“Kylie, I’m sorry,” I started, but she cut me off.
“Don’t. I think it’s precious.” She glanced down at Vince and back to me. “How much is it? The gun,” she asked.
I looked at her eyes and knew I was going to have to ask her out. I’d been pretending for a little bit too long that she didn’t matter, that I wasn’t totally turned on by her. Fuck me for waiting so long.
“Never mind paying. It’s free. Take it as a gift from me. You needed it anyway, being the only help I could offer to your situation.” Words escaped my mouth before I could stop myself. It was a kind deed, something innate inside of me I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.
Her cheeks were flushed again, colors of roses spreading on her fair skin. She looked enticing and innocent. She was one of a kind.
“Thank you, Hunter. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Of course.” Hearing my name on her lips made me smile. I handed over the papers secured in a brown envelope, plus the gun packed in a safe, sturdy kit. Seeing her struggle to carry the box, I took the initiative to offer a hand to her. “Lead the way.”
She waved at Vince and turned to walk to the door, her hips swaying so subtly. Her ass looked good in her jeans: thick and big. More than enough for me to wrap my hands around and squeeze softly. So perfect. Every part of her. My cock was thick and hard by the time I walked out of the shop with her. Being a big guy, I knew she was going to be able to tell where my head was if I didn’t hide my shit.
She unlocked the car door, directing me where to put the kit inside, and moved back.
I laid the box on the passenger seat as she watched me remove the dust from my hands. “All right. Be safe, and if you need me…I’m right next door.” I smiled and turned to walk back to the shop.
“Hunter,” she called after me. Chills rose on my skin thanks to the softness of her voice.
“Yeah?” I glanced back but kept my body turned toward the door. Fucking hard- n.
“I hope you won’t mind teaching a novice like me how to use this thing.” She looked beautiful. How could I deny the attraction I felt for her charm among other things?
I smiled at her as I nodded. “With pleasure. You can come to hunt some filthy, stubborn hogs with me and Garren on Monday night to test run your gun.”
She giggled. “Sounds fun.”
I walked back into the shop but turned to watch her drive out of the parking lot. After I had lost track of her vehicle, I turned to find Vince sitting back at my desk, coloring the last page of his book. I stood beside him, watching his artistic prowess come to life.
“Dad, Miss Kylie is kind and pretty. I like her a lot.” As he spoke, his eyes still darted on the cartoon he was coloring.
I patted his shoulder gently, giving him a commendable praise for his hard work in coloring the book. “I like her too. She’s a good lady.”
“How about you come hog hunting with us on Monday night? Miss Kylie is coming with us to practicing her shooting.” I offered my invite. “It’ll be dangerous, but I think between you, me, Kylie, and Garren, we should be safe.”
He faced me, his green eyes sparkling. “Are you kidding me? We’re a team. We won't let anything get to Miss Kylie. Especially them pesky hogs!”
Chapter Eight
Kylie
“So, you got a gun yesterday?” my mother asked, repeating the statement I just said uttered moments ago. Her hands were on her hips, her brows wrinkled in a questioning expression. She looked pissed. If I would enumerate the things on my list why I should not buy a gun, one of would be my mother’s objection to them.
“Yeah, Mom. It’s for the best.” I tried to change her point of view, but it was useless.
“Well, if that’s the case. I can’t do much about it.” She let her hands drop to her sides, retreating over our argument. She looked calm yet still peevish, but I knew I could handle her temper. Sort of.
I reached out and took her hand, looking into her eyes, although she avoided my gaze on her. She was truly beautiful. Her golden blonde hair was tied in a neat bun. Although the wrinkles from her age spread on her face, she was still alluring. Why she hadn’t married again after Daddy died was a mystery to me.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I will only use it for self defense. Nothing bad will happen. I have to be able to protect myself. Right?”
“I guess so.” She squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile. “I’m just worried. You might be in danger by merely having a gun. I’m scared. That’s all.”
I put my arms around her. “I thought about it all night. I think having one would give me protection, plus Hunter gave it to me for free as a gift, and I’m not sure if you know this, but I was raised to never reject a present, Mom.”
She released my hold and covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes coming back to life. She was staring at me like I was nuts.