THE THING WAS, sleeping with Millie was exactly what most preoccupied Hunter’s mind just
lately. He couldn’t stop his imagination playing with the idea of kissing the ripe curve of her
mouth, trailing his lips over every delectable inch of her body, being inside her, feeling her
pleasure spasm around him.
Was he so turned on because he hadn’t had a lover in the last couple of months? Such a
space between hook-ups was a little unusual for him. He had a healthy, some might even say
robust, sexual appetite. He enjoyed the human contact; the physical touch and reciprocal
pleasure was something he looked forward to on a regular basis.
But, since he had met Millie on that blind date from hell, he had lost interest in anyone other
than her. Which was frankly kind of weird, because she wasn’t his type. His type played the
hook-up game by the rules. Short, satisfying flings that got the job done without anyone’s
feelings getting hurt. No strings, no promises, no expectations other than a good time—it could
have been his personal tagline.
But something about Millie Donnelly-Clarke with her feisty spirit and constant push-back
excited him in a way he had never been excited before. He understood the word no when he
heard it. He wasn’t so egotistical that he couldn’t accept when a woman wasn’t interested in
him.
But the question of why Millie kept staring at his mouth and blushing begged an answer. An
answer he was determined to get one way or the other.
‘What? You can’t see yourself having a fling with me?’ Hunter asked with a teasing smile.
Her cheeks were a rosy pink, her blue-grey gaze flashing with defiance. ‘No. I cannot.’ Her
tone had a hint of starchy schoolmistress about it, but her gaze drifted to his mouth once more,
as if pulled by a force outside of her control, and her throat rose and fell over a tiny swallow.
‘Because you’re not ready to move on from your fiancé?’
Her chin came up another imperious notch. ‘Isn’t it a little tricky for you, getting involved
with a client?’
Hunter held her gaze. ‘Ah, but you’re not my client. Your mother is.’
Millie’s expression faltered for a nanosecond and her small white teeth sank into the plump
pillow of her lower lip. But then her gaze inched up to his again, her gaze clear and direct. ‘I
wouldn’t want anything to distract you from doing a good job of sorting out my mother’s
divorce.’
‘I never let my personal life get in the way of my professional one.’ Except when it came to
Emma. Hunter had lost count of the number of times Emma’s issues had impacted on his
professional life. He made up for it by working extra hard for his clients when Emma didn’t
need him so much, but it was there in the background of his mind all the time—the
responsibility of making sure all her needs were met, that she was safe and cared for at all times
and in all places. That the people taking care of her were trustworthy and dedicated. That no
one could hurt her, upset her, frighten her or exploit her.
It was his commitment to his sister.
The only full-time, long-term commitment he had made so far and was ever likely to make
to anyone.
As to being distracted... Well, Millie was the biggest distraction he’d encountered in a very
long time, possibly ever.
‘So, you’re a true workaholic,’ Millie said, giving him another uppity glance. ‘Work first,
play later—if at all.’
Hunter gave an indolent smile. ‘Oh, I know how to play, sweetheart.’
Her cheeks darkened to a deep shade of rose. ‘One supposes there aren’t too many women
who ever say no to you.’
‘Not many.’
She ran the point of her tongue over her lips and glanced briefly at his mouth before meeting
his gaze. ‘Will you excuse me? I...erm...need to use the bathroom.’ She slipped out of the chair
and disappeared through the exit to the conveniences.
Hunter leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself. You’ve got this.