Page 8 of Dating the Grump

She slaps her hand over her mouth as if that'll stop me when I can see the desire in her eyes. She's aching for another kiss.

I lean forward to get up, intending to give her exactly what she wants.

“Please not here, Hunt,” she begs quietly, eyes darting toward the office windows. “I need this job.”

Well, fuck.

“Fine,” I growl, not willing to compromise her job. I need her to fall for me, not hate me. “Not here. But as soon as we're done for the day, make no mistakes about it, Molly, you will be kissing me. Repeatedly.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

CHAPTER 4

MOLLY

The afternoon sun blazes through the windows of Montoya Investments, casting warm, golden swathes across my desk as I sift through Hunt’s information. Today’s task is exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Helping Hunt Sola transfer his investments and accounts to our bank is going to take me at least a week. Don’t get me wrong, I love having a reason to spend more time with him while peeling back all the layers of his life, but I’m a little overwhelmed.

Hunt sits across from me, his focus intense yet relaxed, as we work through each detail. There’s an ease between us, a natural flow that makes the task at hand feel more like a shared journey rather than routine work.

“Your portfolio is impressive,” I say with genuine admiration as I scan another document. “You’ve made some smart moves over the years.” That’s a freaking understatement. He doesn’t need my help with his money. I could learn a lot from him.

Hunt offers a modest smile, a faint glimmer of pride in his eyes. “I’ve had good advisors, but it’s always been important to stay informed. Trusting the right people is crucial.” He leans back in his chair, his gaze steady as it roams over me. I imagine his warm touch moving over every inch of my body and groan as my face heats from my unspoken thoughts. “That’s why I’m glad I found you.”

The electricity zinging between us makes my heart flutter. “Well, I’m happy to help. It’s what I’m here for.”

Once we finish the paperwork, Hunt stretches, his massive muscles shifting under his tight black t-shirt. “Thanks for your hard work today. Transitioning accounts always feels like a fresh start.” He glances at his watch and then looks back at me with a playful gleam. “How about joining me for dinner tonight at my house? So I can thank you properly.” My thoughts automatically turn to all the ways I’d like him to thank me, and I barely resist the urge to fan myself. “Bring your bathing suit and we can take a swim after.”

I really should be thanking him for trusting me with his massive portfolio. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to.”

He smiles, and the corners of his eyes crinkle. “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven?”

I nod, already feeling a mix of nervous excitement. “Seven it is,” I whisper, anticipating what the night could bring.

The rest of the afternoon flies by in a blur of anticipation. By the time I leave work, my thoughts are solely focused on the evening ahead. At home, I rush to get ready, slipping into a comfortable yet casual dress and packing my swimsuit and beach towel in a tote. I catch my reflection in the mirror, and a bundle of nerves and excitement course through me.

When his loud knocks echo through my small apartment, I take a deep breath to steady my nerves and pull the door open. “Hi.”

“Hello, goddess.” Hunt pulls me into his arms and leans over to cover my lips with his. The tote drops from my fingers as I wrap my arms around his muscular body. His deep, woodsy scent flows through me as I melt against him.

“Wow,” I mutter when he pulls back and lays his forehead against mine.

“Double wow.” He smiles at me before reaching down to pick up the tote at my feet. “Let’s go before I’m tempted to forget about the steaks at home and eat you instead.”

“As much as I love steak, I’m tempted to go with this option.” His eyes widen and I realize I muttered my thoughts out loud. “I can’t believe I said that.”

“Come on, goddess.” He takes my hand in his and leads me to the elevator at the end of the hall.

The drive to his home on the edge of Silver Spoon Falls flies by. I gasp as the plantation-style home comes into view. Its grand façade, a testament to Southern architectural elegance, is both imposing and inviting. The house has a gorgeous veranda that covers the entire front of the home and spans around one side.

A wide, circular driveway curved by meticulously maintained gardens leads to the grand entryway. The lush greenery is dotted with vibrant flowers, and the path to the entrance is paved with colorful cobblestones.

The multiple levels of the house are adorned with dark green shuttered windows that complement the bright white siding of the home. “Your home is gorgeous.” I should’ve expected this knowing how wealthy he is, but I’m still shocked at the grandeur.

“I’m glad you like it, goddess.”

He parks in the front circular drive and comes around to help me out of the large black SUV before leading me up the front stone steps.

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