Finding Forgiveness(10)

“So as I was saying, Mr. Blackwell, Hunter will take you up to the property to have a look around and then you and I can meet back here to go over the specifics.”

Hunter was glad when Roman finally released his hand but was surprised when he didn’t look at his father when he said, “I intend to do a thorough inspection of the land, Mr. Greene. If and when I’m ready to talk specifics” – Roman finally glanced over his shoulder at Hunter’s father but his expression was steely and unflinching – “I’ll let you know.”

The look of muted outrage on his father’s face was both frightening and thrilling at the same time. Few men spoke to Malcom Greene with such blatant disrespect and the ones who did usually ended up regretting it. His father’s status as mayor probably didn’t seem like much to a man like the one standing before him but Malcom Greene’s hard-nose, conservative political views had managed to make him some powerful friends in powerful places.

“We should go,” Hunter murmured as he leaned down to grab the discarded bag off the floor. He leaned past Roman to hand the bag to his father and instantly regretted it because his body brushed up against Roman’s for the briefest of moments. He noticed his mother standing near her desk, her hands clenched around what looked like a bunch of wadded up tissues and she sent him a quick smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. He ignored the urge to go to her since that would just set his father off even more. And he knew it wouldn’t make a bit of difference…it never did.

Hunter didn’t miss his father’s warning look as he turned and hurried towards the front door. He could feel Roman’s presence behind him but didn’t turn around. As soon as they reached the sidewalk, Hunter looked up and down the quiet street. It had been pure luck that he hadn’t run into anyone he knew on his walk to the pharmacy across the city square and a borderline miracle that the clerk behind the register was an older woman he’d never seen before. But he knew his luck wouldn’t hold out for long so he quickly searched out Roman’s car and basically ran to the passenger side. He didn’t miss the strange look Roman shot him as he found his keys and then pressed the button on the key fob to unlock it. He practically jumped into the car and secured his seatbelt before dropping his head so that anybody walking by wouldn’t see his face. The car’s tinted side windows were a blessing in disguise.

“You okay?” Roman asked once he’d settled in the driver’s seat.

Hunter managed a nod since being closed up in the small space with the man whose presence was playing havoc with all his senses wasn’t making it any easier to relax. “Um, if you want to back out and go that way,” Hunter said as he pointed in the direction he was talking about. He waited but when the car remained exactly where it was, he looked up and swallowed hard when he saw Roman studying him.

“We need to talk about what happened last night.”





Chapter Three



“Nothing…nothing happened,” Hunter sputtered.

“So that wasn’t your tongue shoved down my throat last night?” Roman asked with amusement.

Color flooded Hunter’s cheeks and Roman was reminded again by how innocent the younger man seemed to be, the previous night’s events at the club notwithstanding.

“I get it,” Roman said with a sigh. “You don’t want your parents to know you’re gay-”

“I’m not,” Hunter interrupted. “I’m not…what you said.”

“Fine, bi then.”

“No!” Hunter nearly yelled and then his eyes shifted back to the door to his father’s office. Shit, the kid was as deep in the closet as he could be. “Can we just go?” Hunter asked quietly, his eyes once again on his lap.

Roman started the car but didn’t put it into gear. The more he remained silent and unmoving, the more agitated Hunter became. The way the guy’s eyes darted up and down the sidewalk had Roman wondering if he was hiding from someone.

“Roman, please,” Hunter whispered.

It was the first time Hunter had said his name and it turned Roman on more than it should. But his need for answers was actually stronger than his lust and he said, “If you’re not gay, what were you doing in that club last night?”

Hunter stiffened at the question but didn’t answer. But within seconds, his jumpy gaze settled on a young woman walking down the sidewalk in their direction. She had yet to notice Hunter.

“Okay,” Hunter said hurriedly. “I’ll tell you if we can just go now.”

Roman should have felt more of a sense of satisfaction but all he felt like was an ass for using Hunter’s need to remain unnoticed against him. He put the car in reverse and then drove in the direction Hunter had told him. Once they had made it to the outskirts of town, he glanced at Hunter expectantly. Hunter wasn’t cowering anymore but he still looked tense.