Chapter 66: Chapter Sixty-five

Coming out of the bathroom, Mirabella didn’t spare Hunter a single glance. The steam still clung to her skin, her hair damp and soft, falling in waves around her face. She could feel his gaze on her even without looking — that steady, possessive stare that seemed to crawl along her skin.

Of course, he still wore that smug look she had come to hate. Or maybe she didn’t hate it — maybe it was the way it made her pulse race that she truly hated.

She moved straight to her closet, yanking it open and pulling out a clean pair of clothes: a white sleeveless top and pale blue shorts. She didn’t bother saying a word to him. With her bundle of clothes in hand, she disappeared back into the bathroom.

Behind her, Hunter leaned lazily against the headboard, his eyes following her every move. His mouth curled into a small, knowing grin. He loved watching her move around the house— feisty, irritated and pretending not to care he was there. To him, everything she did was beautiful.

Mirabella stayed longer than usual in the bathroom. She needed a moment to breathe — to let her heart stop racing from his presence and considering her minx behavior towards him this morning, she needed to stay away from him for the whole day. The man had a way of getting under her skin without even trying. She brushed her hair, applied a touch of lotion, then stepped out again.

She went straight to her stool and sat down in front of the mirror, and turned on her hair dryer. The air blew against her damp hair, strands lifting and falling as she ran her fingers through them. Her reflection showed the faintest flush on her cheeks, and she cursed herself for it.

All the while, Hunter’s eyes never left her.

He sat there, completely naked, and shameless about it. His body was sprawled across her bed, strong and relaxed, like he owned the place. The morning light streaming through the curtains hit his skin, emphasizing every muscle and every line.

He didn’t bother to cover himself. Why would he? She had seen it all already. Every inch of him belongs to her. And if he had his way, she would always be naked around him too.

He noticed how she kept her eyes on the mirror trying not to look his way. Still, he could swear that she was stealing glances at him through the mirror. Her tiny glances did not go unnoticed.

Hunter chuckled softly to himself. The sound was deep and rough, and she stiffened instantly.

He stood up from the bed in his masculine flavor; tall, imposing, the sound of his movement enough to send a cold shiver through her. Her hand froze mid-air, and she coughed once—then twice — as if that could distract her eyes from going down and taking a peek at his cock before she could stop them.

“You need water, Mira?” he asked, voice smooth, teasing.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she turned her eyes back on her reflection, pretending to be deeply invested and focused in her hair.

“Hmm,” he hummed, that teasing smirk deepening before he walked past her.

He didn’t say another word. He had teased her enough for the morning. And besides, he needed that shower urgently. His body was still tense, his arousal hard and insistent — a constant reminder of how close he had been to her all night.

Watching her ride his thigh was freaking hot. Not something he'd imagine her to do, but she had been back from him and the sexual tension in her body was too much. That was probably the reason she had a wet dream.

He turned on the cold shower as soon as he got into the bathroom, letting the icy water run over him. He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes. He was tempted, so damn tempted, to relieve himself — but he didn’t. He wanted her. Only her. And when the time came, she would be the one to take care of his hard on.

When he was done, he grabbed a towel, drying himself leisurely and put on only his pants from yesterday.

Opening the bathroom door, Mirabella was not in sight, but he could hear voices outside.

Meanwhile, Mirabella had gone down the hallway and toward the main door when she heard a knock.

“Who could that be?” she muttered, pulling the door open.

“Oh Daniel!” she exclaimed softly, but extremely surprised.

“Hey, Mira,” Daniel greeted, standing there with a small overnight bag slung over his shoulder. His smile was easy and familiar. “Sorry for showing up unannounced. My shower broke last night, I thought I could use yours just this once. If that’s okay? I'd call the plumber tomorrow.”

Mirabella blinked, momentarily hesitating. “Oh, um… sure. Yeah, it’s fine,” she said after a pause. It was Sunday morning, she had nowhere to be, and Daniel had always been her friend. Besides, it wasn’t like it was a big deal right?

“Thanks,” he said gratefully, stepping in.

But the moment they walked in, Daniel came to an abrupt stop. His eyes landed on the tall, broad man standing shirtless — and glaring daggers at him in the living room.

Hunter had just stepped out of the bedroom, his hair still wet. His expression darkened instantly when he saw Mirabella walk in with another man.

Daniel froze, his friendly smile faltering.

