“The balcony must have a great view.”
“You can use it whenever you like,” I say.
“I can’t believe this is yours.” She holds my gaze. “Good for you.”
“Thanks.” My voice comes out gruff.
I show her through the rest of the house, trying not to sound like an ass when I point out the bathroom and kitchen I remodeled after Liam and I bought the place.
“This is amazing, Hunt.” She stops in the middle of the kitchen. “It feels so warm.”
I swallow, and the frustration of how well she fits in my house bubbles up in my throat and threatens to come out.
Instead, I turn on my heel and lead her up the short flight of stairs. “And here’s the guest suite. You’ve got your own bathroom.”
She exclaims over the soaking tub and then wanders into the bedroom. She takes in the king-sized bed against the back wall and flanked by two windows. The walls are a pale green, and the only flaw in the space is a large dent in the door.
Winter looks right at it.
I start stammering something about Liam and his stupid temper, but she cuts me off with a smile.
“Let me guess—you two went at it one night after a few beers, and somebody missed a punch?”
The heat prickles the back of my neck and threatens to rise up into my face. “I’d never miss on a punch—you think I’d give up a chance to hit my brother?”
She throws back her head and laughs.
And I relax. I lean back against the door jam and smile at her. Those blue eyes of hers fix on mine like lasers until—
“So how did Cathy enjoy living here?” she asks, breaking the silence. “Can a woman handle this place, or will I run screaming back to my parents’ house after the first night?”
“Darling, no woman runs screaming from me,” I say slowly. “Although, you’ve always been the exception to that rule, haven’t you?”
Her face flushes red, and she steps closer to me. She grabs two of the belt loops on my jeans and pulls me flush to her.
“I never ran from you, Hunter.” Her breath is hot and smells like lemons.
“Pretty sure we both ran,” I mutter as my hands go around her back and slide underneath her top.
I nearly lose my shit when my fingers land on the hot, soft, smooth skin of her back. The heat between her legs hits my sudden erection, and I swallow a groan. I rub my thumbs in circles over the small of her back, and she presses into me further.
“Are you seeing someone?” she asks in nearly a whisper. “Is there a woman I should know about who’ll be staying here every night?”
Her blue eyes are flecked with violet, but the purple shade darkens to black as we stare at each other.
“No woman,” I say in a rough voice. “You know I’m not into commitment.”
I slowly drag one of my hands around her side. When I reach her stomach, she jumps backward so fast she bangs her head against the nearby lamp.
I widen my eyes. “What’s wrong?”
She averts her gaze and reaches into her purse. When she produces her phone, I know she’s intent on getting out of here before we finish this conversation. Well, that’s not going to happen.
“Winter.” I follow her out into the hallway. “Hey.”
She calls for a cab before catching her lower lip between her teeth. I get a glimpse of the haunted look in her eyes before she ducks her head and charges for the front door.
“So I’ll bring my stuff by tomorrow morning, okay?” she says over her shoulder. “I’ll leave my suitcase here.”
