Bad Boy Saint (Bad Boy 1)

My heart did a flip-flop when I saw his name.

Hunter: Hey, do you want to meet for coffee? I feel a bit lost.

I hesitated. What did he mean, lost? It was probably that he was still sad about him and Graham not starting a business together, and deciding to join the Marines.

I checked my watch. It was late and I had a class in the morning, but not until eleven. I could go out for an hour at least…

Celia: Sure. Can you come here?

Hunter: To your dorm?

Celia: No, you can't come here. I mean, can you pick me up? There are a few places we can go for coffee… I mean, if you really did mean coffee…

Hunter: LOL yes, I really did mean coffee. I wanted a chance to talk to you before I go away.

Celia: Great. I'll be waiting just outside the dorm.

Hunter: See you in fifteen or so.

Celia: Okay bye.

I rushed around like a crazy person, getting dressed, checking my hair and brushing my teeth once more even though I had brushed them an hour before. I grabbed my bag and then left the room, took the hallway to the exit and stood outside, waiting for Hunter.

When his car drove up, a thrill of excitement raced through me. He got out and opened the passenger door and when I saw him, I felt a stab of pain at the sight of his face. He was starting to get a black eye and his nose was still very red.

"Oh, Hunter," I said and reached up to touch his cheek. "Does it hurt?"

He smiled and then his face changed. "What happened to you?"

I hesitated. He must have seen the bruise on my cheek and my own black eye.

"Oh, this?" I said and touched my cheek. "Spencer wasn't all that happy when Graham told him he found me kissing you."

"What?" Hunter said and bent down, looking more closely at me. He reached up and cupped my cheek, his eyes a mixture of anger and sympathy. He gently stroked my skin where the bruise was. "That bastard hit you?" He shook his head and I could tell he was upset by the tone of his voice. "What a coward. Why does he get away with it? That's assault. He should be charged."

"He's a big man in this town," I said with a sigh. "No one can touch him."

"Someone can," Hunter said. "I'm sure my uncle knows people who could have a little talk with him."

"Hunter," I said, stepping back. "I thought you hated that side of your family."

"Spencer shouldn't lay a hand on you." He took hold of my shoulders and looked in my eyes. "I'm so sorry I got you in trouble. I should have said no."

"No," I said, leaning in closer to him. "I'm glad you kissed me." I smiled at him and his expression softened. "I want you to kiss me again."

He shook his head sadly. "Celia… I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."

"You're going away," I said and put my arms around his neck. "I won't see you for maybe years. Besides, I'm free now. Spencer has no power over me here."

"We'll see each other," he said. "I promise. I have family here. There's Conor and Cam, and Graham. I'll come back every chance I get."

He carefully extricated himself from my arms, and opened the door to his car.

"Shall we go?"

I stood there, upset that he wouldn’t kiss me, but I wanted the night to continue. I hopped in the car and he closed the door, then he got in the driver's seat beside me.

We drove to a nearly coffee shop and sat at a small table by the window. Outside, the streets of Cambridge were almost bare, with light traffic at that time of night. Hunter and I talked and talked, going over all sorts of things from our shared past.