I poked his waist. “Stop making fun of me. This is all your fault. You could have prevented this.”
“If you really believe that, you have too much faith in me and not nearly enough in Tess and Skye.”
The next evening, Tess and Skye stopped by the house. We were going to a bar two blocks away. Tess had clasped one of my wide belts around her waist. Skye was trying on some chandelier-style clip-on earrings that looked gorgeous on her. They reminded me of my sister. We’d routinely swapped clothes growing up. I sighed, more aware than ever of the dull ache in my chest. I missed her terribly. But being with Tess and Skye was like having two new sisters.
Hunter was watching us from the doorway of the master bedroom.
“What?” Tess inquired, giving him the side-eye. “I feel that I won’t like whatever you want to say.”
“Just bring my wife home in one piece.”
“Territorial, are you?”
Hunter’s eyes flashed. Tess looked between us, and I blushed. Hunter’s clothes were everywhere around the room. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together. Sure, we could play up the immigration services angle, say that it was best if it appeared that we shared a bedroom because they could always question the cleaning personnel.
“Okay, I say we’re done here,” Skye exclaimed, admiring her knee-length golden dress in the mirror.
“I ordered an Uber, because no way can we walk two blocks in these heels. It’ll be here in two minutes,” Tess said. “Let’s go. Chop chop.”
“You go ahead. I’ll be right out. Need to put on some earrings,” I said.
Tess and Skye hurried out, past Hunter, who looked at me for a few seconds before taking mercy on me and striding over to help.
“Here, let me do this.”
He made quick work of it, but then lingered with his fingers on the shell of my ear before flipping me around and sealing his mouth over mine.
Holy hell, what a kiss. His lips coaxed mine feverishly, until I was so worked up that my pulse was out of control. I was in danger of forgetting that I was supposed to head out. All I wanted to do was stay in with this sinfully sexy man and let him have his way with me.
“Hunter...,” I murmured. “I have to go.”
“I want to keep you here. I thought you were worried they’ll grill you.”
“I am, but... I also have an agenda tonight. Skye has been a little morose the few times I talked to her over the phone these past few weeks. I want to get to the bottom of why.”
“Skye’s in trouble?” He was immediately alert.
“It’s just a hunch. Nothing business-related. Just... personal stuff. Anyway, I want to be there for her, just to comfort her... or bury a body if necessary.”
“You’re amazing.”
“I am?”
He nibbled at my lip again, moving his hand upward over my spine.
“I can show you... and I can be very thorough about it, but then you won’t make it to the bar at all.”
“Then stop touching me, you devious man.”
“I can’t. Maybe I’ll just keep you here. Lock the door, tie you up.”
His eyes flashed. My entire body reacted to his words. Heat simmered on the surface of my skin. I pressed my thighs together.
“You’re a bit territorial, husband.”
“Fuck yes, I’m very territorial.”
“So, I take it that you wouldn’t be too happy if I danced with a random sexy stranger tonight?”
“You do that, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and bring you home.” His gaze was so determined that I had no doubt he’d do exactly that. “Josie....”
“Kidding. Just checking where you are on the territorial scale.”
“And?”
“From one to ten, you’re at twenty-five.”
He pulled me to him, kissing me again, only letting me go when we heard the front door open.
“Josie, our Uber is here,” Tess called.
“I’ll be right out.”
I walked past Hunter, sending him an air kiss, enjoying that feral glint in his eyes, giving an extra sway to my hips as I moved. I loved getting a rise out of him.
The girls were in an excellent mood, already looking at the bar’s menu on their phone in the car.
“If they have a good DJ and quality cocktails, that’s all I need,” Skye said.
“Don’t forget great finger food. That’s also a must, or those cocktails will do a number on us,” I said.
They exchanged conspiratorial glances, and I instantly knew I’d been right about tonight. They had two purposes. One: have fun. Two: make me spill the beans.
As soon as we arrived at the bar, Skye ordered daiquiris and tacos. The place was relatively full, given that it was a weeknight. I loved the diffuse lighting and low-key music.
“So, anything you want to tell us?” Tess asked.
“What do you mean?” I tried to sound innocent.
Skye whistled. “She’s gonna make us work for it.”
Tess sat up straighter, winking at me. “I don’t mind. Secrets are more satisfying if I have to earn them.”
I felt my ears burn hot, and I didn’t look Tess in the eyes, afraid she might see right through me. Unfortunately, that just seemed to tip her off.
“You and Hunter looked cozy tonight,” Skye said.
Oh, boy. Our daiquiris weren’t even here. How was I supposed to survive this?
“We noticed both of your clothes all over the master bedroom,” Tess added. “And you both had stuff in the bathroom. Your conditioner and body lotions, his shaving stuff.”
“Wow. You noticed all that in the two trips you took to the bathroom?” I asked, just to buy myself some time.
“Don’t be silly. I noticed it on my first trip. The second was just so I could confirm they were actually used, not just put there so people could see them.”
“Of course.”
“Plus, your lips were a bit swollen when you got out of the house. So we’re guessing Hunter didn’t just give you a pep talk when you were alone.”
That was it, I was a goner. I couldn’t lie to them anymore. I also didn’t want to. Being dishonest was so exhausting.
I hadn’t told my family about the arrangement, and I hadn’t told Tess and Skye about the rest. I wanted to be one hundred percent honest with someone.
“Wait a second, is she blushing?” Skye said.
“Yes she is. Holy shit, we’re onto something. Aren’t we?” Tess shimmied in her seat, drumming her fingers on the table just as a waitress placed cocktails in front of us. I looked from Skye to Tess, then took a sip of my daiquiri and nodded.
“You’re having sex. I knew it,” Tess exclaimed.
I dropped my face in my hands, feeling like a schoolgirl sharing with my girlfriends that the boy I liked had kissed me. I felt my face become even hotter.
“So... what exactly does that mean?” Tess asked.
“We’re just... well, it was naive to assume we’d be able to pull this off and that things wouldn’t get complicated.”
“Define complicated,” Tess demanded.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m trying not to overthink and just... go with the flow. Plus the sex is awesome, and I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.”