Watched by Olivia Batto

love it.”
    “Have you two spoken lately?”
    “No,” she admitted. “I know I should tell him about us, and about what’s going on, but how does one even start that kind of topic? ‘Hi honey, how was your day? Well, I’m sleeping with our landlord, and someone has a vendetta against me. Did your painting do well at the competition?’ That’ll go well.”
    Her line of thought was interrupted when Hunter lightly brushed his knuckles across the base of her neck. Little jolts of electricity flashed to life under his touch, making her skin tingle in anticipation. She looked up to find amusement dancing in his eyes.
    “Maybe you could start with breaking the news about us, then move on to the scary parts.”
    She licked her lips, distracted by the hand stroking slowly up and down her neck. How did he turn her on just by a casual touch? Her nipples drew into taut buds, aching for his attention. She turned away to hide the flush on her cheeks.
    “I’m worried about Simon. I don’t want to upset him. He’s only fifteen, he might not understand.” She broke off as his deep chuckle vibrated through her. The richness of it sent a rush of awareness up her spine. Her pulse sped up even as she raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s so funny?”
    “There's something you need to know about Simon.” He told her, rubbing his hand up and down her upper arm as they followed the path to a hollow behind a small waterfall. The misty cavern air smelled of stone and moss. Goosebumps rose on her arms. “He's already talked to me about you.”
    She looked up at him and stopped, crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you mean?”
    He laid a kiss on the top of her head. “Simon thought I should move faster, tell you sooner. How did he put it? Oh yes. ‘I'll never forgive you if you let her get away.’ The boy has been winking at me for months like a crazed wing man, I'm surprised you didn't notice.”
    She stared at him in surprise. Her son had talked to Hunter about this? Slow realization dawned; it had been Simon who encouraged her to start having dinner with Hunter. “How long have you two been planning this?”
    He lifted his hands, palms forward. “He first spoke to me about two months before he left, but we haven’t been planning anything. He swore me to secrecy at first, but I thought under the circumstances you should know.”
    “Little sneak.” The casual affection in his touch had her nerves singing, and she pulled his hands back down to rest around her waist. “What about your family, is there anyone you’ll tell soon?”
    Hunter laughed, pulling her against his hard chest. Her body relaxed against his automatically, and she ran her fingers over his chest.
    “Well, my sister and mother will meet you at Art’s party.”
    Alexandra smacked a hand to her forehead. “I completely forgot about the party! It’s on Thursday, isn’t it? Three days from now.” When he nodded, she let her hand slide down to cover her face. “I’m meeting your sister and mother in three days. Just great. I’m excited to meet them,” she amended hastily with an apologetic flinch. “It’s just nerves, it’ll pass.”
    He caressed her hair, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “I’m sure they’ll fall in love with you, just like I have.”
    Alexandra twitched as his words sent a jolt of fire through her. “In love,” she repeated, searching his face. The waterfall roared in her ears as she rested on his chest.
    Hunter folded his arms around her. “In love. With you.” He raised one eyebrow. “Is that allowed?”
    “It’s just a lot to process.” Alexandra leaned her forehead against him, her hands running over his stomach and hips. He loved her. She wanted to say it back, but something about the words frazzled her nerves. It felt too fast, like they were on a rocket headed for a fateful explosion.
    His strong hands rubbed her back soothingly. “Don’t feel pressured. I just wanted you to know how I feel. If