“What happened to the baby?” I asked in a soft voice, holding his shaking hand in both of mine.
“She miscarried at six months. They couldn’t save it.”
“And your father—how did he take it?”
Hunter scoffed. “He never loved her. She was young and pretty, so he dressed her up and wore her to business functions like a coat. Outside of the public eye, however, he didn’t concern himself with her or the baby. He had another mistress soon after they were married. She was a prop.”
“Did you ever talk to her again?”
“A few times, just to check in. I offered to take her away from her soulless life with my father, but he had all the money, and I had an allowance. She wanted to stay with the money.”
“Unhappy but rich.”
“Exactly.”
“And now?” I asked in a gentle voice.
“She got a settlement from my dad and married again—a younger man with some small wealth. She didn’t try for any more kids—or if she did, she didn’t carry to term.”
“And so, you haven’t kissed a woman since her?”
Hunter traced a line down my back. “I wanted to forget and move on. I’ve always been haunted by that experience. I was so, so happy, Olivia. When I saw her start to show, and kissed her stomach—with other women, that’s all I could think about.” His voice dropped again. “Until you.”
Shivers racked my body as he hugged me again, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
“You’re the first woman I’ve trusted without protection,” he said quietly. “Don’t bother asking me why—I don’t know. Maybe I’m tired of controlling my own destiny. Maybe I want fate to step in and show me the way. But it feels right, and I trust you.”
“No offense, but if the roles were reversed, no way would I trust you.” I kissed his neck to make light of the comment. “Men are forgetful, and I can barely take care of myself.”
He chuckled softly. “You don’t need to take care of yourself. That’s what I’m for.” He kissed me on the temple. “Will you stay the night with me tonight? I don’t know what comes next—we’re back in the gray area. Life is chaos with you. But I would like to sleep near you.”
“I could do with a little making out. And I’ll say no a few times, just to give you the sense of your first time…”
“You wouldn’t be able to say no to me.” I heard the passion ring through his voice.
“Challenge accepted.”
Chapter Thirteen
I stood from the bed and put my bear near my pillows. Hunter grabbed it as he stood. “To give you a little piece of home at my house.”
I slipped my hand through his as we left the bedroom. We didn’t make it far, though, without my mother sounding the alarm.
“Oh, honey, are you leaving so soon?” She rushed toward us with two glasses of wine. “Here, have a drink. Mingle!”
“We were just leaving, Mom.” I pulled Hunter to the door.
“Nonsense—there are a few people who want to meet you and your illustrious guest. It’s not often we have one of the business elite in this house. Now the house is full of them!” My mom playfully put her hand on Hunter’s arm as she giggled.
A fifty-year-old giggling like a schoolgirl was a little off-putting, to say the least. Being that it was my mom as well—I wasn’t really in the mood. Still, I rarely said no when she gave me an entreaty like this. Too much like my dad, I guess.
I glanced at Hunter. “A minute?”
He didn’t respond, which meant yes. To my mother’s delight, I led him through the foyer and to the living room beyond where a crowd of fifteen or so people stood around idly, chatting and sipping beverages. They all looked up as Hunter came in the room. A few eyes brightened. One man even stepped forward with an outstretched hand.
“Hunter Carlisle, what an honor!” The graying man shook Hunter’s hand with vigor. “It’s not often I see you outside of a business meeting.”
“Mr. Evens.” Hunter shook his hand before wrapping his arm around my middle.
“He came to see my daughter. This is—”
A tall man with silver hair stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “Mr. Carlisle, we’ve not met. I’m Sean Hutch. I’ve worked with your dad on a few projects.”
My mother gave Sean a proud smile and laid her hand on his arm. “He’s very successful.”
Hunter took the hand with no expression before looking away. The smile wilted from Sean’s face as he said, “I’m just out here for a quick business trip.”