Page 85 of Bargain with the Bachelor
I stood. “You know… I am actually getting a little overheated. I believe I’ll step out onto the terrace for some fresh air.”
Turning, I strode out of the room without waiting for a response. Hopefully my hosts weren’t insulted, but I couldn’t stay in the room a second longer, watching as Bonnie’s sister took over the life I wanted.
But you chose to leave, I reminded myself.
It didn’t matter how sensible the decision had seemed at the time, at this moment, the prospect of walking away and leaving Hunter was ripping my heart out.
“It’s nice out here.”
The deep male voice behind me made me jump and whirl around.
Hunter had apparently followed me from the house onto the moonlit back terrace—also he had amazing potential as a ninja.
When I didn’t respond, he said, “Having a good time? Or are you on Bestia overload? If you’ve had enough, I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
“No, no, I’m fine. Your brother and Bonnie are wonderful. And Rachel is lovely.”
“She’s great,” he agreed. “She took the job.”
It wasn’t a surprise, but still, my heart flopped out of my chest and splatted on the cold terrace stones.
“Of course she did. That’s awesome,” I managed to say, forcing a smile so fake it hurt my face. “When is she moving in?”
I hadn’t found the right moment yet to tell him about my own new job and plans to move to New York, but perhaps now was the perfect time. I’d give him some notice so he could have the room cleaned.
That way it would be ready and waiting for the new “lady of the house.”
“Next week,” he said. “She’s going to take my suite.”
I blinked in surprise. “Yoursuite?”
Hunter nodded. “Yes. We haven’t had any time alone to talk about it, but I’m moving out. The pilot’s almost finished, our software is launched, our lease is nearly up. You can absolutely keep living there as long as you’d like to—I’m sure several of the guys will stay on. But Reid’s going to get his own place in Eastport Bay, and I am too. I’m sure Rachel would be thrilled to have you sharing my unit with her as long as you want to stay.”
I couldn’t answer—just nodded tightly, searching for the right words.
“Hey, you sure you’re okay?” he asked. “You’ve seemed a little off all night.”
Drawing in a deep breath and releasing it, I dug deep into my well of common sense, determined to actually use it for once.
“I’m just… listen, Hunter… I’ve been meaning to talk to you too.”
I shivered, and he stepped closer, removing his jacket and sliding it around my shoulders.
No. No no no, don’t do that. Don’t be sweet. Don’t be a gentleman. Not now.
His jacket was so warm, and it held the scent that always made me want to lean closer to him, to feel his arms wrapped around me.
How was I supposed to do this, tell him I was leaving?
“Yeah, we’re a little overdue for a heart to heart,” Hunter said. “I’ve got a lot of things to say that really, I should have said earlier. Mind if I go first?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Slipping Away
Hunter
Looking down into Kristal’s upturned face, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Things were working out so perfectly.
