Page 26 of Playing A Risk
He glances down. “There’s a reason I don’t want children, but I’ve never discussed it with anyone. Maybe now’s the time I do.”
He’s piqued my curiosity, but I have no right to ask him something so personal anymore. Although, I can’t deny I like having him open up to me about deeper issues in his life.
It’s one of the reasons I felt closer to Jami all this time. We have…had a deep connection, and that’s what made our bond so strong.
Jami and my relationship was more than sex or being caught up in a whirlwind affair like I was with Hunter.
Don’t get me wrong. I fell in love with Hunter, but we could never get to that next level because he wouldn’t open up to me about anything.
“Hunter, can I tell you something?” I lift my glass and wait for him to respond.
“Sure.” He gives me direct eye contact.
“In the past, I felt like you had a hard time understanding my emotions, but now you’re leaning into them and encouraging me to share. And you’re doing the same. I like it. It feels good.”
“I’m happy to hear that, but why do you think it’s different than before?”
I sip my wine and place my glass down. “The fact you told me about going to therapy is enough to show me you’re trying.”
My stomach flips with guilt over saying that because I can’t just go back to being with Hunter. Even if my heart mends from Jami, Hunter and I have major hurdles to overcome. The biggest one is my job, and the next is his anger.
He seems to be doing better with that, though. Discovering I was pregnant with Jami’s baby would’ve had Hunter ready to kill Jami previously, but he managed himself beautifully.
Maybe Hunter’s growing into a better man.
“Hunter, thank you for a delicious meal. Tomorrow, I’ll cook you dinner to repay you.” I wipe my face.
“No need. I have a stocked refrigerator for the next week. My assistant knew I’d be in town, so it’s all taken care of.”
“Alright, but if you change your mind.”
“I’ll let you know.” He stands from the table and holds his hand out to me. “I have a surprise for you tonight. Come with me.”
I take his hand and let him lead me upstairs and onto the rooftop terrace, where he spins me around by my shoulders.
There’s a gas fireplace burning and an oversized daybed with pillows. Two heavy winter blankets sit next to it.
“How did I not know you had this up here?” I amble over to the bed and slide underneath one of the blankets.
He joins me under the other one. “I don’t use it in the summertime because it gets too hot up here. And you haven’t been around much to enjoy it this winter. I figured we should get some use out of it since you’re staying here for a while.”
I lift a brow. “Let me guess. Your house assistant set it up today?”
“Sort of. She arranged for the complex manager to turn on the fireplace and set up the rooftop area, but she didn’t do it herself.”
“What other surprises do you have in this apartment?”
He leans against the back of the bed, resting his weaved fingers on his chest.
“As you can see, this terrace covers the top of my entire unit. There’s another balcony opening off the other upstairs bedroom. It’s just like the one in your bedroom. You know about the one off the library and the loft, but there’s another area altogether. It’s over in the far corner.”
I scan the roof; an enclosure stands beside a sunken hot tub. “Oh wow. I didn’t know you had a hot tub. Why have we never used it?”
“I never took the time to fill and prepare it for use. But again, since you’re here and it’s winter, I thought it would giveyou something to do while you rest and get your thoughts together. You can only journal for so long.”
“True, but you didn’t need to do this all for me.” Warmth fills my insides.
“It’s not just for you. It’s for us.” He moves his hand to my knee. “You have a nice effect on me. It makes me want to slow down and appreciate the little things.”
