Hera’s fingers picked at the grass absent-mindedly, while her eyes were downcast as the green ground beneath her feet looked more appealing. Meanwhile, Hunter’s eyes automatically followed every little movement her fingers made. 

His mind juggled between many things. He was afraid of starting a conversation. Every time they argued over Bianca and his friendship, it always led to an ugly fight between them, and they both knew, it won’t be any different this time either. Hunter never understood why Hera felt so jealous of Bianca. He thought both of them were ridiculously stupid for feeling that way. 

He decided it’s better not to prolong the topic. He wouldn’t want to upset Hera with their differences regarding Bianca’s presence in his life. Everything was going right until Hera brought her between them. 

And besides, he’d a more serious matter to worry about tonight. Never in his life had he felt so terrified about the danger lurking around.. He’d seen his grandfather and father fight such dangers very often, and they’d taught him well too. Hunter knew how to fight with his hands and legs, and he knew how to use weapons. He would survive the dangers of death threatening attacks single-handedly, even without the help of his well-trained bodyguards. 

Dying or killing never frightened him as it was part of his family business. After all, he was born into a most powerful mafia family. He’d witnessed all types of dangers while growing up. They were nothing more than exciting, thrilling adventures for him until now. The girl sitting beside him was no less than oxygen for him. He wouldn’t be breathing anymore if anything to happen to her. The thought of losing her scared him to death. 

If only he could tell her why he was so protective of her. She was complaining about not holding hands like the other regular couples normally would do, a romantic gesture. 

‘That’s the problem with my life. It’s anything but ordinary or regular.’ 

Unintentionally he’d jeopardised the safety of her life tonight, and he couldn’t wait to get her out of that place. That’s one of the reasons why he never took her out alone on a date. 

“I’m sorry too,” Hera mumbled, catching his attention. He moved forward, and their faces were mere inches apart now. They stared at each other for a moment, before his lips twisted into a crooked smile. One eyebrow went up as his eyes twinkled with mischief. “So we’ll kiss and make up then?” He asked, and jabbed his index finger, tickling her side. She squealed in surprise before swatting his hand away. 

Hera laughed out loud as he continued to tickle her mercilessly. They were rolling on the ground, pushing and pulling each other just like they used to do when they were little children. Hera kicked him in the stomach and ran away from him. Hunter’s heart leapt into his throat in fear. 

Just the mere thought of not being near her to protect her life with his at such a life-threatening difficult time had aroused an unpleasant violent thrash inside Hunter’s chest. 

He went chasing after her, and Hera increased her pace as she glanced at him over her shoulder. She lost her balance and was about to collide with the old couple sitting on the bench when Hunter’s hand snaked around her waist and pulled her back to him, but he couldn’t prevent their fall. 

Hera landed straight on him, absolutely unharmed while Hunter grunted in pain. Still laughing, Hera said sorry to the old couple. After helping her stand up, Hunter got up too, and readjusted the position of his gun into the waistband of his pants at the small his back, pretending to straighten his shirt. The old lady was grinning from ear to ear, watching them, and her husband said, “You two kids remind us of our old days.” 

“You mean to say you had a hard time too?” Hunter asked, feigning pity and groaned as Hera stomped her foot on one of his. The older man chuckled, shaking his head. He looked at his wife with a warm smile on his lips as he said, “You’ve no idea, young man, what I went through for her but wouldn’t trade her for the world.” 

Hera watched them with awe while Hunter had his eyes fixed on her. “Oh, what beautiful eyes you’ve got, young man! And, you two will make a beautiful bride and groom someday,” the old lady said, looking at them. Hera’s eyes went wide after hearing that, and when she looked at Hunter’s face, he was pink-faced. “Oh, my God, you made him blush!” Hera exclaimed, and burst out laughing again. 

Scowling at her, Hunter grabbed her wrist in his hand and bidding a quick goodbye to the elderly couple, he walked ahead, pulling her along. Waving her hand to the old couple, Hera hurried her feet to match his long strides. 

“Do you think I’ll still look beautiful when I get old and wrinkly?” Hera asked in a faraway tone. “Don’t worry, Love. I would still love you with your old, wrinkly, and not so beautiful face because you are mine to protect and cherish. Forever,” he said without looking at her. Hera bit her lower lip but still couldn’t stop the toothy grin spreading across her face. 

“Why do you keep dragging me, you Idiot?” Hera asked, trying to pull her hand out of his grip. Still grasping her hand tightly in his, Hunter kept walking briskly. He messaged Mathew, informing him that they’re leaving and within seconds, he got the reply that he would call the Valet to retrieve his car. Hunter understood what Mathew meant. The vehicle had to undergo a thorough check before he could get near to it. 

Hunter started the car as Mathew gave him a nod to proceed. “He did have his way after all,” Hera mumbled, waving her hand at Mathew. “Wear your seat belt, Mrs Hunter,” said Hunter and Hera buckled up herself. She watched as two identical black cars escorted them, one drew ahead of them, and another one followed them. She wondered, why so much of security all of a sudden. 

She glanced at Hunter while his focus was solely on the road. She let him drive in silence, and her thoughts drifted back to their moment at the pond. She loved every second of their date. He made her feel special tonight. But the only thing that bothered her was this annoying question in her head. 

‘He never once kissed me this evening! Why?’

She could bet on her life that he wanted to kiss her. In fact, he looked desperate to kiss her the whole evening. Hera smiled unknowingly, remembering her first kiss. Their wedding kisses, on her fifth birthday, and he’d said, “I’m your husband, and I can kiss you whenever I want.” 

“Hunter?” Calling for his attention, she shifted in her seat to face him. His knuckles clutching the steering-wheel, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, the veins on his arms and hands, and the oversized black dial watch with a white gold chain on his wrist, everything looked so sexy. She was lost in thoughts when he gave her a quick glance. He cleared his throat, and Hera blushed in embarrassment. 

‘God, why do I have to be so obvious? Every fucking time.’

After chiding herself for a few more seconds for being such an idiot, Hera straightened her posture. “Who was your first kiss?” She asked, sounding genuinely curious. He looked at her as if she’s crazy. “Answer me, Hunter,” she demanded in all seriousness when he ignored her question. 

“Hera,” he said as he did a double-take on the side mirrors before cutting a left turn. Frowning, Hera thought why he took her name, and when he didn’t say anything else, she blinked rapidly processing the meaning of his word. That was his answer. He actually meant to say she was his first kiss. 

Hera laughed in a scornful derisive way. “Oh, don’t give me that crap. I was five, and you were eight. I hardly knew the concept of kissing a husband. I was an innocent child, and that kiss doesn’t count,” she said. 

She looked thoughtful for a second before continuing. 

“The word ‘Innocence’ reminds me,” she nodded her head and narrowed her eyes as if she’d discovered something unusual. “You were too smart for your age. For an eight-year-old, you knew too much about the wedding and kissing. In short, you were anything but innocent,” she stated, her tone was accusatory. 

Hunter shot a glance at her with a strange look in his eyes, which Hera couldn’t read. He didn’t say anything to make her understand either.

Hera heaved a long sigh. “You know when you hit puberty and felt the desire to kiss someone for the first time,” she paused, waiting for him to look at her. 

Hunter saw her assaulting her lower lip with her teeth. She looked hesitating for a few seconds before she asked her question. 

“To whom did you give your first kiss filled with affection or desire?”