More, Please(11)

“Jaded!” I accused.

“Yeah. One step ahead of you.”

I laughed as I let myself into Hunter’s office. As usual, his attention was focused on his computer. I put his coffee on the corner of his desk, where I always did, and turned to walk away.

“Olivia.”

“Yup?” I turned back.

“I have a business meeting in the city at the end of the week. Dress is business casual. I’ll require your presence.” He leveled his commanding business stare at me. “I’ve emailed you.”

I quirked an eyebrow. Telling me like this seemed a little heavy-handed. “Okay…”

He turned back to his computer.

What the hell?

Screwing up my face in confusion, I turned with the intention of finding that email. It was obviously super important for him to call this much attention to it.

“And Olivia…” he said as I was halfway to the door.

“Yeah?”

He was still staring at his computer. His hand was braced on his mouse, his finger raised, as though he was just about to make some important, life-altering click.

The man was in a strange mood, to say the least.

He said, “My mother is having a dinner party in a couple weeks. It is…not business. I wondered if you would accompany me. I’d like you to meet her.”

Hunter Carlisle was asking me to meet his mother! Holy crap!

My first instinct was to squeal. Luckily I didn’t. That would’ve been ridiculous. Instead, I wiped the hair away from my face with the back of my hand and batted my eyelashes.

Only slightly less ridiculous.

“Sure. Yes, of course. I would love to. Will you be telling me what to wear to both occasions?”

He glanced at me, a sparkle lighting his eyes. “I’d like to say no, but…”

“I don’t have any fashion sense, I know. For a guy so heavily into fashion, I have no idea why you don’t have more gay friends.”

“That’s a stereotype, and I don’t have any friends,” he mumbled, his shoulders tensing.

I waved him away. “I’ll leave you to your pity party, then.”

As I left his office, I couldn’t help a delighted smile.

“What?” Brenda asked as I sat down. “You look like he just gave you a gold bar.”

“Kind of did. Wants me to meet his mom.”

Brenda’s eyes widened. Her cup lowered slowly. “Well ho-ly crap. What did you say?”

“Yes, obviously. What do you think I said?”

“Knowing you, I have no idea. Wow. His mother, huh? That’s big news.”

“Yeah. I probably shouldn’t be this giddy, since he still maintains he can’t love, and he’s a shallow monster, but…I am.”

Brenda huffed and turned back to her computer. “He’s a drama queen. I assume you aren’t taking that seriously?”

“Mostly. But he’s in a dour mood. Beware.”

“That’s his default. I’m well used to it, my dear. The way he’s been smiling lately makes me worry that he’s unbalanced. I wonder if he’s about to go postal.”

“You two have a strange relationship.”

“It’s not me, it’s him.”

I smirked and clicked into my inbox.



By the end of the day, my sexy systems were fired up, knowing spare time usually meant Hunter naked. I walked into his office with a sure step and excitement bubbling up.

He sat at his desk as normal, the setting sun casting long shadows that reached across the office floor. He looked up when I approached, his gaze flicking to the cup of coffee in my hand, and sliding over my body.

“Last call,” I said with a husky voice, reveling in his handsome face and broad shoulders. “I’m ready to go. Do you need anything?”

His brown eyes were trained on me, deep smoldering fire. I set his cup on the corner of his desk, ready to strip. Equally ready to pleasure him. Or myself. Or us both.

“No, I’m all set. See you tomorrow.”

I felt like I’d been dunked in a pool of icy water. My body went rigid. He didn’t even want to see me later?

“Oh.” I shrugged before swishing my hair off my shoulder. “No problem.” I gave him what I hoped was a confident smile. “See you tomorrow.”

His gaze lingered for a moment, probably assessing, before turning back to his computer.

What the hell?

The walk back to my desk was a confused one. He’d been all mushy last night, he’d asked me to meet his mom, and then…he sends me home alone?

In the grand scheme of things, this wasn’t a big deal. We weren’t even dating. Not really. There was no reason why I would spend every night with him.

I kinda wanted to, though.

Half pouting, I grabbed my computer and headed toward the elevator. I hated this part of a new relationship—or whatever it was we were doing. The wondering. The questioning. I should have just asked him why he didn’t want to spend every waking moment with me…