I'd always thought my first kiss would be awkward as hell, considering everything the other girls said about their own experiences.

It wasn't.

I had no idea what I was doing. But Hunter obviously did. He took the lead and banished every single thought from my mind. All I could feel and smell and taste was him, and it was glorious.

When he pulled back after a couple of minutes, I was out of breath, my heart was pounding in my ears, and my blood felt like molten lava.

His dark eyes burned with need. He smiled. It wasn't an amused smile, it wasn't a cynical smile. It was a genuinely happy smile. And it was glorious.

I cleared my throat. "You sure know what you're doing."

His smile widened, and a devious light played in his eyes. "I have a lot of experience."

Way to ruin the mood. I rolled my eyes and pulled away from him. The noise of the party finally pierced the fog in my brain. He didn't let me get far.

Hunter put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer, kissing my hair. "Thank you," he mumbled, his voice rough.

My irritation vanished. I sighed and leaned my head against his chest. His body was a furnace. It felt nice. "You're welcome. It was nice. If you're good and don't keep reminding me of your past conquests, I'll let you try again. Maybe."

His chest rumbled with a chuckle. "Sorry. I'll be on my best behavior."

"Mhm."

We stayed that way for a while, just leaning into each other. The party moved around us, people dancing and drinking and laughing. I felt content just sitting here, eating delicious snacks and enjoying Hunter's warmth.

Every once in a while, his finger would rub my shoulder or he would press his lips to my hair. We didn't say a word. I had no idea this kind of peacefulness existed. I could stay here for hours.

I had finished my plate a while ago and invaded Hunter's. He just pushed it closer to me and let me eat his food as well. I might fall in love with him at this rate.

"We're out of food," I said around the last potato chip in my mouth.

"You said you'll cut down unhealthy snacks."

"It's a party," I whined.

"How about a walk?" He said. I nodded. A break from the crowd sounded nice. We stood up and made our way outside, past the noise of people and music and the strobing lights. It was cold. I took Hunter's arm, put it around my shoulders and hugged his waist with my arm. Ah, much better. Amusement filled his eyes, but he hugged me tighter.

We strolled down the street, past the parked cars. The music faded behind us, its rhythmic thuds echoing faintly in the quiet neighborhood. Thank God I didn't wear high heels.

We walked through the sporadic spots of light the street lamps projected. The houses were all massive, with well kept gardens and elaborate driveways. Hunter was very relaxed next to me. I had never seen him this. It was like he lowered the invisible wall he always kept between him and the world.

Surprisingly, it was Hunter who broke the silence. "Do you want to be a chef in the future?"

"Where did that come from?"

"You love food."

"Who doesn't?" I said. He gave me a look. Okay, maybe I loved food a little too much. "I actually want to be a vet."

"A vet." He nodded. "I can see that. You love animals."

"I do. They're... easy to understand. They just need food and love and shelter and they're happy," I said. "What about you?"

Quiet. He heaved a deep sigh, tucking his free hand in his pocket. "I just want to get out of here."

We drew to a stop. "What do you mean? This town?"

He nodded.

"Why?" I asked.

His muscles locked, his earlier serenity melting away into the night. I linked my fingers with his hand over my shoulder and squeezed. He looked at me. I gave him a smile. "It's fine. You can tell me later."

An indecipherable look crossed his face. We walked forward. But after a few minutes, he spoke. "I want to get out of my father's control."

I glanced at him. I hadn't expected that. He continued. "It's complicated. But he wants me to work for the company. He wants me to pursue a business degree, take over the company, get married to a girl he and my grandfather approve of and secure heirs."

I blinked. I waited for him to say he was joking. He didn't.

"Is your father still living in the eighteenth century?" I asked.

He smiled a little. "Maybe."

I shook my head. I had no idea there were still people who thought like that. "What about you? What do you want to do?"

"I... don't know. But I know I don't want to live my life as my father's shadow. I want to figure out my life on my own. I want to marry someone I chose when the time is right. I want to have a big family."

My brows raised. "A big family? You want kids?"

"Eventually. Why do you look surprised?"

