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His eyebrows rose. “Afraid it may sway my decision?”
“Something like that.”
She sat on the leather sofa. The fireplace was lit. It was hard to ignore how warm and comforting the room was. The shelves were lined with books about art. Hunter’s collection was amazing. She could stare at the pieces he had in here for hours.
He sat next to her on the couch, the leather bowing under his heavy frame. He was more relaxed than usual. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows. She could smell the masculine scent of his cologne.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. It had to be the wine, but she was seconds away from leaning her head on his shoulder. Instead she scooted closer to the edge of the couch.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“You realize I have an escort home from the office every night. Even with the deal you don’t trust me. And here we are having a glass of wine, surrounded by art and literature.”
“Yes.”
She stared at him. “It doesn’t make any sense. Nothing in this house makes sense.”
“Alison.” He looked at her. She felt his eyes heavy on her lips.
She had to get out of here. She placed the wine on the coffee table.
“I’m going to bed. I have work to do. Early.”
She walked to the doorway.
?
??Stay and finish the bottle with me,” he urged.
She closed her eyes. She hated that the draw to him was so strong.
“Good night, Hunter.” She walked away, knowing something inside her was shifting and there was nothing she could do about it.
It took ten days. A grueling ten days of working on the Soar design. Alison had never loved a project more than this. She wasn’t sure she was ready to admit it openly, but it was true. She awoke in the mansion each morning, eager to get to the office.
There were some nights she stayed up late, designing and creating. She felt as if part of her soul were invested in it. It had to be the most beautiful creation she had made.
Today was it. Hunter and Drew would receive the final submissions from the other artists. Alison’s fingers tingled with nerves. It was hard to decide what made her more nervous—wanting the design to be chosen because she loved it, or wanting it to be chosen to give her the freedom she had sought.
Either way, it was enough to keep her stomach in knots. She skipped her cup of coffee Douglas offered in the dining room.
“Can I get you something else, ma’am?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. I don’t think I can eat.”
Hunter rested his tablet next to him at the table. “Is there a reason you have no appetite today?” He smirked.
She wanted to slap that beautiful smile off his face. It was irritating how sexy he was.
“I think you know exactly what is at stake today.”
Drew smiled. “I’m sure your design is going to be chosen.”
Alison exhaled and smiled at him. He had a way of calming her when she least expected it. “Thank you. I guess I’ll know this afternoon.”
“Whatever happens, we appreciate that you’ve worked hard for the foundation.”
“Thank you.” She folded her napkin in her lap. There was no way she could eat the omelet Douglas placed in front of her. “Would you allow me to go to the office this morning alone?”
