"You're way too excited for this."

Lia lowered the dress she held in her arms. A big grin split her face. "It's Mallory's birthday party. She said there's going to be a chocolate fountain. Also, I'm excited you're going along. You never have the opportunity to dress up."

Liza, sitting at my desk, turned from doing her eye make up. "That dress is going to look gorgeous against your skin tone, Lia."

The dress in question was red. Liza was right; it was Lia's color.

My room looked like Lia's closet had vomited in it. Dresses were thrown over my desk and chair, high heels littered the floor, and two bags of makeup were open on my bed, spilling their guts next to a curling iron.

Liza was already dressed when she got here. She cleared up a small space on my desk and started doing her make up, looking at her reflection in my chipped mirror.

"Can't I just go in jeans and a nice shirt," I said, brushing some orange fur from my pajama pants. Cheddar had escaped my room when Lia started pulling out clothes from her bag and throwing them all over the place. Lucky cat.

"Why do you hate dressing up?" Liza said, applying blush on her freckled cheeks.

"I don't hate it," I said. "I just don't see why we have to do it now. It's not like we're going to a wedding or something."

Like most girls, I did like dressing up. I just couldn't be bothered to do it often. Besides, Hunter and I had gone to the gym today, and Steve had been ruthless. I was spent.

"Hunter will be there, right?" Lia said, ducking into my closet.

"Yeah. So?"

"Well, don't you want him to see you all glammed up?" she asked, her voice muffled.

I chuckled. "I think it's a little too late for that. He sees me literally sticky with sweat, my hair all over the place and my face blotchy red a few days a week. We go to the gym together."

Lia emerged, dressed in the red dress. It set off her beautiful tan skin and complimented her delicate features. The strappy top fit her like a glove, widening out at her waist into a skater skirt that ended a couple of inches above her knees. "You look pretty."

She grinned, twirling. Her skirt flared. "I love it. Now your turn."

Liza stood up, rubbing her hands together. Her pale green dress made her hair look even redder under the bright lights of my room.

She and Lia had matching grins as they closed in on me. I scooted back in my bed. I didn't like the look in their eyes.

*** *** ***

One hour later, my phone pinged. I checked it.

"Don't move!" Liza said.

"I hate you guys," I grumbled, checking my phone without lowering my head. Liza was styling my hair. She was at the locks near my ear. She already burned me once because I couldn't sit still, and it hurt like hell. I had no intention of a repeat performance, so I sat still, checking my phone without lowering my head.

A text from Hunter. He was in front of the house.

"What do we think, this or this?" Lia asked, holding up two tubes of lipstick. She obviously wasn't asking for my opinion, even though the shade would go on my lips.

"Left," Liza said, stepping back from my hair and observing her handy work.

Lia applied a coat of lip color and stepped back as well, smiling to herself. "Awe, my baby is all grown up."

I rolled my eyes, stood up and went to check the mirror in my closet. I almost did a double take.

I had to give it to them. They did a pretty good job. The make up was light but there. A winged liner and mascara framed my eyes, making my blue irises pop. A light blush and a soft coral lipstick.

The dress Lia picked out for me was an A line dress. The color was the exact shade of Cheese-Its. It brushed my knees when I turned to see my hair in the mirror. It waved around my shoulders in big waves, and it looked shiny and had volume. Volume and my hair were usually antonyms. What kind of magic had Liza pulled out?

"Okay," I told them. They were standing at the door of my small closet, waiting. "I have to admit, you guys rock."

Lia squealed and clapped her hands together. Liza grinned.

"Hunter is waiting downstairs. Let's go," I said, slipping my feet in a pair of nude sandals.

The girls slipped out of the room, giggling. I picked up my phone, a bag of chips and grabbed three hoodies from my closet. It might get cold later on, and this dress offered as much protection against the cold as a fishing net.

The girls' heels echoed down the steps. I followed them down. Scott and Jason stood at the bottom of the stairs. Scott whistled. "Damn, girls. We'll have to keep the guys from you two all night."

Yeah, right. Knowing Scott, he'd probably be hammered on our very first hour there.

Jason winked at Liza. She smiled shyly. Her cheeks were a lovely pink shade that had nothing to do with her makeup.

