by Amy DeLuca
Biting his lower lip and squinting in amusement, he reached for her. “Come here.”
He used his thumb to swipe at the offending splotch. As he did so, his knuckles grazed her chin, eliciting full body shivers that had nothing to do with the cold.
Then he did the most astounding thing.
He popped the tip of his thumb into his mouth and sucked it to remove the chocolate, holding steady eye contact with her the entire time.
In an instant, Kristal’s skin was blazing like the fire pit beside them, and her heart was racing crazy circles around her chest.
Honestly, she felt like she needed to remove her coat, but she didn’t because the ever-present camera was watching. She didn’t want whoever edited the video to wonder why she’d felt the need to shuck layers in thirty-degree weather.
Why did Hunter’s touch affect her like this when no one else’s ever had? When she knew a relationship between them was impossible?
It was sheer stupidity, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
Show or no show, she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. Being so close to him all the time without truly being with him was becoming painful.
Hunter had wanted to discuss the idea of a “fresh start” once or twice in the past week, but there was no point to it. Living with him had given her an up close and personal view of his life.
And she’d seen enough to know she and Hunter didn’t have a real future together. He was too much like her father.
As much as she’d adored Richard Bianco, she didn’t want to marry a man like him.
The prospect of creating a life with Hunter, falling deeper and deeper in love with him, perhaps having children with him… and then losing him to an early stress-related death was too agonizing to contemplate.
Even if he remained healthy, she wouldn’t be happy married to an ambitious, driven man who was never around.
Maybe one of the jobs she’d applied for in Atlanta would pan out soon. She’d finish up the filming for Hap’s sake, pack her things, and make a fresh new start down south.
Maybe if she didn’t have to see Hunter and talk to him every day, she could move on with her life.
Twenty-One
The Kiss
The plan wasn’t working.
Over the past couple of weeks, Hunter had taken Kristal on several more “dates,” none of which had resulted in a kiss at the end or even a single instance of legitimate hand-holding.
Instead of warming to him, she’d grown even more distant, if that was possible.
On camera, she was sweet and loving, playing her part perfectly. When the cameras stopped rolling though, she reverted to her cool, unflappable self.
He could almost feel his dream slipping through his fingers.
“What am I gonna do, man?” he asked Hap as they waited for Kristal to come downstairs for the day’s filming. “She’s combing the internet for jobs every day. Eventually she’s going to find one and move out. We’ve gotta kick this thing up a notch.”
Hap seemed to consider it for a moment. Then he nodded rapidly, slapping Hunter’s back in reassurance.
“Okay, I know what to do. Leave it to me.”
Kristal came into the great room, wearing a red turtleneck and winter white pants.
Hunter’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. The woman was born to wear red. The hair stylist and one of the makeup artists had been upstairs with her, and she was camera-ready perfection.
“Hey,” she said to the assembled “dwarves” and the film crew. “What’s on tap today? I promised Cinda I’d stop by for a visit. I haven’t seen her in weeks, and it’s my day off from the restaurant, so I was hoping maybe we could film my parts early?”
“No problem,” Hap said. “We just need to get a few quick pick-ups today—you know, scenes we’re missing to sort of fill in the blanks and round out the show for the editors.”
He grabbed his clipboard and did a quick perusal of the shot sheet attached to it.
“Right. Okay… so the only thing we’ll need you and Hunter for, Kristal… is the kiss.”
His tone was matter-of-fact, so blasé Hunter almost believed he hadn’t heard it right. But Kristal had heard the same thing because she repeated the words immediately. And her tone was the furthest thing from blasé.
“The kiss? What kiss?” she yelped.
“What are you talking about, Hap?” Hunter demanded, playing along, while gratitude and excitement grabbed each other and did a little jig inside him.
Their director friend elaborated. “Well, we need one. I mean, more than one would be great, if you two are willing, but we’ve got to have at least one. Otherwise, the dating storyline just isn’t gonna fly. The viewers will be pulling for it. We gotta deliver.”
