I saw that my answer intrigued him. Hopping up, I went and fished a paper napkin from my bag. I sat down, smiling at Hunter. “What do you see?”
His brow furrowed. “It’s a napkin.”
My hands moved quickly, wadding up the paper and folding it tightly in my left fist. “I didn’t bring my clown dust so you’ll have to tap on my fist.”
He reached out and lightly tapped the back of my hand. Lifting my chin, I locked eyes with Hunter and then I opened my fist. It was empty.
I caught his surprised expression before he glanced around, searching for the paper. This was the best part. I was going to get to touch him. Lifting my hand, I touched the side of his face and a current shot through me.
He didn’t move a muscle. His eyes never veered from mine. I knew that I couldn’t continue stroking his face indefinitely, but I loved touching him. Reluctantly, I reached behind his ear and withdrew a tiny paper fish.
Hunter stared at it and then at me. “How the hell did you do that?”
I smiled, pleased that he was impressed. “Magic.”
He picked up the tiny fish. “You’re talented Izzy.”
“I make a living as a clown. Any man I’d date would have to not be embarrassed by that.”
“Hmm. You want a nice guy that has a job and doesn’t look down on yours. You don’t ask for much, do you?”
I smirked. “Trust me that’s a tall order to fill.”
“You know one of my secrets. Are you going to share any of yours?”
“One of your secrets? There’s more?” I asked eagerly.
“It’s your turn,” he returned.
I considered making something up so that I wouldn’t humiliate myself any further in front of this man, but he’d trusted me and I couldn’t lie to him. “I’m not good at sex. I’d have to have someone that wouldn’t mind if I’m not that into it.”
I’d shocked him again. I felt his scorching gaze on me but couldn’t look at him. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” he replied gently.
“Like there’s something wrong with me.” I hated the vulnerability in my voice.
“I’m not judging you.”
The sincerity in his voice pulled my eyes to his. “I have no doubt that it will be easier for me to find someone for you. If you want to forget this whole thing, it’s fine. I know sex is important to most men, right?”
“That’s true.”
“It’s important to you?”
“Yes,” he replied carefully.
I glanced away. “Does it matter if the woman you’re with doesn’t like it?”
“It matters.” He reached out and gently tugged on a strand of my hair. “This won’t be an issue when you’re with the right guy.”
“Maybe,” I conceded, but I didn’t really believe he was right.
“Is it just sex you’re not into or is it all of the stuff that leads up to sex?”
I blinked, his words softly brushing my skin, not exactly sure what he was asking.
“Isabelle, I’m talking about foreplay, do you like that?”
My stomach dipped. “I don’t know.”
“Do you like to be touched?”
His leg brushed mine and I trembled. Reaching out, he picked up my hand and cradled it in his own. I nodded. I liked it when Hunter touched me.
“How about kissing? Do you like to be kissed?”
The question kindled a fire in my lower bed and I shifted. His eyes fastened on my mouth. It was difficult to think with his thumb stroking little patterns on my hand and making me feel things I’d never felt before.
I inhaled a ragged breath. Hunter was watching me, waiting for my answer. If I said yes, would he kiss me? My body felt strange, hot and alive, but achy and unsatisfied. Pressing my thighs together, I shifted again but still felt unsettled.
Raising my hand to his mouth, he brought it to his lips and I felt his breath tickle my skin just before he pressed a kiss inside my palm. My sharp intake of breath drew his attention and for the first time ever I saw something in his eyes that looked like hunger.
I moved slightly and my breasts brushed his arm. I gasped. My nipples were hard and the light touch was almost painful. His gaze dipped to my breasts several seconds before returning to my eyes. God, I wanted him to touch me and kiss me, everywhere. The thought brought a visual of Hunter and I, naked and tangled in each other’s arms, and I suddenly wanted that more than anything.
“Tell me what you’re feeling, Izzy.”
My throat was dry, but still I managed to speak. “I want you to touch me and kiss me, Hunter.”
He sucked in a breath, his body tense and his eyes dark. “I can’t,” he said softly, pulling his hand from mine.
“Why not?”
“I’ve already done too much. I’m not taking advantage of you.”
“We haven’t done anything.”
“My God, you’re innocent. It’s called foreplay, Isabelle, and you and I have been doing it almost since we got here.”
Frowning, I shook my head. “You’ve hardly touched me.”
His gaze raked over me, pausing on my breasts before he locked eyes with me. “You’re turned on. What you’re feeling now is what you should feel every time a man makes love to you.”
“You did this to prove a point.” I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I forced myself to take a deep breath and calm down. I was not going to get upset in front of him. Hopping up, I turned my back to him.
I heard him move, felt him behind me a second before he gently clasped my arm and turned me around, dragging me against him so that there was no mistaking what his body wanted from mine.
My breath caught.
My face flamed.
All of the feelings he’d provoked inside of me, I felt a thousand times more intensely faced with the proof that he wasn’t unaffected by me. His hand brushed the side of my face and he looked deeply into my eyes.
