More, Please(5)

“Yeah. Boss. As in, guy that tells me what to do in exchange for paying me.”

Jane didn’t respond. She also didn’t stop staring.

Trying a little harder to ignore her, because it wasn’t easy, I sulked off to my room as I thought about my options for that night. Thanks to Hunter’s charge card, I had a bunch of sexy, lacy things I could choose from. But he was used to those. I wanted something that would make him salivate. That would make him lose control.

My mind went to the night I wore my old shirt. He’d practically jumped me. Naked was also an option.

He’d said something sexy, though.

After shoveling the mostly terrible dinner into my mouth, I did grab an old shirt, as well as some pajama bottoms. I also grabbed a silky nightie, a garter, heels, and fishnets. I’d see how the evening played out.

I stepped into the bathroom to grab some overnight products, like a toothbrush and hair product. As I made my way back to my room, Jane said, “Where are you going?”

“Not real nosy, are you?” I muttered.

“Huh?”

“Just going to stay with a friend.”

“A new job and a new man, huh? Or are you fucking your boss? Because that is never a good idea, Olivia. But you needed a job, so I get it.”

Wow.

Ignoring her was impossible. Wasn’t going to happen.

I went back in my room and shut the door. Hiding was a safer bet. Otherwise, I might lose my cool and throw a frying pan at her head.

Everything packed, I sat and stared for a moment, wondering what I should do next, but then my phone chimed. A message from Hunter flashed on the screen. “Coming up.”

A blast of excitement stole my breath for a moment as I jumped off my bed and grabbed my bag. I yanked open my bedroom door as a knock sounded.

“A little eager, aren’t we?” Jane said in a droll voice.

Yes. Yes I was.

Knowing I was wearing the stupid smile of a lovesick girl, I ripped the door open and beamed at the incredibly handsome man standing in the hall.

“Hi,” I said. It had only been an hour since I’d seen him last, but who was counting.

Hunter’s sexy gaze paused on my face for a moment, which I knew was flushed with desire, before sliding past me into my apartment. That small crease in his brow appeared again.

He’d been in my apartment before, but had always been distracted. This was the first time he had been able to calmly look around.

“So it is the boss, huh?” came Jane’s smug voice. She sucked so hard.

“Ready?” I asked Hunter, suddenly embarrassed.

“Yes,” Hunter answered as he stepped out of the way, looking past me with a focused, power-filled stare.

Jane’s eyes widened and her mouth snapped shut.

I needed to learn how to do that stare.

I stepped into the hall as he closed the door behind me.

“Sorry about the mess,” I said in a whisper. If Jane heard me, she was liable to run into the hall to defend herself aggressively. “She…doesn’t like to clean. And I don’t like to clean up after her.”

“How long have you lived there?”

Hunter held the door open for me when we reached the street. The cool blast of a San Francisco night greeted me as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. A black town car waited with its hazards on, double-parked.

“Way too long. It’s cheap, though. And until lately, that was the only reason I still had a place to live. Thank you.” I took Hunter’s hand as he helped me into the car. “I cleaned up after my mom when I was growing up,” I continued when he had slid into the seat on the other side. “I hate living in filth, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be someone’s bitch. You know…if I’m not their daughter…”

Hunter didn’t comment as the car pulled away from the curb.

“If you didn’t work me so hard, I’d look for a place of my own.” I smiled over at him, but he continued to stare straight ahead.

A weird tingle of uncertainty had me fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. I knew Hunter didn’t care that I was poor. I knew this. He’d said it. But it was a hard fact to digest. From what I knew of rich people, they didn’t like hanging around with those who weren’t. My old boyfriend dumped me because he’d been embarrassed to have me on his arm. And he looked up to Hunter, so…

I blew out a breath. Insecurity: one of life’s more irritating pastimes.

The car stopped in front of a giant house in the wealthiest part of San Francisco. The view was spectacular, overlooking the ocean and giving a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hunter got out as the driver opened my door for me. I hoisted my bag only to have Hunter take it from me, his jacket thrown over his shoulder.