“What do you mean ‘we?’” Kristal snapped. “It’s not you and Hunter kissing. You’re asking me to do it.”
Hap pressed his hands together in front of him, forming the prayer position. “No, I’m begging you. Come on, Kris, he’s not that ugly.”
She smirked, but there was panic in her pretty green eyes.
Hunter’s gaze traveled from them down her petal-soft cheeks to that heart-shaped mouth. A mouth he’d literally been dreaming about.
It was torture to be given something you’d spent decades longing for only to have it snatched away again after a tiny taste.
The past few weeks had felt like withdrawal to him. But the addict was on the verge of another addictive hit—he would finally be allowed to kiss Kristal again.
And it was going to happen in front of a roomful of people.
He would have to keep absolute mastery over his emotions, clamping down on every last nerve ending to keep from responding to her kiss the way he had in the past and embarrassing them both.
How would she react? Judging from the outward signs, kissing him would be like pulling teeth for Kristal.
But as their gazes locked, there was something unfathomable in her eyes, an intensity he hadn’t seen in weeks.
Hope surged inside him, battling with a desperate fear she would refuse altogether.
Slowly, she nodded to accede to Hap’s request, and Hunter’s pulse leapt in a primal victory dance.
Hap slapped his hands together and whooped. “All right! That’s what I’m talking about. We’re gonna shoot a love scene today.”
For a “love scene” it felt awfully technical. Forty minutes after Hap’s announcement, Hunter and Kristal were wearing microphones and positioned in the walk-in pantry, which had been perfectly lit.
Hap, wearing a set of headphones, stood just outside it along with a cameraman and the sound guy, Ethan.
“Okay, so you two have snuck away for a little privacy,” Hap directed. “It starts as a conversation, and then you’re gonna kiss.”
“What are we supposed to talk about?” Kristal asked.
“I don’t know—your plans for the day. Talk about going to visit Cinda and ask for a ride or something. It’ll be very damsel-in-distress.”
Kristal scowled. “I don’t want to be a damsel. I never asked any of you to save me—Hunter asked me to move in and be in the show as a favor.”
Hap’s hands went up in front of him in a defensive gesture. “Whoa whoa. Okay. Okay.”
Wanting to appease her, Hunter interceded. “I’ll ask her to come with me to my brother’s house today. They’re having a dinner thing, and I’ll say I want my brother and his wife to meet her. Then she can pretend she thinks that’s sweet, and we’ll kiss. How does that sound?”
Hap answered, “Great,” though the question had been intended for Kristal.
She visibly relaxed. “Okay. I guess that’ll work.”
As the lighting guy made some last-minute adjustments and the cameraman focused his shot, Kristal spoke to Hunter in a low voice.
“I hope you don’t see me as a damsel-in-distress. I never wanted anything from you. I never expected you to take care of me.”
He lowered his
own voice, speaking close to her ear in a soothing tone. “I know that. You’ve never done anything to make me think you wanted or needed me.”
Hunter paused, wondering if he had enough courage to say the next words screaming in his brain.
“Although… I wouldn’t have minded if you had,” he whispered.
“Oh nice,” Hap said. “We’re definitely keeping that line.”
“You were rolling?” Hunter yelped. “No—you are definitely not using that line—or anything she just said. Cut it, Hap—I’m serious.” He pointed to the cameraman. “Roll it back and record over it.”
“Fine.” Hap blew out an exaggerated breath. “You two are touchier than a pair of Pomeranians today.” He turned to the camera operator. “Okay, roll it back and let’s record.”
To Hunter and Kristal, he said, “We’re about to film, so don’t anybody whisper any sweet nothings they don’t want the world to hear.”
The warning was full of sarcasm. Then he raised his voice, addressing the whole crew. “Okay… speed… and rolling.”
Getting into character, Hunter smiled down at Kristal’s somber face.
