I knew there was a scientific explanation, but I liked to think that this exquisite panna cotta carried Amelia’s warmth and calmness.
The water was almost cold when I heard movement around me.
I took out a headphone, peering at the door. Sure enough, Hunter was propped against it, his eyes dark, his mouth set in a beautiful smile.
“Should’ve told me you were home already, wife. Would’ve gladly ditched the last meeting for you.”
I placed both earbuds on the floor, and the plate. Hunter’s eyes widened when he saw it.
“Holy shit. Was that all the panna cotta? What’s wrong, babe?”
“Got fired.”
In a matter of seconds, Hunter crouched in front of the tub, until he was at the same eye level.
“Babe, I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“They caught wind of our run-in with the immigration officer.”
“Fuck. Cole told me today she’s been asking questions at my office.”
“She did the same at mine... and, well, long story short, they don’t want anyone even remotely connected to a sham marriage suspicion working there.”
“That’s bullshit. They can’t just fire you. I’ll have my lawyers talk to their CEO directly.”
“No.”
“Babe, it’s my fault.”
“It’s not.”
“I asked you to—”
“And I said yes. I’m not going to blame you for a decision I made. I don’t want to go back to a workplace where I’m not welcome. Even if they don’t fire me, they’d give me less cases, refuse to promote me. Anything to make me quit eventually.”
He swallowed, rocking back and forth. “Okay, then we’ll—”
“Hunter... I don’t want... I’m not in the mood to brainstorm about solutions.”
He sat on the edge of the tub, looking straight into my eyes.
“How can I be useful?”
“You could distract me. I mean, the music and the panna cotta did a decent job, but they’re nowhere as good as you.”
A sly smile popped up on his face.
“I see. Well, that’s something I can definitely help with. I do need more precise instructions though. How exactly do you want me to distract you?”
“Foot massage?”
“Whole-body massage?”
“Sounds promising.”
He slid closer, planting a quick smooch on my lips.
“Whatever the lady wants.”
I grinned. “Strip, then.”
He stood up, doing a ridiculous twirl (with a delicious ass wiggle) before turning to face me.
“Start with the shirt.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He started unbuttoning his shirt with exquisite slowness, torturing me. I watched, enraptured, sighing. I’d never get enough of him. Ever.
“I mean... just look at these muscles. Now, pants off, Caldwell.”
“I aim to please.”
Once he was completely naked, he jumped in the tub, splashing water everywhere.
“Hey,” I protested. “I didn’t say you could get in.”
“Tough luck, beautiful. Because I’m done watching you. I want to touch you. Kiss you.”
He kissed me so deep that I hummed against his mouth.
“We’ll get through this together, I promise.”
Chapter Thirty
Josie
For the next few weeks, I tried to gather my faculties, to make an action plan. I didn’t tell my parents the real reason I’d been fired, just that it hadn’t worked out. They had been so understanding that I felt even more guilty about everything.
I was so grumpy that I could barely stand myself. I wasn’t being fair to Hunter, who was so damn patient and sweet, it just added to my guilt.
When he wasn’t trying to cheer me up (whole-body massage being his favorite technique), he was offering to get me another job. But that made me feel useless for some reason. That wasn’t how I wanted to build my career. A few of my colleagues had come into the firm because a higher-up had twisted my boss’s arm, and they were always treated like second-class citizens. Even when they were competent, and even after years of proving themselves, others still whispered behind their back. I didn’t want that following my entire career.
“You sure you don’t want to come with me?” Hunter asked. He was going to Boston for three days, and had insisted I go with him and relax, since I didn’t have any plans, but I didn’t want to. All I was doing was relaxing. I wanted to be productive.
“No, I’m good. Besides, you’ll be busy all day.”
“Yes, but I’d be yours in the evening.”
“I’m grouchy all the time, Hunter. I’d just bring you down too.”
“You’re sure? Grouchy or not, I’d love to have you there.”
“I’m sure.”
He pressed his lips together but didn’t say anything. Damn. Lately I was saying no to everything my man was suggesting. I’d pull myself together by the time he came back.
It was only the day he returned that I remembered why he’d gone to Boston at all: to negotiate a huge deal for his company. It was an important meeting, and I’d just completely forgotten. No wonder he’d wanted me to go with him, help him relax in the evenings.
I was a terrible wife. How could I have forgotten? He’d mentioned it only about a million times over the last two weeks, and even in the Bahamas. But I’d been too lost in my head to put two and two together.
I waited by the door, willing to do whatever it took to make it up to him. My man came in looking exhausted. But damn, even tired he worked that suit like no one else.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, rising on my tiptoes and giving him one hell of a smooch. He smiled against my lips.
“What’s this for?” he murmured.
“Umm... part of my wicked plan to make up for forgetting about how huge a deal Boston was.”
He skimmed his hands down to my waist, pressing me against him. “I like that plan.”
“Why didn’t you remind me?”
“I didn’t want to push you. You have a lot on your plate as it is.”
“Yes, but still. How did it go?”
“It was productive. We didn’t strike a deal, though. They’re tough negotiators, but so am I.”
“And don’t I know it.” I took his hand, drawing him deeper inside the house.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere I can put my wicked plan into action.”
“The bedroom?”
“Close. The Jacuzzi.”
He took me by the waist, walking in tandem. We probably looked ridiculous, trying to walk at the same pace while he was a head higher than me, but I loved the way he held me, as if he wanted as much contact as possible.
“What did you do?”
“I’ve been looking up jobs online and applied to some.”
“That’s my Josie, kicking ass. But why won’t you let me help?”
“I’m just... I’m not sure.”
“Before... all this, the engagement and the marriage, you used to tell me exactly what went through your mind. Now I get the feeling you’re filtering things. Why?”