Chapter Twenty-Three
Ever since I’d confessed my feelings to Hunter, things had been better than ever. And now that he was no longer officially my client, I didn’t have that hanging over my head. In fact, I wasn’t sure I’d ever been happier.
It wasn’t all sex and fun either. Though, with Hunter at my side, everything seemed easier. My load lightened.
When I got a horrid twenty-four-hour stomach bug, he took care of me. He wouldn’t leave my side, changing the sheets for me, helping me get cleaned up, holding my hair back as I clutched the toilet. I’d never let a man see me at such a vulnerable point, and every time I’d tried to push him away, to tell him to leave—he refused. He was there, day in and day out, caring for me, loving me. Or at least, it felt a lot like love.
And it had me thinking about my bet with Luther. I’d always told myself I’d never let a man interfere with my business. Yet, here I was, ready to call it off with Luther because of my relationship with Hunter.
That said, the bet had been a stupid proposition to begin with. I couldn’t stomach the idea of sleeping with Luther, and I’d been foolish for agreeing to it in the first place. Now that I was with Hunter, there was no way in hell I was throwing away what we had over a stupid bet. A stupid bet with a stupid man.
Which was why, as soon as I’d recovered sufficiently from the virus, I found myself driving across town to Luther’s office. I marched through the front door and tried to blow past the receptionist.
She scowled. “Can I help you?”
She acted like she didn’t recognize me, when she knew damn well who I was.
“I’m here to see Luther.” I breezed past her desk, intent on his office.
She leaped out of her chair. “Ma’am. Excuse me. But I need to check with him first. Ma’am.” The closer I got to his office, the higher her voice rose.
I flung open the door without knocking. Luther glanced up from his desk, peering over his glasses at me.
“Lauren, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He leaned back in his chair, setting his glasses aside.
“I’m sorry, sir,” his assistant huffed from behind me. “She barged right in.”
“It’s fine.” He waved her off. She dismissed herself, closing the door behind her.
I stared him down. “The bet is off.”
“Ahh, so you’re afraid you’re going to lose?” He stood from his chair, backing me toward the door.
He breathed in my face, and my stomach soured from his proximity. If there’d ever been any doubt in my mind that this was the right decision, there wasn’t now. I couldn’t stand the man.
“No. Because my circumstances have changed. I’m seeing someone.”
“You? A relationship?” He barked out a laugh as he spun away from me. “Sure you are.” His tone was dismissive, and while I could understand his skepticism, I was still offended.
I leaned forward. “Whether you believe it or not, I am. And the bet is off. Hunter is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Hunter?” Luther asked, and I could see the wheels turning.
I cursed myself for divulging anything to Luther about my relationship with Hunter. But now that I was with him, I was all in. Now that I’d admitted that to myself, now that I’d allowed myself to have what I wanted, it was difficult to hide my feelings for him.
“As in Hunter Pruitt, your client?” he asked.
“Former client,” I corrected, wishing I’d never opened my mouth. “And, yes.”
“My, my—” He tapped his finger to his lips, looking a little too pleased. “So, fucking clients is a regular thing now?” He stepped closer, getting in my space, only adding to my building sense of unease.
He placed one hand on the wall beside me, using the other to trace my jawline. “You’re so beautiful—for a little slut.”
I slapped his hand away, feeling trapped all the same. “Get your hands off me.”
He caged me in, pressing himself against me. And I shivered with disgust.
“You let your clients fuck you. Why should I be any different?” he sneered.
