Page 51 of Fanged Desire
It was grim work, and it would have been disheartening if it weren’t for the woman at my side, funneling coffee down her throat and keeping my spirits up with her running commentary.
After a while Hunter leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms over her head.
“So,” she began, and I knew exactly what was coming. I’d been waiting for it all night. “You said some interesting things when you were tipsy.” Her tone was painfully casual considering the topic.
I felt a blush creep up my neck and hid it behind a stack of papers. “Did I?”
“Oh, yeah.” Her lips quirked in a half-smile. “But don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing and uncrossing my legs, trying to mask my embarrassment. “Well, now that I’m sober, why don’t you tell me a little more about Selene.”
Hunter’s smile faded slightly. “I don’t think you’ll like me much if I told you more.”
“Come on.” I leaned back on my elbows, happy to direct the conversation away from my embarrassing escapades the night before. “I promise I’ll still like you just fine.”
Hunter sighed and glanced away, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk. “Selene... was a mistake.”
I tilted my head, curious but cautious, rehashing my question from the night before. “What happened?”
“I did something unforgivable.” She shrugged, bouncing a leg as she reclined in her swivel chair. “Hurt her in a way that couldn’t be undone.”
I wasn’t sure what kind of confession I was expecting but it certainly wasn’t that. It did, however, put all of her false bravado into perspective a little. As another piece of the puzzle slotted into place I looked at Hunter in a new light, cocking my head to the side.
“You feel guilty.”
She glanced at me from the corner of her eye, and I could almost see the defenses going up behind her pupils.
“There’s no fixing it, and I don’t need sympathy. I know it’s all on me.”
Her words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say.
When Hunter turned away again, swiveling in her chair to avoid my gaze, I slipped off the desk, moving to stand beside her. Her visceral reaction to seeing the woman in the street finally made sense. As did her blatant, flirtatious swagger – it was hollow, defensive. It was her way of keeping people happy while still keeping them at arm's length.
This was a woman afraid of relationships. Determined to avoid hurting, and being hurt, ever again.
“Whatever you did, it sounds like you’ve been carrying it for a long time.” I moved to stand in front of her, waiting for her to meet my eyes. “But has it ever occurred to you that maybe you’re using it as an excuse to keep people distant?”
Hunter’s gaze snapped to mine, scornful eyes narrowing. “God, am I that easy to read?”
I gave her a small smile, folding my arms as I leaned back against the desk. “You put on a good show. But there’s another side to you. Another Hunter. The one who carried me to bed. Theone who puts up with my bullshit daily. I think that Hunter is a lot softer than she lets on.”
Hunter groaned, throwing her head back and slinging an arm over her eyes. “Great. So I’m a walking cliché.”
“No.” I laughed, smile growing despite myself. “You’re human... well, metaphorically speaking.”
Hunter peeked at me from under her arm, charismatic as ever – but… genuine. “You’ve got me figured out, huh?”
“Not entirely,” I admitted, tilting my head, fingers waggling. “But I’m getting there.”
She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips as her arms dropped to her sides. “You’re relentless.”
“I’m curious,” I corrected, leaning forward until we were practically nose-to-nose. “So indulge me, why do you always hang out at the office instead of going home?”
Hunter’s expression shifted, replaced by a contemplative look as she mulled over her answer. “The office... feels more like home. It’s where I’m needed. Where I don’t have to think about the other stuff.”
“The other stuff being your tragic failed relationship?”
She chuckled, then shrugged. “Just... stuff. Memories, mistakes. The usual.”
