Page 11 of Art of the Hunt
He glanced up, and their gazes clashed. If he suggested ditching their new partnership and forming a different, more intimate one, she wouldn’t say no.
Fascinating.
Artemis had learned from her own twin brother that men did not make good partners. Apollo’s weird obsession with her virginity had nearly destroyed their relationship when he killed Orion, the only man Artemis had ever loved.
Needless to say, she was intrigued by her own desires to work with Hunter.
And to possibly do other things with him.
The server returned, and Hunter asked, “Do you know what you want?”
She wanted a stiff drink, a rare burger, and, apparently, a romp in the sheets with him. None of which was an option at the moment.
Artemis swallowed and shook her head.
“Want me to order for you?”
She heard the amusement in his voice and belatedly realized he’d deliberately chosen this eatery. So the man had a dry sense of humor, did he? She’d keep that in mind.
“Sure.”
He gave the server a bland smile. “We’ll take the kale, black bean, and avocado burrito bowl, and a veggie burger with all the fixins. Thanks.”
After the young lady excused herself to put in their order, Artemis asked, “Which one is for me?”
Hunter grinned. Damn, the man had a magnificent smile. Reminded her of Orion. He had been such a jovial person, more interested in her friendship than her chastity. In retrospect, it was easy to see why she’d given him her heart and had never had issue separating that organ from any and all other dalliances throughout the centuries since. Someone like that came along once in a lifetime, even an eternal lifetime.
“I’ll let you in on a secret,” Hunter said, and he winked then took a drink from his water glass.
“Do tell,” she murmured, propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her fist.
“I used to eat like shit. And drink beer like it was going out of style.”
“Sounds delightful.”
He laughed again, just as she’d hoped he would.
“But then, about five years ago, I noticed I was starting to get soft around the middle. I had to chase a perp on foot, and I could barely do it. I was horribly out of shape, and I felt like crap. So I did a complete overhaul, changed everything. The way I eat, what I drink, exercise, everything.”
“Clearly, this adjusted lifestyle works for you.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. But here’s the secret: I’d go back in a heartbeat. Like right now, just thinking about eating a juicy, rare,realburger is making my mouth water.”
“Mine too,” she quipped, and if she could bottle his laugh, she certainly would so she could listen to it any time she so desired. Which, admittedly, would be often.
The server brought their food, and Hunter instructed her to place both plates in the center of the table. He cut the burger in half and moved it to the plate with the other entrée, and scooped half of the burrito bowl onto the dish with the sliced sandwich.
“There,” he said triumphantly. “Now we can both suffer equally.”
Oh my.Yes, she could certainly get used to this partnership.
***
“I work alone,” he insisted after lunch, when he offered to take her home and she declined. “Besides, you aren’t even a cop.”
Humans and their incessant need to follow the rules. Which was terribly ironic of her, considering his job was to protect other humans from those who did not follow the rules.
“Fine.” She’d return to her hotel, regroup, figure out a different angle. Because she and Hunter were going to work together.
