The Distraction

Untitled Part 1

-hunter

The huge, old colonial house used to belong to the Cole's, an older couplewhose kids moved away long before I left town. But when my sister settled inour hometown after marrying her college sweetheart, the home not twoblocks from where we grew up became hers. With nothing but white woodsiding and large expanses of red brick, it makes you want to drive a littleslower when you pass by to take in its features.Immediately it's clear that Autumn and Steve aren't home - neither oftheir vehicles is in the drive, but this is something I already knew. Autumnwarned me that she wouldn't be home until later.You can hear the loud music from the street as I grab my suitcase fromthe trunk of my dad's old Bronco I picked up earlier before slamming thedoor shut. My feet make their way up the pathway made of meticulouslyplaced and cared for paver stones, creating an intricate pattern.When I reach the door, I press the doorbell before realizing the sound iscoming from inside Autumn's house. Queen, I think. There's no answer,which isn't a surprise considering the noise inside. The music is loud enoughyou can feel the bass vibrating on the front door. Next time I ring the bellwhile knocking against the dark wood. Again, nothing but the music comesthrough. Except... laughter and - is that singing?Sounds are drifting through the cracked windows, telling me whoever ishome won't be answering the door. My hand reached for the doorknob whichturns with ease."Hello?" My voice echoes through the open door as I step in. As I lookaround, it's clear the foyer hasn't changed since Christmas two years ago.God, was it really that long? The walls are a cream color with photos inmatching wood frames perfectly hung on the walls. The effect is like an artgallery you'd find in downtown NYC, but it's a gallery of family. Lookingaround, the contrast between Autumn's welcoming, warm home and my cold,stark one is clear. While everything in my space is top of the line, chosenwithout care for budget, it has never actually felt like home."Hello?" I shout again, closing the door behind me. It's so much louderwith the solid oak door closed and creating a sound buffer. Inside, it's clearthe music is coming from the back of the house.I hum along to the song playing as I make my way towards the noise.Autumn's house is much more cluttered than my apartment in the city. There,everything is clean and modern, perfectly kept by a team that comes in twicea week. Nothing is ever out of place, the minimalistic style curated by thedesigner my assistant hired, creating structure and precision.Instead of complete order, toys are strewn about, a scooter leaning againsta wall in the foyer. On a table in the hall, a giant leather purse has tippedover, items falling out. A pack of gum, a toy car, a bright pink wallet. A setof keys with an array of colorful keychains on the floor.Bending forward to grab the keys, a flash of tan skin makes me freeze inmotion. The silhouette of a curvy, petite woman can be seen through thekitchen archway. A ridiculously delicious, obscenely gorgeous woman.I stare at the entryway for what seems like an eternity. Long, golden legscovered only in running shorts lead to full, curvy hips. Next comes a thin,loose white tank top that when the light hits just right reveals a perfectlycurved body. Long, wavy, dark hair sits in a messy pile on top of her headand she's holding hands with my oldest niece, dancing and singing into awhisk. My youngest niece, Rosie, stands on a chair with a wooden spoon toher lips, singing as well.Lost in what's in front of me, my mind wanders. Is her face as devilishlyangelic as the rest of her? Sweet, sultry, and tempting all in one package.I'm finding it impossible to look away from her, bouncing around andscreaming the lyrics into a silver whisk. Her voice isn't that of a womansinging like no one's listening. It's the voice attracting me most to her,enamoring me to her. It's smokey and sexy with a hint of goofiness sewn inthere. As she sings about thunderbolts and poor families in a voice meant tomake my nieces giggle, her voice is beautiful.Leaning a shoulder against the hallway wall, I try not to make a noise. Idon't want to interrupt just yet and end the show. My arms cross my chest,followed by my ankles as I get comfortable, watching as she sways her fullhips left and right. All of it makes for such an alluring package.But when she falls to her knees to perform an air guitar solo, thecombination of seeing her drop to her knees and the terribly inappropriatethoughts that immediately enter my mind snaps me out of my