As ridiculous as it is, I feel like he can see through the facade I put on for everyone else. When his eyes bore into me, it’s like he can see my soul and it scares the shit out of me. Half of the time he is a decent guy that I could actually see myself being with, the other half of the time I want to kick him in the dick with my heel.
The door opens and the doctor walks in. “Miss Baker, you’re free to go. I’ve left you discharge instructions and there is some nutrition information in there. Your health is more important than anything else, so please take this incident seriously.” I nod my head. He places the papers on the counter. “Well, you are free to get dressed and then leave. Do you have a ride arranged?”
“Yes, I have someone coming.”
“Okay then. Be safe, and have a good day.”
He walks out of the door and I move to stand up. That’s when I realize I have no clothes here. What am I supposed to wear? I can’t put the costume back on and walk out of here looking like a hooker. The paparazzi will have a field day if I walk out of here in a hospital gown, not to mention that it would be so embarrassing.
A knock sounds at the door before it opens. Hunter.
“Hey.” He is carrying a duffel bag and he adjusts the baseball hat he’s wearing with his free hand, almost like he’s nervous. “I heard you were getting out today and I thought you might need some stuff.” He hands me the bag.
In it there is a change of clothes and a pair of sneakers. I smile at him, appreciating that he came and he brought this stuff. It’s times like these that I could see something happening between us. “Thanks, you’re a life saver.”
I go into the bathroom and change, also finding a brush in the bag. I try to make something of the nasty bed head I have going on, but it’s no use. I have strands sticking out in every direction. Half of my natural curls are present, mixed with the pin straight hair my stylist insists on. When I walk out, Hunter looks up and bows his head, trying to hide an obvious laugh.
“What is so funny?” I place my hand on my hips feigning irritation.
“Your hair, cupcake. It is definitely not photo ready.” He winks at me as he walks over. “Here, this should help tame the nest on your head.” He pulls a hat on my head as my mouth drops open from his comment. “Don’t look so surprised. I know there was a mirror in there.” He laughs again and I can’t help but join him.
I take the hat off, gather my hair into a makeshift ponytail, threading it though the back of it. As I pull it on, his scent envelopes me and I would be lying if I said I didn’t love it.
“Alright then, let’s get out of here.” He holds his hand out to me and I can’t help but look at it like it’s a foreign object. He must sense my hesitation because he grabs my hand. “I’ve seen you naked before, cupcake. You can’t be too shy to give me your hand.” He winks at me and I feel a blush spread across my face.
We walk out of the room and take the elevator downstairs. As we approach the exit, I can see photographers through the glass sliding doors. I stop walking, not wanting to face the insults that they will be throwing my way. Hunter’s hand squeezes mine.
“You got this. Just hold onto me and keep your head down.”
I nod and take a deep breath before he pulls me through the door. The lights start to flash and there is yelling coming from all around me. My hand grips Hunter’s as I remember the last time when the crowd got out of hand. We reach the car and I breathe a sigh of relief once the door closes. “So, where are we going?” I ask, as we pull away from the hospital.
“Well, your mother sent me this long ass list of shit you were supposed to do and places that you were supposed to be, but I told her that you wouldn’t be attending any of them.” My head snaps to the side in shock. “You need to rest Sam, and running around like she had planned isn’t good for you.”
I can’t believe him. Every time he says or does something like this, it makes me wish for more. I haven’t had someone to confide in for a long time, and I’m starting to feel like maybe Hunter can be that person. “So then, what’s the plan?” I want to say so much more to him. I want to tell him how I’m feeling, and how conflicted I am.
“The plan is to have fun.” He sits back, threading his fingers behind his head.
Fun has been a foreign word to me lately. There isn’t time to enjoy anything you do when every minute is scheduled for you. I smile, listening to the music and closing my eyes. This day might be exactly what I need.
“Sam, we’re here.” I feel Hunter’s hand rubbing up and down my arm as I force my eyes open. “You fell asleep.”
I did? I hope to God I wasn’t lying there with my mouth wide open, snoring, and drooling. I look around and see a movie theater. He’s taking me to a movie? I smile; I haven’t been to a movie voluntarily and without the pressure of the red carpet in forever. I get to go to premieres but it becomes about what you’re wearing. Making sure to laugh at funny parts so you’re not seen as stiff. Every reaction can be scrutinized by anyone around you. Hunter extends his hand to me again and I take it as we walk into the theater. He bypasses the ticket counter and the attendant scans his phone.
“What are we seeing?”
He points to a movie poster above us. When I look up, I almost let out a yelp just from the sight of it. There is distorted face that seems to be screaming in front of a broken down house. I am such a wimp when it comes to scary movies. The last one I watched had me waking up for nights thinking something was coming after me.
“Think you can handle it?”
Not wanting to seem like a baby in front of him, I force some courage into my voice. “Hell yeah, I don’t know if you can.”
I walk toward the theaters but he tugs at my hand, stopping me. “Slow down, cupcake, you’re missing the best part of the movies.” He walks me over to the concession stand. The cashier hands him an enormous tub of popcorn and a large soda. I grab the drink for him and follow him to the theater. Hunter walks toward the back and takes a seat in the very last row. There aren’t many people in the theater and the realization that I’ll be alone in the dark with him for a few hours has my body on high alert. We sit down and fall into an easy conversation. As the previews play, we give them thumbs up or down for what we think. Being with him right now is so easy, it just feels right and normal.
The eerie music starts to play as the lights dim all the way. Hunter places the popcorn in my lap. The smell of it invades my senses and all I want is to shove enormous handfuls in my mouth like a caveman. I don’t though. It’s like I have this block that every time I reach for food, especially junk food, I hear my mother’s voice. I lean in and whisper to him that I don’t want any. Hunter’s hand holds the back of my neck as he leans in, his lips almost touching my ear. When he speaks, his hot breath spreads goosebumps across my skin. “You’ll eat my popcorn cupcake, or I’ll get on my knees in this theater and eat that sweet pussy. I’m not saying I won’t do it later, but I’m not above making you fall apart in front of these people.” His teeth clamp down on my earlobe slowly, dragging over my skin and creating an immense heat throughout my body. “Be a good girl now, and I’ll treat you real good later.” His fingers skim the bottom of my shorts, dangerously close to the part of me that is begging for him.
I reach for the popcorn and grab a piece or two. My hand pauses in front of my mouth, it’s like I’m fighting a battle with myself just to eat. His hand doesn’t move, he just continues to trace slow lines across my upper thigh. The need I have for him is building and I can barely concentrate on what is going on. I place the popcorn in my mouth almost moaning at the deliciousness of it.
“You need it, don’t you? I can tell, Sam.” His hand inches higher and he tugs at the hem of my panties. “Tell me you want it.” Before I can even think, he sinks a finger into me with ease. “Tell me,” he growls in my ear.