When Hunter asks what color nail polish I want, I tell him to surprise me.
He hums thoughtfully, tilting his head as if this is a life-altering decision. Finally, his hand darts forward and plucks a bottle of vibrant yellow from the lineup.
“Yellow,” he declares, unscrewing the cap. “It suits you.”
I arch an eyebrow. “You thinkyellowsuits me?”
“Of course.” His grin widens. “You’re basically the human embodiment of sunshine.”
I scoff. “You must’ve confused me for someone else.”
He shakes his head firmly. “Nope.” He grips my chin and forces eye contact like a parent scolding a stubborn child. “You’re sunshine. End of discussion.”
Sunshine.
Something strange and unsteady stirs in my stomach. The way he sees me doesn’t make sense. If I had to choose, I’d say I’m more like a storm rolling over the lake, black clouds swallowing the horizon, churning up chaos.
But somehow, Hunter looks at me and sees light.
“Now, stay still,” he orders, smirking as he steadies my hand.
The first stroke of the brush sends a shiver down my spine. The cool polish glides across my nail, smooth and deliberate. I watch him work—tongue pressed against the gap in his two front teeth, brows furrowed in concentration. My nails are short, bitten down to the quick, but he handles them like they’re something precious.
When he’s done, he lifts my hand and blows gently across the wet polish.
I can’t stop staring at the way his hair falls into his eyes, the lamplight tracing the angles of his cheekbones. He’s so goddamn beautiful. I study his face like I’m trying to engrave it in my memory for safe keeping.
“What?” he asks, glancing up at me through thick lashes, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks.
“Nothing.” I pull back my hand to admire the bright yellow drying across my nails. “You did a good job, Hunter.”
His mouth twitches into a shy smile. “Thanks.”
I lean in, slow and deliberate, until our lips touch. The kiss gradually deepens as his tongue tangles with mine. Before long, we glide toward his bed like waves carrying us to shore.
We slip under the sheets, legs tangling together. His hands thread into my hair as mine circle his waist, pulling him closer. His mouth is soft and insistent, and the heat of him spreads through me, sinking into my bones.
But despite my best efforts, my mind drifts elsewhere. Every time I close my eyes, I see Stephen across the café table. I hear his voice. I see the sharp edge of his smile when he mentioned wanting to be a part of Maddie’s life. The thought of him trying to take her from me makes bile rise in my throat.
Hunter shifts, pressing closer. I try to drown myself in him, but the storm keeps leaking through the cracks.
He notices. Of course he does.
He pulls back just enough to search my face, his thumb brushing my jaw. “You’re a million miles away,” he murmurs. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine,” I say too quickly, forcing a tight smile. “Let’s just—keep going.”
I kiss him again, harder this time, desperate and clumsy. My hand grips his ass like maybe I can anchor myself that way and drag my brain back to the present. I’m in bed with a gorgeous man who wants me. I should want this too. Idowant this.
So why the hell can’t I focus?
Hunter breaks this kiss again. His eyes hold mine, steady and unyielding. “Mason,” he says softly, “you don’t have to do that with me. Pretend.”
I swallow thickly, my chest tight.
“This is about Stephen, isn’t it?” he asks. “What happened at the café—that’s what’s on your mind?”
My eyes pinch shut. “Hunter…”