I didn't mean to sound surprised... or maybe I did, because I was.

"I just didn't expect you to..." And now I sounded like Stefan. I sighed. "Sorry. That was mean of me."

He shrugged a shoulder. "I know how I look to the world. It's fine."

"It's not fine," I grumbled, annoyed with myself. "I keep telling the others not to judge you, but I keep doing the same."

He squeezed my shoulder.

"So, kids?" I asked, getting back on topic.

He nodded. "I'm an only child. You have no idea how lucky you are. If I ever have a child, I don't want him or her to live like I did."

I slowly nodded. My brothers drove me up the walls sometimes. But I wouldn't trade them for the world. I couldn't even imagine growing up and living without siblings.

"But that's all wishful thinking. I'll probably end up a lonely, grumpy old man who chases kids off his lawn."

I frowned. "Why? You can have a family if you want."

The light in his eyes dimmed. "I wouldn't know what to do with it. I wouldn't know how to be a father or a husband or... whatever."

"No one really does," I told him. "You think all those people who have families have things figured out? Of course not."

"Not everyone is messed up inside," he mumbled.

We stopped. He looked up at the dark sky. There was so much I still didn't know about Hunter, I realized. But compared to the stony-faced guy he'd been at first, our progress was considerable.

"We're all a little messed up," I told him.

He looked doubtful. "Even you?"

I chuckled humorlessly. "Oh, you have no idea."

He opened his mouth, then closed it. My parents' faces flashed before my eyes. My father's bloodied face in the reck of the car. My mother's unseeing eyes in our house. I shrugged off the memories, pushing them to the deepest corners of my mind where they wouldn't paralyze me with guilt and grief. It was easier to do than usual. Maybe it was the magic of the night around us. Or maybe I was just so at ease around Hunter that nothing could burst through bubble of peace.

I gave Hunter a bright smile.

"I'm messed up, you're messed up. How about we be messed up together?" I said, half joking.

He smiled a little. "Are you proposing?"

I jabbed my elbow in his side. He chuckled. I grinned. "Depends. How many kids do you want? I don't want to have more than three."

It didn't even cross my mind that speaking about children with my boyfriend should be awkward. I was that comfortable around him.

"At least two," he said. "But three or four would be nice."

I chuckled. "That's a big family."

"You're four, too, in your family," he said.

"Yep. Sam is older, so he's more like a parent to us," I said. "And we're triplets, so it's not like Mom had to get pregnant four times."

"Then there's a chance you could get pregnant with triplets as well."

"Yep. Multiple births run in the family," I said. "My father's cousin also has twins. If I'm lucky, I'll get pregnant once and have triplets and be done with it. But that's way down the line from now. I'll have to get through my vet degree first."

"You'll do it. And you'll be the best at it, too," he said. His unshakable faith warmed my heart. "How's the kitten?"

"Doing good, last time I checked," I said. "Why don't you come with me next time? I volunteer in the local shelter once every other week, you should come."

"Are you sure I can come with? I don't exactly have the best reputation in town."

"Pfft, we don't discriminate as long as you're good to animals," I said. "They could use all the help they could get."

He hummed. "I'd like to come. Never been there."

I grinned up at him. "Maybe you'll go home with a cat or a dog."

His smile was a little sad. "Not now. Maybe later. When I figure out my life. It wouldn't be fair to a pet to get caught in it."

I squeezed his hand. "You're a good guy, Hunter Jamison."

He grinned. And it was filled with mischief and joy. "You said you'll let me try again," he said. "If I'm good."

I smiled back, and he leaned down and kissed me again.

*** **** ***

It was a long time before we made our way back to the party, hand in hand. The atmosphere was more upbeat. More people had showed up.

Most people surrounded one of the bench tables near the gazebo. I stood on my tiptoes. "What's going on there?" I called out over the music.

Hunter raised his head. "Food competition." He glanced at me. "You should've participated."

"Hey!" I slapped his arm.

Hunter and I made our way to an empty bench table in a corner of the garden. I couldn't see my brothers or my friends. They were probably enjoying themselves somewhere in the crowd.

