The Hunter's Angel

Boy's Don't Cry

"I'm here."

A nervous flutter ran through me as Hunter's text flashed on my phone, and I forced out a shaky breath, hoping it would rid me of my tension.

"Chill out, Layla," I muttered to myself.

My mind immediately went to Kat as I moved falteringly towards the door, suitcase in tow.

Bubbly, confident, Kat, who would have no problem spending the weekend with a guy she was insanely attracted to. Hell, she would probably be ecstatic. Why couldn't I just have borrowed her personality for a couple of days?

I forced my scrambling mind to halt before I freaked myself out again.

This was just a road trip, and Hunter was simply at my door to pick me up like every other time.

Nothing more.

Carefully opening the door, I was met with stormy blue eyes that sat below a thick wave of dark hair. My gaze immediately dropped to the set of full lips currently lifted in a sinful smirk.

"Ready for some adventure, Angel?"

My heart stuttered at the sound of my nickname coating his husky voice, as if Hunter didn't use it every chance he got.

What was wrong with me? Pull it together, Layla.

Hunter's eyes trailed down my figure, his stare molding from casual to heated in a matter of seconds.

I was dressed rather simply, wearing a pair of navy blue leggings and a white boatneck shirt, but Hunter looked at me as if I was standing before him naked.

I couldn't say that I wasn't doing the same to him. Hunter stood before me in a white shirt that hugged his muscular form, and a pair of sleek, dark gray slacks. The man sure knew how to dress.

Swallowing apprehensively, I tore my gaze from his, wordlessly turning to grab my suitcase, but Hunter stepped in, gently prying it from my grip.

His bronze, inked arm brushed mine in the movement, and I could've sworn it was intentional as I saw his lips kick up out of the corner of my eye.

"This all you have?" he asked casually as if he wasn't deliberately teasing me.

"Yup," I squeaked, brushing past him into the hall and shutting the door behind me.

He moved to the elevator as I locked up, and the asshole was doing a crappy job at hiding his amusement. I hated how easily he got to me, and how he damn well knew it too.

This was going to be a headache and a half, to say the least.

When we got down to the parking garage, my eyes tracked the lot, pausing when they fell on the pastel gray body of Hunter's R8.

Smiling wide, I had a little bit of a kick in my step as I sauntered over to the car. That baby could never get old.

Hunter followed suit, heading to the trunk to slide my suitcase inside. His gaze fell on my face, eyes glimmering with something I couldn't decipher.

"You should do that more often," he drawled in a hoarse tone.

"Do what?"

"Smile," he stated, heading to the driver's side.

My brows furrowed slightly. "I smile," I asserted. Didn't I?

"Not nearly enough, Angel. You look...ethereal."

My breath hitched at his words as I watched him glide into the R8.

Ethereal.

That was a new one. One that I liked, very much. Not that I would ever admit it.