his athletic chest. “Hey, I would like nothing better than to make it work. And no, I don’t want to hang about waiting; I really don’t. I’ve been there and I’ve got the heartbreak to prove it, but we’ve only spent a few days together. Why don’t we see how the next few weeks go, and then we can see how we feel, huh?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
Genuinely, I do not know how this will work. I try to tell myself, even if we get a few weeks together, then that will be okay, won’t it?
“I meant what I said to you back in The Vault. I see my future with you too, but I don’t know how this works either. Why is everything so complicated?” He skirts around my question.
Hunter’s strong arms scoop me up and I straddle my legs around his waist. Pulling me in closer than close, Hunter spirals his long arms around me and wraps me in a giant bear hug, resting his head on my shoulder. As if not wanting to let me go, he holds me tighter and lets out a deep breath.
Into the screen of my hair, he asks, “Tell me your dreams, Eden.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me what you want to do with your life and the business; where do you see yourself in five or ten years?”
I try to lean back to look at him, but he pulls me into his warmth and I bask in his citrus aftershave that stirs my senses. “Just stay like this. Dream big, baby. Tell me.”
I think about this for a moment.
Here goes.
“If you’d asked me six weeks ago, I don’t think I would have been able to answer you, but I guess, lately, I think I would like to see the business growing. Moving to a bigger studio perhaps, merchandising, taking on more teachers. Maybe becoming more of an academic school for dance, and I’ve always dreamed of being married in the small church on the grounds of the retreat. You should see it; it’s so pretty.” I lose myself in my dreams. “And I would love a family, although I’m not sure I can carry a baby full term, and that’s scary, but the love I felt for Chloe was overwhelming. I can only imagine what that must feel like to give birth, you know, properly. And the little flutters in my belly I felt, even when she was so tiny, were indescribable. I want the happily ever after, the two point four children, a house filled with love and laughter.” I smile as I say that, imagining this life I’ve just described.
I’m not sure where all that came from. Sharing all this with him feels raw and really personal.
“That sounds a little too perfect. I’m not sure if I will get that; the Universe keeps throwing me curveballs, like us, now.”
Hunter unwraps his arms and runs his hands up my back. I don’t know what he’s thinking as he stays quiet.
A kiss to my neck relieves some of the tension between us and the words I’ve just spoken. A soft flutter of tingles waves down my spine and neck at his touch.
Slowly, he moves to my mouth. Hunter encompasses my face with his enormous hands as we share an almost there kiss. Like the delicate wings of a fluttering dragonfly, it’s a ghost of a kiss, but I feel it everywhere. I have to choke back a breath as an odd sensation buffers in my throat. This feels sentimental… loving.
We hold motionless, connected by our soft lips touching, neither of us wanting to be anywhere else but here in this moment.
“I want to spend the next few weeks with you. As much as we can squeeze in. I’d really like that,” Hunter wisps finally answering my question.
“Me too.”
“Are you ready to go home?”
“Yeah. Will you stay the night with me?”
“I would love to, baby.” A small smile forms on his lips.
“Okay.”
“I don’t want to move from here.” His forehead touches mine as we gaze into each other's eyes.
The weather has turned. “I know, me either, but it’s getting cold; I’m a wee bit chilly.”
“Ah, and here’s me thinking your nipples were as hard as rocks because I turned you on,” he says, giving my ass a little squeeze.
I laugh softly. “Nope.”
“Oh, that hurts, you devil woman. C’mon then, Cupcake, let’s go. I don’t want you catching a chill.”
As we shuffle to our feet, we notice the impending dark clouds above us signifying rain. “We’d better hurry; rain always comes on fast here,” I say as I pick up our things.
“Tell me about it. I’ve been caught out a few times already here.”
“Hunter?” A voice breaks our chat.
A quick look up reveals its Fraser, Jamie’s brother.
Bugger.