“So… Jack’s having a little dinner party at his place today, and his wife Bonnie wants to meet you. They’ve been hearing good things.”
Kristal’s wide green eyes stayed serious, but she faked a small smile in response. “Oh really? And where would she have heard these things?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Hunter said. “I might have mentioned you a few hundred times. But who’s counting? So… will you go with me?”
“I’m not sure I should,” she hemmed. “Would it be just the two of them and us?”
“Nah, it’s a family thing. Her sister Rachel will be there too. Come on, it’ll be fun. And I want to show off my girl.”
If only she was his girl, he’d love to show her off. He’d brag to anyone and everyone who’d listen.
Tears filled Kristal’s eyes. Wow. She was quite an actress.
Either that, or his invitation had made her sad. He was shocked by the vulnerability in her expression, but he wasn’t sure what was behind it.
When she finally answered, it was in a whisper. “Okay, I’ll go.”
“Good, now kiss her,” coached Hap.
Hunter darted a death glare at him then turned his focus exclusively back to Kristal. Dropping his head so their noses were only an inch apart, he took her face between his palms and brought his lips to hers.
He wanted to remind her of their first kiss, when she’d let go and melted in his arms, when he’d thought there might be the barest hope of a chance for them.
But as this kiss went on, he forgot about his agenda entirely, forgot about the people watching, and lost himself in the moment, in her.
His senses were assaulted by the sweet taste of her lips, the soft scent of her shampoo, the sound of her rapid breaths.
Moving them both so that her back was pressed against the pantry’s back wall, he yanked her tighter, deepened the kiss. More. He wanted more. He could never get enough of this woman.
And she seemed to be feeling the same way. Kristal’s hands found their way into his hair, and she hummed a little as they kissed, a happy, hungry sound that sent his heart soaring because it meant she was just as into this as he was.
And then it was over.
Kristal abruptly pulled away, breathless and blinking rapidly.
Lurching toward the pantry door, she wheezed, “I’ve gotta go. I’ll… see you later.”
The cameraman turned and followed Kristal as she speed-walked to the mansion’s front door and left with a shuddering slam.
“What the heck was that?” Hap asked after calling “Cut.”
Hunter answered. “If I’m lucky? A step in the right direction.” Hurrying after her, he called back, “See you guys later.”
As he reached the door, he heard Paul’s comment. “No one’s ever going to buy those two being in a relationship.”
Hunter caught up to Kristal in the driveway where she was climbing onto her bicycle while talking on her phone. “…so fake. I can’t wait till this is over,” she was saying to whomever was on the other end.
Hunter stopped in his tracks. Was she talking about their kiss?
His still-speeding heart crashed into a barricade and dropped to the driveaway. Apparently, she’d been wholly unaffected by what had just taken place inside while it had struck him like a lightning bolt.
Working hard to keep his voice pleasant, Hunter resumed walking, approaching her from behind as she ended her call and hung up.
“Where are you going?”
Kristal jumped, clearly surprised by the sound of his voice. She twisted to face him before dropping her gaze to the paving stones. “I told you… I’m going to Cinda’s house today.”
“Let me drive you. She lives clear on the other side of town. It’s cold. And it’s not a damsel rescue. I’m going out anyway. I need to pick up some things to take over to Jack’s later.”
She appeared to consider his offer for a few minutes. “Okay, thanks.”
Once they were on the way, Hunter said, “I’ll swing by and pick you up later, and we’ll head over to Jack’s house together.”
Kristal’s head whipped toward him. “I thought that was just for the cameras. You don’t really want me to go.”
“I really do.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Well, if you don’t want to, no pressure,” he said. “But we’re supposed to stay away from the house for the rest of the day so they can wrap up filming anyway. We’re supposed to be out on another date. And I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you’d come. You know how I mentioned Bonnie’s sister would be there? I got the impression Bonnie’s a little over-eager for me to meet Rachel—she’s trying to convince her to move to Newport. If you’re there, it won’t feel so much like a blind date.”
