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Olivia felt intrigued at the prospect. “Here in town?”

“I know this little place outside of Savannah. Gourmet soul food. An impeccable assortment of desserts. A live rhythm and blues band.”

She let out a hoot of laughter. “This little place? You haven't been back home in forever, but you know a place where we can get all that? Only you, Hunter. Only you.”

“Trust me, Liv.” His voice was soft and tender, like a warm caress on the back of her neck. Trust me. She felt her stomach muscles contract as his words washed over her. Hadn't he said those words to her before? And she'd believed him, hadn't she? Almost until the bitter end when he'd raced out of town without sparing her a backward glance. She'd stood there like a fool with tears flowing down her face, cursing Hunter and the very day he'd been born. And there had been nothing in this world that she could've done to make him stay.

If you love something let it go.

She let out a sigh, torn between reason and impulse. Once bitten, twice shy. The words came to her from out of nowhere, reminding her of everything she might lose if she allowed herself to be pulled back into his dazzling sphere. She was afraid of being hurt again, terrified of getting close to him and having the rug pulled out from under her. But, she thought wildly, the heart wants what it wants. And her heart still craved him!

Despite what had happened in the past, she wanted to be with Hunter tonight. She wanted to sit down to a fabulous meal with this amazing man. She wanted the satisfaction of seeing other women look at her enviously as if she was the luckiest woman in the world to be at Hunter's side. She wanted to pick his brain and find out what he'd been doing for the last ten years. Sure, she knew about all his business accomplishments and how he'd taken the financial world by storm, but she knew virtually nothing about his private life. Had he loved? Been loved? Was there someone special in his life?

Did he ever think about her in the quiet hours between darkness and dawn?

“Ok,” she said, giving in to her heart’s desire. “I'll come out with you tonight.”

She watched as a look of joy passed over his face, mixed with a small measure of surprise at her acceptance of his invitation. He hadn't expected her to say yes, she realized. As far as she was concerned, saying no wasn't really an option. In the end she'd chosen emotion over sensibility, love over logic. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life wishing she'd said yes instead of no. She couldn't bear to live with such intense regret.

“I'll pick you up at six,” he said with a brief check of his watch. He began to walk away from her, pausing a moment as he said, “Make sure you wear pants.”

As Hunter strode away she called out to him, “Why pants? Hunter? Why do I have to wear pants?” He turned around and tossed her a cheeky smile, then kept on walking without responding to her question.

“What is he up to?” she mumbled as she found herself swarmed by the kids as they concluded their archery lessons.

“A life well lived is a wonderful gift to yourself. If given the choice, dance till dawn and love with every inch of your heart.” Miss Hattie

Chapter Six

At six o'clock sharp Olivia heard the chime of the doorbell and she scurried down the staircase after one last look in the full-length mirror. She was dressed simply but classically in a pair of black satin pants, a white tuxedo shirt and a black cardigan. She wore a gold necklace with matching hoop earrings and a pair of black heels. She'd tied her hair back in a sleek ponytail with her mother's favorite black and white Chanel scarf. Since it was a crisp Autumn night, she had her quilted black leather jacket draped over her shoulders in case she caught a chill. Savannah nights were unpredictable.

She wasn't one to wear a lot of makeup, but tonight she'd decided to put on her most vivid red lipstick, black Kohl liner and a peach blush that made her cheekbones pop. She didn't normally feel beautiful, but tonight she knew she was looking her best.

“Hi, Liv. You look gorgeous,” Hunter said as she opened the door for him.

“Thanks,” she said as she gave him the onc

e-over. As usual, he looked scrumptious. He was always so well put together, so devastatingly handsome and debonair. His smile did crazy things to her stomach. It felt like butterflies were soaring inside her belly. Hunter was dressed in a dark pair of slacks, a deep purple dress shirt and a midnight black leather jacket. He held his hands behind his back and he had a mischievous look on his face that let her know he was up to no good. With a flourish he pulled his hands from behind his back to reveal a black motorcycle helmet. With a sly grin he held it out to her and said, “Put this on and we can hit the road.”

Olivia gulped. This was really stepping out on a limb and trusting Hunter…not only with her heart but with her life. Motorcycles could be dangerous.

He held out one hand to her. “Trust me, Liv. I’ll keep you safe.”

Feeling powerless to say no, Olivia took one giant step forward and clasped her hand in his.

**

It was one o'clock in the morning and Hurricane Soul was belting out a string of rhythm and blues classics. The dance floor was littered with people grooving out to the rhythmic beats of the fiercest rhythm and blues band in all of Georgia. Olivia couldn't remember when she'd had a better night out. The ride on the back of Hunter's bike had been the biggest thrill ride of her life. She'd clung to his waist the entire time as if her life depended on it. As the wind whipped through her hair she had felt the most incredible sense of freedom she'd ever experienced in her entire life. It had seemed as if she was soaring, flying through the night with wings. More than anything, she had felt safe knowing Hunter was at the helm.

She trusted him.

After the band announced they'd be taking a fifteen-minute break, Hunter pulled her into the hallway and away from the din of the crowd. “We'd better be heading out if you still plan on showing up at the center bright and early in the morning.”

She nodded in agreement, although she was reluctant to end this perfect night. She couldn't remember a time when she'd enjoyed herself more than tonight. Hunter grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd. A feeling of euphoria rushed through her as he pulled her to his chest to protect her from the crush of the crowd. She actually felt like she was his lady and he was her fierce protector. And it felt nice to be protected. Better than nice actually. It felt heavenly.

Once they got outside she followed Hunter's lead and hopped on the back of his bike, instinctively wrapping her arms around his chest. She heard him muttering a few unintelligible words. He then said, “You've got to be kidding me.”

“What's wrong?” she asked, feeling slightly alarmed.

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