reverie.This needs to end before my mind goes too far. But also, my desire to seeher face is unbearable. An overwhelming need to see if her face matches herbody floods through me.When the song ends, but before it transitions into another loud song, Iclear my throat to let her know of my presence. She jumps and turns around,shock and horror on her face.I was wrong. The face isn't angelic at all.It's downright illegal.Yes, her face is gorgeous - perfect, tanned olive skin, a light sprinkling offreckles across the bridge of her small nose, high cheekbones with a flushfrom her kitchen workout. She's the girl next door, the gorgeous, perfectprom queen, but...But she is sex. Beneath the freckles and the flush are full pink lips, wideblue eyes, and long, long lashes which make me wonder what they wouldlook like half closed on the edge of orgasm. Paired with her knockout body ofsoft curves, she should be illegal.Her face sparks something in my mind, but it takes a moment to placeher. The nanny. Hannah, the nanny. When Autumn signed on to Beaten Path,she had demanded to work from home to stay with her growing family.Knowing my sister better than anyone, Steve knew she would need helpwhile working from home, and they hired Hannah. I'm sure I've met her overthe years, but nothing left a lasting impression of the woman. But fuck, is shemaking an impression now.She's also terrified. Her eyes are wide, bright blue eyes glazed with fear.One hand tipped in pale pink polish lies on her chest, which is rising andfalling in subdued panic."Uh, I'm sorry, can I help you?" She tries to seem confident when shespeaks, but her voice wavers in a way telling me she is not at all comfortablewith me. Keeping her eyes on me, she takes a step to the side, moving to hidemy nieces behind her before darting her eyes to the door, seeking an exit.So, she's protective. Something about the move makes me like her more.I like that she's not giving in, she'd be willing to go down swinging."UNCLE HUNTER!" Rosie screams from behind Hannah, dropping herspoon with a clatter before jumping off the chair to tackle me."Hey, Rosie girl!" I say, lifting her into the air and twirling her. Thesweetest giggle falls from her lips as her strawberry blonde hair flings behindher in a cascade of soft waves. When we stop moving, I turn to the nanny andsmile, putting my hand out for her to shake. "Hey, I'm Hunter - Autumn'sbrother? We've met before, I think. I tried knocking, but the music must havebeen too loud to hear. The door was open. I let myself in."Still dazed but gaining some color back, Hannah shakes her head as iftrying to clear it. She puts her hand in mine to shake it, and I marvel at howtiny and soft it is. A zing of recognition jolts from her hands and through myarm. An electric charge like I've never felt before, the moment our skintouches. I wonder if she felt it, too."Oh, gosh, of course! Of course, Autumn told me you were coming soon.I just didn't expect you today. Oh, gosh, please, come, sit!" she babbles,scrambling to turn off the music, which has changed to a slower, quietersong. "Can I get you anything, Mr. Hutchins? Water, soda, a drink? Drivingfrom the city is the worst. You must want to relax." Before I can even take abreath and put her out of her misery, she keeps talking."I can show you to the guest room I think you'll be in, but it hasn't beenmade up for you yet. I'm so sorry, it's been a crazy afternoon, and -" I cut heroff before she runs out of air."No thank you, I'm fine." She's flouncing around, panic clear on herface, and not comfortable with the change to her day. Her hands are wipingand cleaning and clearing the kitchen as she talks, the opposite of a dreadfultornado. It's unclear if she's nervous I'm here, or if it's because she'ssurprised. When I spot a plate of cookies cooling on a rack, my hand reachesout and grabs one, popping it into my mouth. The taste of brown sugar,vanilla, and melty chocolate chips explodes on my tongue, making me groanout loud. Holy shit, did she make these?"Those are for - uh, never mind. Are you sure? About the room. It's not aproblem. I'm sure you'd like to unwind. Gosh, this is so embarrassing. I'msorry I didn't answer the door. It's been a rough day around here. I alwayssay a quick kitchen dance party can cure just about any sour mood. Sarachose the song and I can never resist the crazy amazing sound system in -""Please sit down and stop talking before you faint." Grabbing anothercookie off the rack, my ass drops into the chair next to Sara and I use the toeof my boots to push out another chair, motioning her to sit. My keys hit themarble countertop