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“I don’t exactly advertise it. I wasn’t very good.”
“No? But you’re so handsome!”
I laugh, kissing her cheek. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize it takes a hell of a lot more than good looks to make it in this business. You need patience, actual acting chops, and a shit ton of luck.”
“Then how did you make the leap into directing?”
“Thomas was putting together a movie. He wrote a script, but he didn’t want to direct it. He reached out and asked if I was interested, so I said yes. That’s when I realized I loved being behind the camera more than being in front.”
Eden pauses for a moment at the mention of her father’s name.
“Why do you want to become a doctor?” I ask. “I thought you said you wanted to grow up to be a singer.”
Eden blushes. “You remember that?”
“Of course I do. You used to make us sit in the living room and listen to you jam out on that old karaoke machine.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” She chuckles, presses her cheek to my shoulder. She’s quiet for a long time before she whispers, “Dad got sick. Really sick.”
A bitter taste coats my tongue. She tried telling me about what happened to Thomas once before, but she got so upset that I couldn’t bear for her to continue. Was she finally going to tell me the truth?”
“After the divorce, he drank. A lot. It was scary.”
I hold her tighter. “That must have been hard.”
“I think that’s why I’m so mad at Annabeth, too. Because when he needed help the most, she refused to come back. Said something along the lines of,well, he did it to himselfandhe’s not my problem anymore. I was fifteen when I found him passed out at home. His liver was failing. The waitlist for a new one was so long that I thought for sure he’d…” Her voice tightens, breaks. “He got one, though, and he got better. He promised me he’d stop drinking and turn things around. Watching the doctors save his life inspired me to want to do the same. I want to be able to take care of Dad when he gets older, and I want to help others just like him.”
“That’s very admirable of you, Eden. I’m sorry you had to deal with it all alone.”
She takes a deep breath, wipes her eyes with the backs of her hands. “It’s fine. I’m tough.”
“I know you are.”
It occurs to me then just how close her face is to mine. There isn’t even half an inch of space, her lips a tantalizing prize that I want to make mine. She looks deeply into my eyes, her dainty fingers coming up to brush against my five o’ clock shadow. Her breath is light and warm against my cheeks, the air around us practically buzzing in anticipation.
“Hunter?” she whispers.
“Yes?”
She shivers in my arms, a delightful little inhale catching in her throat. “Do you remember those summers when we’d play tag in the backyard? You always caught me because you were so much faster.”
“I remember.”
“I think…” Her lips brush against my ear lobe as she speaks. “I think I want you to catch me.”
Before I even have a chance to react, she hops off my lap and bounds up the stairs.
Chapter 21
Tip #21: There’s nothing like the thrill of the chase.
EDEN
He’s so fucking fast it’s not fair. Even with my five second head start, I can hear him catching up to me, can feel his heavy footsteps shaking the stairs as I climb to the top floor of his mansion. My heart is pounding so fast I can feel my pulse inside my skull and between my legs, a blooming heat pooling inside my core. The adrenaline that comes with being chased practically has me squealing as I make it to the top step.
Hunter comes out of nowhere, his arms circling my waist to hold me close. He lifts me off the ground, hungrily kissing the crook of my neck as he captures me. The hard press of his cock against my ass sends a thrill shooting up my spine.
“Where do you think you’re running off to, my girl? I haven’t had my fill of you.”
