30

"Jane can I talk to you?"I requested my manager during my lunch break the next day.

I'd woken up with a slight hangover that had been cured by painkillers and lots of coffee. I didn't get the chance to talk to her when I clocked in so I was getting to it over lunch.

"Of course Nala. What's up?"She asked inviting me to sit with her.

There was no better way to say what I was about to so I just went for it.

"I'm handing in my two week notice."I informed her sliding the single sheet of paper towards her.

It wasn't necessary and I could have just told her but I wanted to cover all basis.

"So suddenly? Is something wrong? Did you get harassed?"She asked me looking concerned.

"No everything is okay."I assured her.

"But you've only been working here for two months."She pointed out.

"I know and working here has been great, I just feel it's time to move on."I explained.

"Can I do anything to convince you to stay? You're actually one of the good ones and I would hate to lose you."She asked me.

"No my mind is made up. I have to move on."I asserted.

Jane looked ready to convince me more against quitting but then she changed her mind once she saw the determined look on my face.

"Okay then, I wish you well. I'll start processing your release immediately. You might not even have to work the complete two weeks."She informed me.

"Okay thank you."I smiled at her.

"I'll go back to work now."I excused myself getting up.

She nodded at me and waved me away. That had gone better than I had expected. I crossed my fingers hoping I was making the right choice. I wanted to build a career out of playing the violin and I wouldn't be able to do that if I got too comfortable as a cashier.

At the end of the day Jane informed me that I wouldn't have to work for the next two weeks. I just had to complete the shift I was on and we would be square. She assured me that I would be paid for all my hours which I was not worried about in the first place. I was just happy to resign without too many problems.

My phone rang just as I was clocking out and I was surprised to see that it was Hunter calling.

"Baby girl."His deep voice rasped out as soon as I picked up.

"Bear."I replied surprised at how that single nickname from his lips could affect me so.

"Where are you? Can we meet up?"He asked going directly to the point.

"I know for a fact that you know I just finished my shift otherwise you wouldn't have called. And I would love to see you but I'm exhausted, it's been a long day."I expressed with a tired sigh.

Honestly all I could think about was a long shower and sleep.

"That's okay, I can just come to you."Hunter replied confidently.

"What? No! There's no need to. We can reschedule."I rambled on.

"I'll see you soon baby girl and I'm bring food so don't buy anything."He commanded and hung up.

I felt like calling him back and demanding that he listen to me but instead I found myself smiling and hugging the phone to my chest. He was so bossy and dominating. I loved it.

"That smile can only mean one thing."Grace teased as she grabbed her stuff.

I hadn't even noticed her standing next to me.

"What?"I mumbled unable to wipe the stupid grin off my face.

"Someone is in love."Grace said in a sing song voice and my smile faded.

I was not in love. Definitely not. It was too soon.

"Definitely not. It's about a guy but I'm not in love. We don't know each other well enough for me to be in love."I expressed defensively.

"If you say so but remember love knows no time. You might have known him for two minutes and fallen in love with him. The heart wants what it wants."Grace grinned patting my back and walking out leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I had never considered the possibility of falling for Hunter. It would be so easy to fall for him as he was perfect in every sense of the word but still I couldn't allow myself to do that. It would ruin all my plans since I would be attached to him because of my feelings. No matter what happened I couldn't fall for Hunter. For my own sake.

I put on my hoodie and gathered up all my stuff walking out of the staff room. I left the supermarket craving some much needed rest. I didn't want to walk but I pushed myself since I didn't have any cash in hand. It was also just a little over seven so it wasn't too dark out.

I had known Hunter would be over to see me but what I didn't expect was to find his car parked outside my apartment building. I walked over and knocked on the driver's side window. He rolled it down greeting me with a charming smile.

"How did you get here before me?"I asked him.

"I drove and you walked."He replied in a duh tone as if it was the most obvious thing.

"You work in CBD smartass."I retorted with an eye roll.

"I was in the neighborhood. Now are you going to let me in or what?"He asked.

"You could have picked me up you know. It's dangerous for a girl like me walking alone in the dark."I commented retrieving my keys from my bag.

"So now miss independent wants to be picked up from work?"Hunter teased with a laugh.

"Shut up."I grumbled walking away from him.

I opened the gate and let him drive in before closing it once more. Hunter exited his car with a pizza box in hand a two liter bottle of soda.