with a satisfying clink right before my boots are onAutumn's kitchen counter."Oh, no, I'm fine, thank you. I need to get dinner finished," she says,facing the stove with her back to me before she looks over her shoulder. "CanI make you a plate, Mr. Hutchins?""Hunter, please. You're family, right? Or so Autumn tells me. You dowatch my favorite girls day in and day out," I ask, plucking a cookie crumbfrom my shirt. I throw a smile her way, loving how my teasing turns hercheeks a light pink.She smiles a gorgeous smile that lights up the room. "Okay, Hunter. Willyou be having spaghetti and meatballs with us tonight?"In hindsight, it's clear that was it. That was the moment I fell head overheels for Hannah Amelia Keller.-hannahSHIT, shit, shit, shit. When I turn my back to the gorgeous man lounging atthe kitchen table, I focus on forcing air into my lungs as deep as possible tocalm myself. Whenever something like this happens, panic creeps in like anold, unwelcome friend. Like always, I use the technique which got methrough my hardest days as a kid. But today the air just won't get deepenough into my lungs, the anxiety a brick wall keeping out the fresh air andmental clarity.But to embarrass myself in front of this man, this unbearably handsomeman? It's just not fair.Of course, it's important to note this is not the first time we've met.Hunter's been at family gatherings, we've been introduced in passing. Butthis is not the same man. No way in hell.When he walked in, I was sure Hunter was an intruder planning to rob us.Or maybe some crazy drifter, looking to kidnap and use us as ransom. Scenesand schemes ran through my mind with strategies to get the kids out safelyand call 911. Until Rosie ran to the man, calling him "Uncle Hunter".The man I've met in the past was tailored to perfection. A suit, Italianleather shoes, cleanly shaven, neatly cut hair styled perfectly. That's who Iexpected to walk in the door when my boss told me her brother would cometo stay here while he worked on a local project.This man - he's... rugged. Unpredictable. The structured, closed-offexecutive is nowhere to be seen standing in front of me. Hunter is wearing aworn-in flannel, unbuttoned over a fitted white t-shirt. Beat-up brown bootssit right below khaki-colored cargos which have seen better days. His darkhair, which I've only seen perfectly groomed and styled, has grown unrulylike he's just washed his hair and let it dry after he toweled it off. His facesports a thick layer of dark scruff. Scruff which inevitably dropped panties atevery stop he made along his way here.With an uneasy smile, my head bobs to acknowledge his request to callhim Hunter before turning back around and cleaning up the dinnertimedisaster zone without looking too flustered. This man. This man walks inunexpectedly and completely rocks my world.Change and I are not friends. Predictability, consistency, and scheduleare. My best friend Sadie calls it "safe and boring" but those are things Inever had. Feelings I work hard to get as an adult. The smallest hiccup - afeverish kid or a rainstorm on park day - can completely ruin my day. It alsocan make me... dumb.Consistency and predictability were non-existent growing up. My momwas neglectful, leaving me constantly grasping at straws to keep my sisterand me safe. My entire adult life, I have spent structuring every moment toknow exactly what is coming next. This just blew every shard of comfort tosmithereens."So you're the uncle the kids gush about, huh?" Dumb, dumb, dumb,Hannah! Of course, he's the uncle - Autumn only has one, and you've met theman before! My cheeks flare with heat."Do you gush about me, Sar Bear?" he asks, standing and grabbing yetanother cookie before ruffling the hair on her head. Then, in a move so swiftand unbearably sexy, he leans back against the kitchen island with his palmsand presses, swinging himself to sit on top."Hannah says counters aren't for butts!" Rosie yells, pointing a smallfinger at her uncle."Is that right?""Well... yes. It's unhygienic to sit on a kitchen counter where we makefood." And really, it is. Chairs are to be sat on. Tables and kitchen counters?Not so much."Ahh, well, we're all family," he says, sending a wink my way. My lipspurse, biting back the response I want to give and the urge to tell him to gethis ass down. This is your boss's brother, Hannah. Leave it be."Did you bring us anything?" Sara's nine years seem like 16 these days,and she brings the attitude to match."Sara Elizabeth!"In response, Hunter gasps and clutches his chest in faux horror. "Do youthink I would come to see my favorite girls in the entire