Hunter’s entire demeanor changed. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flared slightly, and his muscles flexed. Every instinct in him screamed ‘mine’. His blood boiled and he could feel anger blinding him. He shot out one hand and drew Mirabella into his arm. She struggled to free herself, but to no avail.

“Who is he?” Hunter asked, his voice dangerously low.

Mirabella frowned and straightened herself. “That is Daniel — my childhood friend,” she said evenly. Then she turned to Daniel, “Daniel, this is Hunter...”

“Her man,” Hunter added sharply, cutting in. His dark eyes didn’t leave Daniel for a second. “Now, what is he doing here?”

She pushed out of his hold, and he let her this time. Then she turned and looked at Daniel. “Point of correction, he’s not my man,” she said, emphasizing every word. Then she turned to Hunter, "I just introduced him as my friend so of course he can come visit me whenever he wants,” she said with a challenge in her voice.

Hunter narrowed his eyes and started to move towards the invader who was now a little unsettled and intimidated by him. “You’ve got some nerve coming here this early.”

“Hunter!” she yelled, stepping between them. “He is not some stranger! We grew up together. Stop acting like a caveman.”

Hunter’s eyes burned with restrained fury. “Caveman, huh?” He looked over her shoulder at Daniel, his voice a low growl. “I said, why is he here?”

Daniel blinked, visibly uncomfortable now. “Uhh… I just— I told Mira my shower broke…”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t talking to you,” he snapped coldly, and Daniel went silent.

Mirabella’s patience snapped. She pushed against Hunter’s chest. “He wants to use my shower, Hunter! That’s all!”

Hunter looked down at her, frowning hard. “What?”

Mirabella stared at him for a while, noting that it was a bad idea on her part to agree to let Daniel use her shower. She wasn't expecting him but he had just appeared to her with his small bag saying his shower broke and he needed to use the bathroom.

Mirabella had thought it wasn't necessary showing up here because he has closer neighbors. But she didn't want to seem rude so she agreed. Moreover, it's just a harmless shower. But she should have thought of what Hunter's reaction would be. The last thing she wanted on a Sunday morning is him snapping someone's neck.

She sighed heavily. “His shower broke, and he came here to use mine,” she repeated, softer this time, realizing how absurd the situation looked.

Her hand was still on his chest, her touch the only thing keeping his temper in check.

“Does this happen often?” Hunter asked tightly, his voice low and edged with jealousy. His eyes didn’t move from Daniel’s face.

“No,” she said quickly. “This is the first time he is coming for a shower.”

“But he comes here for other things?” Hunter’s gaze snapped to hers.

Her lips parted slightly, taken aback by his question. “What?”

“You heard me,” he said, taking a step toward her, forcing her to step back. “Does he come here often for other things, Bella?”

She glared at him. “You are unbelievable.”

He continued moving forward until her back hit the wall. His voice dropped lower. “Answer me.”

“Hunter…”

Daniel coughed and spoke for the second time since he came into the house. “Aaarrmm, I don't know what is going on here. Can someone explain?"

Hunter did not even spare him a look. “Answer me, Mirabella. Just how often he comes here and for what?” His tone was impatient now, almost vibrating with jealousy.

“Fuck off,” she spat, glaring up at him.

His eyes darkened. “Answer me,” he demanded again.

Her chest heaved. “Daniel does not come here. He sometimes accompanies us back home, but he never comes inside. Except once — on Friday. I invited him in for coffee. That’s it.”

“Only coffee. Once. Bella?” Hunter’s voice was skeptical.

She crossed her arms. “Only coffee. Once. Yes.”

He studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching her face for any sign of a lie. Finally, he exhaled slowly, his tension easing slightly.

Turning to Daniel, his tone was clipped. “Make it fast.”

Daniel blinked again, looking between the two of them, completely lost. “Uh… yeah, sure.” Maybe later someone would explain things to him. He turned to Mirabella expectantly and then she showed him to the bathroom at the end of the hallway.

Hunter stood there, watching them go, every muscle in his body coiled tight. His jaw clenched as Daniel disappeared down the hall, and his possessiveness simmered like a storm beneath the surface.

When Mirabella came back, he was still standing where she left him, arms crossed over his chest, eyes following her every step.

“We’ll talk about this later,” he said quietly, his voice like a warning.

She stopped, met his gaze for a long second, then rolled her eyes and turned toward the kitchen. “Whatever,” she muttered.