“What are you doing home so early?” he asked.
“I thought we could celebrate.”
He rounded the desk. “You won theCasa Beautifulcompetition?”
I shook my head, stepping between his legs. “No. I won’t find out for a few more weeks, if that. But I did call off the bet with Luther.”
“What?” Hunter blinked at me, as if he couldn’t believe my words. “Really?”
“I did. I never should have made it in the first place—it was immature and idiotic.”
“Thank fuck,” he breathed, pulling me into his arms. “I didn’t think you’d lose—not for one second. But I’m glad you set him straight.”
“I also may have threatened to castrate him.” I scrunched up my nose.
Hunter chuckled, cupping my cheek with his hand. I leaned into his touch, no longer avoiding the emotional intimacy I’d run from for so long.
“I’m not sure I want to know why that was necessary. But I’m certain he deserved it.” He searched my eyes. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “I am. And I hope others will be too.”
Hunter’s brows furrowed. “What does that mean?”
I explained what the PI had discovered as well as my visit with Luther. All the while, Hunter listened patiently but said very little. When I got to the part about threatening Luther, Hunter’s grip on the edge of the desk was so tight, I thought he’d break it. And now that some of the adrenaline had worn off, I worried I’d gone too far.
I bit my lip, wishing he would say something, anything. “Maybe I shouldn’t have threatened him,” I said, needing to fill the silence.
“Because you’re worried about him retaliating?”
I nodded. “He definitely had it coming, but I am concerned about the repercussions. I don’t want to be, but I am.”
He rubbed his hands up and down my arms, and I felt better just for telling him. “Don’t worry about Luther. If he’s stupid enough to retaliate, I’ll take care of him.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Take care of him, how? I mean, I know your family has connections, but…” I dropped my voice to a whisper. “You’re not going to take out a hit on him, right?”
He shook his head with a smile. “Geez, what must you think of me. A hit? My father’s a politician, not a member of the mafia.”
“Hey…” I lifted a shoulder. “It happens. Look atHouse of Cards.”
He laughed. “While I’m sure my father has done his fair share of unsavory things, I wasn’t talking about murder. There are other options.” He waved away my concern. “But don’t worry about that. Hopefully, he’ll heed your warning. I know I would.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or insulted. While a part of me wanted to tell him that I didn’t need to be rescued by a white knight, another part of me knew that he had my back. That he’d do anything to help me.
“What do you want to do now? Go for a walk with Riley? Grab some dinner?” It all sounded so domestic. And surprisingly, it made me happy.
“I had something else in mind.” I kissed along his jaw, his scruff brushing against my lips.
He settled his hands on my hips, my breasts brushing against his firm chest. I was already burning with desire for him, my core heating me up, turning molten.
“I just want to say thank you.” My voice was breathy as I stared up at him. I sensed his relief, and I knew we were both more relaxed now that I’d ended the bet with Luther.
I pressed my hands to his chest, guiding him toward the chair. “Thank you for having my back, even when you didn’t approve of my actions. And for that, I would like to show my appreciation.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I protect what’s mine.”
I liked the possessive undertone to his voice. And instead of dreading such statements, I craved them. I was learning that it was good to be strong and independent, but sometimes it was nice to rely on others.
I unzipped his pants and pushed them down over his hips. His cock bobbed out, and I stared at his erection, still in awe of it after all these months. He was the perfect male specimen—long with a slight curve, thick and smooth, and the bead of precome at the tip had me eager to taste him. I grabbed him at the root, slicking my tongue from the base to the tip and swirling it around. He tasted sweet and masculine, and his groans only spurred me on.