world withoutbringing you guys presents?""PRESENTS!" screams Rosie, making a beeline for the front door to grabwhatever Hunter brought them from his car. I grab the little girl by her waistand plop her on my hip. Although she's four, she's small for her age, solifting her is easy."While I'm sure you're excited to see what fun things your uncle broughtyou guys, I think he would agree we should fill our bellies first!" I say,tickling said belly and making her squeal. My eyes shoot a pleading glaretowards the intruder."Of course, as long as you've got enough for one more.""It's nothing special, but my helpers and I made plenty. Do you likespaghetti and meatballs?""Uncle Hunter, you're gonna lose it when you try Hannah's meatballs!They're the best ever. And I helped her make them which makes them extratasty." Rosie yells, her voice at a perpetual volume seven out of five."And I made the sauce!" yells Sara, still wearing a sauce-covered apron.Right then, the egg timer I set to remember to dump the pasta goes off."Well, I have to try this famous sauce from my little chef," Hunter tellsSara before hopping down and walking to the fridge. "What can I get to help?Cheese? Drinks?"He's good with the girls. It's surprising - Autumn always made himsound like a standoffish workaholic. Someone who would never enjoy asimple meal or joke around with kids. While she loves her brother, it's alsoclear she secretly wishes he'd settle down. Something she's told me isn't inhis plan."I've got the cheese out and grated and drinks for the kids already. Butyou can grab yourself a drink." I shake the pasta around in the colander,draining the water out.I fill the girls' bowls with saucy noodles before each gets a few meatballs,cutting Rosie's up into smaller pieces before putting them on the table infront of the hungry kiddos. I promised I would let them dole out their ownParmesan cheese and just watching Rosie dump three large spoonfuls on topis making me regret my decision instantly.My back goes to them in an attempt at ignoring the mess being made, andI focus on making Hunter a plate. Grabbing a pasta bowl from the cabinet, Iturn to him. "How hungry are you?""I can do it," He says, coming my way with one of Steve's fancy craftbeers in his hand. He raises it, silently asking if I want one."No, I'm good. I don't drink when I'm watching the kids," I say as hegrabs the pasta bowl from my hands. His hip gently brushes against my own,moving me out of the way. Even through layers of clothes, where we touchmy skin is on fire, a slow burn from my hip and spreading outwards.My feet step back, moving me to a safer distance as I attempt to getmyself together while he serves himself before grabbing another bowl fromthe cabinet. He looks my way, asking what I want on my plate."I, uh, I can do it. You sit, I'm sure you had a long drive here." He staresat me for a second, staring through me as if he knows what I'm thinking,what I'm feeling. Why is he so unnerving? Instead of arguing, he hands overthe bowl with a wink that makes chills run down my spine. Hunter smirksbefore heading to the table to grab a seat.Get your shit together, Hannah! My inner voice chides. He is your boss'sbrother. A conceited, stuck-up brother, from what Autumn has said. Whileshe's never said a truly bad word against her brother, Autumn complains tome occasionally about her brother and boss in the way sisters do.On my way to the table, I grab my phone, sending a message to Autumn.Hannah: Hey! Your brother just got here. Did he text you? Doyou have a room you want me to prepare for him?Autumn: Oh, God, what a dick. I told him to call me when hewas on his way! I'm so sorry, Hannah, I would have warned you hadI known!Hannah: Totally fine, which room should I get ready?While chatting with Autumn, Hunter's phone buzzes. He looks at it, thenup at me with a smirk. Crap. She definitely texted him. Why does it feel likeshe's outed me for something?Autumn: Don't worry about a room, I'll handle it. Do you mindstaying through bedtime before you head out? We're running a bitlate, but Hunt's never done bedtime.Hannah: Got it! You know I love tucking those boogers in.With my plate piled high with pasta, my phone goes into my pocketbefore sitting next to Sara at the big farmhouse-style table in the kitchen.Rosie is sitting next to her Uncle Hunter who is unfortunately right acrossfrom me.Sara catches us up on how her school day went, gushing about howexcited she is for her last day before summer break tomorrow. Once the girlshave caught us up on their busy little kid lives, they move on to stories aboutUncle Hunter from the many family