Chapter Seventeen
It had been a few days since I’d talked to Hunter. Though it wasn’t unusual for us to go days without texting or talking, the silence seemed more noticeable. Moreintentional.
I knew he was pissed about my bet with Luther, but I also knew he didn’t have any say in the matter. And if he were any other man, I would have dropped his ass over it.
That said, he was my unicorn client, and I couldn’t drop his ass. Not that I wanted to. Far from it. And while his comments should’ve pissed me off—and did—another, bigger part of me was touched that he cared. Despite my edict on no feelings, it was nice to know that I meant something to him. Even if I didn’t want to admit it.
I am so fucked up.
Add in an unexpected visit from Shane, and I was on edge. Rattled. It wasn’t so much seeing him—though that was certainly unsettling. I hadn’t seen my half brother since I’d run into him at a mall a few years ago when he was out shopping with friends. At the time, he’d been in middle school—a mouth full of braces and an awkward smile. And in the years since, he’d grown up, matured.
That didn’t change the fact that I still preferred to pretend he didn’t exist. It wasn’t his fault that my father had lied to me, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. And I certainly didn’t want the proof of my father’s betrayal staring me in the face, judging me for refusing to talk to the man who united us in blood.
Despite all that history, all that hurt, I couldn’t get past what Shane had said. After all these years of ignoring what had happened, I couldn’t close my eyes to the truth. My father was dying. My father was dying, and he wanted to see me.
I tried to wrap my head around it, knowing Hunter was due any minute for our appointment. But no sooner had he walked through the door to my office than he asked, “What’s wrong?”
It was as if our disagreement had never happened. He was as caring and perceptive as ever. He was always putting my needs, my wants, above his own.
“Nothing.” I busied myself with my computer, trying desperately to compose myself. I forced a bright smile, barely glancing up from the screen. “Nothing’s wrong.”
Hunter narrowed his eyes at me. “Shall I remind you of rule number two,mon trésor?” Despite his teasing tone, I could hear the concern laced just beneath. I ignored the term of endearment, hazarding a guess that it meant “my treasure.”
I fiddled with my necklace, pulling it away from my skin. My throat was tight. I didn’t want to talk about it…wasn’t sure I could.
“Shall I remind you of the fact that we’re at my office,” I said. “And that we don’t discuss feelings—ever.”
“I don’t fucking care.”
“Hunter,” I chided, though I found his raw, guttural tone incredibly sexy. Something about the way he said the word “fucking,” maybe.
With that, all plans to maintain a “professional appearance” fled my mind. I wanted him to shove everything off my desk. I wanted him to push my skirt up and fuck me so hard I’d forget all about Shane and his visit. I wanted to forget everything and everyone but Hunter.
He clenched his jaw, his fists too. “Does this have something to do with Luther?”
I shook my head. “No. Not this time.”
He let out an exhale and crossed the room to join me. I knew he was still upset about the bet, but I appreciated the fact that he hadn’t pushed me on it.
“What, then?” He placed his hands on my hips, stooping to meet my eyes. His brows drew together, eyes full of concern. “What is it? Are you okay? Are you feeling okay?”
He glanced me over, as if checking for signs of a physical ailment.
I frowned. “I’m fine,” I said, wanting to put him at ease. “I feel great—at least physically. Why?”
He shook his head. “Sorry. After everything with Preston, I just get a little paranoid about health stuff.”
I smoothed my hands over his broad shoulders, wanting to soothe him. But also needing a distraction. I told myself that’s all Hunter was—a distraction.
If that were true, then why did I find myself telling him about Shane?
“It’s… I have a half brother. Well, two, actually.”
“Okay,” he said, drawing out the word.
I knew he was probably wondering why I’d never mentioned them before. We’d talked about my sister and nieces, my mom, my extended family. But I’d never mentioned my half brothers—until now.
“He, um… Well, Shane started calling a lot recently. I tried to ignore it. But then he showed up at my office.”
