Chapter Nine
To change or not to change?That was the dilemma plaguing me as I stared at my reflection.
I’d spent longer than I cared to admit rooted to the spot, debating that very question. And I was still no closer to an answer. Usually, I was decisive—with men, with business, with everything. But when it came to one man in particular, I seemed to question my every move.
I was still wearing my outfit from work, and if I were going to dinner and drinks with an ordinary client, this would’ve been a no-brainer. But Hunter was far from ordinary, and I knew he wanted to be more than just a client.
I wanted it too. I wanted to explore his body, discover his kinks, see if he was as good of a lover as he claimed. I had a feeling it wasn’t idle chatter. I had a feeling that if I gave in, a night with him would be incredibly satisfying.
I could easily imagine all the fun we could have—me on top, him bending me over a counter…
And with the thought of bending over, I snapped out of my trance. Those were almost the exact words Luther had used when he was insulting me and my reputation. As attracted as I was to Hunter, there was too much riding on this.
I needed to stay focused. Nothing could get in the way of myCasa Beautifulfeature. Not only was it important for my career, my future, but I had a much bigger personal stake at play in my bet with Luther.
And with the reminder of Luther and his designs on spending the night with me, any remaining desire I had to sleep with Hunter was snuffed out completely. Sure, he was hot as fuck. Intelligent. Well-spoken. Fluent in French.Swoon.
In the past, I hadn’t been opposed to mixing a little business with pleasure, but not this time. Not with so much riding on it. And certainly not after what had happened with Noah Ashworth and his wife. I got the feeling Luther would need little encouragement to make everyone think I slept with all my clients.
No.I shook my head. I was a professional, and my reputation was everything.
So, with all of those reasons firmly in mind, my decision was made. I wouldn’t change. I would wear the same skirt and shirt Hunter had seen me in earlier, sending a clear message that this was just business. That I was a professional, and our relationship would remain that way.
But… I leaned closer, squinting at a spot on my shirt. Was that…coffee splatter? I squinted at it, knowing I couldn’t possibly go to a client dinner with a stain on my shirt.
Newly resolved, I spun on my heel, sifting through my clothes.
“What to wear? What to wear?” I picked through the items, trying to smother my excitement.
Too sparkly.I pushed past that dress to glance at the next one.Too black. Too— Wait.I grabbed a cobalt blue dress from the rack, admiring it on the hanger. It was sexy, while still professional. And it would look sharp paired with a blazer, several long, delicate necklaces cascading over my cleavage, and my signature sky-high heels. Hunter wouldn’t be able to resist me.
Wait.I paused. That couldn’t—wouldn’t—happen. I didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be able to resistme,more that he wouldn’t be able to say no to all my brilliant ideas for his home. Yes, that was exactly what I’d meant.
I changed and was headed for my car when my phone rang. A blocked number, which could only mean one thing—Shane. I switched my phone to vibrate and slid into the driver’s seat, determined to put him from my mind. He was in the past, and that was where he’d stay.
Though a part of me wondered why he’d started calling all of a sudden. Why the insistence on talking to me? As always, my need for self-preservation overruled my curiosity—at least when it came to anything having to do with my half brother.
As I drove across town, I thought back on my earlier shopping excursion with Hunter. His taste was similar to what I’d expected, though he was more adventurous, bolder than I’d initially suspected. That said, it fit his personality. And by the time I was done, it would complement his home.
I drove through the winding hills of his neighborhood, admiring the other homes. It was a great part of town—an expensive part of town. Though what area of LA wasn’t expensive? And as I pulled up the gravel drive, admiring the lighting and landscaping, I could see it certainly had curb appeal.
In fact, everything about it appealed to me, from the gas lamps flickering on either side of the door to the stark contrast between the white exterior and black accents. It was a kind of transitional style, something that would look good for years to come.
If I were looking to buy a house, this one would definitely be on my list. It was inviting and elegant without being pretentious. Kind of like the man who owned it. Sure, he needed the basics—a doormat, window coverings, furniture. But I couldn’t wait to tour the inside—not stare at the blueprints or a small image on my computer.
I hesitated a moment, finger poised over the doorbell. Maybe this was a bad idea—me, him, alone in his big house.
I shook my head. This was a business meeting. I needed to tour his home, and he was right—sooner was better than later. This wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for any other client. My work hours flexed based on the needs of my clients, and I frequently visited their homes on nights or weekends to accommodate their busy schedules.
With a deep breath, I rang the doorbell and adjusted my purse. I rubbed my lips together, ran my tongue across the front of my teeth, smoothed my hair. I could’ve been waiting seconds for all I knew, but it felt like hours.
Finally, the door swung open, and Hunter greeted me with a smile. He’d ditched the vest, jacket, and tie from earlier and rolled his shirtsleeves up to his elbows. His tanned, toned forearms were on display, as well as his bare feet. He looked completely at ease, and I felt…overdressed.
“Hey, Lauren. Come on in.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my cheek. It was a chaste kiss, but it lit my skin on fire.
“Um. Okay.” I blinked a few times.
“And kick off those shoes. I’m sure your feet could use a break.”
