Page 98 of Reckless Desire

“It used to be a language school and the former owners are looking for someone to take over the lease. Every room is set up with outlets and technical requirements for state-of-the art technical set-up, video streaming and whatnot,” Jackson explains.

“Let’s explore the other side.” He leads us through the space. “The layout is slightly different here, broken down into small rooms for individual classes and a large common area for students. There is a kitchen with a small eating area and two large offices. Since the owners are pressed to find someone to take over the lease, the rental conditions are better than expected. Definitely for this location.”

“So what do you say?” Hunter looks at me, his eyes sparkling.

“I think it’s mean to take me to a school on Saturday.” Caro puts her hands on her hips and glares.

Hunter chuckles. “Sorry, pumpkin.”

“That’s it. I’m out of here.” She marches out of the room.

We’re standing in the middle of a corner office, Central Park in the distance.

“I’ll give you a moment and go check on the young lady,” Jackson says and leaves.

“So?” Hunter takes my hands.

“I don’t know what you’re showing me. Great location. The place feels good, but what do you want to do here? Besides, it seems like it has its purpose already. I’m sure there are more open, larger spaces for your club.”

The corners of his lips tip up. “I’m sure there are, and I’ll find one soon, but I like the purpose of this space.”

I frown and look around again. I like the space too. I love it in fact. It would be perfect down the road if I ever get to open my learning center.My learning center?

I snap my gaze to his.

“For you, Sydney.” Hunter smiles, but worry shadows his expression.

I narrow my eyes as his words sink in slowly. My heartbeat ticks up a notch. I look around the office again and through the door into the empty hallway. I would hang large prints of happy children on the white walls there.

The idea startles me. The first thing I think about is how to decorate the space? What’s wrong with me? It’s not even mine. I can’t afford to start a venture like this.

“But I can’t… You know I have no money, Hunter. I can’t start a business. And I’m not letting you pay. We’ve been through this.” I shake my head, wishing there was a way. Damn him. I love the place.

“But what if you could afford it?” Hunter hugs me and kisses the top of my head. I want to wiggle away because it’s hard to remain reasonable when his scent wraps around me. But he holds me tight, not allowing me to protest freely. He knows me too well.

“With my history, no bank would back me up.” I put my hands on his chest, annoyed he’d dangle this treat in front of me. But he was right, I’m not going to make a big deal out of it, not on the day of his opening.

There’s no fight left in me because disappointment seeps through as I reluctantly let go of the idea of the pictures on the walls. Of me sitting at the desk with this view.

“A bank, no, but what if you had private investors?” He doesn’t let go of me. In his arms, I want to believe in everything, but this is too much.

“Remember how that ended up the last time I tried?” I won’t repeat the Elliot McFadden mistake.

“Casually, over drinks at your parent’s house last month, casually—not behind your back—London suggested she would be interested in such a venture and Gio confirmed as well. London believes there is also government funding that can be accessed. In that case, you’d set it up as a not-for-profit, but that’s all up for further discussion. I’m happy to channel some of our money into this. And before you protest, I would mostly do it for kids like Caro. Parents with kids like Caro deserve someone like you in their life. Let us help you to help them.”

Damn him. Tears push into my eyes. “Gio agreed to consider. He said as much.”

“Well, I texted him the following day to make sure he was even listening, so I have a phone message to prove that to you.”

Let us help you to help them.Jesus, this man. “Okay.” I nod, equally scared and excited.

“Yes!” He seizes my lips. Thousands of emotions flood my entire system, and most of them are wonderfully dazzling.

Hunter grinds his hips against mine and a current zips through both of us. He pushes me against the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands roaming from my hips to my breasts. I moan and he hisses, our breaths syncing in panting.

“Are you coming?” Caro yells from somewhere in the space.

I giggle and Hunter swears under his breath.

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