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CHAPTER 10
Miranda
While Hunter ordersour drinks, I pull out my phone from my clutch and text my best friend to let her know I’m going for a walk outside. I don’t want her to worry if she looks around for me and can’t find me. It goes without saying I omit to tell her I connected with my Powerball. Before I could blink, she’d come running my way just to take a look at Hunter to see for herself if he does justice to the description Nikki shared earlier about the most coveted category of single men in LA. Since nothing is quite clear between Hunter and I, and let’s be honest, it’s an absolute fluke that I ran into him tonight, I’d rather play it safe. There’s no point in creating a false sense of hope just to be crushed later by brutal reality.
That said, Hunter is making me drool all over myself. He looked amazing earlier when I met him at the market sporting a casual light blue t-shirt, tight-fitting black jeans and a pair of leather dark navy sneakers, but all dressed up in his sophisticated suit, he’s smoking hot. He’s Mr. Perfection from head to toe.
It’s funny how that group of blonde groupies reacted to Collin and Shane. I guess I don’t get it because I’m not one of their adoring fans, but neither of them really do it for me. Don’t get me wrong, they’re both handsome men, but they don’t exude the same kind of energy Hunter does. Maybe I’m not comparing apples to apples because I spent more time with Hunter and I only met the Dennison brothers a few minutes ago. That said, it was obvious from the minute I laid eyes on Hunter yesterday at the restaurant that there’s something more about him. At Lola’s Paradise and at my catering gig, I’d meet hundreds of men every single day, but none of them caught my attention the way Hunter has.
I take full advantage of the fact that his back is turned to me while he’s still waiting for the bartender to prepare our drinks to check him out shamelessly. Damn. I can’t find a single flaw with the man’s body—he’s very tall, strong, physically fit, his chest muscles popped out of his t-shirt earlier and even under his tailored suit. It’s impossible to hide how well defined his body is. The playfulness I read in his sexy mocha-colored eyes when he smiles is a huge turn-on and his thick eyelashes leave me weak in the knees. Don’t even get me started on his lips because that’ll only raise my body temperature and I’m already hot and bothered as is. He’s so easy-going. I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy I’ve enjoyed talking to this much.
I’m completely lost in my thoughts because I don’t even realize when Hunter approaches me holding a tumbler and a Martini glass. “Hey, you.” His voice surprises me and I jolt. My reaction doesn’t go unnoticed. He smiles down at me. “What were you thinking about?” he asks and I blink up at his face.
“Hmm, I was just wondering if there are as many people outside as there are inside,” I lie, hoping I’m not blushing too much.
“Let’s go find out,” he says, handing me my drink. “After you, madam.” He extends his arm, inviting me to walk in front of him.
When we arrive at the same set of glass French doors Kevin, Jessica and I entered a few hours ago, a bodyguard stops us by lifting his right hand like a traffic officer. “You two have your ID wristbands? Or else you won’t be able to get back inside.”
“Yes, sir.” Hunter and I lift our left arms at the same time to prove we belong at this party.
“Very well.” Satisfied, the bodyguard steps to the side and allows us to exit the building.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to think that all of these beefy bodyguards here tonight must work out at the same gym.” Hunter chuckles. “They’re all very tall, all muscle and they’re pretty menacing, if you ask me.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Even with my high heels I’m so short and I feel like I’m half their size.”
“I’m six-five and I feel like they’re giants next to me. Let’s go through this way. There’s something I want to show you.” Hunter places his hand in the small of my back and the delightful warmth of the contact surprises me.
“Wow,” I exclaim, unable to believe my eyes. “From the inside, you’d never think this place hides such an incredible little oasis.” I marvel as I look around me. Although it’s nighttime, the multiple lights brighten the area well enough to allow me to appreciate its beauty.
“Hands down, my favorite part of this venue is the large and expansive gardens. They’re absolutely enchanting. The lush greenery creates intimate nooks perfect to spend a little quiet time with someone while the party is still raging in the background. When the DJ cranks up the music inside, we still can enjoy it out here. The outdoor speakers set the tone for a sultry night. The best part is that it isn’t nearly as loud as it is inside. You can actually hold a conversation out here, which can be very challenging in there,” he says, shifting his eyes back to the glass French doors.
“You definitely sound like you’ve been here a few times.”
“Yes. I’ve been to this venue many times for business and...” Hunter doesn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he stops walking. Intrigued by the fact he’s no longer moving or talking, I turn to face him. “And for fun,” he adds in a low voice.
His last words are potent. I don’t know if I’m reading too much into it, but there seems to be much more than he’s willing to admit. He’s looking at me with those insanely intense eyes again. He pulls the sides of his lips up into a half smile as if he’s fully aware of the effect he has on me.
As I rack my brain, desperately trying to come up with clever repartee, I hear excited cries and water splashing. “There’s a pool out here?” That’s the best I can come up with. He’s making me swoon way too much to think straight.
“Oh, yeah, and from the sound of it, seems like it’s pretty busy. There’s always another party going on around the pool and in the gardens.”
When we turn the corner, I realize it’s as crowded out here as it is inside. Beautiful people are either lounging around the pool in lounge chairs or playfully fighting in the water. The fit guys are wearing swim trunks while a bevy of skinny women are all wearing tiny nearly-there bikinis. Thank God I don’t have to expose myself that way.
“Wow. This is way busier than I thought,” I confess, a little disappointed as I take in the crowd. Hunter takes a step forward and drops his tumbler on a table. I do the same with my empty Martini glass. “I was hoping by stepping outside I’d get away from all the madness, even temporarily. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying myself, but there are so many people.”
He turns to face me. “I accompanied you out here because I thought you needed some fresh air. Had I known you were looking for a more quiet setting, I would’ve taken you to a more secluded spot. You asked earlier who you should complain to about the fact that I wasn’t one of the models?”
I draw my eyebrows together. “Yes,” I answer carefully.
“Care to join me upstairs? The designer is having a very intimate private party. I’m on the VIP list and I get to bring a guest. We can kill two birds with one stone—you get to voice your outrage to the top dog and we can also get away from all these crazy and loud partygoers. What do you say?”
Oh, God, here I go being a little too cocky again.“I was joking when I said I intended on complaining.”
Hunter takes a few steps forward, places his finger under my chin and tilts my head back until our eyes meet. “What are you saying, Miranda? You’re no longer obsessed with my body?”
Shit. This man’s touch is sure to make me melt. “You’re twisting my words,” I protest. I know it sounds feeble, but I don’t want him to know how attractive I find him. “I was merely appreciating how fit you are. Who said anything about me being obsessed?” Did I just admit that aloud? “I mean...” Crap. “You know what I mean.” I roll my eyes, defeated. There’s no way I’ll dig myself out of this one.
“You’re adorable. I’m pulling your leg.” He smiles seductively. “What if I told you I didn’t get nearly enough of you earlier today and I’m dying to spend a little more time with you? Would you take me up on my offer?”
I swallow hard. Jesus, he’s so direct. It was so easy to flirt like a vamp with my dance partner and I didn’t have a problem being sassy with the bartender because I knew things weren’t going to go any further with either of them. But this is different. Hunter has been on my mind all day. I can either chicken out like I always do with men or I can own it.
“I would.” In a heartbeat.
