Page 77 of Reckless Desire

“But I have volunteer duties—”

“I took the liberty of getting you out of them.” He frowns lightly. “I hope that’s okay.”

I chuckle, catching up with the changes. “You supported the cause with a hefty sum instead, so I guess that’s okay. But why?”

“Caro’s mom, Julia, had leukemia.”

I plant my hand on the door to steady myself. Out of all things he could have said, I didn’t expect this. It’s the best reason. I can’t raise an objection to that. I step closer and wrap my arms around him. He kisses me gently.

“Also, I wanted to see you in this dress.” He runs his hand down my back and squeezes my ass.

“You got me this dress?” I gasp.

“Yeah and you look absolutely stunning tonight, beautiful. Would you make me the happiest man and join me for the event?” he whispers against my lips.

* * *

“On second thought, I don’t like the dress,” Hunter says as we enter the ballroom.

This year, London talked the owners of an old factory near the river into lending her the space for the gala. The transformation is breathtaking. The industrial space is lit up with fairy lights, its rough walls softened by sheer fabric pillars hung around the room from the pipes that line the ceiling.

The dance floor is on one side and a long bar is on the other, with large round tables in between.

I run my hand down my skirt. “What? You don’t?”

He chuckles and yanks me closer, his hand firm on my waist. “First, you look positively ravishing in it, and I don’t want to deal with all the assholes drooling over you all night. Second, the dress is amazing, but I can’t wait to take it off.” He presses a kiss to my temple.

“Here you are, darling. You look wonderful tonight.” Bianca strolls over with my dad shuffling alongside.

“Bianca, Dad.” I give them both a peck on their cheeks. “This is Hunter Stuart.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am, sir.” Hunter kisses Bianca’s hand and shakes my father’s.

“We’re very pleased to meet you,” Bianca gushes, and I feel the heat making its way to my face. “What do you do, Hunter?”

Here we go with the screening. “Should we get a drink before you grill him?” I weave my fingers through Hunter’s.

“It’s okay,” he says, squeezing my hand. “I own a fitness club and I’m about to open another one.”

“So how did you two meet?” Dad asks.

Oh shit. That’s not a story to share with parents.He was a gift from London.

Hunter lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles lightly. Shit. I’ve been digging my nails into his skin.

“Sydney is my daughter’s teacher,” he says. Oh, that’s a better first meeting story for sure.

Bianca raises her eyebrows. “You have a daughter?”

Okay, not the smoothest story. “Hunter adopted his niece after her mother passed.”

“Oh, I can’t wait to meet her.” Bianca beams. “You can’t imagine how long I’ve been waiting for grandchildren. Seriously, with eight children combined it shouldn’t be taking this long.”

No matter how old I am, parents remain a source of embarrassment.

“I’m sure Caro would love another adult to spoil her,” Hunter chuckles. While I’m sweating and looking for an opportunity to abort the conversation, he seems unperturbed by Bianca’s suggestion that Caro would be her granddaughter.

“Hey, everyone.” Paris joins us.

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