I relent. The tortured flicker in his mesmerizing gaze forces me to forget any words of protest. I go to my bedroom and pull a tattered canvas bag out of the closet.
The man is worried for me. For me. Crazy. I’ve never had anyone care for my welfare. My aunt tried her best but she wasn’t that interested in me. If she had been, she might have realized her husband was molesting me. After running away, I realized I at least owed her the truth. I wish my aunt and I could have had a better relationship. Her letter told me enough to know she’d left him. I couldn’t go back though. Not after everything. How would she feel if she found out her sister’s daughter had turned to porn in a moment of desperation?
I stuff some clothes into the bag and stomp past Hunter to grab my make-up and toiletries. He must have done something to my brain. It’s the only reason I’m being so obedient. Or it’s just because he’s right. Whatever is going on, I don’t feel safe. Who better to protect me than Hunter? He said he did security work sometimes. I hope that means he knows what he’s doing. Hopefully once whoever this is realizes he can’t get to me, he’ll lose interest.
Yes, I like that. That sounds logical. I’m not going with Hunter because I’m dying for his lips on mine again or I’m secretly hoping he’ll take me to bed and help me forget everything. I’m going because this will solve my stalker problems.
“Ready?”
I zip up the bag and he eyes it with distaste. He doesn’t need to know I used it when I lived in hostels and never got around to replacing it. Tips don’t exactly stretch to luxury luggage and in spite of what people believe, porn doesn’t pay well when you’re at the bottom of the pile.
He snatches it from me. “Let’s get you out of here.” His dark demeanour—stiff shoulders and creased brow set me on edge. Is he still annoyed with me or is he really that scared for me?
And why is he so invested in my welfare?
His Harley waits outside. Thank God I only packed a small bag. He stuffs it into one of the saddlebags, brow still etched with annoyance. I can’t figure out what I’ve done wrong here.
Without a word, he motions for me to join him and we head for his place. It doesn’t take us long but the journey leaves me tense and frustrated. I can’t enjoy the sensation of his firm stomach under my hands or the rush of riding on a motorbike. My nerves are frayed but I can’t be sure it’s because someone is trying to harm me. It seems more linked to Hunter’s strange mood swing.
When we arrive at the Victorian house, he ushers me in without a word. He hands me my bag and I clutch it to me.
“The spare room is upstairs.”
I glance up the stairs and chew my lip. I’m so far out of my comfort zone right now, I have no idea what to do.
“Here I’ll take you.” He stomps upstairs, leaving me no choice but to follow. He flicks on the light and motions me in.
The small room is neat but much like the rest of the house. Floral. It’s so pink I’m surprised it doesn’t smell sickly sweet. Roses on the curtains, bedding to match, a plush dusky rose carpet topped with an unnecessary rug. The furniture is that cheap white stuff, trimmed with gold.
“Mam loved flowers.” He shrugs.
I realize I’ve probably offended him in some way. “No… it’s very nice. Pink, but nice.”
He gives a mirthless chuckle. “It won’t win any design awards but Mam was an old fashioned lady.”
That explains a bit about Hunter. He seems like the kind of man brought up on old fashioned values. Perhaps he begrudges those values when his conscience means he has to come to my rescue every ten minutes. I’m so lost with him. One minute he’s got his mouth on my skin and the next he looks like he wishes I wasn’t around. Will I ever forget the sight of him kissing his way over my breasts? Even now the memory leaves me hot and bothered.
“So…” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ll give you a moment to get settled. I don’t know if you just want to go to bed. It’s been a long day. There’s spare towels in the bathroom if you want to get a shower.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty tired.”
My eyes itch with fatigue but there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep now. Whether it’s the events of the day or being in Hunter’s presence that causes it, I’m not sure but I don’t feel equipped to handle his company any longer. I might do something stupid like fling myself into his arms and with the way he’s looking at me now, I’d be setting myself up for rejection.
“Okay, well you sort your stuff out and if you need anything…” He backs out of the room without saying anything else.
I listen to his footsteps retreating downstairs before I release a breath. How did I get myself in this situation? Staying with a man I can’t possibly resist and all the while trying to keep my secret to myself.