Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

Hunter did break me.

The man is insatiable.

We’d spent all of Sunday in bed, only leaving to eat. I struggled to walk, red and raw from the copious amount of sex we had. In my wildest dreams, I never experienced letting go of my inhibitions the way I did, but with Hunter, I felt this freedom to be myself.

It’s kinda cute he felt sorry for me, drawing me a bath to soak in. It was a bit of a struggle since the water needed to be low to protect my still-fresh tattoo.

Of course, it started as a bath, then ended up with me on my knees as he demanded I give him a blow job.

I sit on the sofa as he turns the television on and searches for something interesting to watch. It gives me an opportunity to catch up on my messages. Ava, no surprise, is blowing up my phone.

“Argh,” I complain out loud.

Hunter glances over. “What’s wrong?”

“My sister, she’s annoying, that’s all.”

He diverts his attention to the screen, settling on some finance channel.

“So, you have how many sisters?”

“Three.” I sigh. “Amelia, but we call her Millie, is the oldest. She’s a lawyer and married with three boys. Ava is next. She’s the annoying one.”

“There’s always one, I guess.”

“Ava is married to Austin, Millie’s ex-fiancé. They have two daughters together.”

Hunter cocks his head. “Your sister married your older sister’s ex-fiancé?”

“Yeah, I know. I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I tried.”

“And your other sister?”

“Addison lives in San Francisco. She got married last year. No kids yet because she just finished her degree in Psych. Though, Ava seems to think there’s something brewing. Her words, not mine.”

With his arm resting behind me on the sofa, Hunter looks so casual and sexy in a pair of gray sweats and a white tee. Very different from the man I see inside the office.

“So, all your names start with the letter A?”

“Yeah,” I drag with a forced smile. “My father’s name is Alexander, so I guess my parents thought that would be fun.”

Hunter nods but falls into a digestive silence. I’m not sure what to say, so I go back to responding to Ava to tell her I’m alive, just busy.

“I’ve actually met your father at a summit,” Hunter admits with a blank expression. “Interesting man.”

“Interesting?” I hold back laughing at the choice of words. “My father is not interesting.”

“You seem to have a certain opinion of him.”

“He’s controlling, stubborn, and frankly, an asshole when he doesn’t get his way.”

The moment it leaves my mouth, I feel somewhat better my opinion is out in the open. No more hiding how I feel about the man.

“And you’ve said all these things to him?” Hunter questions with a smirk.

“Yes,” I admit, bowing my head. “It’s why I went to Europe, met April, and applied for this job. We don’t get along.”

“But your sisters do?”

I begin to fidget with the cushion sitting on my lap. “They adore him. He treats them like they’re queens.”

Hunter purses his lips, then tilts his head. “I’m surprised you have the backbone to go up against Lex Edwards. Many have tried and failed. It explains why you had no problem speaking to me.”

My elbow purposely knocks into his side, causing him to scowl.

“You’re cute outside the office. Why do you act like a jerk when wearing the suit?”

“Alexandra, you know I’m still your boss, right?”

“Yeah, but you won’t fire me. I’ve got something you want.”

He rubs his chin as I climb on top of him, a grin spreading across his face. “What exactly is that?”

“You’re just about to find out …”

* * *

It’s one thing to be alone with Hunter in his penthouse, but another to be around him inside a bustling office.

I went back to the main house on Sunday night since April had a crisis. Her tampon was stuck, and Kathy was out as usual. We were no longer period sisters, much to April’s disappointment. Her cycle started arriving earlier.

I may not have many skills, but tampon removal happens to be one of them.

Hunter informed me his week is booked out with meetings, dinners, and a day trip to Silicon Valley. Naturally, I told him it’s fine since we’re not in a relationship. He has his life, and I have mine.

Although, I don’t really have a life. Just a bestie I’m lying to, plus sisters who continue to blow up my phone with the latest gossip.

With Hunter in and out of the office, it makes work life easier. I manage to get a lot done, working close with Meredith, who has been feeling unwell of late.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” I ask, examining how her shoulders slump as she occasionally clutches onto her chest. “You really should see a doctor.”

“It’s fine,” she reassures me as I stare at her with concern. “I’ll tell you what, if I don’t feel well after lunch, then I’ll go visit the doctor.”

“Good.”

I exit her office and run into Josh.

“Oh, hey,” I greet, surprised to see him since it’s been a while. “Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you about hanging out. I’ve been super busy.”

Josh flattens his lips but quickly forces a smile. “It’s fine. Actually, today is my last day.”

“Your last day? You’re leaving.”

“They’re transferring my role to the Denver office. I agreed to go.”

“I guess goodbye is in order.”

I reach out to hug him, ignoring how stiff he is in my embrace. When I pull back, Hunter enters his office with clients but continues to stare at me with a pinched expression.

“It was nice knowing you, Alexa,” Josh says before walking back to his desk.

Lunchtime in the office is always deserted, except for the geeks who hang around eating homemade sandwiches while collecting coins on some stupid game on their phone.

Just as I’m about to grab something, Hunter calls me into his office. I quickly make my way over, then enter his office to find him alone.

“I was about to grab some lunch.”

“Why were you hugging Josh?” he questions but doesn’t look my way.

“Uh, because that’s what you do when saying goodbye to a friend. You never mentioned he was leaving?”

“Not all work matters can be discussed, Alexandra. Some need to remain confidential.”

