Page 10 of Just Home for the Holidays

“What?”

“Maybe having a little competition will make him lift his game. You might like the result.”

Chloe shook her head. “No, he’s not right for me.” Then she glanced up at Hunter. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Who’s your ideal match?”

Hunter laughed. “I don’t have one.”

“Seriously. You can’t be planning to stay single forever.”

“Why not?”

“Because no one wants to be alone all the time.”

Those eyes twinkled. “I’m seldom alone.”

“But who do you confide in? Who knows your secrets?”

“No one,” Hunter said, his tone surprisingly hard. He stood up. “And that’s exactly how it should be. So, am I locating a tux or not? You can email me the list of rules.”

“Why are you doing this?”

He leaned closer, his blue gaze boring into hers with an intensity that stole her breath away. “Because I’m looking for a project and I think you need to have some fun.”

“And you’re the one who can provide that?”

His smile was quick and wicked. “Absolutely.” He lifted one dark brow, which made him look even more like trouble. “Or are you scared?”

“I’m not afraid of you!”

“Are you afraid of fun?”

“No.”

His gaze dropped to her lips. “Of sex?”

“No.” Chloe’s protest was a little more breathless. “But you and I aren’t going to have sex. I have rules...”

“And I’m going to break them all. You have to know that.” His gaze was searching. “The only question is: are you in or not?”

The strange thing was that Chloe wanted to surprise Hunter Tate more than she’d wanted to do anything in a long time. She knew he expected her to pass on his offer. She told herself that she could manage the party alone, even though she didn’t want to.

The simple fact was that going to her mom’s fundraiser with Hunter did sound like a lot more fun.

“I’m in,” she said firmly, smiling when his eyes lit with surprise.

Of course that wasn’t enough for Hunter.

“And just how—” he murmured, leaning closer “—are we going to celebrate that?”

* * *

Chloe foldedher arms across her chest before eying Hunter with obvious reservations. He could practically read her mind, and it was fascinating.

She’d actually agreed.

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