Page 36 of Flare

“Fucking hell.” Hunter blew a low whistle. “I thought my sister turning up earlier for a sticky-beak and to give me grief, was bad enough, but the coven leader herself? Did you bring your garlic and warn that new man of yours?” Hunter’s gaze raked over Beck with a curiosity that made me want to slap a hand over his eyes. And yep, not going there.

“Why should I? It wasn’t like I had plans to introduce them because he’snotmy newanything.”

Hunter cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. “Of course he’s not.”

“And how did you know that was him, anyway?” I narrowed my gaze. “Did you google him?”

Hunter dropped his hand. “No, of course I bloody didn’t. Jesus, Rhys. As shocking as this may sound, your love life is not that high on my priority list. But it wasn’t hard to work out. You shot to attention the minute he walked in, and you haven’t been able to keep your eyes off him since.”

“That isnottrue,” I huffed.

Hunter simply stared at me.

“Okay, maybe it’s a little true.” I glanced back to the service desk and sighed. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

“I think we’re better off not knowing.” Hunter kept his eyes on Beck. “He is rather yummy.”

“Is he?” I raked my gaze over Beck and tried not to drool. “Not really my type though, is he?” I swallowed hard to stop from choking on the lie, except Hunter already knew, just as he knew pretty much everything about me since we’d met in our mothers’ playgroup at two years of age, dammit.

“Right.” He turned his back to the wall and studied me. “So, how’s that working out for you?”

I shot him a glare. “Fuck, he is, isn’t he? He’s my type right down to that ridiculous beard, give or take a few inches, preferably take. And it’s not just me, is it? He’s bloody gorgeous.”

Hunter smiled. “It doesn’t matter what I think, but yes, he has a lot going for him. Big and broad and made to snuggle.”

“Oh god.” I almost fucking whimpered.

“You might live and breathe this industry we work in, Rhys, but you’ve never been seduced by the glamour or the pretty faces. You might not have allowed yourself to act on your preferences, but brawny men have always been your kryptonite.”

“Fuck.” My eyes snapped shut. “Shut up, before I come in my damn pants.”

He laughed. “Why not give him a shot? You have noth—”

“Don’t.” I glared.

“Don’t what?” He opened his hands. “Don’t remind you that you won’t let yourself be with anyone who actually ticks your boxes just in case you find yourself wanting more?”

“Yes,thatdon’t,” I snarled, just a little. “And you know exactlywhyI don’t.”

“What I know, baby—” His tone softened. “—is that you’ve denied yourself for seventeen years.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I had Nolan.”

Hunter grimaced and dropped his hand. “That fucker doesn’t count. A parasite who didn’t recognise a good thing when you were wrapped in his arms.”

“He tried. It wasn’t his fault I’m such a fuckup.”

“You arenota fuckup. And he didn’t try nearly hard enough as far as I’m concerned. He broke your heart, I get it, but that was years ago. And he was never a benchmark, baby, just the lowest rung. You deserve a guy who’ll light you on fire.”

“Light me on fire?” I threw as much scorn into my tone as I could manage. “What the fuck does that even mean? I hardly know this guy.”

“But you like him, admit it.”

I so fucking did. “Maybe,” I grumbled. “But so what if I do? I like a lot of men.”

Hunter laughed. “No, you don’t. That’s exactly my point.”

I hated that he was right and so I said nothing.

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