Hunter clears his throat. “Didn’t think you were still up.”
“I could say the same,” I mumble, grabbing a chocolate bar from the cupboard. “I was sure I was the only one who was still awake.”
He rests his elbows on the kitchen counter. “I was going to bed when I realized I needed a glass of water.”
“Yeah, I came to get some too.”
“And food.” He points to the chocolate bar in my hand, and I chuckle. I took the first thing my eyes landed on because he startled me.
“Yeah, and food.”
We continue to stare at each other in silence. My cheeks warm; I’m suddenly aware of what I’m wearing. A light blue satin nightdress barely hides my butt, and its deep-cut neckline highlights my boobs better than any push-up bra I own. It’s sexy, and it’s not something I should be wearing in front of my boss…especially a boss who’s been sending me mixed signals all day.
“I’ll go.” I take a step toward him, and he steps to the side, as if avoiding me. I take another step, and he ambles further to his right. Another step and he moves behind the counter, facing me from the opposite side of the kitchen. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“Nothing. I’m going to pour myself some water and go to bed.”
Shifting my gaze to the empty glass I left on the counter, I shrug. It’d be great to have some water in my room too. I go back to get my glass, and in my peripheral vision, Hunter edges away again. Is he kidding me?
I grab the empty glass, quickly pour myself some water, and turn to look at him. “What’s your problem with me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Any time I’m close to you, you move away. Is something wrong? Do I stink?”
“What? No. You smell very nice. I like it,” he says. “I’m just…it’s better if I keep my distance.”
Shaking my head, I turn around abruptly, slamming my knee on the edge of a cabinet. I squeal in pain, dropping my glass and the chocolate bar on the floor. Water and shards of glass are everywhere, so I stay rooted to the spot, pressing my palm to my knee and keeping my eyes closed.
“Okay, let’s get you out of here.” His deep, muffled voice sounds like honey: sweet and pleasant to my ears. I snap my eyes open and see my boss in front of me. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me with ease. The next thing I know, I’m sitting on the kitchen counter with Hunter standing between my legs. “Can I have a look?”
“It’s nothing. It’ll just leave a bruise.”
“Can I have a look, please?” he insists, and I remove my hand from my knee. “That’s better.”
His long fingers skim along my skin, pressing slightly on my knee, and I suck in a breath. His touch is so light, but at the same time it’s sizzling hot. My hard nipples poke through my nightdress, and my chest rises and falls fast. The things his presence does to me are infuriating.
“What’s the diagnosis, Dr. Hale?”
Hunter snorts, and his hot breath gusts over my skin. “You have a little cut. Nothing serious.”
“Yeah, except your kitchen is a complete mess.” Our eyes lock. “I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of everything.” He smiles. “Including you. Sit.”
I have no desire to move, sir.
Hunter cleans up the floor, sweeping away shards of glass. Then he wipes it with a paper towel. All his movements are effortless; he doesn’t dwell on any one task. If it needs his attention, he’s up to it, no matter what. And right now, I need his attention. A lot.
Once he’s done cleaning, he opens a few drawers and then comes back to me. “Can I?”
“It’s just a cut,” I tell him, trying to feign indifference, while in reality I’m close to begging him to touch me.
“Then I’ll just clean it and apply a little ointment. What do you think?”
“Okay.”
Hunter thoroughly cleans my wound with a drop of peroxide. It stings a little, and I squirm, hissing through clenched teeth. He blows on it to make it less painful, and I start smiling, butterflies somersaulting in my stomach. It feels too good to have his hands on me.
“You know what you’re doing when it comes to cuts and bruises.”
“I play professional sports, Piper. Wounds, bruises, and even fractures are part of the job; it’s my everyday life. I have to know what to do in case something happens. Even if the team doctors and physical therapists are there to keep an eye on me.” He takes out a tube of Neosporin and gently applies it to my wound. “But I’m also a father. Taking care of my kid when she needs me is the least I can do.”
“Story is lucky to have a dad like you.”
“I’m trying my best. I just hope she’s happy.”
“She is. Very.” And so am I. “Thank you, Hunter.”
I cover his hand on my knee with my own, and a blinding rush of energy surges through my whole body. A gasp escapes my parted lips, and I move forward an inch. And just like that, I discover the reason he’s been avoiding me. His erection pressing against my pussy makes my eyes go wide. Has he been hard since the moment he walked into the kitchen and saw me?
Hunter digs his fingers into my thighs, setting his jaw hard. “That’s not what you think,” he mutters, not moving.
“I don’t know what I think…but it feels like a boner,” I murmur. I see his Adam’s apple bob up and down. He exhales loudly and then leans forward, boring his gaze into mine. The shy and reserved side of me disappears, and he’s left to deal with the more adventurous and daring Piper. I glide my hand over his, higher and higher until I reach his chest. “And your heart is beating insanely fast.”
Hunter smirks and pulls me closer, pressing his hard-on against my wet core. “Do you understand this is highly inappropriate?”
“Do I look like I care about that?”
A low growl reaches my ears when he palms my ass, and I think I could come just because he’s so close to me. Hunter inches forward, his hot breath all over my face. My level of anticipation soars through the roof, and I feel my body trembling.
Suddenly, he moves away, a stony expression on his face as he holds my gaze. “I haven’t had sex in months, and that’s why I reacted like that. You’re not my type, Piper. Google my ex-girlfriends or my ex-wife, and you’ll understand everything. If I feel a desperate need for sex, I’ll use Tinder. I’m not going to fuck my daughter’s nanny.”
I drag my eyes up and down his form and jump to my feet. Hunter stands still, arms dangling at his sides.
“Unbelievable.” I hiss, pushing past him. Glancing over my shoulder, I catch his gaze focused on me. “From now on, don’t even think about talking to me about anything that isn’t related to Story. I’m just a nanny, Hale.”
Rushing out of the kitchen, I stride to my bedroom. I have no idea what I was thinking, acting like that with him, or what I expected from him, but it definitely was not that. Why did I let that happen? Because the night belongs to lovers, but not to heartless jerks like Hunter Hale. I’m done with him.
I take Story to school after her dad has already left the house. I try my best to hide my irritation, but unfortunately I’m not successful. She notices that I’m moody.
“Is everything okay? Did I do something to upset you?” Story pleads, her big green eyes glued to my face.
“Honey,” I mutter under my breath, brushing my fingers over her skin. “I just didn’t sleep well, and it affected my mood. Everything’s fine; don’t worry.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I promise.” I cup her cheek with my palm, and she leans into my touch, smiling brightly. “How about we get some ice cream after school?”
“Sounds perfect.” Story wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me tightly. “Can I tell you something?”
I bend down to her and smile. “What?”
“I can’t wait to go to the game tomorrow. I know how much football means to my dad, and I want him to do well. Just…can we stop by the stadium on our way home? I want to see it today.” Dammit, I totally forgot about the game. Maybe I can bail? Hayden and his parents will be at the stadium tomorrow, and they can easily watch Story. She won’t—
“I’m so excited you’ll be there with me to see my daddy play. You can cheer for him with me. It’ll be awesome!”
“I’m sure it will.” My smile is so fake that my cheeks hurt. “And of course we can stop by the stadium. Whatever you want.”
“You’re the best, Piper,” Story chirps, tightening her arms around my waist. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I murmur, hugging her back. It’s a simple truth. The only reason I don’t quit. She’s way more important than her insufferable father. He can go straight to hell. I wouldn’t shed a single tear.