Stefan stepped out of the living room right then. "Finally. What took you...so...long..."

Stefan came to a slow stop, his lips ajar, his eyes staring unblinking at Lia. My best friend was busy trying to convince Scott to take a picture for the three of us, she didn't even notice Stefan. My poor brother.

He recovered and raised his voice above the noise. "Alright, let's move! Who's riding with us?"

"Shotgun!" Jason said out loud. A long discussion ensued about who would be riding with who, and who was the designated driver.

"I'm riding with Hunter," I said. "Who's with us?"

"No one!" Lia said before anyone could reply. She pushed Scott towards the door, grinning over her shoulder at me. "You two go ahead. We'll catch up!"

I shook my head, snatched my keys and hit the door. Hunter was lounging in the passenger seat of his car. He glanced at me. Did a double take. Then kept staring.

Okay. So maybe dressing up was a little worth it. His gaze latched on me the entire way as I made my way to the driver side and got in. His smell filled the car. He straightened when I got in, clearing his throat. I twisted to put the hoodies in the backseat. He was still staring.

"What?" I said, meeting his eyes. They were dark and intense in the shadows inside the car, and there was something incredibly heated in them. It was a wonder I didn't burst up in flames. The car felt too small, the air between us almost crackling.

He blinked. "You dressed up."

I glanced down at myself, breaking the spell, and started the car. "Yep. I guess I did."

He made a noise halfway between a grunt and a sigh, and shifted in his seat. I smiled to myself. It was so worth it.

*** *** ***

The car ride to the party was comfortable. That was the thing about Hunter. No matter how intense he was, I never felt uncomfortable around him. He always made me feel safe and feminine, even when he looked at me like he wanted to devour me.

It was interesting to me, this attraction. It was also new. I never knew I could feel this way towards anyone before. It had happened so fast, yet it felt so right.

"This is it?" I lowered my head to look through the windshield at the monstrosity of a house. Lia lived close by. Her parents were well off, and their house had always seemed grand to me. This one was on another level.

Cars parked near the house, the closest spot was way down the street. The car rolled forward painfully slow as the drivers in front of me realized they had to park far away. "It's pretty crowded."

Hunter pointed to a turn down the corner of the house. "Take a left there."

"Why?"

"There's a spot you can park in," he said.

I turned, then followed his instructions as he led me to a large alley right behind the party house. I wouldn't have noticed it if it wasn't for him. "Oooh," I said, parking the car. "How did you know this spot?"

"I live around here," he mumbled, unstrapping his seat belt. The faint light that reached the car reflected off his eyes. They looked like two shards of obsidian.

"Oooh, you must be loaded." I grinned.

His face closed off. It was so sudden it took me by surprise. "It's my father's money. Not mine."

Then he walked out of the car.

Okay then.

I left the hoodies in the car. It was close enough that I could just come and grab them if I needed them.

I stepped out with my bag of chips and phone, locking the car behind me. Hunter waited for me, his hands shoved in his pockets, his face set in grim lines.

He looked at my full hands. "I have pockets. Want me to keep your phone?"

"Would you? Thanks." He tucked my phone in his pocket and we walked down the alley. Cars rolled by, unaware that a parking spot was just feet away.

We turned. The mansion glittered with life. Strings lights hung off the trees near the front gate, and notes of music floated in the air. People walked up and down the street towards the party, the girls all dressed up, and the boys... well, the boys just looked like they always did. Why did boys not dress up for parties the way girls did, I would never understand.

I shivered. The night was chilly. Hunter stepped closer to me. After a few steps, he put his arm around my shoulders.

I glanced at him. He was looking ahead, his body stiff as a board. Hiding my smile behind my hair, I stepped closer and wrapped my arm around his waist under the jacket. I sighed. He was toasty.

It took us two seconds to get our steps in sync. His muscles relaxed, and his arm laid more comfortably over my shoulders.

The party had apparently began a while ago. The circular driveway was filled with people taking pictures with the colorful fountain and statue over it. The garden beyond was set up with tables of foods and drinks and, sure enough, a massive chocolate fountain.

The garden encircled the house, and that was where the party was held, apparently. Hunter and I made our way through the pathway. I sent a message to Stefan, giving him instructions about the secret parking spot. I had no idea if he'd find it or not.

