Page 8 of Intertwined Hearts

“Maybe your friends do, but I don’t. I’d never go into a club that played this type of music.”

“Are you saying you’re not my friend?” I stood in front of him with my head tilted slightly to the side.

“I’m not saying that at all. You’re twisting what I’m trying to tell you.”

“Then tell me what you mean.” I knew what he was saying, but I wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. I wanted him to talk to me. “What kind of music do you like?” I began dancing around him again.

“I listen to country music. And when I said your friends, I meant like Nikki and anyone else you may go to the clubs with.”

“So if I wanted to go out dancing with you, we’d have to go to a country western bar because you wouldn’t go to a club of my choice?” I raised my eyebrows and smiled at him, while my shoulders and hips swayed to the beat.

“I think you’re making this way more difficult than it has to be, darling. How about we cross that bridge when we get to it?”

The twang in his voice when he called me darling had my insides quivering and my lady parts heating up.

Chapter 8

Jackie

When the reception ended, I said goodnight to the remaining guests before walking out of the ballroom. Nikki and Jeff had already left to begin their honeymoon.

Instead of changing, I went to the dressing room and grabbed my things, then headed in the direction of the front door, where two shuttles were waiting. Everyone else was gathering for the short ride back to the hotel. It had been a long day, and I was looking forward to getting some sleep. We made it to the hotel in minutes.

“Jackie.” I heard Hunter call my name after I stepped off the second shuttle van.

“What’s up, Hunter?”

“You left so fast, I didn’t get a chance to see you, or say goodbye.”

“I wasn’t avoiding you, I swear. I’m exhausted.”

“How about we go for a quick walk?” he asked.

“My feet are killing me. Can I get a rain check?”

“I’d really love to just spend some time with you. If you want to go change, I’ll wait for you.”

His eyes were intensely glaring through me. I couldn’t say no. “All right, give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back down.”

“Cool. I’ll be sitting over in the breakfast area.”

When the doors of the elevator closed, I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and rested my back and head against the cool steel wall. It was exciting to have Hunter interested in me. He was gorgeous, and from every conversation we’d had so far, he seemed like a genuinely nice man. I needed a good man, especially after that douchebag Landon.

The thought of what Landon had put me through was still fresh in my mind. My heart raced as anger and hurt came rushing back to the forefront of my mind. I had to find a way to get past what he did to me. To us. No one knew the story. I couldn’t bear the thought of repeating it to anyone, not even a psychologist. I’d prayed so many nights for God to give me strength and to help me forgive Landon, but I haven’t been able to shake the anger and hatred I feel toward him. My only solace was that he was locked up in another state and I’d never see him again.

I quickly changed into a pink tank top, my denim short shorts, and my trusted flip-flops. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, freshened up my makeup, then grabbed my room key and made my way back down to the lobby to meet Hunter.

“Are you ready?” I asked. Hunter turned to face me and whistled.

“You look amazing, darling,” he said. There was something about the way he said that one word that made my insides turn to mush. “Come with me.” He held his hand out to me.

Hunter

She placed her hand in mine, and my heart skipped a beat. I felt like I was in some kind of fairy tale. She looked even more beautiful with her hair pulled up. I loved being able to see her face without any obstruction. And if I wanted her hair down, I’d pull that ponytail holder from her tresses.

Things were going a lot slower than I was used to, but I didn’t mind. I was just happy she was talking to me and that she agreed to come for a walk with me.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

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