Page 49 of Hunter

“Shut up and eat your food,” he mutters, but there’s no bite to it. His thigh stays pressed against mine, and when I take another bite, he watches my mouth again as though he’s waiting for another excuse to use his thumb.

I swallow, still smiling, heart beating way too fast for a simple lunch in the park.

This is such a terrible idea.

And I’m not sure I care anymore.

We eat in comfortable silence for a minute, the city noise wrapping around us—kids shouting, distant traffic, everyday city noise. Every time I glance at him, he’s already looking at me. Not staring exactly, just… watching. Like he’s memorizing the way I eat or the way the sun hits my face. It should feel creepy. Instead, it makes me feel seen in a way I haven’t in years.

When I finish the last bite and wipe my hands on the napkin, Hunter crumples his wrapper and tosses it into a nearby trash can with casual accuracy.

“So,” he says, voice low and casual, like he’s not fishing, “you got other plans for the day?”

I lean back on my hands, stretching my legs out in front of me. The cropped shirt rides up again and I don’t bother fixing it, because I like his eyes on my skin. “Yeah, actually. I was thinking about heading to the zoo. Snow leopards are my favorite. They’re so fucking majestic and grumpy. Reminds me of someone I know.”

Hunter’s mouth curves into that half-smirk again. “Snow leopards, huh? Those are my favorite, too.”

I raise an eyebrow, fighting a grin. “Really?”

He’s so full of shit. I know what he’s doing. And I like it.

“Really.” He shrugs one broad shoulder, eyes still on me. “I was actually heading that way myself. Figured I’d kill some time there.”

I laugh, the sound bright and easy, happier than I’ve felt in a very long time. The kind of happy that makes my chest feel loose and warm.

“Well then,” I say, straightening back up on the wall, “I guess we should walk together. That way you don’t have to stalk me the whole way there.”

Hunter’s eyes flash with something dark and amused. He leans in just enough that his voice drops into that low, rough register that does terrible things to my insides.

“Careful,” he murmurs. “Keep teasing me like that and I might start thinking you like being stalked.”

Heat curls low in my stomach. I hold his gaze, letting the flirtation hang between us like smoke.

“Maybe I do,” I say softly, surprising myself with how honest it comes out. “A little.”

Hunter’s jaw tightens for half a second, as though he’s trying to hold something back. Then he stands, offering me his hand even though I don’t need it.

“Come on then, pretty boy,” he says, voice warm. “Let’s go see your grumpy snow leopards.”

I take his hand. His palm is rough and warm, fingers wrapping around mine a little tighter than necessary as he pulls me up. We start walking side by side toward the zoo, the sun beating down on us as if it approves of whatever the hell this is becoming.

I glance up at him as we walk, catching that dark, steady look he keeps giving me, and I smile to myself.

Yeah. He’s definitely dangerous.

But right now? I don’t care.

Chapter 20

Hunter

I’m transfixed. If I thought watching him from afar was addicting, I have to say that being right next to him is better.

Charlie is glowing.

Not in some soft, poetic way—he’s actually radiant, bouncing on the balls of his feet in front of the snow leopard enclosure like a kid who just discovered magic. Two cubs are playing together, and I’m pretty sure we will be standing here for hours.

His whole face lights up every time one of them pounces. I’ve never seen anyone enjoy something this simply.