AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The side of my face warms with the weight of someone’s stare. I turn to find Andrew seated at the end of the table. He smiles and gives me a small wave.
My hand lifts in acknowledgment.
“Right. He gave me a tour.”
“He’s very handsome and seems like a nice guy.”
“Yeah.” I nod, then take a sip of water.
I don’t owe Andrew anything, but Emma talking about him as date potential is only making me more stressed about what Hunter and I did in the bathroom.
And everything is okay, until Hunter enters the room a few minutes later. He looks gorgeous. His hair is mussed from my hands, yet it looks intentionally styled that way. His hands are in his pockets when he moves toward his seat, giving the people at the end of the table a quick nod and casual, charming smile. That smile makes my stomach flutter and my heartbeat pound against my rib cage.
It occurs to me then that everything in the bathroom happened so fast, I never got to touch him. He’d been so intent on pleasuring me and then we were interrupted by Griffin’s knock. My eyes trail Hunter as he finds his seat next to his date. That’s right, I just hooked up in the bathroom with a guy who is here with another woman.
How had I completely blanked on that?
My limbs are still loose from my orgasm yet I’m watching Hunter’s date lean into him, her hand on his arm, as she whispers something in his ear and all those blissful feelings drain from my body.
I’m an idiot. What the hell was I thinking? Hooking up with Hunter was a huge mistake.
If Hunter can feel me watching him, he must have stronger will power than I do to not turn and meet my gaze. Maybe it would put me more at ease if he sent me some silent message, a private look that would acknowledge what just happened between us. Andrew’s over here giving me all the signals and all we’ve done is a tequila shot together.
“Who are you staring at?” Emma turns her attention to the end of the table where I’ve been tracking Madeline and Hunter’s every move. “Please tell me it’s not Hunter Cartwright.”
“Oh, no,” I say, fumbling for a response. “I like that woman’s mustard dress.” I lie, then grab my fork to stab a piece of kale on my plate.
Emma turns to glance toward the woman in the mustard dress.
“It’s Dior. Last season, but still might be able to get it. Do you want me to see if my assistant can locate it?”
“No.” I shake my head. “It looks great on her, but it would probably wash me out. And I’m sure it’s very expensive.”
“Everything looks great on you.” Emma nods to the dress she loaned me to wear tonight. The dress I’m going to have to dry clean after Hunter’s mouth made a mess between my thighs.
“So, what’s the deal with Hunter Cartwright?” I say his full name hoping the formality will keep my questioning from appearing personal. And because sayingOh, Hunter? The guy who just had his face between my legs in the bathroomis the last thing I can say to Emma. I love Emma, but I know she’d die if I told her something and asked her not to tell Griffin, so even though she’s my only female friend in the city, I can’t risk talking to her about anything that has happened with Hunter.
“He’s one of the city’s most eligible bachelors.” Emma pauses to take a drink of her wine. She has no idea I’m on the edge of my seat.And? And? AND?Keep talking, woman!I want to shout.
“I know him through my cousin, Barrett. Hunter is known for serial dating and there’s always a new woman on his arm.”
“Oh?” I nod, trying to sound casually interested. Like she’s announcing a PSA, not telling me I’ve just hooked up with one of New York’s most eligible bachelors and he’s a total player.
“He’s a heartbreaker, for sure. I’d steer clear if I were you.” Emma smiles. “If not for that reason, then because Griffin’s head would explode if you got involved with his boss. And he’s waaayyy too old for you.”
“Oh, totally.” I laugh and hope it sounds convincing. “He’s sooo old. Like thirty, right?”
“Mid-thirties, but he doesn’t look like he’s settling down anytime soon.”
Emma’s lips twitch and she nods her head sideways in Hunter’s direction where Madeline’s hand is now rubbing the back of his neck, but his attention is on another woman talking to him from across the table. I’m witnessing two women vying for his attention, and yet I’m the one who hooked up with him in the bathroom and he hasn’t even glanced my way. It makes me wonder if he meant what he said. Has he been thinking about me, or was he feeding me a line?
Does it even matter?
I’m not looking to land Hunter. I moved here for a career opportunity and I can’t let any distractions keep me from focusing on that. I might be a lowly intern right now, but I hope to prove myself and change that. To secure one of the permanent positions at the end of the summer.
While hooking up with Hunter in the bathroom felt undeniable in the moment, I realize it was a huge mistake. Not only because of who Hunter is, but because of how it could affect my family and my goals.
And I shouldn’t let my attraction to Hunter risk ruining an important evening for Griffin who has returned from the bathroom and taken his seat on the other side of Emma.
