4. Molly

CHAPTER 4

MOLLY

The afternoon sun blazes through the windows of Montoya Investments, casting warm, golden swathes across my desk as I sift through Hunt's information. Today's task is exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Helping Hunt Sola transfer his investments and accounts to our bank is going to take me at least a week. Don't get me wrong, I love having a reason to spend more time with him while peeling back all the layers of his life, but I'm a little overwhelmed.

Hunt sits across from me, his focus intense yet relaxed, as we work through each detail. There's an ease between us, a natural flow that makes the task at hand feel more like a shared journey rather than routine work.

"Your portfolio is impressive," I say with genuine admiration as I scan another document. "You've made some smart moves over the years." That's a freaking understatement. He doesn't need my help with his money. I could learn a lot from him.

Hunt offers a modest smile, a faint glimmer of pride in his eyes. "I've had good advisors, but it's always been important to stay informed. Trusting the right people is crucial." He leans back in his chair, his gaze steady as it roams over me. I imagine his warm touch moving over every inch of my body and groan as my face heats from my unspoken thoughts. "That's why I'm glad I found you."

The electricity zinging between us makes my heart flutter. "Well, I'm happy to help. It's what I'm here for."

Once we finish the paperwork, Hunt stretches, his massive muscles shifting under his tight black t-shirt. "Thanks for your hard work today. Transitioning accounts always feels like a fresh start." He glances at his watch and then looks back at me with a playful gleam. "How about joining me for dinner tonight at my house? So I can thank you properly." My thoughts automatically turn to all the ways I'd like him to thank me, and I barely resist the urge to fan myself. "Bring your bathing suit and we can take a swim after."

I really should be thanking him for trusting me with his massive portfolio. "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to."

He smiles, and the corners of his eyes crinkle. "Great. I'll pick you up at seven?"

I nod, already feeling a mix of nervous excitement. "Seven it is," I whisper, anticipating what the night could bring.

The rest of the afternoon flies by in a blur of anticipation. By the time I leave work, my thoughts are solely focused on the evening ahead. At home, I rush to get ready, slipping into a comfortable yet casual dress and packing my swimsuit and beach towel in a tote. I catch my reflection in the mirror, and a bundle of nerves and excitement course through me.

When his loud knocks echo through my small apartment, I take a deep breath to steady my nerves and pull the door open. "Hi."

"Hello, goddess." Hunt pulls me into his arms and leans over to cover my lips with his. The tote drops from my fingers as I wrap my arms around his muscular body. His deep, woodsy scent flows through me as I melt against him.

"Wow," I mutter when he pulls back and lays his forehead against mine.

"Double wow." He smiles at me before reaching down to pick up the tote at my feet. "Let's go before I'm tempted to forget about the steaks at home and eat you instead."

"As much as I love steak, I'm tempted to go with this option." His eyes widen and I realize I muttered my thoughts out loud. "I can't believe I said that."

"Come on, goddess." He takes my hand in his and leads me to the elevator at the end of the hall.

The drive to his home on the edge of Silver Spoon Falls flies by. I gasp as the plantation-style home comes into view. Its grand fa?ade, a testament to Southern architectural elegance, is both imposing and inviting. The house has a gorgeous veranda that covers the entire front of the home and spans around one side.

A wide, circular driveway curved by meticulously maintained gardens leads to the grand entryway. The lush greenery is dotted with vibrant flowers, and the path to the entrance is paved with colorful cobblestones.

The multiple levels of the house are adorned with dark green shuttered windows that complement the bright white siding of the home. "Your home is gorgeous." I should've expected this knowing how wealthy he is, but I'm still shocked at the grandeur.

"I'm glad you like it, goddess."

He parks in the front circular drive and comes around to help me out of the large black SUV before leading me up the front stone steps.

Stepping inside, I'm greeted by the cozy, well-appointed space. It's elegant yet lived-in, with personal touches everywhere—a far cry from the sterile, impersonal home I imagined the wealthy athlete would own.

