Page 36 of Every Bit As Perfect
Did she not think I wanted more than this?
“Mom, there’s nobody here for me.What do you want me to do?Leave Sage Ridge?This is my home.This is my resort.I don’t want to live and work anywhere else.”
My anxiety spiked.
“I’m not like the rest of you.Just because I hide my feelings, doesn’t mean I don’t have any.I need to be near my people.I already lost Hunter.We just got Hawk and Noelle back.You all retreated to your corners when our family fell apart, but I needed you.I needed all of you—”
“I know.I realize this.I’m so sorry, Harley.”
I waved away her apology, immediately regretting my rash words.“I don’t blame you, Mom.I know how hard it is for me, I can’t imagine how terrible it is for you.I’m just stating facts.And the fact is, I want to be here.There are no romantic prospects here for me at the present time, but I have a purpose.I’m driven to make this resort into something Hunter and I would be proud of.”
“Hunter?”
“Yes,” I admitted.“Hunter.We talked a lot about the things we would do when we took over.”
“He always said he wasn’t sure about taking over.”
“He wasn’t.That didn’t change the fact that he knew that’s what you and Dad wanted, and truthfully, he always planned to end up here eventually.”
“You can’t live Hunter’s dreams for him, honey.”
I closed my eyes.“Well, Mom, I don’t have any dreams of my own at the moment.”
12
Terrified
Oh,myfreakinglord.
The buzzer rang insistently.
He was here, and I wasn’t ready.
I pressed the intercom button.“Hey.I’m not quite ready yet.Do you want to come up?”
He’d never been in my place.
I looked around quickly.Not a single vibrator or dildo to be seen.Not that there would be.It’s not like I got busy in my living room.
“If you’re sure, I’d love to see your place,” he answered smoothly.
My eyes widened at the thought of allowing him into my private space.What would he learn about me by seeing my place?
“I’ll buzz you in.”
I’d taken far too much time with my hair and make-up.It wasn’t like Daire hadn’t seen me countless times without make-up, dressed in my tracks, messy blue bun on top of my head.
But he sure as hell had never seen me wrapped up in a short, baby pink silk robe with matching panties underneath.
This is not a date, I scolded myself.
But I was sure as hell preparing as if it was.
I moved to unlock the door so I could hide in my bedroom and holler at him to come on in.Just as I turned the deadbolt, he knocked.
I jerked back, yelled ‘it’s open’, and scampered down the hall.
“Stop.”
