Chapter 8

Hunter

I t’s around noon when the power comes back on, and Simon wakes me up with his perfect lips wrapped around my aching cock. It’s not long before I’m coming down his throat and then repaying the favor.

It takes even less time for him to spill into my mouth, and yes, I’m proud of that fact, even though he was already on the edge from sucking me off. It’s then that we shower and check our phones.

The roads are clear. We’re no longer snowed in, and it’s time to head to his parents’ house. To see Zane—to face him after defiling his little brother—but I mean, come on. He has to understand that Simon is a grown man and can make his own decisions, right?

“He’s not going to kill you,” Simon says as he chews on a Pop Tart we found in the cabinet and sips on his coffee.

“Easy for you to say. You’re his little brother. He won’t be mad at you.”

He rolls his eyes, “He has to get over that overprotective shit someday. Someone was bound to fuck me, and it’s not like you were the first. ”

I let out a deep growl that surprises me but only seems to light his gleaming eyes up with delight. “I’ll be the last.”

He grins. “Sure.” He winks at me when I growl again, biting my Pop Tart angrily. He seems far too pleased with himself as we finish breakfast and pack up. I make sure the cabin is secure and all the fires are out before we leave, but after I lock the door, he grabs my hand and pulls me into a kiss. “It’s going to be okay.”

“You do actually like me, right?” I’m feeling totally vulnerable here, but if I’m going to get my ass kicked, I’d like it to be for a good reason.

His lips press against mine, soft and sweet, and his nose drags over mine as he nods his head. “I do. It makes no sense, and I didn’t see it coming, but yes. I can see a real future with us, and I want that date.” He kisses me again. “I want all the dates.”

I smile against his lips. “Let’s do this then.”

We go to my truck and start the long drive to his parents’ house. I can’t go the normal speed limit, and the roads are still shitty, but we make it before it gets dark. His family rushes to greet us both and welcome us into their home, but I can barely look Zane in the eye.

He really is the best friend I’ve ever had, but I’m not giving up Simon, so he’s just going to have to be okay with this. Simon catches my eye several times, even through dinner. I can’t stop watching him and then looking at Zane, wondering how this is going to go.

I’m a nervous wreck and just want to tell him already, but I don’t have the balls. Simon doesn’t seem to have that problem as he casually chews his food, takes a drink, and then looks at Zane. “So, I think Hunter and I are dating now.”

My eyes bug out of my head, and I just stare. We didn’t talk about this at all. I knew we needed to talk to Zane—but in front of the entire family? I look over at the kids’ table, where they’re just all laughing and talking joyously, and I wonder if I can sneak over there because our adults’ table is totally silent.

“What?” Simon asks his family, his eyes challenging them all .

“What do you mean dating ?” Zane asks, but his eyes are on me, his gaze murderous.

“Well, this was fun. Thanks for dinner,” I say, tossing my napkin on the table and getting ready to bolt, but Simon shakes his head at me, and I stay put.

“I mean we’re going to go out on a date. Some things happened when we were stuck in the cabin last night...” Oh, kill me now. I look anywhere but at my best friend, but I can feel his gaze on me. “Things I won’t be discussing, but things I want to explore.”

“Hmmm,” I hear their father. Great. He’ll help Zane kill me. But then, he shocks me. “Well, that sounds like a good plan. Can’t rush these things, I suppose. Dating is good.”

My jaw drops as I look at their dad—he’s big but has always been kind and quiet. He doesn’t look like he wants to murder me.

Their mom is smiling big, her eyes all lit up, and she looks like Simon. “I think that’s fantastic. I’ve been waiting for you to find your person.” She squeezes Simon’s cheek, and he winks at me.

Zane is not happy though. Not at all. When I take the chance and look at him, he looks ill. “You and my brother?”

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly but then amend that. “I mean I’m sorry if this upsets you. I’m not sorry about being with Simon. I really like him.”

Zane looks conflicted, which is better than murderous, I suppose. “You do?”

“Ouch, big brother,” Simon jokes.

Zane flinches and looks at Simon. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think you two had anything in common. I didn’t see this coming.”

Simon snorts. “Neither did I, and maybe it was just being snowed in. Who knows? But I want to give it a shot.”

Wouldn’t be Simon if he didn’t question it, but I know that what’s between us is real. “How about now for that date?” I ask, and Simon places his napkin on the table and stands up.

“Sounds like a plan.”

He walks around the table and plants a quick kiss on my lips .

“Oh, this is too fucking weird,” Zane grumbles.

“Zane, not around the kids,” his mother warns, and I chuckle, looking over at my friend.

“I didn’t plan it, but you’re stuck with me. Friends forever, right?” I ask Zane, holding my breath and waiting for his answer. His fiancée is leaning on his shoulder, whispering something into his ear.

He nods and then looks at me. “I don’t love it, but just don’t hurt him.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Simon groans and grabs my hand. I wave and thank his parents for dinner, but it’s fast because Simon is pulling me out to my truck.

“So this date?” he asks coyly as I climb behind the wheel and start up the truck. “Please tell me it will end in an orgasm.”

“Considering I’m staying at your parents’ house tonight, I doubt it.”

He raises a brow at me. “You’re staying in my room. It has a lock.”

“And you’re loud when you come.”

He leans into me, his lips trailing over my ear. “You love it.”

I shiver, thinking about it because holy fuck, I can’t wait to be inside him again. “I do.”

He’s grinning wide as I drive downtown to a café for apple pie and cocoa. I might die later tonight because there’s no way in hell I’m going to tell him no if he does want an orgasm.

Pretty sure our relationship is going to be a whole lot of not being able to tell him no, but I’m more than okay with it.

I didn’t plan this. I thought it would for sure be an epic disaster, but turns out, being snowed in was the best thing to ever happen to me.