“I’ve been invited to have dinner with Derek tonight to discuss wedding arrangements. I planned on saying I had other plans. But I’ll be at the estate, Aurora.” The threat in his voice is unmistakable. “I’ll find a way to be alone with you.”
“Don’t you dare,” I whisper, panic clawing up my throat.
“Watch me.” His voice drops to a predatory purr. “I always get what I want, Aurora. Always. And right now, what I want is you. Ten o’clock. The garden. Or I make my own opportunity.”
“Hunter—”
The line goes dead. I sigh, dropping the phone as if it’s burned me. My head falls into my hands, but I can’t ignore the heat spreading through my body. Just his demanding and confident voice has left me undeniably aroused. My thighs press together involuntarily, seeking pressure against the ache building there.
“What is wrong with me?” I whisper to my empty office. This man is blackmailing me, threatening to tell my sister, and yet my body responds like he’s offering salvation instead of damnation.
My phone buzzes with a text notification. For a moment, I think it’s Hunter again, but Daisy’s name flashes on the screen instead.
Daisy:Has Olivia heard about what happened with Hunter yet? It’s been almost a week, Aurora.
My stomach twists with fresh guilt. Grace must have told her about my promise to confess. I type and delete three different responses before settling on honesty.
Me:No. I keep trying to find the right moment, but there isn’t one. How do I tell my sister I’m lusting after her fiancé?
Daisy:You need to tell her before she finds out another way. That would be so much worse.
Me:I know. I will. Soon.
I set the phone down, the weight of Daisy’s concern adding to my already crushing guilt. She’s right. I need to tell Olivia before Hunter does something that exposes us. Before tonight. Before ten o’clock in the garden.
But the thought of facing my sister, of watching her face crumple when she realizes what I’ve done... It’s almost unbearable.
Almost as unbearable as the thought of meeting Hunter tonight, knowing what will happen if we’re alone together again.
11
HUNTER
Istraighten my tie as I approach the Harrison mansion, my mind already skipping ahead to what comes after this tedious dinner. Ten o’clock. The garden. Aurora.
Derek’s butler greets me at the door with his usual stiff formality. “Mr. Reed, welcome. Mr. Harrison is waiting for you in the dining room.”
I nod, handing off my coat. “Is the whole family joining us tonight?”
“Just Mr. Harrison, sir. Miss Olivia is attending a charity function, and Miss Aurora mentioned having work to catch up on in her room.”
Perfect. My lips twitch with satisfaction. Aurora is hiding.
The dining room doors open to reveal Derek already seated at the head of the table, a crystal tumbler of whiskey in hand. He stands when he sees me, his movements already slightly sluggish. Two drinks in, at least.
“Hunter! Right on time.” He gestures to the chair at his right. “Sit, sit. We have business to discuss.”
I force a smile as I take my seat. “Derek.”
A server appears immediately with a matching tumbler of whiskey for me. Another advantage—Derek rarely conductsbusiness without alcohol, making my abstinence easy to disguise. I’ll need my wits about me tonight.
“I’ve been looking at the potential merger benefits,” Derek says, unfolding a portfolio of documents. “The numbers look promising.”
While he drones on, I check my watch discreetly. 7:30. Two and a half hours until Aurora. I can practically feel her presence somewhere above us in the house, probably pacing her room, debating whether to meet me.
She will. The alternative is far worse for her.
“Something pressing this evening, Hunter?” Derek catches my glance at the watch.
