Worth the Risk

by Karen Erickson

  “Same.”

  “Are you an early riser, Hunter?”

  He shot her a knowing glance. “Not as early as you, I gather.”

  Considering she’d sneaked out of his apartment before the sun had even come up that one night they’d spent together, yeah. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. “Shall we meet in the lobby say around six-thirty?”

  “Let’s make it six-forty-five and you’ve got a deal.”

  “Okay then.” She clutched her hands together, hopped from one foot to the other. She was nervous, rightfully so, and she wondered if he’d try to make a move on her before they entered their rooms.

  She was half hoping he would.

  They got off the elevator on their floor and went to their rooms together, not even bothering to make small talk. She was tired, her body felt heavy, and she planned on taking a shower as soon as she entered her room.

  Well, unless Hunter had other plans…

  “Good night, Gracie.” She watched in shock as he stopped, took his key card out of his pocket and pushed it into the slot of his room door, getting the green light so he could open it.

  “Um, good night.” She did the same, opening her door and slipping inside the quiet, dark room. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and she suddenly felt terribly alone.

  Disappointment crashed over her, thick and suffocating. She probably would’ve turned him down if he’d asked, but she’d secretly wanted him to make a move on her. Kiss her, urge her to come into his room with him, something.

  But he hadn’t said a word. Simply went into his room like he didn’t give a crap about her and wished her good night.

  Confusion swamped her, and she went into the bathroom, flicking on the harsh overhead light. She turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes, stepping beneath the hard, hot spray of water and trying to wash her emotions away.

  But she just couldn’t. She ended up lying awake half the night despite knowing how busy they would be tomorrow. All because she could think of nothing else but Hunter and his family.

  And what could never be.

  Chapter Eight

  Gracie watched the two men as they spoke animatedly to each other. Lots of arm gesturing and shakes of their dark heads, their similar voices rising together for one brief, tense moment before they both settled back down, an agreement reached after the rising storm.

  But there would be another storm. She’d realized quickly that it was a constant, turbulent winter when it came to these particular Worth brothers. Never any sort of violence displayed between them, thank goodness. Always tension, though, and sometimes it was nearly unbearable.

  Was it wrong she found Hunter even more attractive when he was angry? His blue eyes blazed, his face tensed, all sharp bones and angles, and his jaw clenched so tight she was afraid he’d crack his teeth. The irritation vibrated from his body in waves, reaching her, affecting her.

  Arousing her.

  At least all of that anger wasn’t directed at her. He’d look at her and his eyes would soften, as would his mouth. He’d smile, he’d nod, all the while with a smoldering gaze.

  If she could fan herself without anyone noticing, she would. It was almost that necessary.

  All day as they’d worked together, prepping and planning for the spring launch event, it had been like this. She’d only escaped the brothers once, when she met with an event planner Rhett had called in earlier. They’d given her the job to discuss party details, behaving as if such tasks were beneath them.

  Men. Sometimes they hadn’t a clue.

  Late afternoon, and the sun had started to set, leaving the interior of the Worth store washed in a golden warm glow. The windows were plenty and vast, allowing lots of natural light within, and she planned to use that fact fully to their advantage during the party.

  She swallowed hard and ducked her head, glancing over her notes once again. Sitting at a table that was usually reserved for customers, she waited for Hunter to finish his conversation with Rhett. Then they would most likely head back to the hotel, eat a quiet dinner via room service—separately. Take a shower—separately—and go to bed—again, separately.

  She thought she was okay with that. Believed that it was for the best. She didn’t need the trouble or heartache any sort of physical or emotional interaction with Hunter would bring. She’d already allowed herself to become far too entangled for her own good.

  Frowning, she glanced up, saw that the brothers had separated. Rhett was nowhere to be found. Hunter was headed straight toward her, his stride as determined as the expression on his face.

  “Are you ready to wrap it up soon?”

  “I’m almost finished.” She’d been done for a few minutes but needed the time to compose herself. Gather her scrambling thoughts and see if she was willing to be as daring as she felt.

  “Good. I already called the car service. They should be here in about twenty.” Offering a curt nod, he turned on his heel and left, the tension radiating from him palpable.

  “Hunter.” She bit her lip the moment she said his name, nerves clamoring within her as he slowly turned around to face her. Expression perplexed, dark brows lowered. He scowled at her, she could feel his confusion and she wished she could offer him a bit of comfort. Anything to make him smile.

  “What?” he asked when she didn’t say anything and she smiled weakly.

  “Are you okay?”

  He lifted his chin, jaw still tight, eyes filled with sadness. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Do you want to talk?” Could she step in it even further? God, she needed to shut up.

  “I don’t want to burden you with my troubles.” The sarcasm in his voice was evident.

  She stood taller. “It’s not a burden, Hunter. We are friends, after all.”

  “Are we?” His gaze went hard. “Is that what you call me? Your friend?”

  “Of course.” She kept her voice as steady as she could. “After everything we’ve—shared, I consider us friends.”

