Page 52 of The Hunt

That was what this weird nocturnal visit was about. He was mad at me for spending so much of his money over the last few days.

I hadn’t eatenthatmuch, though, and he’d expressly told me to order whatever I wanted whenever I was hungry, so I couldn’t understand why he was mad at me.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’ll stop ordering so much. And I’ll pay you back when I—”

He cut me off. “I meant you haven’t been eating enough,” he said. “I’m ordering you more food right now. No arguments.”

My mouth dropped open. “It’s midnight! I can’t eat this late.”

“I said no arguments.”

“Why do you even care how much I eat?” I snapped.

“Maybe I just like taking care of you, Everly,” he replied, eyes flashing. “Did that ever occur to you?”

It was the first time he’d ever called me by my full name instead of my nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue sent a jolt straight through me, making my heart skip a beat.

“You don’t evenlikeme, Rhett,” I said, trying my best to keep my voice steady. “So no, it didn’t occur to me. In fact, I’ve felt nothing but total confusion since you helped me the other night and brought me here.” I paused for a beat, shaking my head. “Honestly… I don’t understand youat all.”

Rhett lifted a brow. “You don’t like me either. So why haven’t you asked me to leave?”

I frowned. “Huh?”

“You’re acting like you don’t want me here right now, but you haven’t expressly asked me to leave.” His voice was sharp and challenging as he towered over me. “So ask me.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. “I… I don’t—”

Rhett stepped even closer, his presence overwhelming my senses.

Why did he have to be so tall? And why did he have to smell so damn good?

“If you want me gone, I’ll go,” he said. “Just say the words.”

As he spoke, his fingers caught my chin, tilting my face upward. His touch was firm, commanding, and I couldn’t look away. Didn’t even want to.

"Go on," he said, his voice low and coaxing. "Tell me to leave."

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I couldn’t force myself to say the words.

"I… I can’t," I finally said, the admission so quiet it felt like a confession.

"Why?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

"You know why," I murmured, my voice shaky.

"I want to hear you say it," he demanded. “Now.”

My heart thundered in my chest, the air between us charged with something electric and impossible to ignore. Rhett’s gaze burned into me, daring me to admit what I’d been too afraid to confront.

I swallowed hard, my lips parting. “Because… I don’t want you to go,” I whispered.

His eyes darkened, his hand still firm on my chin. Then he moved, closing the last sliver of space between us. His lips brushed mine, tentative at first, like a question waiting to beanswered, but the second I leaned into him, the kiss deepened, and all the tension that had been simmering between us finally erupted.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, his fingers threading through my hair as he pulled me closer. My hands found his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. He kissed me like he was claiming me, each movement fierce and consuming, and I let him, unable to think, unable to care about anything but this moment.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathing hard, his forehead resting against mine. “You should’ve told me to leave,” he muttered. His voice was rough, a mix of frustration and something that sounded close to hunger.

“Why?” I asked breathlessly.

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