Flames and Feathers Book 1

Breakfast and a Naughty DayDream

Mid bite, Hunter sat his fork down and took a sip of his juice.

“I’ll be quite honest, I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I am barley awake right now.” He yawned into his clinched fist and laughed.

“ I couldn’t sleep so I read a book for a bit and then took a little walk in the woods. “

Unbeknown to the expression on my face, his eyes grew wide and he searched my face. I had a hard time hiding the shock.

“You take midnight walks in the pitch black of night? Aren’t you afraid of bears or wolfs? Are you some sort of vampire? " I scrunched up my nose, shaking my head back and forth, grabing the last bite of my cold pancake.

" Is there something you need to tell me? “I giggled and made a cross with my fingers and put them out in front of me. I was merely joking but thought twice about it after I had and hope he didn’t take it offensive.

He opened his mouth to protest and shook his napkin at me, flashing me a shy smile.

“ Just so you know, my name is not Edward ! And this town is called “Two Elks Pine”, home of the Mighty Pine Tree, no vamps here! ”

He held up his hands and pleaded he was telling the truth and then bust out laughing. “ And one more thing, I don’t sparkle in the sun! " Frowing he took a drink from his mostly empty orange juice cup.

" Well, at least the last time I checked..."

“ In all seriousness though, I always carry a lantern with me and Jake keeps me safe, we’ve only ran into one black bear ever, in all the time I’ve lived here. The book I was reading, if you’re wondering, was a cookbook. I like to cook, learn new recipes."

Hunter shoved the last bite of his bacon in his mouth and then stuck his tongue out at me.

Disregarding all his other comments, the one thing that stuck out at me in this conversation was the fact that he fully admitting to reading a cookbook.

“ You like to cook?” I finished off the last of the crumbs on my plate and took a sip of my now cold hot chocolate.

Hunter wiped off his mouth with a napkin.

“ I was looking over a few recipes for some homemade sauces for this afternoon and yeah, I know my way around a kitchen. “

His skills at cooking did intrigue me and well, I did love food, so I pushed for more details.

“What kind of food do you enjoy making? I love food and well you make it, so I am very interested in hearing more.” I giggled and licked the bacon bits that remained on my finger.

“I would say so ! “ He glanced down at my now completely empty dish and back up at me. I know I scarfed it down but I was starving and well I hadn’t had a good meal in days. Most of my food came out of a paper bag or contained a wrapper.

“ I like to make all types of foods, if you end up sticking around more than a few days, I will share with you my skills.” He picked up his cup and drank a few more sips of his juice.

“ I would love that ! Can you make lasagna?

If so, I would totally stay, that’s my favorite dish.” I questioned, my giddy with hopes of home made lasgna in my future.

“ I know how to make a mean veggie lasagna and a very awesome Italian version."

How about I make you a deal? “He stood up and dug into his pocket, pulling out forty dollars and laid it on the table.

“ Let me pay for breakfast and you spend the entire day with me. I will answer any questions you have, about the town, about myself, anything that comes to mind.” He gave me a look that pleaded for me to say yes, even if it meant using all of the rest of the funds I had on me but how could I say no?

My body and my heart would disagree and my head would win, if I were being completely rational. I would probably run out the door and never look back, if I were smart.

Yeah, Hunter really made my heart sing and then skip a beat, that is why I should be using my brains, instead of, listening to the beating in my chest.

It was now beginning to race and I know I couldn’t back down now, I guess I might be using my sleeping bag and tent for a while until I could come up with a way of bringing in some more funds. It wasn't like I was compleatly low on money... I mean I had a credit card... It never ran low... Father had made sure of that a long time ago... but I never tried to compleatly rely on that....

I mean who knows, hjow long the money would be flowing, eventuly it was going to run dry, exspecialy if something happened to him..

Sometimes, a girl has to rely on herself...

“ You got a deal! “ Blushing I stood up pushing my chair up to the table.

   I ran to the restroom and splashed some cold water on my face.

Calm down!  I will be fine, I always find a way.

I paced back and forth infront of the mirror for a moment until my heart slowed down. I would be fine!

If I had to stick around for a while, I could find a temporary job somewhere, make some quick cash and be on way again.

It would give me a chance to take a break from my life, sort of like a long vacation from running. I could pretend to be normal for a while, live again, who knows maybe the whispers would leave me alone, if I could keep them at bay. Only time would tell! Maybe for once I could expreience love, I mean real love, for the first time... something I have never... felt before.. Hunter might be that speical person ... to set me free....

Blushing to the extream.. I tried to regaine my composure and returned to find Kelsie and Hunter standing by the cash register having a simi heated conversation.

Her facial expression looked pretty serious and from the way Hunter was rolling his eyes, I am sure he’d heard it all before. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I stood a few feet away until they finished.

They were talking about a get together on Sunday but Hunter wasn’t sure he would make it. Kelsie looked really upset and nodded in understanding. I guess I’d gotten really good at reading lips because I saw her mouth, mutter, that she didn’t trust me.

I missed the last of the conversation because I got distracted by the pie cabinet.

I’d had just eaten, and I was already thinking about how good a bite of the fresh pie would taste going down to my belly.

I quickly turned my attention to the glass case filled with different varieties of fruit and creamed pies. The older lady behind the counter must have thought I was nuts because she asked me several times what kind I wanted but I plainly had no intention of buying a slice, yet alone a full pie right now.

I was just browsing the inventory, immersing myself in sugary pie Yummy goodness..

Well, it took all of five minutes before I caved!

I ended up choosing a slice of old fashioned cherry, only because for one, I couldn’t resist and two well, why the hell not?

I handed the lady whose name was Alice, a five dollar bill for the desert and told her to keep the change.

I then felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned to find Hunter leading over me from behind.

“I can't leave you alone for five mintues before I find you buying more goodies... you foodie..you.. Did Grandma Alice talk you into it? "

He eyed the smirk on my face and the shrug of my shoulder and fully admited it but it was the old ladies faut.... it was me totally...

“ She is hard to avoid, gets me every time!” He snapped his finger and eyed the lady behind the counter.

Alice, handed me a to-go bag and patted my hand as I reached out.

“One for you and one for our darling Hunter, it’s on the house. You two have a wonderful day now!”

Hunter thanked for her kindness and we left the restaurant.

A cold blast of air greeted us at the door, even with it being super bright out, it did nothing to help warm the temperature. I fidgeted with the zipper of my zip up hoodie, pulling it up to the top, wishing we were back inside. The moister from my breath, floated like a cigarette cloud as I talked. I’d forgotten how cold it could get up in the mountains. Didn't even bother grabbing a jacket from my jeep before I left... dumb dumb!

“Now, guess we’ve got some dessert to go with your amazing lasagna!” I pressed my lips together and pushed my hands into the fur lined pockets of my hoodie jacket sweater.

“I am just thinking ahead you see, and well it is pie, who would have had the will power to just walk by without at least looking?

I can’t lie, I probably would have bought a nother slice to two, just because she was such a sweet old lady, and I love pie. ” I shrugged pushing my shoulders up and grinned.

His cheeks brightened up the color of mine and blushed as he looked down at me through his sexy thick lashes. Walking beside me, he watched me from the corner of his eye.

“ I am glad I ran into you this morning, it wouldn’t have been as fun sitting alone. I really enjoyed your company Emma .”

Within this short time, I was already starting to develop a huge crush on him, I take it back, the moment I met him, I was already a goner !

He grinned zipping up his black and red plaid jacket.

I really enjoyed hanging out with you too... It’s never fun to eat alone, company is always welcome, and with a fellow food enthusiast as you, it makes it all more fun.”

I let out a soft giggle, I couldn’t help myself, I know I am a little piggy but at least my body didn’t agree. I had a very fast metabolism so I always hungry and could eat just about anything without gaining too much weight.

I puffed out my cheeks and let the air out, watching a cloud of mist form in the front of my mouth.

“ I just want to let you to know , I am not just after your lasagna, I want to know the man behind the lasagna. “

I let out a loud “ omg” and smacked myself upside the head, wow, that sounded so corny.

Hunter ’s eyebrows arched and he looked over at me as if he had just smelled something rotten, and then let out a subdued laugh.

I think he might have taken that in a different way then what I was implying.

My cheeks began to burn with the red tint of embarrassment, and I was only trying to be humorous. Then the world seemed to fade away around me,

bit of silliness quickly turned into a lame version of an old porno movie, tacky clichéd music playing in the background.

The vision was all too clear in my head, and I tried to brush the thought away but just couldn’t quite get it out of my mind.

Twangy music begins to play, an obnoxious beat thumping in the distance.

I was standing in the middle of a trashy rundown dinner.

Evidently, I am the one and only waitress in this establishment.

Judging from the sleazy clothing I was wearing it left nothing to the imagination.

I had on a bright pink apron on top of a see through white t-shirt, and the shortest denim skirt I’d ever seen, my butt cheeks were hanging out the back.

I might as well have been wearing nothing. I felt so self-conscious at that moment, and tried pulling at my skirt but it didn’t budge. At least I wearing underwear, well whatever they all called this stuff, it felt like it was riding up both ends. It certainly couldn’t be covering much. It felt like a string of material...but nothing more.

The tank top I was wearing didn’t have much coverage either. The black lace of my padded push up bra showed through the very thin material of my shirt. My girls were standing at full attention and I’d never had such amazing cleavage before.

My hair was up in a very high pony tail, it seemed too tight as it was giving me a slight headache. I am glad there wasn’t a mirror nearby because I can only assume my face was slathered in makeup and I probably looked like a two dollar hooker.

A hear the dig of a bell chiming at the front of the shop. The front door flings open and in walks the only patron, my cowboy Hunter but it was not it was a naughty version of himself.

He looked like he’d already had a few drinks before he stumbled into this place. He was dressed in black tailored pants, a black suit jacket thrown over his left shoulder. His white undershirt was clinging to him like a second pair of skin, his muscles pushing so hard against the thin material that it looked like it could rip the shirt apart at any moment. He sits down in leather bench seat at a booth, the faded red material is torn and ripped, you could hear the leather creak as he pressed into it.

I slowly approach him, my black high heeled boots tapping the fake wooden floors as I take each step.

I smacked my gum, and grabbed the pencil from behind my ear and begin to take his order.

“What will it be hot stuff ? I am really busy making pies in the kitchen and I don’t have time to waste on anything, but my pies.”

I impatiently tap the pencil on the pad of paper in my hand. Hunter looks up at me through hooded sexy lashes. I can see his eyes were fighting the urge to continue to look right inti mine or I mean boobs, he couldn’t decide which. He flashed me a sensual smile and folded his business suit jacket up on the table.

Mr. Hottie, looked into a flimsy paper menu for about a good minute before tossing it aside. He quitly then returned to staring at me with a drunken grin.

In an unusually deep voice he finally spoke, “Unfortunately mam, nothing on this menu is going to ease the hunger I have. “

Standing into his feet, in a half wobbly state, Hunter pushed the table aside easily, a chair nearby hit the floor with a hard thud.

“ I am not here for food, I am here for love, the hot steamy sweaty kind.”

He looked at me through hungry eyes, and then tore off the thin layer of material that stuck to his now sweaty muscular skin.

I blew a huge pink bubble with my gum which then popped with a load snap, as I inched my way to him. I tossed my paper and pencil aside pressing the palms of my hands into his hard chiseled chest.

I pushed him on to the top of the booth so he was lying atop it and I climbed up above him, straddling his lap.

“ Is this what you had in mind? “ I slowly start to remove my pink silky apron and the camera cuts to slow motion.

“ I can offer you these amazing muffins, if you can give me a taste of your luscious lasagna.”

I pushed my very perky breasts out, which were barely covered by the thin material of my top and bra.

The annoying music in the background was becoming much louder now.

Boom chicka wow wow... boom chick a boom, I inch closer as our lips barley touch and then the only thought that comes to my mind at that very moment is, Oh s**t! I am gonna burn the pies. Peach, apple, cherry pies, oh my!!!

Colors and then regreatably, reality comes back into view. Hunter is infront of me, helping me to my feet. Aparently, I had tripped on the edge of the uneven pavement.

I shook my head vigorously, trying to get the extremely naughty vision to go away and the very confused expression on my face.

Trying to focus on something else I looked at my feet shuffling along the creases of the sidewalk. Hunter's, cheeks were pink from the chill of the air. Mine were burning but not from the cold... more from embarrassment or perhaps....how incredibly real my "vision" was...