Page 33 of Fumble

“You’re the one who left out of nowhere last night. I think you’ve made your feelings pretty clear. I don’t need you to spell it out.” Striding across the room, he’s a whisper away, standing at my back, his frustration radiating behind me as his cologne launches an assault on my senses.

“Faith…” I force myself to open the door, unable to stay in his proximity.

It takes what feels like a lifetime for the elevator to arrive, and I dare not risk a glance over my shoulder. If he were to follow me, I’d cave. I’d throw myself at him for one more kiss that makes my toes curl. When I finally hear the ping of the doors opening, I rush inside, slamming the button for the lobby so violently, it cracks. It takes all my strength to take a deep breath and keep the tears at bay. I’m not this girl, the one who cries over a guy. I’ve never been this person, and I’m not about to let Hunter Vaughn turn me into a puddle.

Even as I fight back tears, I’m turned on. There’s a now-familiar warmth between my thighs that craves his body, and right now, it’s making me angry. Growing up, it was drummed into me that every boy who smiled in my direction was going to try to steal my virginity like a thief in the night. I finally find someone who I desperately want to cash it in with, and I can’t fucking give it away! You’d think I was offering him a dose of the plague. It shouldn’t be this complicated, should it? I get that he has loyalties he doesn’t want to betray, but no one would ever know. This is between him and me, and it’s really nobody else’s business.

As the doors open to the lobby, I’m accosted by the entire team as they bustle into the elevator, Malcolm staring me down with disdain.

“Where have you been, Ms. Fairchild?” I’m begging my cheeks not to flush. I can’t handle this today.

“Forgot the damn keycard. Back to the front desk for me.” He doesn’t believe me, I can see it in his eyes, but he won’t question me further, not with everyone else around.

I shove my way through, slightly claustrophobic with this many people in such a cramped space.

“I’ll meet you up there.” Everyone grumbles in response, paying more attention to their phones than me. Except Malcolm, his sleazy eye trained on me like a hawk.

It’s just as well the rest of them have already checked in. I might have run into trouble at the front desk considering the staff witnessed my Friday night hospital visit as Hunter carried me through the lobby with blood dripping down my face. This is the most active I’ve been since it happened, and my head is starting to spin. Adrenaline and desperation got me down here, but I’m fading fast. I lean against my suitcase, but it’s not enough to keep me upright. Gray spots appear in front of my eyes, and as I find myself slumping to the ground, a familiar face appears at my side.

“Faith? Jesus, are you okay?” His voice disappears into a muffled cavern as I lose consciousness—James.

* * *

“She needs a doctor.I want a specialist out here immediately. Tell them I’ll pay whatever they need to cover it.” Hunter? Where did James go?

“I can pass on the conference today and take her to the hospital to get checked out.” There he is. James has a soothing voice.

“No. I know what’s wrong with her. I’ve got this covered. Go and find my manager, Malcolm, and tell him to cancel the press junkets for today. We can figure it out later. I’ll see that Miss Fairchild is taken care of. She’s my… assistant.”

“Okay. What room is she staying in? I’d like to come and check on her later.”

“I… I don’t know her room number. I’ll let you know. Just go and find Malcolm. Top floor, penthouse suite.” A hand brushes over mine—unfamiliar but comforting.

“Feel better, Faith. I’ll see you soon.” My lids are heavy. Too heavy to open. I don’t want him to leave. I don’t want to be alone with Hunter. Even in my current state, Hunter’s presence is a palpable force.

There’s a buzzing noise surrounding us. Voices, maybe? We’re still in the lobby. Oh, crap!

“Mr. Vaughn. Here is Ms. Fairchild’s room key. Shall I have the doctor come to her room?”

“No. She can’t be left alone. Have him come to my suite. And get this shit-show cleared. The last thing she needs is her picture all over these idiots’ social media.”

“Right away, Mr. Vaughn.” The clip-clop of heels ring like a gong as she herds onlookers away from us.

Hunter’s hands slip under me, effortlessly pulling me up and into his arms. Resting my head against his chest, all of my fight is gone. His breath is soft on my cheek as he leans his head down, his lips brushing against my ear.

“I’ve got you.”

Hunter commands anyone and everyone in our path. People happily step out of the elevator, offering to take the next one. “Yes, Mr. Vaughn.” “No trouble at all, Mr. Vaughn.” It must be nice being him. I can’t get a room key without making an ass of myself.

When we reach the penthouse, it is chaos, noise assaulting me from every direction.

“What the fuck? Malcolm!” Hunter’s voice rattles through me, forcing me to cover my ears.

“You can’t be seen cradling jailbait. What the fuck are you thinking?”

A low rumble escapes Hunter as every muscle in his chest tightens against me.

“Get these vultures out of here, now. I’m taking care of a member of my staff who just collapsed. Let them say whatever the fuck they want. I really don’t give a shit right now, but if you want to keep your job, you better get this room cleared in the next five minutes. I’m taking her through to the bedroom.”

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