She ignored me and stared at Hunter instead.
She seemed quite taken with him. Now was my chance.
“Would you be willing to trade bachelors with me?” I turned and ran my hands down Hunter’s chest and along his arms as though he were the featured showcase item on The Price is Right. “You can have Hunter DeLuca, Pitcher for the Colorado Rangers, in exchange for Senator Flint!”
I presented my deal proudly. How could she resist?
Except I really wanted to keep him. I forced my hands to halt their petting motions.
Miss Klapper glanced at me scathingly. “You’ve a water stain on your dress.”
Oh crap. It would come out though… when it dried? Wouldn’t’ it? God, I hoped so.
I clutched my purse tightly and held her gaze as intently as I could. “Please, Miss Klapper?”
But she was already shaking her head. “As much as I’d love to,” she practically growled in Hunter’s direction. “I can not. It’s a business matter.”
Thunk.
My hopes and my heart dropped into my feet. She was going to interview him.
I was dead meat.
The svelte cougar pulled a card out of her own sparkling clutch and handed it to Hunter. “Call me next week Hunter. We’d love to have you on. Your fans would love to hear from you.”
After she walked away I bent down to retrieve my bag and shoes. When I rose, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of the mirrors.
Bedraggled. Broken. I looked as much of a mess on the outside as I was on the inside.
“Let’s get you out of here.” Hunter’s patience seemed to have run out.
I didn’t have the heart to resist when he took my bag and dragged me toward one of the elevators. “There’s a coffee shop around the corner.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Hunter
Karen Klapper wasa bitch. As soon as I realized one of Denver’s biggest gossips had won the Senator, I nearly turned Holly in the opposite direction. A date with her would be my worst nightmare. Sure enough, she’d twist anything I told her into something more “newsworthy” if she thought it would bring in better ratings.
As bad as I felt for Holly that she wasn’t going to get Flint, I couldn’t’ help breathing a sigh of relief. The talk show hosts in this city were ruthless. A few other players had experienced the phenomenon first hand.
And paid for it with their good names.
But none of that solved Holly’s problem.
Which for some reason, I’d allowed to become mine as well. I glanced at my watch. Quarter till twelve.
Four thirty was gonna come damn early tomorrow. But I couldn’t just leave her.
Which didn’t make sense.
I wasn’t that guy.
I was the selfish asshole– love ’em and leave ’em– playboy. I limited my involvement with women to one thing and it damn well didn’t include carting their lingerie around.
So why did I have the urge to lift this incorrigible woman in my arms and carry her away from all her problems?
Fuck.
