While Hunter says there's nothing going on between them, I still have my worries about her. She's a freaking psycho. Nearly killing me by forcing my head in the toilet. While it may be degrading and humiliating, I was only worried for my life. If Cass will go that far to keep me away from Hunter when they’re together, how far will she go when they're not?
A desperate woman is a woman with a loaded vendetta.
Pondering over that, I decide to try and soak my feelings away. Maybe if my body can heal itself, my mind will be able to sift through all the bullshit and figure out what it wants to do. Because my mind is running the show now, not my body. I can't count on that little bitch to make the right choices.
While getting my things ready, I run the bath and put my lavender and honeysuckle bath salt in the warm water. Ridding myself of my clothes, I can't help but stop and stare at the small roll of my stomach that my clothes mostly hide. In high school, I was a thin rail. But now, I have childbearing hips and full-fledged stretch marks from carrying Maverick for nine months.
Just remembering what I used to look like and what I do now scares me a little into submission as well. What would Hunter think? Would he be disgusted by my marks or turned on? I know some men think that sort of thing is hot, having “tiger stripes” from carrying their children. Is Hunter that type? Just the fear of the unknown makes me pause.
Tossing my clothes into the dirty hamper, I wrap a robe around me. It's silk, and one of the only things I really overspent on when it comes to myself. The material is soft and silky against my skin, and I love the way it makes me feel. Light rose in color, nearly a champagne, and hits about mid-thigh. It's gorgeous and so sensible.
Tying my hair into a messy bun, I hum under my breath as I pour a small glass of wine to enjoy in my bath. Taking a drink, I start making my way down the hall and shut off the water. Just as I’m about to disrobe, I hear a knock at the door. The knock is strong, assured, and causes a buzzing undercurrent to zip through me. There's only one person that could be.
I put down my wine and slowly make my way toward the door. I curse under my breath when I remember what I'm wearing, with nothing at all underneath. I contemplate changing, but then think better of it. He probably just forgot something over here the other day.
Unlocking the locks, I swing open the door with a smile. "Forget something?"
"When did I have a chance to forget something?"
Instantly, the smile drops from my face, and my guard comes up. "Traven?"
He gives me a lecherous grin. "Hey, Harloe. Long time, no chat."
I haven't talked to him since that night we had dinner. Didn't have a reason to. I knew the moment I left the restaurant, that he and I would be pursuing nothing together. Traven Lockridge throws up too many red flags, especially when we're alone. Much like we are now.
"Oh, yeah. I've been pretty busy."
He holds a hand to his chest, feigning hurt. "Ouch."
I don't miss the way his gaze eats up my body like a fat cat would lick up warm cream. It's disgusting and makes me feel like nothing more than a piece of meat. Closing the door a little, blocking half my body from view, I ask, "So, what brings you here?"
His eyes snap back up to mine, and he grins, but even I can tell the emotion doesn't quite reach his eyes. If anything ... I'd say he doesn't look happy to be here. If that's the case, I pray he leaves soon. There's just something off about him. I don't like it when we're alone.
He leans to the left, lounging against the door jamb. I close the door another smidge, knowing what he's trying to do. I really should have gotten something on. But considering I thought it might be Hunter, I didn't. Of course, it wouldn't have been appropriate then, either, but still, at least I feel Hunter's honest intentions.
With Traven, all I see is debauchery and darkness.
"Wanna go out tonight?"
I crane my head to the right, furrowing my brows. "You know I have a kid, right? I can't just go out all willy-nilly."
His gaze flicks toward the inside of the apartment shortly before he brings his eyes back to mine. "Is he here? I could've sworn I saw the little tyke with Jenna. Going to the movies or something?"
My guard inches higher. "How do you know that?"
"I live in the same house as Hunter, silly," he forces out through a laugh, but I don't get what's funny.
This is the same guy who was trying to get into my pants last month. This is the same guy who puts off serious creepy vibes. This is also the guy who Hunter caught with Cass, looking like they were up to no good.
Fuck, I wish Hunter were here.
The thought makes my eyes round marginally. I've never wanted Hunter to protect me more than I do now, and you know what ... it feels good. Not right now, with all things considering. But just the thought that if he knew I needed him that he'd be here. That's the kind of reliance I want to have on someone, and I know, right here and now, that no matter what went down in high school, Hunter is still that guy for me.
"That still doesn't answer my question." Plus, only Maverick was talking about the movies to Leo, and when he did, I know for a fact Traven was nowhere around.
He gives me a smile meant to charm, and then allows his head to jerk toward the exit like he's talking about someone. "I met Jenna as she was going out before coming up here."
That was nearly an hour ago. "Oh, really?" I try to appear nonchalant, even though I'm seriously beginning to freak out.
He nods like this isn't the biggest creeptastic conversation ever. He must think he's slick, saying he met them as he was coming up when I know he didn't. She left thirty minutes before the show started. If he's just now knocking on the door, then he was either waiting for something, or he doesn't have nice motives for being here.
Subtly, my eyes check out my surroundings in my peripheral vision. I note the light at the end of the hallway, nearest the door next to ours, is out. I can't see if it's blown out or just missing, and I also don't know why I notice that as much, but I do all the same. Coincidentally, that's the same area where the camera is.
Deciding to put this conversation to rest, I make an excuse. "Well, I have a bath calling my name, I better not waste it."
He smiles once more, which is freaky, considering his expression doesn’t show the emotion. "Do you want to go out?"
He sounds too frenetic while trying to appear nonchalant. His eyes, every so often, break away, and he peers both ways down the hallway before his gaze finds mine again. He's pretty hellbent on me going out with him, and I can hear the hard undertone of his voice like he won't take no for an answer.
"Why are you pushing this?" I question, watching the slight tic of his jaw.
His nostrils flare, and it's weird because the rest of him appears unfazed. "Just ..." I can see he's barely holding himself together, but whatever restraint he had must be slipping because his tone gets rougher and angrier as he spits out, "The answer you're looking for is yes. It's not too hard to say since you did so easily with Prince. Get dressed. I will wait right here for you, or ... would you rather I wait inside?"
I gasp, shocked at his crass words—also, the innuendo. "You need to leave. Now."