‘I’m not gonna apologise for the fact you turn me on.’
‘Did I ask you to?’
‘Nope.’ He dragged them into a kiss, ignoring her muffled protest that she hadn’t brushed her teeth. Ignoring his body’s strangled protest he stopped there. ‘How about showers andbreakfast before we do the talkin’ bit? Don’t know about you but I’m starved and yeah I’ll do the cookin’.’
‘I must admit I’m hungry. I was too busy to eat much at the reception and then last night . . .’
‘I didn’t give you much chance to eat. The peanuts and crisps we snacked on don’t count as a balanced meal. You lay there and rest a bit longer while I shower ‘cause if you join me it’ll delay things.’
‘Can’t imagine why.’ She fluttered her eyelashes and he couldn’t help thinking how much he loved Laura’s playful side, something she’d insisted at the beginning that she didn’t even have.
‘Yeah, right.’ Hunter reluctantly got out and tugged the duvet back up to keep her warm. On the way to the bathroom she cracked a ribald remark about objectifying men’s bodies and he playfully shook his bare backside. ‘Objectify away.’
He kept his shower brief because if Laura discovered cold water when she came in that wouldn’t go down well. Downstairs he surveyed the meagre contents of the fridge and made a mental note to go food shopping later. For a second he pulled up short. Was it wrong to assume he’d be hanging around a while longer? Rory Watkins, his assistant manager in the business, assured him only yesterday that he could easily cope until Hunter returned. He glanced at his phone as an incoming message popped in. Brett again. They rarely had any contact when he was home so why a third message from his brother in just over a week? A tug of guilt pulled at Hunter because he had ignored the first two so he reluctantly opened it up.
Dad needs to see you but won’t ask so I’m doing it for him. Think about coming to visit when you get back.
He briefly felt sorry for his brother stuck in the middle, but reconciling with his father wasn’t going to happen second-hand.Hunter refused to think about it anymore for now and returned to the task in hand.
Coffee was the priority and he saw to that first, watching the fragrant dark liquid drip into the glass pot with satisfaction. In the back of the freezer he dug out a packet of sausages set them on low in a pan to start frying then whipped up a bowl of scrambled eggs to cook when Laura came downstairs and sliced four thick slices of bread to toast.
‘That’s better.’ Laura pulled a comb through her damp hair as she wandered into the kitchen.
He couldn’t lie. It was impossible to consider baggy dark green sweats and fluffy red reindeer slippers an improvement on her glorious naked self.
‘Get your mind out of the gutter McQueen, and feed me.’
‘Yes, ma’am. Coffee comin’ up.’ In the middle of pouring her a large mug Hunter stopped. ‘Were your folks this way?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Havin’ fun together. Jokin’ around?’
* * *
Laura blinked away a rush of tears. ‘Yes. They weren’t soppy and all over each other but clearly enjoyed each other’s company, and even when things were tough could always make each other laugh.’ She swallowed hard. ‘That’s precious. I never shared that with Mike and before you ask I don’t know why I settled for less than I . . . deserved. He’s a brilliant surgeon and can be very charismatic when he puts his mind to it. I think because I initially showed no interest that’s why he pursued me, but as soon as we were a couple he criticised everything from my weight to how close I was to my sister. Within months of being married he started to look elsewhere. That didn’t do much for my self-confidence until I concluded the problem rested with him not me, which was when I left. What wereyourparentslike?’ Hunter’s tight expression indicated he wasn’t happy with her question but he’d started this conversation in the first place.
‘I remember them being okay when I was a kid but later there was always an atmosphere.’ He shrugged. ‘I guess it was constantly hanging over their heads when the school would call about another problem I’d caused, or when the police might turn up on their doorstep. That might have made it kind of hard to laugh much. It didn’t help things that they disagreed how to deal with me too.’ Hunter rubbed at his temple. ‘Mom even left once but only stayed gone a few weeks. That’s when Dad took the job in London. Fresh start for us all.’ The attempt to smile only made a slight curl in his top lip. ‘I guess in the long run it did help me, but it was pretty brutal at the time. I’m pretty sure my folks are alright now but I live about four hours away from them and don’t visit often. They don’t seem to mind that any more than I do.’
She wasn’t sure how to go about helping him to make peace with his family but felt in her gut he’d never really be in a totally good place until that happened. ‘Do you think your brother might be willing to act as a sort of go-between?’
He drank his coffee and played for time by refilling their mugs. ‘You’re a good person, Laura—’
‘—But it’s not my business and I should shut up?’
‘Don’t put words in my mouth. I would never speak to you that way.’ Hunter’s protest made her guilty. She must stop assuming all men, and especially this one who’d been nothing but kind and loving towards her, resembled Mike. ‘I was trying to say I appreciate your efforts to help and one day I’ll think about taking your advice, but right now I’ve other things on my mind.’
‘Danny Pearce?’
‘Well yeah, that too. I was thinkin’ more along the lines of . . .’ Leaning across he cupped her chin with his hand and drew them into a long, hot kiss.
‘What about breakfast?’ Laura croaked.
‘I suppose I’d better feed you first or you won’t have the energy for what I’ve got in mind.’
She recognised the stalling tactic but was learning that he didn’t do well being steered towards something until he’d been given the opportunity to make up his own mind. Something she felt his father had never understood. ‘And three guesses what that is.’
‘You’ve got a dirty mind. It’s another pretty day, and I thought we might enjoy a hike across the moors.’ Hunter’s eyes sparkled. ‘After our walk is another story.’
