Page 26 of Hunter's Baby Girl
Chapter 13
We went on like that for two more weeks, before mid-March hit and Hunter’s business reached busy season, just as he’d predicted. I’d gotten used to the idea of not seeing him as much anymore. Until he hired people he trusted to run the business for him, he had explained, he felt as though he needed to be hands-on. I totally understood and respected that. I just didn’t have to like it.
But then again, my life was becoming busier as well. I’d taken Hunter’s advice about my photography and had been spending my free time researching my options. I hired a web designer and developer to put together a fairly basic site to showcase my work, then uploaded photos to it from projects I’d completed a long time ago. I needed to update my portfolio, and STAT. But it was a start, at least.
I started becoming more active on social media, too, and began reaching out to other photographers in the area. It was going well, and by watching their activities on their accounts, I saw the methods and tactics they used to promote themselves.
“I’m taking one of them out to coffee this Saturday morning,” I told Hunter over the phone one night. Our evening chats had become a habit. Usually, he was so busy in his office he wouldn’t have the time to talk until it was nearly my bedtime, but I always waited for him to call.
“I hope it’s a girl you’re taking out,” he said with a laugh.
“Jealous?” I asked coyly. I sort of liked the idea, of course.
“Maybe a little bit,” he admitted, and I pumped my fist in the air. It wasn’t often he said things like that. I wasn’t fishing for compliments, but sometimes I did have to lead him into saying things that gave me an idea of how he actually felt. He was still sort of a closed book. While I heard the warmth in his voice, and while I knew what he was working through, I couldn’t help wishing he’d stop treating me like a little sister . . . or a Little Girl. Granted, a Little Girl he often spanked and then fingered or went down on.
“Well, don’t worry,” I assured him after I’d finished my little victory dance. “It’s a girl. Nothing to worry about.”
“I’ve gotta tell you,” he said. “I give you credit for getting out there on social media. That’s something I have to work harder on. Social media was a thing when I was in school, but it wasn’t as popular or important as it is now. I mean, there was not even an Instagram or Pinterest back then.”
“Old man,” I teased him. “Did they have color TV when you were a kid?”
“Keep it up,” he said. “We’ll see the sort of spanking you get the next time I see you.”
Hmmm. Interesting. “Well, who knows when that will be? I haven’t seen you in over a week, after all. Which is okay! No complaints. But it’s pretty easy to be a big talker when you’re not actually here.”
“Oh, I’m not just talk,” he reminded me. “I’ve made your bottom tingle more than once, young lady. And if I didn’t know you liked it so much, I’d threaten to come over there right now and make it tingle again. But that would just be rewarding your bad behavior, wouldn’t it?”
“Darn,” I said, snapping my fingers. “You figured me out. Back to the drawing board.” We both laughed.
“But seriously,” he added. “I do miss our play times. What night is it? God, I’ve totally lost track of the days.”
“It’s Tuesday,” I said, feeling badly for him. He did sound exhausted.
“Tuesday. Okay. Why don’t we make it a point to get together this Friday? Your place?”
My heartbeat quickened. “Are you sure that’s okay?” I asked. “I don’t want you to miss out on anything or, like, lose money over this.”
“Believe me,” he said, “you’re worth it. Hearing your voice is nice, but seeing you is much better.” I pumped my fist again. I hadn’t even had to lead him into that one.
* * *
Three days. I had to wait for three days.
Why was I so excited over this? I didn’t know. All I knew was that I felt the need to spring clean the entire house. At least I had something to keep myself occupied on Wednesday and Thursday evenings rather than sitting around and wishing time would move more quickly.
I wanted everything to be perfect. I also wanted myself to be perfect. With that in mind, I went out during my lunch break on Thursday for a haircut, and on Friday for a mani/pedi. Even as I went through the motions and got myself all excited, I reminded myself to knock it off. That this was just a playdate like any other.
I kept telling myself that as I prepared dinner on Friday night. I had made boeuf bourguignon the night before and was planning to heat it up when I got home, to serve with buttered egg noodles and fresh bread. Okay, maybe I was going a little overboard, I realized.
Then my phone rang. I half-expected it to be Hunter cancelling on me. My heart sank before I even pulled it out of my pocket. But I was surprised. It was Megan.
I hadn’t told her Hunter was coming over for dinner and a playdate. In fact, I hadn’t told her much about our relationship. She was my best friend, of course, but for some reason I wanted to keep this to myself. It was our special thing, Hunter’s and mine.
“Hey!” I said when I picked up. “How’ve you been?”
“Good!” she said. “I was wondering if you wanted to maybe get together tonight. I know it’s last minute, but I haven’t seen you in forever. I was hoping we could grab a drink, or maybe even dinner.”
I frowned, wishing she had better timing. “I’m sorry,” I said, rushing around the kitchen. “I actually have plans tonight.”