vacations they've taken together."One time, we went to the beach. And Uncle Hunter took me out on thewater in a KAYAK! It was so fun! We saw a boat and a fish and a turtle!""I was sad I didn't win anything on the boardwalk and then he spent like,a billion dollars until I won the giant stuffed dolphin. You know, the one inmy room?""At Emmy's wedding, Uncle Hunter danced with me allllllll night, eventhough I stepped on his feet!"It goes on like this; the girls giving me a glimpse into how they see him.He's a good uncle. It's clear that even though they don't tell me all about himoften, he's a superhero of sorts in their little minds, doing all the cool unclethings. I love hearing all the stories, but soon enough they move on to talkingabout me and I can't help but cringe at the attention."She made my costume all by herself last Halloween!""Hannah makes THE BEST cupcakes for birthdays, but if you ask reallynice, she'll make them for normal days too. You should totally ask her.""Once I was sick, and we cuddled in bed ALL day. She even sang all theprincess songs with me!""Doesn't Hannah have the prettiest hair ever, Uncle Hunter?"While it's heartwarming to know they adore me as much as I love them,each example makes my face burn hotter and hotter. Listening to them gushabout me in front of this man is my personal version of hell.As soon as they're done eating, I clean up plates, getting a small reprievefrom the intense stare of Hunter across from me. With each story, hischocolate brown eyes focus on me more and more, until it's almostimpossible not to squirm."Okay, you hooligans! Mom's coming home late tonight and told me toget you guys in bed on time. Get in jammies and clean your rooms quick andI'll let you have a cookie and milk before bed!" I say over my shoulder as Iload the dishwasher. The sound of little feet running up the carpeted stairscomes through the walls instantly, and I chuckle at how easy they aresometimes."You can't blame them. Those cookies are amazing," Hunter says,popping himself up onto the kitchen counter again. Doing so makes the veinsin his forearms bulge in the sexiest show of subtle strength. I can't decide if Ishould chastise him for sitting on the counter or swoon."They're the results of months and months of research and trials. Sara ismy little baking friend and last winter we tested all the top recipes onlineuntil we concocted our own.""Whatever it is, it worked. My compliments to the chef," he says with aknowing and teasing smirk, making me blush. "So are you-" he starts, but thesound of Rosie yelling at Sara from upstairs stops him.Sighing, my mouth opens to call them down and negotiate, but Hunterputs his hand up. "I'll go up there, straighten them out," he says, hopping offthe counter."Are you sure? They can be... intense.""Ah, trust me, I grew up with their mother. I know how to handle them."He winks before walking toward the stairs.And fuck me, but I can't help but stare at his ass in those cargos as hewalks off.WHAT FEELS LIKE HOURS LATER, I get the girls tucked in and on theirway to dreamland and I make my way downstairs. Hunter sits on the cozycream couch scrolling through messages on his phone. When he sees me, hestands and pockets his phone, gesturing up the stairs."They asleep?""For the most part. Sara takes a bit to settle. She'll read a book for awhile, but they shouldn't bother you. Autumn should be home soon, too." Mybag is on the hook near the door. My feet guide me at the request of commonsense and self-preservation."Wanna stay for a drink?" he asks, stopping me short. It doesn't soundlike he's trying something on. It sounds pretty genuine, maybe even lonely. Ihesitate.Autumn isn't just my boss. She's also a friend. We've talked before abouthow frustrated she is with his womanizing ways. He's a brilliantentrepreneur, a solid uncle, and a loving brother, but Autumn can't help butwish he would set it all aside for someone in his life.After seeing what happens when people don't marry for love, true, souldeep love, I vowed to never date a man who isn't looking for everything.Because I want everything. I want the wedding and the golden marriage. Iwant the kids and the loving family. I want to be the class mom and watchmy husband take our girls to daddy-daughter dances. I want to feel loved andcherished and valued until I'm old and grey, then tell our grandchildren aboutthe magical day we met. I want it all and won't settle for less. No matter howhandsome and tempting, Hunter Hutchins will never be that. And he's notworth risking the job and relationships I love."Oh, gosh, I - uh - I shouldn't. I've got to get up early