Twenty-Two
Second Thoughts
A blind date? Kristal wasn’t sure why that notion hit her like a sledgehammer to the chest.
She knew there was no future for her and Hunter. Of course he would date other women.
But Bonnie was beautiful—she’d seen her pictures many times. Her sister was probably gorgeous too.
And she was a successful private chef. Hunter had been talking about wanting to hire a chef for the billionaire bachelor house.
Kristal should be happy for him. She was leaving. They weren’t going to be a couple. She should want him to find a nice woman and be happy. But sometimes “should” just wasn’t happening.
Tamping down the ridiculously inappropriate surge of jealousy, she forced a smile. “I’ll think about it. I’m not sure if Cinda had plans for us tonight.”
Kristal was filled with cool relief as the car pulled up to the curb in front of Cinda’s small cottage.
Her friend was out in the front yard, supervising her son AJ as he rode his tricycle in the short driveway. It had seen better days.
Tufts of grass grew up through the numerous cracks, though that didn’t seem to deter the toddler, who pedaled vigorously, wearing a puffy coat and a large helmet that made him resemble a tiny astronaut.
Spotting them, Cinda smiled and jogged over to the car.
Clearly the mother and son had been outdoors for a while because her cheeks and nose were pink, which did nothing to dull her blonde beauty.
She made a hand motion indicating Kristal should roll down her window. When she did, Cinda leaned into it, beaming.
“Hey Hunter. It’s been a long time. How are you?”
Acting completely unaffected by their sizzling kiss only twenty minutes ago, Hunter smiled back. “Great. Couldn’t be better. It’s great to see you. I guess that’s your little man?”
“It is. That’s AJ. Come on. I’ll introduced you.”
Hunter shot a questioning glance at Kristal, obviously seeking permission.
Reluctantly, she gave him a tight smile. “That’s a great ide
a.”
Both of them got out of the car and walked up the drive. AJ stopped his trike and looked up at them. “Kristhal!” he shouted in his babyish lisp.
She dropped to her knees. “Hi buddy. How are you today? You’re getting pretty good on that thing.”
He nodded vigorously. “I am. And Mommy says I can ride it on the bike path in the spring.”
“Wow. That sounds great.”
Cinda spoke up. “AJ, I want you to meet someone. This is an old friend of Mommy’s and Kristal’s. We went to school together. This is Mr. Bestia.”
Hunter squatted to put himself on AJ’s level and stuck out his hand. “You can call me Hunter. I really like your bike. I noticed the flames on the wheels. Do they make it faster?”
AJ pumped Hunter’s hand up and down in a floppy handshake and nodded his pudgy, dimpled chin, showing a full set of tiny white teeth.
“Uh huh. I’m a astronaut.” He made a roaring rocket engine noise and jumped toward the sky.
“Wow. I’ve always wanted to meet an astronaut,” Hunter said, clearly charmed by the boy.
Cinda laughed. “He’s obsessed with anything that flies. Always has been. Sometimes we go to the airport just to watch the planes take off and land.”
“I was like that as a kid,” Hunter confessed. “Although, I think it had more to do with wanting to get away than a love of aviation.” Turning his attention back to AJ, he asked. “Do you have any toy spaceships?”
AJ’s wide brown eyes grew even wider. “Yes, and planes, and helicopters, and rockets too. Want to see them?”
He grabbed Hunter’s large hand and started tugging him toward the house. “Mommy, can I show Mr. Hunter my toys and my room?”
“It’s up to Mr. Hunter,” Cinda said. “But he’s certainly welcome.”
Hunter looked for all the world like he actually wanted to accept the child’s offer, but he glanced up at Kristal with an expression of uncertainty.
“I wouldn’t want to horn in on your plans for the day.”
Cinda answered. “Nonsense. In fact, I made enough chili and cornbread to feed an army, so we’re going to need some help. AJ eats like a horse, but Kristal here barely makes a dent.”