“For who? You?” I lift my chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Hunter slides his hands into his pockets, studying me. “I’m hosting a gathering this evening. At my property. A private initiation for a select group of people.”
“And this concerns me how?”
“Our properties share this section of the coastline.” He gestures toward the window. “Sound carries. You might hear things... and see things you shouldn’t.”
Understanding dawns. “So that’s why you’re here? To warn me away from my own family’s property?”
“I’m simply suggesting discretion.” His eyes darken. “In fact, I’d need you to sign an NDA if you’re planning to stay.”
“An NDA?” I laugh, the sound sharp and brittle. “You must be joking.”
“I never joke about business, Aurora.”
“This isn’t business. This is me sleeping in my father’s home.” I step closer, anger replacing my earlier nervousness. “I’m not signing anything. If you’re concerned about your little ‘initiation,’ maybe you should hold it somewhere more private.”
Hunter’s jaw tightens. “You don’t understand what you’re refusing.”
“I understand perfectly. You think your secret boys’ club trumps my right to be here.” I gesture toward the door. “I have no interest in whatever you and your friends are doing. But I’m not leaving, and I’m certainly not signing anything.”
Hunter’s expression darkens. In three swift strides, he closes the distance between us, backing me against the wall. His palm slams against the surface beside my head, the sound making me flinch.
“Let me be clear.” His voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “This isn’t a request.”
My breath catches in my throat. He’s hovering inches from my face, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. His eyes have turned stormy, and all traces of civility have vanished.
“You don’t intimidate me,” I say, but my voice betrays me, coming out breathless and shaky.
Hunter’s lips curve into a cruel smile. “Your pulse says otherwise.” His free hand comes up to trace my neck, fingers pressing against the frantic beating beneath my skin. “I can feel how fast your heart is racing.”
I should be terrified. I should be pushing him away, screaming, doing anything but standing here letting him touch me. Instead, heat pools low in my belly, an unwelcome, traitorous response.
“I always get what I want, Aurora.” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, rough and possessive. “One way or another.”
“Is this how you treat all women who tell you no?” I manage to ask, hating how breathy I sound.
“Only the ones who need to understand their place.”
God help me, something about his dominance sends a thrill through me. What kind of person am I becoming? What kind of woman gets turned on by threats from her sister’s fiancé?
“This is wrong,” I whisper
“Maybe.” He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. “But your pupils are dilated, Aurora. Your breathing is shallow. You like this.”
I close my eyes, ashamed because he’s right. Every cell in my body is responding to him, screaming for his touch even as my mind recoils at his methods.
“Tell me I’m wrong,” he challenges, his hand sliding to grip my waist.
I say nothing, can’t say anything. The truth is written all over my body.
“Sign the NDA, Aurora.” Hunter’s voice drops lower, a seductive rumble against my ear. “Stay for tonight.”
I try to turn my face away, but his fingers catch my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Why would I want to?”
“Because what happens here tonight...” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, sending unwanted shivers down my spine. “It’s the kind of thing you pretend to abhor in the daylight but crave in your darkest moments.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “You don’t know anything about me.”
