Page 55 of The Hunter’s Affection

Chapter 15

“He’s on his way.” Alessandra’s voice echoed through her bathroom on speakerphone.

Charlotte peered at her reflection in the mirror. Her mother stared back at her.

Everyone said they looked like twins, especially now that her mother had a few less wrinkles thanks to the injectables she received every few months. One time the doctor had botched her mother’s treatment and left her with unnaturally swollen lips. Charlotte had almost asked her who she was trying so hard to impress, but wisdom had prevailed.

You’re acting like her. You’ve spent an obscene amount of time getting ready tonight.

“You sure about this?”

Charlotte had forgotten Alessandra was there for a second.

“Sorry. Was just thinking—”

“About guarding your heart, I hope.”

Alessandra knew she was a serial commitment dater. The episode with Torr the other day in her apartment was unlike anything she’d done in the past. There’d never been any talk of him staying in Stone Haven long term, so she had no illusions this could possibly be anything but a fling. Which was probably why her friends had been so shocked when she’d told them about her plans for the night.

“Exactly,” she said, wiping off her lipstick. Too neutral. Tonight she was feeling bold and needed a shade to match. “No heart involved. Just pure, unadulterated—”

“Lust. I know.” Alessandra laughed.

“Or maybe something a bit more than lust,” she admitted.

“Oh no! You big liar,” Alessandra shot back through her speaker. “This is exactly what I was worried about!”

“No,” she cut her off, finishing with the new lipstick. “It’s nothing like that. Just . . . I think there’s more to him than he lets on.”

In fact, she knew it. He was smug, uber confident, and ridiculously good-looking, yes, but he was also complex and . . . dare she say sweet?

“That may be,” Alessandra said as Charlotte carried the phone through the living room. “Just remember that he’s had years, and God knows how many women, to perfect that game he’s about to play with you.”

That stung.

“You mean—”

“He’s the love ’em and leave ’em type. And if you’re okay with that, then by all means, go for it! But just make sure—”

A knock landed on the door. “He’s here,” she whispered, making her way toward the front of the apartment. “Gotta go.”

“Good luck.”

Charlotte slipped the phone into her back pocket, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

How could an oatmeal cowl sweater look so good, and manly, on a guy? Though he wore jeans, the sweater dressed him up a bit. But as always, his clothing had nothing to do with the reason he took her breath away. It was his expression, so supremely comfortable, that made her knees weak.

Lord have mercy.

She was screwed.

“Shall we try this again?”

Her heart nearly jumped from her chest. Did he mean—

“A real date.” Torr held out his hand. Realizing he didn’t intend to come inside, she managed to slow her breathing and went to grab her purse from the counter. After she locked the door behind her, she took his outstretched hand, and they walked down the stairs together, fingers intertwined.

Those same fingers had been down her pants. Oh dear.