Page 32 of New Year, New Guy
Hopefully he got the hint he wasn’t wanted here.
Mike’s words sunk in and everything fell into place like the last pieces in a complicated jigsaw puzzle. She matched up her ex’s snide remarks when he caught her with Hunter with her houseguest’s supposed inability to describe his attacker. God, she must be stupid. The question was what to do with the information now?
Chapter Eighteen
If Hunter had calculated right, Laura should get off her third twelve-hour shift in a few minutes. In his dreams she threw herself at him and admitted she’d made a dreadful mistake by letting him leave, but as a pragmatic man he would take being spoken to again as a major achievement.
He’d passed the time since they parted ways with aimless sightseeing because he couldn’t come to a decision about whether or not to track down Danny Pearce. After his Dartmoor expedition on Sunday afternoon the weather trundled downhill again. He tramped around the city on Monday, checked out the Barbican, photographed the MayflowerSteps and feigned an interest in the aquarium. Tuesday he ventured down into Cornwall and made it all the way to Land’s End. At least he assumed he did because the signs said so but through the lashing rain and gale force winds it’d been impossible to see past his feet. This morning when it was another grey, dreary morning and his boots were still drying on top of the radiator he’d sprung his bright idea on Polly. Her dubious reaction only made him more determined to see it through. After he got everything set up he took a long hot shower, shaved, left his clean hair loose and slipped into fresh clothes, choosing the blue jeans and white shirt that had caught Laura’s eye the other day.
‘This is costing you a bomb, mate.’ The taxi driver laughed. ‘I hope she’s worth it.’
‘She sure is.’ Hunter had considered catching the bus or calling one of the ride-share options but both would give Laura a better chance to bail out on him. He reckoned having a warm taxi ready for her to jump into amped up his chance for success. Keeping his eyes on the exit he leapt from the car as soon as she stepped outside.
‘Fancy a ride home?’
‘Dare I ask what you’re doing here?’
Hunter flashed what he hoped was a winning smile and a miniscule crack appeared in Laura’s grim expression. ‘How does a long hot bath, homemade beef stroganoff, a nice bottle of merlot and a foot rub sound?’
‘I assume that’s a hypothetical question?’ Her eyebrows knotted together. ‘In theory it would be close to perfect but—’
‘—Trust me.’ He gestured towards the taxi.
‘Where are we going . . . if I’m foolish enough to play along with this daft game?’
‘Your house.’
Laura’s cynical laugh wasn’t encouraging. ‘Well we certainly won’t find any of those at my place except for the bath, and it won’t be that long or the water will go cold.’
‘I guess the length of the soak in the bath might be exaggerated . . . I didn’t have time to redo your plumbing but the rest are definitely a go.’
‘What are you up to?’
‘Just tryin’ to spoil you, and maybe . . . we’ll see.’ He took a risk and reached for her hand. ‘How about we sort this out in the dry?’
‘You are an exasperating man.’ Laura sighed. ‘Fine. I’m too tired to argue.’
‘Hurry up love, or he’ll need to take out a mortgage to pay me.’
She shook her head at the driver’s jovial comment. ‘How long have you been waiting?’
‘Long enough.’ Hunter interrupted and steered her towards the car. So far, so good.
* * *
She leaned her head against the window because she was too weary to sit upright and the other unacceptable option wasHunter’s tempting, broad shoulder. The backseat of the car allowed no room to get away from the warm, familiar scents which always surrounded him. Catching her out this way he’d destroyed her careful plan to make it through the week before facing him one last time on Saturday. Why hadn’t she guessed this unpredictable man wouldn’t accept an easy brush off?
‘Here we go. Enjoy your evening.’ The driver winked at Hunter in a matey way, clearly thinking he was in luck.
Talk about being flat-out wrong, especially after this morning’s confrontation with her ex-husband. Laura jumped out, slammed the car door and fumbled for her keys in the bottom of her bag. Before she could pull them out Hunter sprinted to the door and stuck a key in the lock.
‘Where did you get that from?’
‘Polly.’
‘Polly?’Wait until she got her hands on her devious sister. The appetising waft of warm air and fragrant beef drifting out sent Laura’s blood pressure soaring. ‘Have you been in my house while I’ve been out?’
Hunter’s smile faltered.
