I helped her back onto the stool and hid her from prying eyes with my body.
She wanted to run again. I felt the energy building in her. I needed to say something that would explain my behavior. I needed to say something fast before she bolted. She spoke first though.
“I’m trying to be positive, ya know? Trying to believe things can get better?” She finally met my eyes. “If you changed your mind about meeting me, you should have texted me. Nobody forced you to ask me out. You’re not getting paid to come on this date.”
I needed to cut to the chase. “Are you a reporter?” This was too fucked up already. What things did she need to get better? What was she trying to be positive about? I’d never wanted to know this sort of crap about a girl before.
She grabbed a napkin off the bar and dabbed it at her knee. “A reporter? Are you serious? A slave maybe, a glorified gopher…” Some of the confusion seemed to seep away. “For Star Martin.”
I held her gaze. I wished she could read my mind in that moment. I didn’t know how to begin explaining all of this to her.
“You thought I was a reporter?” She winced. “Why the hell wouldn’t you just ask me?” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “As of this morning, I’m not even employed.”
CHAPTER TEN
Holly
He wasn’t scowlingat me anymore. I should have realized something was off the moment he showed up. He’d been late. And then he didn’t smile. He acted like he didn’t even want to touch me. His eyes had looked more like the cold Atlantic than the warm waters of Key West. He’d glared ice chips at me.
But I thought maybe he’d just had a bad day.
Despite everything, I’d had a pretty great day. I found an apartment to rent and put a few applications in at some nearby restaurants. I didn’t care if I had to wait tables for a while. It felt amazing to be out from under Star’s thumb. I’d find some way to pay her for the dress. God, even the date if I had to. But I wasn’t her punching bag anymore.
Hopefully my brother would understand sometime in the future.
I’d spent the rest of the day looking forward to seeing Hunter.
And then he’d shown up acting like a completely different person. Except his touch had felt the same. Which confused me.
“So, you’re not a reporter then?” Those blue-green eyes of his were warming up. I still wanted to punch him.
“Hunter.” I needed to make myself perfectly clear. “I’m in no place to play games.” I tried not to lose my concentration when he tilted his head toward mine.
I hadn’t imagined that crazy strong attraction. The temperature between us must have shot up at least twenty degrees. I tried to slow my heart when I saw his fingers gripping the edges of the barstool, caging me in.
The room felt smaller and if felt like we were the only two people in the world.
I couldn’t do this with him.
I sat up straight and met his gaze without wavering. “If you have a problem with me, you can’t just assume I’m a mind reader. Ask me. I may be all sorts of things, but the one thing I’m not, is a liar.”
I didn’t want to walk away, but it was probably for the best. Being with him might feel great right now, but where would I be when it all fell apart. Because it would. And I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pick up the pieces.
“I should probably just go.” Before I could jump off this ridiculous barstool again, he lowered his face closer to mine.
“No. Please. I believe you.” He turned his face away from me and sighed. “I’ve been burned. I’m sorry I should have just asked you.” He brought his gaze back to mine. “Please?”
When he’d shown up acting so cold, when he’d cut me with his words, it nearly tore me apart. I’d only known him for one day! What would happen after a week? Or a month?
He was too much.
Too much sexy. Too sweet. Too loveable.
Too good to be true.
But when I looked into his eyes all I saw was sincerity and a little bit of hurt.
I swallowed hard.