“Fine,” I snap. “Is that what you called me in for? To get jealous over some guy I’ve never had sex with?”

Hunter lifts his gaze in line with mine but follows with sighing dejectedly. “I’m sorry, and that’s not why I called you in. I wanted to take you out to lunch.”

The door is still open, so I keep my voice low. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

“I take Meredith out all the time.”

“Well then,” I muse, “lunch it is.”

There is no opportunity to do or say anything inappropriate. The elevator was full to the lobby. The sidewalk was bustling with people. Hunter chose a restaurant a block from the office, but it was also busy, with almost every seat taken.

We ordered quickly, which resulted in the food arriving nice and hot. Our conversations mainly centered around work and all the things Hunter needed me to do.

“You know, I can’t stay your assistant forever.”

Hunter parts his lips slightly. “Why not?”

“It’s not my forever job.”

“What is your forever job?”

“I don’t know yet,” I answer openly. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be a doctor.”

The moment it comes out, something stirs inside of me. I still remember the night of the party when the guy almost drowned and how saving his life was something I’d never experienced before.

“You need to go to college for that.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“Then, tell me. Why didn’t you go to college? From what you’ve told me about your sisters, all of them have quite impressive careers.”

“It wasn’t right for me at the time.”

He finishes the remains of his drink, waiting for me to respond. “And now?”

“I haven’t thought about it much,” I admit, wiping the corner of my mouth with the napkin. “I’ve been occupied, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Oh …” Hunter grins with dancing eyes. “I’ve noticed, but if we’re being honest here, it’s been three whole days since I’ve been inside you.”

My eyes widen in disbelief. Did he just say that out loud? Anyone could have heard. My cheeks flush as the temperature inside the restaurant rises.

“What if someone heard you?” I whisper.

Hunter removes his credit card, handing it to the server, who takes it, then returns with it soon after.

“Shall we leave in case anyone hears about all the things I’m going to do to you tonight?” he teases.

I hold back from slapping his arm, and instead exit the restaurant with the right mind to give him a good blasting once no one can listen. Just as I’m about to open my mouth, my eyes fall upon a familiar face walking toward me.

“Cole,” I whisper in shock.

He recognizes me immediately, a genuine smile adorning the once handsome face I would kiss daily. Suddenly, my eyes move toward his chest to see a baby carrier.

“Alexa?”

I offer my best smile, still surprised to see him. Cole looks different, more mature.

“Cole, oh my god, it’s been—”

“A long time,” he finishes.

“You have a baby,” I point out, swallowing the lump inside my throat from seeing him as a daddy.

“Her name is Charlotte,” he announces proudly. “I know, just like your mom. It’s always been Madaline’s favorite name, so …”

“Of course.” I lean over to better observe the baby. She has tiny features but is cute and sleepy. “She’s beautiful, Cole. Congratulations.”

Hunter clears his throat beside me, waiting with an impatient stare.

“Oh, sorry. Cole, this is my boss, Hunter Cash.”

Cole extends his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“And you,” Hunter responds in a bored tone.

“Cole and I went to high school.”

Hunter nods, pressing his lips flat.

“Listen, congrats again on the baby.” My stomach churns, bringing on a queasy feeling. “Good luck with everything.”

“You too.” He smiles while stroking Charlotte’s hair. “Oh, say hi to Ava. She’s stopped pestering me via text. I hate to admit I miss it."

I manage to laugh. "Lucky for you."

As I wave goodbye, I walk quietly alongside Hunter with a heavy heart. Seeing Cole with his new baby evoked so many buried emotions. I can dissect it all I want, but the truth is, it hurts like fucking hell. It could have been our baby.

“Is everything okay?” Hunter questions.

“Yeah.”

“So, did you guys date or something?”

I nod. “For most of the senior year.”

Hunter doesn’t say another word but is soon distracted as his phone rings. He takes the call, so I opt to give him privacy, walking a few steps ahead of him.

For the rest of the afternoon, I’m unable to concentrate. My pen doodles circles on my notepad as I’m lost in thought. I keep replaying Cole’s face in my head, how he looks so happy and content. How I assumed he wouldn’t want a child and football would have been more important.

My phone pings as Hunter summons me to his office. I walk over slowly, knocking on the door as usual, then enter upon him saying, come in.

“So, I was thinking,” he begins with, then continues, “Meredith isn’t feeling well and usually accompanies me to New York. I’d like for you to join me.”

“Me?” I point to my chest. “In New York?”

“Yes, for three days. Unless, of course, you have other plans?”

I shake my head. “This is work, though, right?”

“Yes, Alexandra. There is a gala event to which it will be good for you to get exposure.”

“Okay, so when do we leave?”

“Tomorrow,” he simply states.

“But … but …” I stammer, my head spinning with all the things I need to do. “I have to go home and pack.”

“Go home and pack.”

“You said—”

“Just tell April you’re staying at your sister’s house again, then drive over.”

I hate lying to April. For the last week, I did my best to avoid her. It’s not like she’d put two and two together. It’s more the guilt eats away at me. Yesterday, I nearly ran into Kathy in the foyer. I made a sharp turn to avoid seeing her, panicked I would accidentally blurt out, ‘I’m fucking your fake husband’.

“I guess I’ll see you soon.”

My back turns to exit the room until Hunter calls my name.

“Yes?”

“Is everything okay?”

I curve my lips upward and force a smile. “Perfectly fine.”