I saw the regret etched in his expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wasn’t thinking.”
I smirked. “I’m not innocent.”
“You are in all the ways that matter.”
“You’re turned on.” The words fell shakily from my lips.
“Yes.” His eyes never wavered from mine.
“If you want me, then I don’t see the problem.”
“The reason you want me is because you know that you’re safe with me. You’d feel the same way with any guy that treated you right.”
I wasn’t sure about that, but Hunter seemed to believe it. “I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I told him.
“If this is going to make things awkward between us, I’ll understand if you want to forget about the matchmaking.”
“Have you suddenly decided that finding me a date is going to be bigger job than you realized?” I was only half-joking.
“Finding a man for a beautiful, fun, and desirable woman will be no job at all.”
Hunter and I had dinner together and spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. I showed him a few more magic tricks and he seemed interested. When it was time to go home, I wished our time hadn’t passed so quickly.
He walked me up to the apartment and checked all of the rooms before he left, instructing me to lock the door behind him and call if I needed anything. I didn’t want him to go, and I still wanted him to kiss me. As I closed my eyes to sleep, I realized the bargain I’d struck with Hunter might end with me having my heart completely broken.
Chapter Six
Over the next few days I reluctantly thought about which of my friends I’d set up with Hunter. Renee Tanner was a thirty-six year old nurse, a divorced, single-mom, and she was gorgeous and funny. Hunter would like her. Jealousy pumped in my veins, and I decided to stop thinking about it.
I had some time. We’d decided to go on our dates in two weeks, so I had from now until then to decide whether I was going to be selfish or do the right thing and introduce Hunter to Renee.
Hunter called and told me he was working late the rest of the week, and I thought it was sweet that he cared to let me know that. We hadn’t seen each other since that last night at his house, and I hadn’t expected to but it was nice that he wasn’t blowing me off. At night he’d call or text me asking if I was home safely, and every time he did that I fell a little harder for him.
A part of me wanted to forget about our deal, forget about him, because I had a bad feeling that I was going to end up getting hurt. Knowing that, I could not bring myself to end things with him because the truth was even if it meant heartache I was willing to do whatever I could to make sure I spent as much time as I could with Captain Hunter McAllister.
Friday crept up on me and I tried to muster some enthusiasm about going clubbing with Amber, but I really just wanted to stay home and read the new romance novel I’d checked out from the library.
Amber picked me up in her flashy new sports car that her dad had given her for her birthday last month. I knew I was going to end up driving that ridiculously expensive car home. Amber always had good intentions, but she rarely left a club sober enough to walk straight let alone drive.
Dressed simply in blue jeans with a black t-shirt and sandals, I looked plain beside Amber’s sexy leopard print dress and heels.
Her gaze raked over me critically. “I’m not sure they’ll let you in dressed like that.”
I shrugged, unconcerned. “Is there a dress code?”
“Yes, it’s called S-E-X-Y. You look like you’re in high school. You’re for sure getting carded.”
“I doubt I’ll be drinking much anyway.”
“Hey, I’m driving. It’s your turn to have fun tonight. I guess it doesn’t matter what you wear when you’re as hot as you are.”
“Thanks Amber. You’re looking amazing tonight. Having second thoughts about getting back with Reed?”
She shot me a look of disbelief. “No. I was hoping you could go back and tell him of all the guys that hit on me tonight. You know, make him jealous.”
I thought about that, and it wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe Reed had gotten so accustomed to Amber being around that he’d taken her for granted. “That might work.”
Amber grinned. “We’ll see.”
The club was packed. The music was loud. The prices were outrageously expensive. I couldn’t afford a drink even if I wanted one. Still, I managed to try to have a good time. We danced and Amber drank. A lot.
Around ten o’clock my cell vibrated and my heart slammed against my chest.
Hunter: Are you home?
Me: I’m downtown at the new club called Smokescreen
Hunter: You driving?
Me: Amber drove but it looks like I’ll drive home
Hunter: Have you been drinking?
Me: If I say yes, will you come arrest me?
Hunter: Cute. No, but I’ll come pick you up
Me: Too bad I’m not drinking
Hunter: Let me know when you leave
Me: OK ;-)
Two hours later, I convinced Amber that we’d had enough fun for the night and I helped her to the car. Before I drove off I sent a quick text to Hunter. He answered quickly, asking for Amber’s address, which I gave him.
Turning to Amber, who was slouching in the seat looking a little pale, I frowned. “You’re not going to get sick, are you?”
“Maybe.”
I pulled a plastic sack out of my purse that I’d brought just for this reason.
“God, you’ralifesaverIsbelle.” Her words slammed drunkenly together.
Then she bent over and vomited.
The half an hour drive seemed to take three times that long, but finally we arrived at Amber’s apartment and I helped her inside. She showered and fell into her bed.
“Thanks, Isabelle. For staying.”
