Chapter 14

Damon didn't knock when he walked into Hunter's house the following afternoon. Hunter looked up from the kitchen table where he was working to find Damon with his head in the fridge pulling out a sports drink.

"I thought I would find you primping," Damon said, twisting the cap off the bottle.

"Primping?" Hunter asked.

"For your date with Maggie."

"How did you know about that?"

Damon stared at him pityingly and shook his head. "Bro, small town. You make a reservation for two with Kerri, then the way Gage was grumbling about you not breaking his sister's heart when I saw him a little while ago. I put two and two together. I must admit. I'm shocked you didn't eff this up."

"Thanks for having my back, bro." Hunter scowled at him.

Damon took a sip and then stared at him. "I did. When I told you over and over again to stop being an ass and to look at what's right in front of you. Maggie's a better person than I am. I would have punched you in the face and taken your gifts anyway."

Then it dawned on him what Damon had said about primping. Hunter looked at his watch and cursed. "I need to get ready. I was caught up watching the interrogation of Pablo Soliz and lost track of time."

That stopped any dry humor on Damon's part. "What did they find out?"

"Nothing so far," Hunter said, shutting down his computer. "Pablo refused to say anything except he was here visiting a sick friend at the hospital, but the blow to the head made him forget who."

"I'm sure you can find a way to get that information out of him," Damon said as Hunter walked to his bedroom with his brother trailing him.

"Not when he's in FBI custody. Washington, D.C. is freaking out over this. Every agency is demanding to take the lead, but I wouldn't be surprised if Pablo just disappears at the hands of some CIA SOGs or something." Hunter pulled off his shirt and headed to his closet. "Please tell me I don't have to wear dress slacks to Kerri's."

"You do know your date, right? She's going to be in a dress and you think to show up in jeans and an athletic shirt?"

"I was going to wear a polo," Hunter grumbled after being called out by his brother. He didn't wait for a response. He grabbed the black slacks and a dove gray polo that Olivia had gotten him since it matched his eyes.

Damon actually cracked a smile. "I love that she's nothing but bright colors and you have nothing but black, gray, navy blue, and camouflage."

Hunter shrugged. "It'll let her stand out even more."

Damon grinned and pushed off the door he was leaning against. "I told you she was the one. When you marry her, I expect one hell of a thank-you gift."

"We are not talking about marriage. It's a first date!" Hunter yelled at Damon's retreating back.

* * *

"Are you excited?" Georgie asked from her seat on the couch in Maggie's bedroom.

Maggie was fighting her hair at her makeup table. She'd opted for very light makeup. Hunter didn't strike her as a man who cared if she had on fake eyelashes or the perfect cat eye.

"I'm more nervous than I've ever been. Excited, yes, but more nervous."

Georgie nodded understandingly. "Because he's different."

"Why does everyone say that?"

"Girl, you stayed single for him, even when he was a jerk. You knew you two were meant to be together just as Kord waited for me to see it. You waited for Hunter. Now the wait is over," Georgie grinned. "I bet he'll kiss you tonight and not just on your mouth."

"Georgie!" Maggie laughed, tossing a blush brush at her.

Georgie caught it and wagged it at her. "One, you've been waiting for this to happen. Two, Hunter doesn't strike me as someone who waits to go after what he wants and he's wanted you since that first night too. We all know it. We've all seen him staring at you. Now that the hurdles are gone, you better hang onto your panties. Or better yet, don't."

"I am not sleeping with Hunter on the first date. He has to earn it. However, he did get down on his knees to ask my forgiveness and his face was so close to there that I momentarily forgot how to talk."

"Told you so!" Georgie laughed before getting up and heading to Maggie's closet. "Now, if you really want him to suffer, wear this." Georgie pulled out a mini skirt that flipped and swung easily. It barely covered Maggie's bottom as long as there was no breeze. If there was a breeze . . .

"I'll flash half the town," Maggie said, staring at it.

"Good. Wear a thong and maybe drop something in front of Hunter."

"Georgie!" However, the idea made her very excited. What would he do if she did that?

"And these wedges that lace up your legs," Georgie said, pulling things from her closet and ignoring Maggie's wide eyes. "And this pale pink strappy top."

"What's wrong with this?" Maggie asked, looking down at the sundress she was wearing.

"It's cute, but it's not sexy. Tonight is all about sex. You don't have to have it, but you do have to get a little revenge by reminding Hunter about what he's been missing."

Okay, she couldn't fault Georgie for that logic. It would be a fun way to give him a little payback for all the times she drooled over him.

"I'll just try it on to show you why I can't wear it."

Maggie wore it. She even wore the thong. Her mother would throw a fit, or maybe not. Maggie was surprised by how encouraging her mom was of this date. However, because they had a full house at the B B, her family was busy when it was time for Hunter to pick her up. Good, she was too old to have her parents meeting her dates at the door. Instead, Maggie sat on the patio swing and waited for Hunter to arrive.

Hunter pulled up to the house five minutes early. He stepped out of the truck and Maggie's stomach flipped and warmed. He looked yummy. The slacks were tailored to show off all of his . . . assets. The polo, while casual, made his eyes pop while giving him a sexy, dangerous air.

But then he reached into his truck and came out with a bouquet of flowers. Not roses, thank goodness. Just like with jewelry, everyone expected roses as her favorite flowers, but they weren't. Hunter had a bouquet of ranunculus, sweet peas, and gardenias. It was perfect.

Maggie stood up to greet Hunter as he climbed the steps. His eyes ran over her body and he almost stumbled on the last step when a slight breeze made her skirt flutter and showed off even more leg. Okay, so Georgie was right about the outfit for tonight. It made Maggie feel powerful and sexy all at once.

"You look beautiful," Hunter said as he handed her the flowers. "I don't know how I got so lucky for you to say yes to a date."

Goo. She was going to turn into goo.

"Fam!" Timmons called out, walking around the house. "Whoa, Maggie. Your outfit slaps. No cap. Aww, the flowers are dank. Want me to put them in some water?"

"Bet," Hunter answered seamlessly leaving Maggie trying not to laugh. Hearing Gen Z slang from Hunter was so unnatural.

Maggie handed the flowers over to Timmons. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Hunter held out his arm and Maggie hooked her hand through it as they walked down the steps. She was more nervous than she ever had been before. Everything about this date screamed that it was not just a first date. It was the beginning of something more.

"I can't thank you enough for helping me with the air rifle. I showed Gage what you taught me and he was impressed."

"Maybe he won't kill me then if I kiss you goodnight at the end of our date," Hunter said with a smile as he drove toward downtown. "Seriously though, you didn't need much help. You're one of the best shots I've ever seen. I went to Keeneston, where the Faulkners' cousins live, for this super strange and realistic training session. And damn, there were a couple of top-notch shooters there. It's enough to make a man feel inadequate."

The grin on his face told Maggie that Hunter didn't feel inadequate about anything, which was actually really sexy. He could be outshot, out-fought, outsmarted, and he didn't get mad. Instead, he learned from it. Blythe had told her about Hunter asking to be shown moves. He'd also asked for tips from Maggie. He constantly asked Olivia her thoughts on things and to explain anything he didn't know.

Yes, he was still groveling for being an egotistical jerk, but now she saw all sides of him. That ego was to protect his heart and that's the only reason she forgave him. That, and since she had, Hunter had done nothing but prove himself to be the man of her dreams. A kiss to end their date was now all she could think about because Maggie was sure he'd kiss like he walked through life—with complete confidence. No slobbering overeager kisses. No limp lips because they were unsure of themselves. Nope, she bet Hunter's kiss would wreck her for life and she couldn't wait.