𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐘 (+𝟏𝟖)

CH. 6: GUARDIAN ANGEL

M A L L O R Y

I tear my eyes from his gaze and look back at Celina and Bianca. “And why the hell would a millionaire be eating here and why does he want me to serve him?”

“Who gives a flying fuck? He's rich and he's hot, that's all you need to know,” Celina scolds, yanking out my hair tie, letting my curls cascade down my back. “Stop asking questions and go take his damn order.”

“Celina, what the fuc—” Before I can protest, she shoves me forward. I shoot her a glare over my shoulder to which she grins and Bianca giggles.

With an eye roll, I stride over to his table.

Each step feels daunting as his cerulean eyes never leave mine. There's something about the way he gazes at me that's unnerving. It was if nothing else in the room existed, and I was the lone star in his universe. It gave me this odd sense of deja vu.

The diner's ambience fades into the background, drowned out by the intensity of our eye contact.

My gaze moves downward, lingering on how his suit accentuates his broad shoulders and does little to conceal the athletic physique underneath.

The subtle scent of his rosewood cologne invades my senses. His masculine smell mingles with the aroma of coffee and buttered brioche from the kitchen.

A blush burns a hot trail across my cheeks when he flashes that panty-wetting smirk again as I finally reach his table. I swallow thickly, clearing my throat before donning a warm, welcoming smile.

“What can I get for you today, sir?” I ask, my tone professional and composed as I retrieve my order pad, treating him like any other customer.

“Black coffee, medium, extra hot,” he orders, his deep voice carrying a commanding edge with an undercurrent of an accent that I couldn't place.

“Would you like your coffee served in a to-go cup or a regular mug?” I ask, writing his order.

His eyes fall to my lips, his silence stretching a fraction longer than necessary, as if he was thinking.

“Regular,” he responds stoically, his sights lingering on my lips before returning to my eyes.

His intense stare makes me shift where I stand. He casually leans back in his chair, observing me as I jot down his super straightforward coffee order.

“Is there anything else you would like, sir?” I add, keeping my eyes on my notepad to avoid his gaze.

Hunter briefly eyes me up and down. “Nothing that's on the menu, unfortunately. Coffee will do, for now.”

I'm taken aback by his reply. Is he flirting with me?

My eyes snap up to meet his gaze, though the man gives nothing away. His expression was stoic with no detectable hint of amusement in his eyes.

I blink a few times before dressing my lips in a pretty smile again. “I'll be back with your order, sir.”

After stashing my notepad, I make my way over to the bar, grabbing the coffee pot before filling it with our strongest brew. My hands move on autopilot as I pour the steaming liquid into a ceramic mug.

Hunter's gaze was unrelenting. Every action I take is under his scrutiny. Every turn, every step, every pour is dissected with a predatory focus that sets my cheeks ablaze and heats every ounce of exposed skin.

His intense stare follows me like a weight, making a simple tasks feel like a delicate performance.

At first, it felt like he was undressing me with his eyes. Celina always said I had a beautiful figure and an ass to die for, attributes my ex-mother made me feel insecure about. But his eyes didn't stop at my clothes. It felt like he was peeling my skin away, reading everything underneath like invisible ink.