He glanced behind me. “Hello, Kimberly. Nice to see you again.”
“H-hi, Mr. Carlisle. I was just helping Livy get ready.” Kimberly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with a bright red face. Desire shone clearly in her eyes. It was something most women couldn’t help in Hunter’s presence.
“You did a great job. She looks beautiful.”
I smiled like an idiot and walked forward, taking his arm.
With Kimberly following behind, we descended the stairs and out through the front of the building. Once there, Kimberly said, “Okay, well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Livy.”
“Do you need a ride somewhere?” Hunter asked as he gestured toward the double-parked limo. The driver stood in front of an open door, not at all concerned about the traffic congestion he was causing.
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m not far from here.” Kimberly smiled up at him before giving me a little wave.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promised.
Hunter led me to the limo and handed me in before crossing to the other side and climbing in.
“How do you always get in my building?” I asked once he was settled, determined not to let my anxiety over his behavior show tonight.
“I had a key made.”
Shock widened my eyes.
His smile was evil. “That’s not true. The last couple of times I showed up as someone was leaving. I got lucky.”
My exhale was noisy. “Good. I think that would skirt the line between flattering and creeping out.”
“You look beautiful, Livy.” He took my hand. “I’m sorry I haven’t had time for you this week. I’ve had…things on my mind.”
And just like that, all my wondering melted away. “It’s okay. I did a bunch of work for Bruce.”
“Yes. He said. He’s pleased with your work.”
“It’s fun.” I bobbed my head, hoping I hadn’t showed my discomfort throughout the week. As the limo slowed in front of one of the prominent, swanky hotels in San Francisco, I switched to business. “So, we’re just supposed to smile and shake hands in this thing?”
Almost immediately, Hunter’s expression closed down into one of importance and indifference, and he looked out the window at what awaited him. When the limo stopped, he stepped out of the car. My door opened a moment later, the limo driver waiting right beside it so I could get out.
As I joined Hunter on the sidewalk, his hand connected with the small of my back and directed me up toward the entrance. “You won’t need to say much. Dinner will consist mostly of men congratulating themselves, trying to ease off the stress of the price we settled on. Afterwards, we’ll head to the bar and put in some face time.”
“And I needed to come…why?”
“Because I wanted you to be with me.”
A thrill coursed through me as Hunter opened the door and followed me in. We went through the grand hotel to the dining area a level down. I turned my smile and glittering eyes on, and my brain off, as we entered a sea of suits with only a few women.
“Someday, I’ll be at the head of a company despite my sex,” I mumbled.
“Yes, you will. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. Watch how the top people interact with each other—what language they use. That way, when you’re in a position of power, you’ll know how to best communicate to get what you want.”
“I also need to learn how to play golf.”
“Watching baseball and football wouldn’t go amiss, either.” Hunter’s hand left my back as a gray-haired man with a bright smile and too-white teeth approached.
“Hunter Carlisle! So glad you could come!”
I let patience envelop me in order to endure the night.
Two hours and a delicious meal later, I found myself waiting for Hunter to get us some drinks. He’d chosen the location: a booth mostly obscured by a velvet curtain, nestled into a corner as the hotel’s way of using all available space. He’d done his time chatting and socializing, earning plenty of pats on the back, but he never once smiled. No one seemed to have minded.
“Room for me?” Hunter showed up at the table with two drinks and tight eyes. He wasn’t having the time of his life either.
“Yup.” I slid over so he could sit next to me. He placed my cosmo in front of me and sipped his scotch.
“How long do we have to stay?” I asked, glancing out past the curtain to the laughing and jeering businessmen.
“I’ll make one more appearance when I go get a refill, then we can go. I’ve taken the liberty of booking us a room here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh.” I looked down at my outfit to hide the relieved smile of him wanting to spend the night with me again. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”