Across from me, Hunter does much the same.
A screech echoes through the room, stealing my attention.
I turn in time to see Octavia slung over Milo’s shoulder as he heads for the stairs. She hits his back and swears at him the entire way up.
They disappear upstairs, taking most of the noise with them and leaving an unexpected silence behind.
And then reality reasserts itself, sweeping aside the attraction and every ridiculous thought my heart had entertained over the past few minutes.
As though his inability to love could somehow change the fact that I’m lying to him.
Or at the very least, keeping a secret.
A huge one.
One that would destroy me.
Him.
Us.
I feel the anger rise, but it doesn’t take long to realise that what I’m feeling is mostly worry.
And fear. So much fear.
Ifhesomehow finds out that Hunter is here with me in the same chalet...
“I think it’s better if you leave,” I blurt out. “I’ve no idea why you came here in the first place, but...”
I look at Adelaide, then Ophelia, and finally at the men standing beside them, and it becomes clear that this conversation is a waste of time. They aren’t leaving.
And looking at Hunter, I don’t want him to leave.
I want to pretend.
Am I completely out of my mind?
I take a deep breath.
“There’s another room upstairs. It has a king bed. You can share if you must.”
I glance down, fussing with the sleeve of my tracksuit. I can feel his eyes on me the entire time, but I refuse to look at him.
Instead, I turn and make my way towards the stairs.
I need distance.
Being near him has left my thoughts in complete disarray.
I don’t look back as I climb the stairs. I already know he’s right behind me.
By the time I reach my room, I don’t even bother closing the door.
There seems little point.
When Hunter Wardgrave decides he wants something, he usually gets it.
A second later, he steps inside and closes the door behind him.