tomorrow." Guilteats at me a bit, but the cause is cloudy. Setting aside the fact that it's a badidea, I have tons to do before bed tonight.His face flashes, showing disappointment, then interest, followed byresignation and settling on a challenge in the blink of an eye. "Another time,"he says, flashing a megawatt smile identical to his sister's, but manly andsexy and holy crap I need to get out of here."Yeah, maybe," I say with a strained smile, grabbing my bag andreaching for the door. "Later, Hunter. It was nice meeting you."Hunter stands at the door, making sure the front light is on to light myway even though it's still light out. While I refuse to turn and check, his eyesleave their imprint on me, watching until I'm out of sight. Only then does thedoor shut with a light thump.Walking around to the cottage, my gut quivering and my heart racing, Ihave only one thought running through my mind.I am so fucked.-hunter-"HEY, asshole, thanks for telling me you were on your way. I hear you gaveHannah a friggin' heart attack," my sister, the queen ball-buster, says as soonas she walks in the front door and sees me sitting on the large couch in herliving room. I have a beer in my hand and my feet propped on the woodcoffee table. A coffee table Autumn spent buckets of money on to look oldand weathered rather than fresh from the factory.Hannah was right. Autumn arrived 20 minutes after I watched hergorgeous heart-shaped ass walk away."Sorry, it's been a crazy week. Spent most of the drive on Bluetoothtaking and rescheduling meetings." With the Springbrook Hills projectstarting soon, I had planned to come to town late next month to oversee thefinal stages of the build and make sure things go according to plan. Until Ireceived the call from Autumn to come home earlier, just in case.Just in case.Just in case our father dies. I shake the thought from my mind."Yeah, yeah. Was the drive okay?" she asks, proving although I'm a painin her ass little brother, I'm her pain in the ass little brother, who she lovesand worries about."Yeah, sis, thanks," I say with a smile. We shoot the shit for a bit,covering the kids and work before she starts in on me."When are you going to see Dad?" Ah, there it is."God, Aut, I just got here. Give me a break,""I know what you're doing. Don't play it off. You can't avoid thisforever."I sigh, rubbing my new beard, a result of stress-working, thus missing allof my appointments with my barber. "I'm not sure yet. I need time, witheverything going on." Time to make sure I can report successes to our father.Autumn stares at me the way I imagine a good, attentive mom does whenshe's checking for truth in her kids. Not that I would know. It's a face sheperfected years ago, long before she had kids of her own. She sighs. "Okay,Hunt. So, what's with the beard? Have you become a lumberjack since I lastsaw you?" she says, quirking an eyebrow.I smile, thankful for the distraction. "I've been too busy to keep up withthe shaves. I kind of like it, though. I think it's what made your nanny think Iwas an intruder, though.""Shut up. She thought you were an intruder?! But she's met you before!"Autumn said with a guilty giggle. "Oh god, I feel terrible for not warningher.""Yeah, I came in and she immediately hid the kids behind her. I look a lotdifferent from any of the other times I've met her." And, while I know we'vebeen introduced before, I can't remember actually meeting her. Maybe it wasthe same for her."Well, good to know she'd put herself in danger to save the kids, Iguess.""So, what's up with her? What's her story?""Oh, no you don't. Keep it in your pants. I love you, but you're a dogwith women. If I have to lose the woman my children adore and I trust withmy life because you fuck around with her, I will literally castrate you,"Autumn threatens with a glare."Hey! I'm not a dog," I say with a smile, denying what we both knowholds a kernel of truth.I've had my fair share of ladies in my bed, but none have stayed for long.As much as I'm intrigued and enamored by the fair Hannah Keller, Autumn'ssanity and my nieces' happiness come first. Not to mention, prettydistractions are not on the agenda."You know I wouldn't do that to you." I stand, stretching mom arms overmy head. "Okay, I'm off to bed, I'm beat." Leaning down, my lips hit hercheek. "Love you Autie.""Love you, Hunt. Glad you're here," she says as I head for the room shepointed to. My body is at the brink of exhaustion and I'm sure I'll pass outthe second my head hits the pillows. But instead, I find myself thinking aboutthe gorgeous nanny and what her dark hair would look like spread acrossthem