Page 44 of New Year, New Guy
‘I don’t do “life and soul”. Ask anyone who knows me.’
‘Hey, you’re with me now. We’ll do this together.’ Laura didn’t object when he kissed her again, in fact if she’d responded with any more enthusiasm he was pretty certain they’d never make it to any reception.
‘Maybe you’re right.’ Her shy whisper made him really want to be.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Laura stared around the room, empty except for Hunter who sat with his boots propped up on the table, the gaudy coat and tie abandoned hours ago. They’d stayed until the last reluctant guests departed and the hotel had cleared everything away. Johnny and Polly were on the train to London for their morning flight to sunny Barbados which left them alone, finally.
‘I’m thinkin’ it’s time for the dance I couldn’t have with you earlier.’ He levered himself off the folding chair.
‘We did dance.’
‘Not the way I wanted.’ Hunter’s eyes shone.
‘The DJ’s gone.’
‘No worries.’ With a few taps on his mobile the sultry strains of ‘Slow Hand’ by the Pointer Sisters filled the room.
‘You came prepared.’
‘I always try to.’ She stepped into his open arms, unconsciously moulding her body to his. ‘But you knock me off-kilter so I don’t know if I’m comin’ or goin’.’
They moved in sync to the slow, thudding beat and he undid the sparkly clips holding up her hair, sliding his fingers through to shake the curls loose around her bare shoulders.
‘Damn, this wasn’t the good idea I thought it was.’
‘Why’s that, hotshot?’ Laura was fully aware of his overwrought body.
‘Because if we don’t call a halt now we’re gonna get caught by the hotel owners in a compromising position.’
‘Why, Mr McQueen. You shock me.’
‘I doubt that, sweetheart.’ His wry grin made her laugh. ‘You know darn well what you’re doin’ to me. Let’s get back to your place and continue this . . . conversation.’
‘Funny sort of conversations you have in Tennessee.’ She stroked down the front of his shirt. ‘They don’t seem to involve much in the way of talking.’
‘I know we need that too.’ His smile faltered.
‘Shush. There’ll be time enough in the morning.’
‘The Enforcer has spoken.’
Laura responded with a lingering kiss, unwilling to let go of the magic Polly and Johnny’s shining love had woven around the day.
* * *
Most habits creep up on a person and waking up with Laura’s soft, curvy body wrapped around him was one that Hunter didn’t intend to break anytime soon. Long term? He couldn’t go there yet.
One day at a time. That’s what he told the troubled youngsters he worked with. For twenty-four hours listen to your parents’ point of view without automatically writing it off as a load of garbage. Really think about the effect your harmful behaviours are having. Consider whether it’s a good way to live. If it’s not what help do you need to change?
Maybe he needed to take a dose of his own medicine.
‘If I confess something first, will that make it easier?’
‘Didn’t realise you were awake.’
Laura wriggled around to face him. ‘It was pretty obviousyouwere.’ Her downward glance and hot pink cheeks amused him.