  Hunter laughed, but he didn’t sound amused. No, more like he sounded upset. “Friends. That’s funny.”

  “What’s so funny about it?” Standing, she grabbed her bag and started stuffing all of her belongings inside. Anything to keep her occupied so she wouldn’t have to look at him.

  He wasn’t being very kind. And while at first she believed him upset with Rhett, now she had the distinct feeling he was angry with her.

  And she had no idea what she’d done.

  “Forgive me.” His expression went blank. “I’m in a foul mood.”

  “Did I do something?” She lowered her voice to a whisper, panic making her heart race.

  “No, it’s all me, as usual.” Running a hand through his hair, he sighed in frustration. “Meet me out front in fifteen minutes, okay?”

  Gracie nodded, disappointment filling her. He wasn’t going to confide. He wasn’t going to try and convince her of anything. Just lock in his feelings and stay away from her. Maybe that was his new method in dealing with it—with her.

  He exited the building as if fire chased after his heels. She finished gathering her belongings and glanced about the space, noticed Rhett coming her way with a smile on his face.

  “No way I could convince my favorite Worth employee to come out to dinner with me tonight, huh?” Rhett stopped just in front of her.

  “Is Hunter going with you?”

  A knowing glimmer shone in his gaze, and she instantly regretted mentioning his name. “He already turned me down, said he was too tired. I know you’re going to turn me down too, especially if Hunter’s not going.”

  Her cheeks heated, and she turned her gaze to the floor. “It’s not like that.”

  “Oh, I think it is,” Rhett drawled.

  Were they that obvious? She’d tried her best to be discreet. Not let the emotions she felt for Hunter shine through but it appeared she’d failed. She struggled to answer Rhett without looking like a complete idiot.

  “You’re w
rong, then,” she finally said somewhat lamely.

  “You two can deny it all you want, but I know the truth. I see the way he looks at you.”

  “H-how does he look at me?”

  “Like you’re his everything and nothing else matters.” Rhett paused, letting his words sink in. She was completely flummoxed. What could she say to that? And was it even true?

  A shiver stole over her. Perhaps…perhaps it was.

  “I tried to push him to make a move on you, but he refused. That was what our last fight was about,” Rhett continued.

  She jerked her head up, her gaze meeting his once more. Rhett’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “What are you talking about?”

  “I told him if he wasn’t going to make a play for you, then I was going to go for it. Which was a total lie, I want you to know. I don’t poach off my brothers. But anyway, he got furious, like I figured he would, and told me to lay off. When I persisted, he looked ready to punch me, which isn’t too unusual for Hunter.” Rhett paused. “What happened between you two?”

  “I can’t talk about it.”

  “Which means something definitely happened. I was just fishing for it.” Rhett grinned and shook his head. “Why deny it? You kids are young, enjoy yourselves. Don’t let anything get in the way of some happiness.”

  “Your choice of words is prophetic. ‘Some happiness’ isn’t what I’m looking for, Rhett.”

  His smiled turned into a frown. “Then what are you looking for?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” She started to walk away from him, but he stopped her, his hand going around her elbow and jerking her back so she had no choice but to stop and face him.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean what I say. I’m not looking for any sort of relationship, especially with a man who happens to be my boss.” She tugged her arm out of his hold and started walking toward the door. “I shouldn’t even be talking about this with you.”

  Rhett followed her. “Why not? It doesn’t matter that I’m his brother. He never confides in me.”

  “But still. You’re his brother.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ll tell him eventually. And really, there’s nothing to tell that he doesn’t already know.”

  “Oh, come on, I won’t tell him squat. You can trust me.”

  She wanted to trust him, but it was too risky. Besides, what could she tell Rhett? That she’d screwed his brother not once but twice and then told Hunter she didn’t want to take it any further than that? Had just told him minutes ago that she thought they were just friends?

  Could she become anymore of a cliché than she already was? She didn’t think so.

  “I appreciate the offer to confide in you, but I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.” She smiled and went to him, embracing him quickly, gasped in surprise when Rhett wrapped his arms around her tight and held her to him for a moment longer. “Thank you, Rhett. For everything.”

  “Nah, thank you, Gracie. For your help, for not treating me like an idiot and for everything you’ve done.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ve known you for two days and I feel like it’s been years.”

  “Is that a good thing?” She withdrew from his embrace with a laugh.

  “Absolutely.” He smiled in return. “Now, don’t let him get away with it.”

  “Excuse me?” She frowned.

  “I’m talking about Hunter. Don’t let him get away with it. Don’t let him get away from you.”

  His words sent a shiver through her. “He doesn’t want me like that. What we shared is—over. I already refused him before. He won’t set himself up for that again.”

  “He wants you more than he’d ever admit, I know it. Be brave and go for it.”

  “Easy for you to say. Have you ever had your heart broken before?”

  His slow smile was filled with sadness. “Lots of times. Doesn’t mean I don’t pick myself back up and dust myself off. You should do the same.”

  That she was considering taking advice from a known ladies’ man who had no interest in relationships whatsoever proved just how crazy she’d become. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll consider it.”

