Chapter 72: Chapter Seventy-one

“Baby, you’re making me fantasize about so many things right now,” Hunter said, his voice low and teasing, his eyes glinting with mischief as he leaned closer.

Mirabella shot him a warning look. “I know. You can’t help it when it comes to me,” she said with quiet confidence, a playful smirk curving her lips. “I drive you crazy.”

Hunter felt his cock jerk at her arrogant reply. But it was true. When it comes to her, he is a goner and she knows it. Hunter chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief at her audacity. “Don’t make statements like that in open places,” he said, his tone deep and suggestive.

“Why?” she asked, eyes narrowing as her voice softened into a teasing whisper. “Because you might lose control and jump on me in front of everyone?” Then the memory of when he fingered her in front of his friends came rushing in and her nipples hardened, her pussy throbbed.

Her words hung in the air like a dare. Hunter watched her for a while without saying anything. He saw how her eyes dilated, how her fingers clenched on the counter, and how she bit on her bottom lips: every movement giving her away. She was playing with him, but at the same time she was aroused.

He smiled slowly. “Should I round the counter and come to you?” he asked, his tone low, deliberate.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she immediately darted a glance toward Beverly, who had gone completely still, her mouth slightly open, waiting for whatever show that was about to be displayed. Even old Joe, seated at the far end, seemed to sense that the air was charged and was stealing glances every now and then.

Hunter took a soft breath. “Should I?” he asked again, softer this time.

Mirabella’s voice came out quiet but firm. “Stay away from me, dude.”

Hunter’s deep laugh broke through the tension. “Dude?” he repeated, amused.

She tried to maintain her composure but couldn’t suppress the shy smile tugging at her lips. “Go away, Hunter,” she said, trying to sound stern, but failing.

“If that’s what you want, my queen,” he said with exaggerated courtesy — and then, before she could react, he walked round the counter and brushed his lips against hers. It was brief, soft, but enough to make her heart stumble. He walked back to his seat beside old Joe, grinning.

Beverly clasped both hands dramatically over her chest. “Why can’t I have a man like that?” she said dreamily.

“Stop looking at my man, Beverly,” Mirabella said immediately, half serious, half playful.

“Come on, Mira, can’t I at least look from a distance?” Beverly teased.

“No, you can’t. For real, Bev,” Mirabella replied, giving her a warning look.

Beverly raised both hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to behave,” she said, pretending to pout.

“Whatever,” Mirabella muttered, shaking her head, though her cheeks were still flushed.

The day rolled on, the shop filled with chatter, laughter, and the endless flow of customers. It should have been a normal day, but Mirabella could feel Aria's heat even from a distance.

Aria continued to call every hour, complaining about “the bulky guy” — Tobias — who apparently still hadn’t warmed up to her. Beverly wouldn’t stop reminding Mirabella that Hunter seemed like the perfect man, insisting she should give him another chance.

But that wasn’t the issue. It wasn’t about giving Hunter a chance — it was about trusting herself again. He was here, helping, gentle in moments she didn’t expect, patient in ways he’d never been before. But that didn’t erase the reason he took her in the first place.

Around 3:45 pm, Daniel walked into the shop. That was the first time he was coming in that day. He made a beeline for Mirabella.

“Hey,” he greeted softly, stepping closer. “You good?”

“I’m okay,” she replied, smiling politely. “What have you been up to?”

He shrugged. “Just went to supervise the work at the site. Everything’s moving smoothly.”

“That’s good,” she said, genuinely glad to hear it. But as she spoke, her eyes instinctively flicked toward the corner where Hunter sat. He wasn’t laughing with Joe anymore. His expression was calm, unreadable — but his gaze was fixed on Daniel, sharp and cold.

Daniel followed her glance and sighed quietly. “When does he plan on going back?” he asked, his tone slightly edged. “Hope he’s not here to monitor your life forever.”

Mirabella was quiet. Then, before she could think twice, she said quietly, “He’s not going back without me.”

Daniel’s eyes darkened. “So… you would eventually go with him?” His words weren’t really a question; they were an accusation — one laced with disbelief and disappointment.

Mirabella looked down at her hands. She didn’t know what to say. It was true — even if she didn’t want to admit it aloud. Deep down, she knew she couldn’t outrun Hunter forever. No matter how much she wanted her independence, her freedom, a life that wasn’t built on debt or obligation, he was still her gravity. He pulled her back every time.

“He’s not good for you, Mirabella,” Daniel said gently, though frustration trembled beneath his voice.

She lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes with quiet honesty. “He’s the only man I know, Daniel. And the truth is… he’s never really hurt me. Not the way people think he did.” She hesitated. “I just wanted to have something different. Something that wasn’t tied to my parents’ mistakes. I wanted something real with him, not something born out of debt or repayment.”

Hunter’s eyes met hers from across the room — questioning, concerned. Are you okay? Do you need me? She gave a small shake of her head, signaling him to stay.

Daniel sighed heavily. “I meant what I said before, Mira. You deserve peace. You deserve someone who’ll love you without conditions — without control, without the past haunting every step.” He paused, his voice lowering. “You’ll never regret it if you give me that chance. I adore you… and Rena. Both of you.”

Mirabella’s chest tightened. She looked at him, and saw the sincerity in his eyes — the kind of gentle love she’d always wanted. But she knew it wasn’t meant for her. Her heart belonged somewhere else, even if it didn’t always make sense.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, Daniel,” she said softly. “But I can’t. We can’t talk about that here. This is my workplace. And…” she smiled faintly, “…you will meet someone someday. Someone who’s right for you. I’m just… not her.”

Daniel’s face fell slightly, but he nodded, respecting her words. “Alright,” he said quietly. “If you ever need me, I’ll always be around.”

“I know,” she said, and meant it.

He gave a small, pained smile before turning and leaving the shop.

Mirabella watched him go, unaware that Hunter had already stood up and was following behind him.

Outside, the wind had picked up, carrying the faint scent of rain. Daniel had barely reached his car when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Hunter.

Hunter stopped a few feet away, his presence commanding, his face calm but his eyes dark. “You’re persistent,” he said finally, his tone edged with amusement. “I’ll give you that.”

Daniel squared his shoulders. “You only want to ruin her life. We both know that.”

Hunter’s expression didn’t change. “Bella is my life,” he said quietly. “I would never ruin her. Damn hurting her would be like killing myself.”

Daniel scoffed, bitterness twisting his face. “You don’t get to say that. She left you, Hunter. That means she doesn’t want you in her life. But you… you’re forcing yourself into her life, like you’ve always done.”

Hunter stepped closer until their faces were mere inches apart. “Listen carefully,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm. “l need to make something very straight and clear. Irrespective of what you think, I am the only man for her. Always have been, always will be. No matter where she runs, I will find her. She knows that too— she’s always known.”

Daniel clenched his fists, but Hunter continued anyway.

“So if you have any thoughts — even for a second — about trying to turn her against me, or about taking what’s mine…” Hunter’s voice hardened. “…kill those thoughts and feelings because they will take you nowhere. I won’t let anyone — not even her, not anyone come between me and my woman. Ever.”

He took one step back, eyes still locked on Daniel’s, and said with quiet finality, “This is the last time I’ll say this. Stay away from her.”

Then he turned and walked back toward the shop, leaving Daniel standing by his car — silent, stunned, and full of questions and fear for the kind of man Hunter was.