His Love Lesson (11 page)

Chapter 19

“W
ho is she?” Blake parked himself at Hunter's desk and interrogated him with his glare. Hunter moved his head left, then right. Blake followed, never breaking his eye contact. “What's her name, bro?”

“Ha!” Hunter shook his head. “Who are you talking about?” Clueless as to what had brought on Blake's line of questioning, Hunter flipped open his laptop, practically dismissing his brother and his crazy inquiries.

“You walked in here singing this morning. Didn't you notice?”

Hunter reared his head back, scrunching his face at Blake incredulously. “No, I didn't.”

“Uh! Yes, you did. Does this look familiar?” Blake rose, went to Hunter's door and two-stepped back toward his desk singing ‘You Got What I Need.'”

Laughter bubbled from Hunter's gut. Blake had his mannerism down pat. “I did that?”

“And apparently, you hadn't even noticed. So spit it out!”

Besides discussing their current caseload, Hunter and Blake had hardly spoken this week. Hunter filled Blake in on the details about Kenya, Chey living in New York and being one of his students, and the obvious jealous tension emanating from Kenya.

“Whoa! You have to be careful with that one.” Blake referred to Kenya. “Women can be tricky when they have a thing for a man.”

“That's why I asked what her intentions were and let her know where I stood.” Hunter sat back confidently.

“You're a Barrington. I don't have to tell you how much drama a woman can bring even when she supposedly knows her lane. Plus you left a window open, man.” Blake sighed.

“A window?”

“You presented a loophole! Women take loopholes and create craters. Just be careful. Make sure your colleague truly comprehends where you stand. Don't do it right away. If it appears that she hasn't gotten the full picture, you may have to paint it for her again.”

“How!” Hunter scrunched his face at Blake. “I told her exactly where I stood.”

“You told her the issue was timing—therefore, she's going to hang around and wait for the right ‘time' to make her move. As far as she may see it, you didn't shut her down completely. You set her aside. You may have been better off telling her you were already involved with someone.”

Hunter pondered Blake's comment for a moment, then wiped his hand down his face. His legal mind connected the dots. “You're right.” He leaned over his desk closer to Blake. “Yesterday after class, I told Chey to come to my office so I could talk to her. We were in there for a while. Next thing you know, Kenya comes knocking on my door. I thought she'd left the building already.” He sat back, rubbing his chin.

“She wanted to see what was going on. I wouldn't be surprised if she was standing outside trying to hear what you had to say. Tread carefully, brother. Some women can be worse than men when they set their sights on something they want. You're finally accomplishing goals that you've sought to do for a long time. It would be a shame if someone got in the way of that. Keep your eye on the prize.”

Hunter stared down at Blake. “Pot calling...”

“I know...the kettle. Believe me, I know what it's like to feel like you've hit the jackpot with a woman and your mission to break the bank sets itself in motion before you realize it.”

“Huh?” Hunter's confusion showed up in his etched brows and upturned lip.

“Ha! Basically, I knew there was something special about Cadence and I went after her hard.”

“Got you! You were falling for Cadence before you actually realized your feelings were so strong. What's with the riddles?” Hunter chuckled and Blake shrugged. “Who said I was going after Chey hard?”

“Have we met?” Blake looked around as if his surroundings were unfamiliar. “Dude! I'm your brother. I know you better than anyone.”

Hunter wanted to deny that he was already smitten with Chey. In fact, he had been since he'd spent those few incredible days with her in Salt Lake City. “Pfft!” He dismissed Blake's claim with an unconvincing wave. “I'm just checking her out.”

“And you felt the need to break things off with that fine honey Tricia? You're throwing Kenya to the back burner. Since when haven't you been able to focus on more than one woman at the same time? You've cleared house, Hunter! You've made room for this woman in your life already.”

Hunter was quiet. He didn't want to confirm or deny anything, yet Blake's assessment was one hundred percent true.

Blake shook his head “Uh-huh. You don't have to admit it, bro. I know what I see. The same thing happened to me.” Blake rose. “Keep on denying it. I can't wait to meet her so I can say ‘I told you so.' Ha! If I were a different kind of man, I'd put money on it.”

Hunter could only watch as Blake began strutting out of his office. He picked up a pen and tossed it at him as he reached the door.

Blake sidestepped the assault and continued strutting until he cleared the office. Once outside, he popped his head back in. “Have fun ