Mated

Chapter 3

Zoey’s POV

Seth rolled his eyes as he watched me work on the Sunday crossword.

“What are you staring at?”

Taking a seat on the opposite side of the table he raised an eyebrow at me, pointing at the paper in my hands.

“You’re doing that in pen.”

Taking my eyes off the paper I stared at him confused.

“So?”

“So, why do you work here? You’re way too smart for this place.”

Shaking my head, I went back to my paper.

“You’re being ridiculous, a crossword does not prove intelligence.”

“How about reading a different book every day?”

A chuckle slipped through my lips as I stared at the paper, no longer able to concentrate on the puzzle.

“I don’t read a book, a day.”

“Oh really?” he drawled.

“So, I like to read. That doesn’t prove anything.”

“Sure, it doesn’t.”

With a shake of his head, Seth stood up and went back to work. Leaving me to finish my puzzle.

After a few minutes of quiet, a chair scraped as someone sat down at my table. Sighing, I looked up from the paper. Ready to shoo Seth off.

Instead, my eyes met a familiar pair of pale blue ones.

A shiver ran through me as his eyes travelled over me, before returning to my own.

“Can I help you?”

Biting his lip, he drummed his fingers on the table as if he was unsure of himself.

The movement had my eyes going to his lips, I couldn’t stop myself from imagining what they would feel like against mine.

A smirk spread over his face as he caught me staring.

“I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself yesterday, I’m Hunter King.”

He reached a hand across the table, waiting for me to shake it.

Hunter...

It fit him, strong.

Straightening, I grabbed his hand in mine. The second my skin touched his, an electric shot ran through me. Sending a shiver up my spine.

What is this guy doing to me?

I’ve never felt anything like this before.

He cleared his throat, pulling my attention.

Shit, I haven’t told him my name.

Taking a breath, buying myself a second to remind myself to consider my answer.

With the way he makes me feel, it wouldn’t surprise me if I slipped up and gave him my real name. Something I can’t afford to do.

“Zoey Williams.”

His smile grew as I spoke, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Zoey, it suits you.”

Butterflies fluttered around my chest as my name slipped through his lips. The way he said it, as if he were trying to caress the word.

“I was wondering when your shift ends?”

My heart skipped a beat as I realised what he was asking, he couldn’t be could he?

The sound of plates breaking pulled me from his gaze.

Seth was hunched over, picking up pieces of shattered plates. His eyes glued to our table, unwilling to miss a moment of the drama.

Silently he mouthed ‘Jump him, or I will’ his finger pointing to his chest.

Shaking my head, I turned back to Hunter. Ignoring my so-called friend in the process.

“I don’t think your date would appreciate that much, Mr King.”

“She won’t mind, after all it was a blind date. That was painfully awful, to put it politely.”

The last inclining of jealousy left in me dissipated as he spoke. I couldn’t stop the small smile that covered my face. Before I could respond, Seth's rushed voice exclaimed.

“Four, she finishes at four.”

I glared at my friend, as he stood, a tray of crashed plates and a broom in his hands. His eyes caught mine and he glared right back.

“Perfect, I’ll pick you up at four.” Hunter said, before turning and walking out the door. Leaving no room for argument.

Turning to the clock, I checked the time. Again. Three forty-five.

“It won’t be that bad, at best you fall deeply in love and live happily ever after. At worst you get one hell of a Sunday night.”

Glaring, I threw the towel in my hands at Seth.

Why did he have to open his mouth and get me in this mess to begin with.

“This is your fault, and now I have no way out of it.”

“Stop looking for a way out of it, and start looking for a way into it. His pants I mean.”

Seth waggled his eyebrows, ignoring my death glare.

Going back to work, trying my best to distract myself from him. As the bell attached the door rang, my head shot up. In walked Hunter, dressed in tight black trousers, a white shirt hugging his muscles as he made his way towards me.

It’s clear I’m underdressed, by a lot. Unconsciously I run a hand down my clothes, flattening them. A black t-shirt, apron and jeans.

Yep.

Under-dressed.

Keeping my eyes low, I began rushing to the staff room. Seth close behind me.

“Why did you run back here?” Seth whisper yelled as he shut the door behind us.

“Because I look like a mess compared to him!”

His eyes travelled across me before he sighed.

“April’s locker always has spare clothes, freshen up. I’ll distract him.”

Seth ran out of the room, shutting the door behind him. I slipped the apron off as I walked to April’s locker, rummaging through the pile of clothes. Groaning, I held up the only clothing options available.

A long-sleeved black top, with an extremely deep V on the front, a lace connecting the sides of the V.

Given the only trouser option was a pair of mini shorts, I discarded them. Deciding my own jeans were more me.

The last thing in the locker was black knee-high boots, luckily only a few inches tall.

Admitting defeat, I squeezed myself into the clothes.

Seth rushed back in the room as I zipped the boots up.

“Are you ready? I’m running out of small talk.”

Seth stopped, eyeing me up.

“That’ll do.” He said, smirking.

Reaching out to me, he pulled the hair band out of my hair. Running his fingers through my hair, he combed it.

“Perfect, he won’t know what hit him.”

Taking a breath to steady myself, I went back to Hunter.

His eyes shot up as I walked towards him.

My heart raced as his eyes trailed over me, darkening.

When his eyes met mine again, they were pure black.

“Hello, you look beautiful.”

I felt my cheeks redden as my eyes fell to the floor.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

A smirk covered his face as he held out a hand to me.

Taking his hand, I let him lead me out of the café. He stopped just outside at a bright red motorbike.

“We’re going on that?”

His smile widened as he grabbed two helmets.

“You’re not afraid, are you?”

My back straightened as I grabbed one of the helmets.

“Nope.”

A chuckle left his lips as he put the helmet on, before climbing on the bike.

He reached a handout to me.

Ignoring it I climbed on the bike, my arms wrapping around his chest as he sped away.

We rode through street after street until we reached a wide road bordered by trees, heading out of town.

“Where are we going?” I yelled, attempting to be heard over the wind.

“You’ll see.”

Great.

I hate surprises.

Sighing, I went back to watching the trees pass.

Eventually the bike started to slow down, pulling onto a dirt track.

Stopping, Hunter waited for me to dismount before following suit.

“Where are we?”

My eyes scanned our surroundings, trees.

Nothing else in sight.

My heart started to race, the realisation that I’m stuck miles from anywhere with a guy I barely know.

Hunter watched me, his eyebrows furrowing. His eyes widened as he went to the back of the bike. Lifting a bag off, that hung over the side.

“There’s somewhere I wanted to show you and I thought we could have a picnic.” He said, showing me the contents of the bag.

Sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of wine.

My heart began slowing, taking a breath I smiled at him.

“Are we going far?”

He shook his head, slinging the bag over his shoulder. Before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards an overgrown path.

The sun began setting, taking the only light with it.

I opened my mouth, intending to ask how far we had left, when Hunter stopped, turning to me.

“What do you think?”

In front of us was a massive waterfall, spanning the edge of a meadow.

“It’s beautiful.” I whispered as I walked towards the water.

The sun set mirrored on the water like a piece of art.

“I’m glad you like it.” Hunter murmured, his voice feeling closer.

His hand rested on my hip as he wrapped an arm around me.

Something about the position felt almost natural.

As if this is where I have always belonged.

In his arms.

The butterflies returned to my chest as his fingers traced circles on my side.

“Are you hungry?”

Yes.

Just not for food.

“I could eat.”

Turning around, he pulled me to a clear patch of grass.

He sat, unpacking the bag on his shoulder. Joining him, I crossed my legs, as I watched him work.

Handing me a wrapped sandwich his eyes shot to mine.

“You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”

His expression looked worried as he waited for my answer.

“Hell no, definitely a carnivore.”

Laughing he poured two glasses of wine, placing one in front of me and drinking from the other.

We both ate in a comfortable silence, staring out at the water.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, not a lot of waterfalls in the city.

Hunter’s eyes watched me, his intense gaze making me feel self-conscious.

“I can imagine, how long have you lived in redwood?”

“Only a couple of months, aside from work, I haven’t seen much of it honestly.” I admitted, looking at my hands.

I have explained this story multiple times since I’ve been here. Small towns love their gossip, but something about this is different.

It feels wrong, lying to him. I really wish I didn’t have to.

But I do, it’s the only way I can stay here.

“We’ll have to fix that. Show you why Redwood is the perfect place to live.”

“Where did you live before, you said a city right?”

“New York.” Slipped through my mouth before I could stop it.

Shit.

What’s wrong with me?

“Wow, Redwoods got to feel tiny in comparison. Why did you move here?”

My body tensed as he waited for my answer.

I know the story, I’ve memorised it. So why can’t I make myself say it?

Sighing, I choose to skip the topic all together. Not trusting my voice.

“It’s a long story, you have a lot of questions Mr King. Why so curious?”

Shuffling, his fingers ran through his hair. A move I’m starting to realise means he’s nervous.

“I’m interested in you… your story.”

His eyes stayed locked on the water as he waited for my response.

Chuckling, I sip my wine.

I make him nervous, something about that excites me.

“I think it’s your turn, you know all this about me, and I only know your name.”

His eyes shift back to mine as a smile spread over his face.

“What would you like to know, Love?”

My heart races at the way he called me love, every question I had planned slipping from my mind.

“Everything.” I whisper.

Chuckling, he considers my request.

“Well, I’ve lived in Redwood all my life. I have a younger brother and sister, their twins. My parents have been together for almost thirty years. My best friend is called Conrad, he’s annoying but I’ve grown accustomed to him.”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that left my lips as he shrugged. As if he were uninteresting.

“You make yourself seem so ordinary.”