Page 28 of Strut

“Oh.” The silence spun out, thick with tension and a shitload of heat, but when Hunter spoke again, his voice was soft and serious. “Just so you know, that’s a big hell no tothat. Idefinitelywant to tempt you.” He paused. “But I’m flailing in new territory here, Alec. I haven’t put myself out there in a long time and we both know I’m a coward. You turned me down yesterday, but you also said you liked me, and as someone reminded me last night, I don’t give up easily. Andyouare definitely worth the effort. Having said that, I’m happy for friendship, if that’s all you can offer. But if you can’t even manage that, I’ll leave you alone and won’t bother you again.”

Oh god.“Hunter...” But I couldn’t finish the sentence. I wasn’t even sure what I’d had in my mind to say.No, obviously sprang to mind, but the word sat sour on my tongue like it had passed its used-by date.

“You don’t have to answer now,” he quickly offered. “I’m just asking for a chance, Alec. Friendship, hopefully more if you want. It’s a chance I know I don’t deserve. But you already know my arsehole side, so things can only improve, right? Are you willing to take a chance?”

Holy shit.Hunter Donovan asking, maybe even pleading for a chance... with me? That was some fucking rabbit hole I’d dropped down. And we weren’t talking about friendship. I knew that if I agreed toanythingwith Hunter, there was only one place that would end up, at least in my mind. I couldn’t do friendship with him, and that had been my dilemma since I’d walked away. I already cared too much.

“And how exactly do those words taste in your mouth, Mister I Don’t Date?” I said with more than just a little bite to the tease because it mattered. It really mattered.

“Like bone-chilling fear,” he said, almost too quietly, and I snorted at his honesty. “There’s hope in there as well, but yeah, mostly fear.”

Oh fuck.I sighed, every reason I shouldn’t do it clamouring for attention in my head, but none of them rang louder than the single reason I should. I just really fucking liked the guy.

“You said you’re here for four weeks?” I checked.

“I am, but I can extend that if... well, if circumstances warrant. I have some time off before my next shoot.”

A sigh broke my lips. “Four weeks.” It was either too long or too short, depending on how things panned out, but I’d at least get an answer. And maybe then I could move on. Because the odds that this would be anything more than a short-term thing were way too low to bet on. “Okay, you get your chance at more than a friendship,” I said, swallowing the grin that threatened to break out.

“Thank you,” he said softly, and I wished I could see his eyes. “But full disclosure: I’m likely gonna suck at this, so you need to let me know when I screw up. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“So, does that mean you might like to meet up later today? I’ll be done by three thirty or four?”

His enthusiasm was pretty damn cute even if I struggled to marry the two wildly different versions of Hunter—the man-whore and the nervous wannabe boyfriend. Boyfriend? Jesus, it was starting already.Give me an inch...

“I’m on a strict sleep catch-up, body cleanse, and general prep for the Friday test shoot,” I told him. “That means no eating out and no late nights. But if you get me home by eight, I’m all yours, metaphorically speaking. You might’ve had my dick in your hand, Hunter, but that’s a world away from having my heart there. Are we clear?”

There was a moment’s silence. “Crystal. And your metaphorical point is duly noted. I’ll come to your apartment at five. Coffee and a walk?”

I barely held back a laugh.Of everything Hunter might’ve suggested, an evening stroll was the last I expected. It was so...Pride and Prejudice. “Sounds perfect. Goodbye, Hunter.”

“Goodbye, Alec, and... thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Or maybe my funeral. It was gonna be a close call.

I stared at my silent phone and wondered if I’d done the right thing? But Hunter was stepping way outside his comfort zone for me, and that had to mean something, right? Whether it would be enough was yet to be seen.

I took a deep breath and headed back into the lounge where all eyes landed on me at once. I threw my hands up to stop the questions before they started. “My personal life is not up for discussion,” I said airily.

Everyone laughed.

“Yeah, good luck with that.” Marco walked his empty bowl into the kitchen and dropped it in the sink, ignoring the suspicious look Levi fired his way. “But ignoring the flush on your face from whatever was said to you in that call—” He waggled his brows. “—what did he mean in the note about another shoot? I thought you had nothing booked until the Blast Off children’s charity event next Saturday?”

I paused long enough to raise an eyebrow or six.Fuck.So much for lying low. “I didn’t. But then Berlini called Cage after seeing my editorial shots this week and they, um, they optioned me for a possible campaign later this year.” I ignored the collective gasp. “I have a go-see and a test shoot with their photog on Friday. It’s nothing definite yet. They’re looking at someone else as well, so it could turn out to be nothing.”

A quick scan of the room found wide eyes and three gaping mouths. Four, actually, as Tim walked in from the bedroom shaking his head.

“Berlini?” he said, incredulous. “Jesus, Alec. Who’s shooting?”

I swallowed. “Darcy Fenchurch.”

More gaping.

“Darcy Fenchurch!” Tim gave a slow blink. “Holy fuck, Alec. Whatever cologne you’re wearing, I have to get me some of that shit because you’re my fucking hero.”

Marco wiped his hands down the front of his jeans and clapped me on the back. “The kingmaker himself. Good for you. If he likes you, you’re made. I know a model who did a shoot with him in Rome last year. Said he’s crazy talented, although he can apparently be a bit... handsy. Conrad didn’t much like him, but then he’s not in the industry anymore.” Marco winked. “This fucking business, right?”

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