We encircled the house to what was supposed to be a backyard, but it was too grand to be called that.

In the center of the yard was a big, round gazebo. String lights adorned its ceiling and wooden pillars. Stone pathways broke through the grass around it, leading to it. The buffet tables were set up all around the garden. People stood around and sat on the bench tables scattered all over the place.

"Well, this is a fancy party," I said, raising my voice over the music. I eyed the food. I wonder what sort of delicacies were there? Mhm...

Hunter lowered his head until his lips brushed my ears. Goosebumps broke over my skin. "Let's check the food first."

I grinned at him. A man after my own heart. We made our way along the buffet tables. Trays and plates with different kinds of foods. Mini sandwiches, charcuterie boards, dessert trays, sushi boats, chip bowls and sauces... My mouth watered. I abandoned my bag of chips near the chips bowl. Hunter and I took two plates from the corner and piled food on it.

I eyed the chocolate fountain in the middle. "I want to try it," I said.

Hunter nodded his head towards the marshmallow skewers. I gave him my plate, took a bunch of skewers and joined the line for the fountain. I came back minutes, loaded with chocolaty marshmallows.

Hunter, already sitting on a bench table in the corner, raised his brows. "You should've just brought the fountain."

I grinned. I wasn't even offended. I sat next to him, my side pressed to his. He was so warm. Putting the marshmallows on my plate, I gave him one.

He gobbled it without taking the skewer from my hand and nodded. "Mhm."

"If you behave yourself, I might give you another."

His lips twitched up. I stuck a marshmallow in my mouth.

"Sapph!"

I glanced over my shoulder. Lia, Liza, Jason and Stefan joined us.

"Where's Scott?" I asked.

"With his football buddies," Lia said, sitting next to me. Liza, Jason and Stefan sat across from us. They all had plates of food and drinks.

"Hey, if all parties are like this, I'll attend them all," I said, gobbling down a piece of sushi.

Lia rolled her eyes. "Nope. Mallory's parties are unique. They're the event of the year."

"You should've dragged me along last year, then."

She scoffed. "Oh, I tried."

"She did," Jason said, sticking a mini sandwich in his mouth. "You faked a cold just to get out of it."

Lia laughed and pointed at me. "I knew you were faking it!"

My cheeks burned. "I didn't know food would be this good. Usually it's just chips and drinks and stuff like that."

Lia shook her head. "Of course you're here for the food."

"Do you need another reason?" I asked. Food was the only sensible reason to leave your house.

"Hey, Sapphire?" Liza said, looking over my shoulder at something. "What do you have with Jake?"

Jake? Hunter and I looked over our shoulder. Right next to one of the gazebo's pillars, Jake stood with a group of guys, his eyes boring right at me.

"I'm going to beat his ass one of those days," Stefan said.

"I'll beat you to it," Hunter mumbled, if we weren't cheek to cheek, I wouldn't have heard him. He had that dark look in his eyes again, the one that promised violence.

"Stand in line," I said.

There was something very odd about Jake's expression. He was usually either smirking or giving me what he no doubt thought was seductive look. But ever since Hunter and I began going out, there was something... ominous about him.

"The fuck is he looking at like that?" Hunter grumbled, rising to his feet. Oh, no.

I put my hand on his arm and tugged him down. "Just leave it, Hunter. Please."

He glanced at me, cursed under his breath and sat down. Thank God. The last thing we needed was another brawl.

The music changed.

"Oooh, I love this song!" Liza said, her smile wide.

Jason perked up. He leaned closer to Liza and gave her a disarming grin. "Wanna dance?"

Liza smiled shyly and nodded. And they stood up and joined the dancing teenagers under the gazebo. Hmm.

"How long do you think?" I asked Lia.

"Hmm... two weeks, maybe?"

"That's what I thought."

Stefan looked between us. "What are you talking about?"

"Jason and Liza," Lia replied. "They'll be dating in about two weeks."

"Is that a bet?" Stefan asked her.

She squinted at him. "Do you want it to be?"

"Yes. I say they'll take more than that."

Lia and I made matching doubtful noises.

"What are we betting on?" Lia asked.

"Loser does the winner's math homework for two months."

"Two months?!"

