“Do you think they think of us as their parents?” I asked, sitting on the kitchen floor with my head resting against Hunter’s shoulder and both of us leaning against the bottom cupboards.

“Probably,” he said. “We’ve been taking care of them almost since they were born.” His arm around my shoulder, he kissed the top of my head.

“But we’re not cats,” I offered.

“It doesn’t matter; they don’t have their real parents. The kittens are fortunate that they’re so young—they won’t know what it’s like to lose their parents, or be neglected by them. To them, we’ve always been their parents. And I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job so far.”

I murmured approval, dimly pondering the implications. It was hard to deny our affections for the kittens and the kittens’ affections for us. Rampage loved Hunter and Hunter loved him.

“Want something to eat?” Hunter asked, moving his arm affectionately around my waist as we stood up from the kitchen floor.

“Sure, I could use a little more energy,” I said, looking up at him. “I could also use a shower.”

“What’s the point when you’re just going to get hot and sweaty again?” He grinned.

I smiled. “I have to set a good hygiene example for the kids,” I said jokingly. “Especially if you don’t.”

“So responsible. Ya know, if you really want to teach them proper grooming, I can help you with that.”

“How would you help me, when you’re the one who’s making me need a shower in the first place?”

“Cats lick one another. So if you’ll stand still . . . I know just the spot too.”

I laughed and playfully slapped his rock-hard chest. “Aren’t you a silly one? Humans don’t do that.”

Hunter smiled wickedly. “Alright fine, I’ll have to show you later. In the meantime, I’m gonna cook us some breakfast. Eggs, sausage, and toast okay?”

“Sure, I’d love that. Thank you,” I said as I began moving toward the bathroom.

“Oh, and Lorrie—”

I halted my gallop and turned to face him. “Yes?”

“Don’t lock the door,” he said. “I’m gonna join you and we’re gonna pick up where we left off.”

The way he looked at me and said those words sent a surge of desire between my legs. I wanted to jump on him right there and tear off those sagging sweatpants with my teeth. Instead, I took a deep breath to calm myself and simply smiled at him innocently. “Okay Gunther, I’ll be waiting.”

I could feel Hunter’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my athletic shorts as I strolled back into the bedroom. I pulled my phone out of my jean pocket and sent a quick text to Daniela letting her know I was hanging out with Hunter, so she wouldn’t worry. Then I skipped to the bathroom. Breathing in the familiar clean smell of the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Wow, I look like a mess.

Although there were no bits of algae and ice caught in my hair this time, my hair was disheveled, having that just-been-fucked look—except ten times over—and the light amount of mascara I wore was smeared across my cheeks. I should’ve felt self-conscious but instead I felt confident and secure. What had gotten into me?

Hunter. That’s what.

Tattoos and Muscles made me feel beautiful and desirable. Humming Taylor Swift’s Love Story merrily, I slipped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower. Noticing the loofah I’d avoided using before, I picked it up and began brushing it sensually across my body. The thought of Hunter soaping it up and rubbing it across his naked body turned me on. It was amazing to think about how so much had changed since the first time I came over to his place. I’d been cold, numb, and on the verge of freezing to death. Now I was hot and needy, aching to have more mind-blowing sex with Hunter. His bathroom trash can was filled with condoms—many more than before—but this time I knew where they had come from. It was as if my sexual desire for Hunter had been held back by a dam built from the tragedy of my past and the uncertainty of my future. And now that dam had broken.

Still humming, I was preparing to begin pleasuring myself—a warm up before Hunter joined me—when on the other side of the shower curtain I heard the bathroom door open.

“Breakfast is served,” Hunter called.

“Mmm I can smell it already,” I answered. “Smells so delicious. I’ll be out in a jiffy.”

“No need. I brought it in here.” I heard a clink as he placed the food on the bathroom counter. Then he pulled the shower curtain back and marveled at my body. “How’s the shower going?” he purred.

“Good, but a little lonely. All I have is this loofah to keep me company.”

“That loofah is a bastard.” He growled. “Lemme keep you company.” He tore off his clothes and hopped into the shower with me. I held the loofah idly by my waist but he took it and tossed it into the trash; he dipped to his knees and began kissing the skin where the loofah had been.

“Mmm,” I hummed as hot water poured over our bodies. I’d never showered with a guy before and my excitement for the idea was heightened by the fact that the guy was Hunter.

“Now lemme lick this sweet cunt of yours, Lorrie.”

His filthy words made my body thrum with desire. Before I could react, he grabbed my waist and closed his mouth over my sex. Instinctively, I leaned back against the tile, one hand holding onto the ceramic soap dish affixed to the wall, the other hand grabbing Hunter’s hair. He wasted no time sucking on and flittering his tongue over my clit as if starved for the taste of it. I curled my toes against the tub, desperately trying to remain standing even as I felt my legs turning to jelly.

He growled into my folds and dipped his tongue into my depths, spearing me with a back and forth movement of his head.

“Oh god, Hunter. That feels so good.”

“You taste so good,” he grunted.

Because of the water, my fingers were beginning to slip from the soap dish. I was afraid I was going to fall and crack my head open mid-orgasm. Feeling a balance-shattering climax dangerously approaching, I tried to wiggle free but his large hands firmly grasped my waist. “Hunter, we shouldn’t stay in the water too long,” I managed to utter between moans. “We’ll end up looking like prunes.”

He stopped, leaving me bereft of pleasure. I wanted him to quell the gnawing ache between my legs he had started but I also wanted to finish my shower and eat breakfast. If only we could multitask.

“Good point,” he said casually.

I turned off the shower and Hunter guided me out of the tub by hand like a bad boy gentleman. While he began drying my body with a towel, sneaking kisses against my skin here and there, I spotted a tray on the bathroom counter with a plate of eggs and sausage, another plate with toast, a jar of grape jelly to the side, and a tall glass of orange juice. I was impressed not only by the demonstration of his culinary skills but also by the presentation.

“Aw, you’re so sweet, Hunter.” I turned to him, lifted on my toes, and affectionately kissed his lips. “You’re so sweet you’re going to give me cavities.”

“I’ve got an extra toothbrush you can use.” He winked. “Don’t worry about it.”