"Drink?" Hunter asked.

"Coke, please."

He disappeared and came back minutes later with two bottles of coke. He set them on the table and sat down. I picked up mine and tried to open it. My hand slipped. I would need to use my skirt to get a grip on the lid.

Hunter opened his bottle, handed it to me and plucked the unopened bottle in my hand, all while saying nothing. He really was smooth. I smiled and took a sip.

"Thanks."

His reply was a grunt. It was interesting how quickly he closed up when there were people around. It was flattering, the fact that he felt comfortable enough around me to show me his true self. Or at least part of it, I amended, remembering the way he stiffened at the mention of his family.

I shivered. The night was growing chilly.

"Cold?" Hunter asked. He noticed everything.

"Kind of," I said, rubbing my arms.

"I'll get you your jacket," he said, standing up.

"I'll get them-"

"Just stay here," he said. His hand slid over my back as he stood up. I watched him go. His walk was unique; his massive shoulders rolled in, his hands tucked in his pockets, his dark head bobbing above the crowd.

I glanced around for Lia and the others. Oh. There was Jason and Liza. They were standing around the crowd of the food competition, cheering. Was someone we knew competing?

Where was Lia- my eyes widened. Lia was dancing with Stefan. I blinked hard and rubbed my eyes. Was I seeing things?

Nope. Right in the middle of the dance floor under the gazebo, among the other dancers, Lia was dancing with Stefan. What the heck was happening to the world?

Lia twirled and almost lost her footing. Stefan steadied her. She giggled and swayed again as soon as he let go of her.

Oh. She was drunk. That made more sense.

I smiled to myself and looked for my phone. I had to take evidence of this. She'd be horrified tomorrow if I showed her. Hehehe.

I patted my pockets. Right. I was wearing a dress. No pocket. Damn. I had left my phone with Hunter. I turned in my seat and glanced around. He had to come soon before Lia passed out.

"Looking for someone?"

I startled and turned. Jake sat next to me, his smirk unbelievably smug. I huffed and looked away, scanning the crowd for Hunter. "Go away, Jake."

"You hurt my feelings, Sapph," he said, leaning closer. He smelled like alcohol and something else I didn't know. The look in his eyes made my skin crawl.

I took Hunter's coke and mine and stood up. I had no intention of letting Jake ruin my evening with his nonsense. "Bye, Jake."

I left him sitting there and walked away, finding my way through the crowd. It seemed like every damn high school student in town was in attendance.

I strolled about, trying to keep an eye out for Hunter and sipping on my coke. I kept to the fringes of the garden where it wasn't packed.

It was about ten minutes later when I began feeling nauseous. I took another sip of my coke to sooth down my throat.

The world turned blurry. I blinked hard, hearing my heart in my ears. What was wrong with me?

Someone bumped into me. I staggered. Everything was foggy, and I just wanted to sit down. Or better yet, lay down.

My senses dulled, the sounds reaching me as if under water. I bumped into someone again and shook my head, but my movements felt sluggish, my limbs heavy.

The two bottles of cokes slipped from my hands.

"Come on, let's get you out of here," a garbled voice said.

Someone was holding me upright as we wove through the crowd.

"Hunter?" I said. At least, that was what I thought I said. Everything was slow and unfocused.

The voice replied. What was happening to me? I closed my eyes for a second. The world turned black.

Cold hands on my skin.

My eyes opened. Outside. Dark.

Someone was touching me. My chest, my face, my legs.

I didn't want that. My muddled up brain barely held onto that thought.

"No," I slurred. More voices. Yelling. Then I was shoved inside.

The world turned black.

A car. My eyes cracked open. Windshield. Bright lights. No. Not again. My mind flashed back to my last drive with my father. The blood. The horror. The pain. My heart struggled to keep up with my panic, but I felt like a prisoner in my own body.

Someone next to me, touching me. My heavy hand pushed them away. A sting on my cheek. Garbled voices.

The world turned black.

A lurching sensation. A moment of clarity. Hunter. Furious. Then it all stopped.

--- ---- ---

don't kill me! Another chapter is coming very soon! 

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Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.