  “No, you won’t.” Rhett shook his head. “No one ever does, but I appreciate you humoring me. See ya around, Gracie.”

  He walked away from her, leaving her by the windows that faced the street, feeling suddenly abandoned and alone. And bad.

  Really, really bad.

  She caught sight of Hunter pacing outside in front of the store, his cell attached to his ear. No way would she go out there and stand around feeling useless while he virtually ignored her. She’d rather have the salespeople in the store stare at her and wonder what the heck she was doing than go outside and deal with him.

  Coward.

  The word taunted her. Worse, she swore it was the voice of Rhett who whispered it in her thoughts. She was a coward, a word she’d never chosen to describe herself before. She’d always been a fighter. Struggling to get what she wanted, doing whatever it took to get where she needed to be.

  Now she hid in the corner of a store, too afraid to go for what she really wanted. The potential for love was a powerfully scary thing. One she was trying her best not to face.

  She should be ashamed of herself.

  The knock on his hotel room door was a relief. Sitting around with his melancholy thoughts and nothing else was enough to almost send Hunter over the edge.

  And considering it was barely eight o’clock in the evening, he was in for long, torturous hours of more contemplating. Trying to figure out where he went wrong with Gracie. Wishing he could come up with a plan so he could make it all right.

  He wasn’t as logical as Alex by any means, but this—situation of his with Gracie defied all logic. A planner, a bit of a control freak, a man who saw a challenge and went after it with unbridled enthusiasm, that was him. Yet he had no clue how to handle the woman he wanted more than anything.

  She dodged his every move. She gave in to him and retreated from him in equal measure.

  It was the most frustrating, exhilarating thing he’d ever dealt with in his life. He believed himself half in love with her already.

  Why else would he torture himself like this?

  Finally pushing away the shitty thoughts and giving in to his growling stomach, he’d called room service not even twenty minutes ago. He’d been thinking of his upcoming meal ever since, not that it was anything too special, being hotel food and all.

  Striding toward the door, he swung it open eagerly. “You guys were quick…” His voice died when he saw who stood in the doorway.

  Gracie.

  A mixture of dread and surprise filled him. He both wanted to see her, savor a few more stolen private moments in her presence. But he also wanted to push her away. Defend himself from the onslaught of confusing emotions that always came when he was with her.

  “You were expecting someone else?” She looked nervous—and cute, dressed in a white, long-sleeved T-shirt and black yoga pants. Simple and fresh, unlike the usual polished Gracie he spent time with on a daily basis.

  He leaned against the edge of the door. “I called in an order to room service. I thought you were them.”

  “Oh.” Her face fell, her disappointment evident. “I guess I already have my answer then.”

  “Answer to what?”

  “I was going to ask if you wanted to grab some food together down in the hotel restaurant. But your dinner is taken care of, so never mind.” She started to turn away.

  “Gracie. Wait.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder to stare at him with soulful eyes. “What the hell are we doing?”

  She turned to face him once again. “What do you mean?”

  “We’re torturing ourselves.” He swallowed, surprised he said it. But it needed to be said. They were driving each other crazy, and he wasn’t the one holding back for once.

  It was all on her. And damn if she wasn’t tying him up in knots. He couldn’t sleep for Christ’s
sake, and that had never been a problem for him before.

  “I’m trying to do what’s best to protect myself. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  Hunter gripped the edge of the door, wishing he could reach out and snatch her inside. Having this conversation in the middle of a hotel hallway wasn’t the best idea. “I’m not trying to make you mad. I just want to know why we keep—denying ourselves.”

  They remained silent for a too-long moment, assessing each other, waiting for the other to speak. Thankfully, Gracie gave in first.

  “It won’t work,” she blurted.

  “Who says?”

  “I do. My instincts never lie. And they’re telling me—screaming at me—that this is an impossible dream, the two of us. Together.”

  “You’ll never know for sure unless you try.” His throat ached, felt raw, almost as raw as his emotions. They bubbled close to the surface, threatened to pour out of him, and he wasn’t about to lay himself out on the line like that for her.

  He’d never done that for anyone.

  “Is that you want to do? Try?” She looked incredulous.

  Hope lit a faint spark within him. “Only if you’re willing to try with me. I can’t do this all alone, Gracie.”

  Her lips trembled, her eyes filled with moisture. Oh shit, she was going to cry, and he was the reason for her tears. He clutched the edge of the door with white-knuckle intensity, searching for the right thing to say, anything to keep her from falling apart.

  He didn’t think he’d be able to deal with that.

  Before he could think, she rushed him, her slender arms going ’round his waist, her head nestled against his chest. Squeezing him tight, she held on to him as if he were her lifeline. “You’re too good for me,” she said against his chest, her voice muffled.

  “I think it’s the other way around.” Relief flooded him at having her in his arms once more. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, breathed deep her fragrant scent.

  Tilting her head back, she gazed up at him, her eyes still glimmering with unshed tears. “I don’t think so. I keep pushing you away, and you won’t give up. Why?”