I noticed Sonie peeping at us through her window but the lights outside hadn't been turned on so she could only see shapes and figures. Next time we ran into each other she would have questions that I would try my best to avoid.

I let Hunter in and thanked my mother for instilling neatness in me so that there wasn't a thing out of place.

"These are new."Hunter commented noticing the roses I'd hang upside down to dry and preserve.

"I like keeping momentos plus I always want to have a reminder of the first bouquet I ever got."I admitted honestly taking off my shoes.

I set them aside carefully next to Hunters loafers. I watched him look around the room before he set the pizza and soda down on my table. He took off his jacket and sat down on the mattress leaning against the wall. He was wearing a black tshirt under his jacket so he just untucked it and got comfortable.

"You are leaving tonight right?"I asked not sure what his deal was.

"Kicking me out already baby girl."He teased.

"No I just want to know."I replied with a shrug.

"It'll depend with how the night goes and if I get what I want."Hunter said with a smirk.

"And what might that be?"

"Patience baby girl, you'll know in due time now sit down and let's eat. The pizza is getting cold."He demanded.

There was no need arguing with Hunter when his dominant side took over, not that it wasn't always present. I took off my hoodie and socks then walked to the sink to wash my hands. I put water in jug and grabbed a bowl taking it to Hunter so he could wash his hands without having to get up. He smiled at the gesture and thanked me by splashing water on my face.

"Real mature."I commented pouring the dirty water in the sink.

I joined Hunter on the mattress with plastic glasses in hand for the soda.

"I got barbecue beef on one and chicken toppings on the other just like you did last time."Hunter said opening the box.

I smiled because he had actually paid attention. It was a trivial thing but still it meant a lot that he remembered.

"Thank you."I mumbled gratefully picking up a slice.

"My pleasure."Hunter replied.

I was so used to being alone that I didn't know how to casually have a conversation with another human being especially of the male species.

"So.... How was your day?"I asked Hunter awkwardly trying to fill the silence.

He turned to me and laughed. My face scrunched up in confusion because I had no idea if he was laughing at me or my question.

"You haven't done this in a while have you?"Hunter inquired once he stopped laughing.

"Done what?"

"Dated."

I was dating Hunter.

That was a big thing that I had to remind myself not to freak out about every few minutes.

"No, I didn't have time and my last relationship didn't end well so I chose to focus on my studies and playing."I explained.

"It's okay baby girl, we'll figure it out together. I don't have much experience since my whole dating life is tied around one person and we both know how that ended."Hunter reassured me.

"Together."I agreed with him since I didn't really want to dwell much on our exes.

"To answer you my day was good, I closed some deals, made some money and had to fire a few people. Typical ceo day."Hunter replied with a shrug.

"I wouldn't know now would I since I'm not one but I'll take your word for it."I teased.

"Now who's being a smart ass. How was your day?"Hunter asked me.

"Typical annoying customers and even worse lazy workmates but I made it through. I managed to give my resignation letter and it got accepted. I just have to finish this week's shift then I'm done."I informed Hunter.

"That's great and right on time with what I had in mind."Hunter added.

"And what might that be?"

"I wanted to invite you over to my place for a couple of days."Hunter answered taking me by surprise.

He'd floated that idea over the previous night but still it was a big deal.

"Which place exactly? You have two if I remember correctly."I questioned.

"Both, I want to show you every aspect of my life so that you can know what you're getting yourself into."

I was about to say no when Hunter shook his head at me.

"Don't say no baby girl. Sooner or later you'll have to be integrated with every part of my life. The sooner the better so we can skip over some hurdles immediately."Hunter explained.

His logic was on point but I felt like it was all too much too fast. I'd only agreed to give us a chance and now he wanted me to spend the weekend at his place.

"It's only for a couple of days and you'll have quit already so I will not be keeping you from anything."Hunter pleaded.

Dominant Hunter who took what he wanted without asking was sexy but vulnerable Hunter who did things at my pace was even sexier.

"Okay fine."I agreed already convinced by his vulnerability.

Hunter grinned pleased with my decision and leaned in to kiss me softly.

"Thank you baby girl."

I nodded taking a bite of my pizza hoping that I had done the right thing by agreeing.

We weren't able to finish all the pizza even with Hunter's appetite so I set it aside to have later or in the morning.

"I need to take a shower."I declared getting up.

"You shouldn't shower so soon after eating."Hunter warned me.

"Says the scientific papers written by white men. I think I'll be okay."I grinned at him gathering everything I would need for a shower.