“No problem. You going to be okay now?”
“I don’t know. Do you really believe Reed will give me another chance?”
“I think so.” I tried to think of something to say that would make her feel better, but my mind was coming up blank. A moment later, I heard her soft snore. Pulling the covers over her, I left her apartment and locked the door with the spare key.
I didn’t think twice about heading for the parking lot because I knew even before I saw Hunter standing outside that he’d be waiting for me. He was that wonderful.
I smiled, my gaze raking over him. He was wearing a blue dress shirt with tie, slacks and he still had on his gun, badge and holster. His short brown hair looked as if he’d raked his fingers through it, and his strong jaw was covered with sexy scruff. One word came to mind—mine.
He opened my door and I got in.
“Are you hungry?”
I would have said yes even if I’d been stuffed, but I was starving and my stomach rumbled at the thought of food. I flushed.
“I know of an all night diner. The food is good.”
“Sounds great. Are you just now leaving work?”
He nodded. “It’s been a long night. I got here as fast as I could. Did you lock your friend’s door?”
“I did.” A strange feeling prickled my nerves. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He glanced over at me as if considering how much he should tell me.
“You know something. That’s why you’ve been checking on me this week. I understand if you can’t tell me, but I know you’re not following me around for no reason.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Isabelle. I’d be checking on you even if there weren’t a reason.”
Thinking of the strange feeling of being watched, an icy chill swept through me. “Is there a reason?”
His hot blue gaze found mine. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Oh God. His admission made my chest tighten. I could tell he hadn’t expected to say those words aloud, and was watching me carefully to gauge my reaction. I wasn’t sure I could speak without my voice shaking, but I tried. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve been taking care of myself and Reed since I was seven-years-old.”
I thought I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. “I don’t doubt that you can take care of yourself, but you live in one of the most crime ridden areas of town. You should think about staying with Reed.”
“I’m not bothering my brother with this. He’s got enough on his plate now.”
“How about getting another apartment?”
“I can’t afford another apartment.” I hated admitting that to him, but I could tell he wasn’t going to let the subject drop easily.
“Let me talk to my friend, and see if I can find you another place that you can afford.”
“Fine.”
“Until then, you can stay with me.”
My heart thumped wildly inside my chest. “I can’t stay with you.”
“Why not?”
Because I can’t stand the thought of having you so close and not be able to be with you. “I’m not your responsibility.”
He took a step and closed the distance between us. Peering down at me intently, he said quietly, “What if I want you to be?”
My breath hitched. “What are you saying, Hunter?”
He’d parked the SUV in front of a diner, and we sat in there with the tension between us filling the air.
Raking his fingers through his hair, he looked conflicted. “Every instinct I have is telling me I need to protect you.”
Disappointment crashed over me. For a moment, I’d actually thought he had another reason for wanting me with him that had nothing to do with protecting me. “I’m good,” I told him and pushed open the door.
He came around the SUV and stepped in front of me. I’d have felt threatened by any other man, but Hunter would never hurt me, at least not physically.
“You won’t even consider staying with your brother?”
I stepped around him, but he gently grabbed my arm. “I didn’t figure you for a man that had trouble taking no for an answer.”
His brows shot
up.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I added quickly.
“You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”
Reluctantly pulling my arm from his tender grasp, I started walking and he fell into step beside me. “You really are bossy, Hunter. I’ll keep that in mind when choosing you a date. Some women are turned on by an Alpha-male.”
He peered down at me. “Are you?”
I swallowed, hard. “Are you asking because you’re thinking of prospective dates for me?
“No.”
“Why then?”
“You already know the answer to that, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m curious about you Isabelle. Just because I don’t think we should be more than friends doesn’t make me any less interested.”
“You’re interested in me?”
“I thought it was obvious.”
“It’s not. Hmm. You just don’t want to date me. Do you want to have sex with me?”
“What the hell kind of question is that?”
Interestingly, Hunter McAllister seemed uncomfortable. “An honest one. I want to know. You don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings.”
“I doubt there’s a straight man alive that wouldn’t want to have sex with you, Isabelle.”
“Is that a ‘yes’, Hunter?”
“Of course it’s a yes.”
“What if we just had sex then. No strings attached.”
He scowled. “That’s the last kind of relationship you need.”
We walked inside the quiet diner.
“You don’t get to decide what I need.”
“I’m not trying to boss you around, Isabelle. I just think you should be someone’s wife, not hook up.”
I’d like to be his hook up. My naughty brain conjured up an image of myself with Hunter that fired my blood. “That’s sweet. But if I don’t get over my sexual hang-ups, I’ll never be either.” I glanced away. “I just thought that, since I’m attracted to you, you could teach me how to enjoy sex.”
Behind me someone cleared a throat. I spun around and saw a pretty blonde waitress around fortyish smiling wickedly at us. I prayed for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
“You two need a room or table?” she asked cheekily.
“Table for two, Andrea” Hunter replied smoothly.
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