We move to the kitchen where the scent of something delicious fills the air, causing my stomach to growl. Oh, shoot. I was so preoccupied earlier that I totally forgot to eat lunch. "I hope you like grilled steak," he says, guiding me to a seat at the island. "It's a favorite of mine."

"Sounds delicious," I reply, genuinely excited and starving. "I can't believe you cook, too."

He chuckles, a rich, pleasant sound. "I wouldn't necessarily call it cooking." He hands me a glass of wine. "I fumble around enough to get by, at least."

Dinner is wonderful, but I barely taste any of it. My mind is too occupied anticipating what's going to happen after our meal. I'm sitting here pushing the rest of my food around on my plate as I wonder if I'll have the nerve to wear the tiny bikini that hardly covers my rear end. Why in the world did I pack it instead of my trusty old black one-piece?

"Shall we?" Hunt asks, nodding toward the back of the house. "The indoor pool is completely private, so don't feel obligated to wear a swimsuit. In fact, I'd prefer it if you didn't waste the time putting one on." He really does read my mind.

Butterflies swirl in my stomach as I follow him down the hallway. As we step through the glass doors leading to the indoor pool area, I am immediately struck by the serene oasis before me.

The pool itself is an inviting expanse of crystalline water, its surface shimmering under the soft overhead lighting that mimics natural daylight. The room is spacious, with high ceilings that create a sense of airy openness. The walls are adorned with elegant tile mosaics depicting tranquil scenes of nature.

At the far end of the pool, there's a stunning waterfall carved to resemble natural rock. The water cascades down into the deep pool, creating a soothing melody that echoes gently throughout the room. The water catches the light, producing a mesmerizing dance of reflections on the pool's surface. Lush, verdant greenery surrounds the waterfall, with potted plants and vines lending a touch of tropical paradise to the environment.

"Where can I change?" I swallow and hold up my tote bag.

"That door over there is the dressing room." He points at the door along the right wall.

"I'll be right back." I look over my shoulder as I reach the door and notice him slowly stripping away his t-shirt.

When I step outside with my tiny bikini covered with a long flowing cover-up, I find Hunt already in the water, his strong shoulders gleaming under the soft light. He smiles as he beckons me. "Come on in, goddess. The water's great." I strain trying to see what he's wearing, but the water obscures the bottom half of his body from my view.

Grabbing a hairband, I pull my long, curly blonde hair up into a messy bun before dropping my tote on a lounger. When I pull the silky cover-up over my head, I hear Hunt growl something indecipherable behind me.

Turning, I see the heated look shining from his eyes, and goosebumps break out along my spine as his eyes follow my movements. When I slip into the salty water, the warmth instantly wraps around me.

Suddenly, Hunt swims directly toward me. There's a spark in his eyes that makes my heart beat a little faster. Before I can react, he wraps his arms around me, pulling my body close against his warm, muscular frame.

The world seems to narrow to just the two of us as everything else fades into the background. His touch is gentle yet firm, his body burning hot against mine in the heated water.

"Molly," he whispers, his voice a blend of tenderness and intense desire. "You're so goddamn beautiful. You blow my mind."

I tilt my head up and close my eyes as his lips cover mine. The kiss starts off soft and exploratory before morphing into a raging inferno. My hands find their way to his shoulders and my nails dig in, anchoring myself in the swirling emotions.

The kiss turns from PG all the way to R as his tongue explores every inch of my mouth. The warmth of the water mingles with the heat of our embrace, creating a cocoon of intimacy that feels almost dreamlike.

Hunt's hand softly traces the line of my back, sending shivers through me despite the warmth as his mouth devours mine. Every touch, every caress, causes my insides to melt even further until I don't know where I end and he begins. I can feel the thudding of his heart against mine, mirrored beats that make me feel more connected to him than ever.

For several long moments, we float intertwined in our passion, the gentle movement of the water a soothing backdrop to the intensity of our emotions. This feels right, like finding a missing piece of myself I didn't even know was lost.