Page 93 of Coach's Temptation

“That would look amazing on my floor,” I murmur in her ear. "You know, after I peel it off you with my teeth."

She turns, giving me a playful shove. “Hunter!”

“What? It’s true.” I grin, pulling her closer by the waist. “You’d look incredible in that, baby.”

She hesitates for a moment before giving in to curiosity. “Maybe just a try-on?”

“Absolutely,” I say, waving over a sales assistant who quickly retrieves the dress for her.

As Natalie disappears into the fitting room, I lean against a nearby display, trying to push thoughts of Wes’s call out of my mind by tapping out a message to Mike the contractor back in Iron Ridge.

I type out the text, checking on the progress of Natalie's renovations. They should be nearly done, and I'm fighting hard to keep it a secret every damn day. I hit send on the message and moments later, Natalie steps out in the dress.

My breath fucking catches and the world around me stills.

"Whoa…" I breathe out without meaning to.

The emerald fabric clings to her curves perfectly, accentuating everything I love about her. She's look like a damn supermodel, crazy gorgeous and perfect.

“Well?” she asks, doing a little twirl that makes the dress dance at the hem.

I take a step closer, my fingers itching to touch her. “You look… stunning.”

Her cheeks flush pink as she meets my gaze. “You think?”

“I know,” I say firmly. “We’re buying it.”

She laughs softly but doesn’t argue this time. She knows it's pointless anyway.

Instead, she steps closer, placing a hand on my chest and leaning up to kiss me on the cheek. “Thank you, Hunter.”

“For what?”

“For making me feel special,” she says softly.

As we walk out of the boutique with Natalie holding onto one arm, the other arm carrying the bag with her new dress in it, I realize that focusing on now is exactly what we both need right now.

I guide Natalie into the glass elevator of Boston's most exclusive rooftop restaurant, watching her eyes widen as we ascend sixty stories above the city. The skyline stretches endlessly, glittering towers catching the afternoon sun like hundreds of diamonds spreading across the sky.

"Hunter, this is incredible," Natalie breathes, pressing her hand against the glass.

The doors open and Mom's already waiting at our private corner table, champagne chilling in a silver bucket. She jumps up the moment she spots us, pulling Natalie into a warm hug before she even gives me one.

"Huh. It's like that is it? Replaced already."

"Oh, stop that. Now. I ordered the chef's tasting menu," Mom announces as we settle in. "Wait until you try the lobster thermidor. It's what Hunter always begged for on his birthdays."

Natalie squeezes my leg under the table. "Yes, apparently he does have expensive taste."

She gives me a look, but seeing her in that dress…Pfft.As if I was ever leaving that behind.

The waiter appears, pouring vintage red wine into crystal glasses the moment the champagne is finished. Then, it all happens in a blur. Course after course arrives. Butter-poached lobster with gold leaf, wagyu beef carpaccio, caviar nestled on mother of pearl spoons.

I can't help but smile, watching Natalie sample each delicate bite with pure joy while Mom regales her with stories.

Natalie closes her eyes briefly as she tastes the butter-poached lobster, her soft sigh making my chest tighten with pride. Fuck, I could watch her enjoy this forever.

As they chat, my phone buzzes. Relief washes over me when it's not a message from Jordan about a last-minute injury to one of my boys.

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