Stefan smirked. "Why, scared?"

Lia pursed her lips, giving him her best attempt at an intimidating look. She looked like an angry kitten. Finally, she nodded. "Deal."

They shook on it.

Lia sighed. "I'm so glad I'm single. Being in a relationship takes so much time and energy, I don't even think it's worth it."

"Your taste in guys is the problem," Stefan said.

Lia scoffed. "Pot, kettle. Should I remind you of your last girlfriend?"

I snickered. Stefan made a face.

"Who was he dating?" Hunter asked me.

"Charlotte," Lia said, leaning over me to speak to him. "She developed an unhealthy obsession with him. It was borderline stalkish."

"She wasn't a stalker," Stefan grumbled. "She was just... clingy."

"And persistent," Lia said.

"And controlling," I added.

"Whatever." Stefan rose and left us.

"I think he's pissed off," Lia said, throwing a chip in her mouth. She didn't look too heartbroken about it.

"Maybe he's just hurt," I said.

Lia wrinkled her nose. "Who? Stefan? The guy doesn't care what anyone says about him."

"Maybe he cares because it's you," I said. I really shouldn't get involved in this, but I couldn't help myself.

"Why?"

"Maybe he likes you?"

She blinked. Then she threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, you're so funny!" She slapped my arm.

Hunter coughed next to me. His lips twitched up suspiciously. He was obviously enjoying my brother's hopeless one-sided crush.

"Anyway, let's take pics," she said, picking up her phone. She frowned. "Oh, no. It's almost out of battery."

"Your phone is always out of battery."

She leaned forward to look at Hunter. "What phone do you have?"

Hunter pulled out his phone and showed her. Her eyes widened. She snatched it from his hands. For someone who was terrified of him only a week ago, she was getting surprisingly friendly. I smiled, relieved.

"Hey, we could take pictures with my phone," I said.

Lia held back the phone to Hunter. "The camera on your phone sucks, Sapph. Hunter, can you please take a picture for the two of us and send it to me later?"

"Sure," Hunter said.

When one of my brothers or Jason took our pictures, they couldn't wait to get it done with. Hunter was patient. He took several pictures, and he even suggested we go somewhere where the lighting was better.

"We should take your boyfriend everywhere," Lia said once we were back to our table, looking over Hunter's shoulder at the pictures as he scrolled through. "Don't forget to send them to me. Oh, I'll be right back. I have to take a pic with Mallory."

Then she was gone. Hunter raised his brows. I stared after her with a smile. "She's like an overhyped toddler when she's having a good time."

Hunter grunted, looking over the pictures again. I leaned over his arm, my head basically pressed to it, and swiped my fingers through the pictures. He let me. "You enjoy taking pictures."

He hesitated. "Kind of."

I scrolled past our pics, the camera quality was very good. A picture of the sunset filled the screen. Oh, that was so pretty. It was obviously shot from some roof. The skyline of our town cut through the orange sun, the dark buildings silhouetted against a purple and orange sky.

I swiped left. Another picture of the sky. This one seemed to be taken when he was laying down. Trees edged the photo, framing the clear blue sky. More pictures of the sky and our town, a few of the little black kitten he'd been taking care of.

"You like photography." I realized. I swiped left. He flipped the phone to hide it from view.

But I saw a flash of brown hair. He locked his phone and shoved it in his pocket.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"No one," he mumbled.

I turned my head to look at him. My heart jumped. Our faces were an inch apart. I could feel Hunter stop breathing. He froze, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"Who's that? A former girlfriend?" I mumbled. My throat was dry.

His eyes flickered down. His lashes shuttering the burning look in them. He looked up. "No. I never had a girlfriend. Why would I have a picture of another girl on my phone?"

His voice was deep and low. He never had a girlfriend. I gulped. "I don't know. Maybe you miss being single, too?"

"I don't," he said, his eyes flickering to my lips.

I glanced down at his lips. My toes curled. There were people all around us. I didn't care. We might as well be the only two people in the world.

Hunter leaned in very slowly, as if afraid I'd pull back. I leaned forward and closed the distance between our lips. 

--- ---- ---

Hey guys! How do you like the chapter?

Also, is it hot where you are? The weather is just fiery where I live. I hope you're all safe. 

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.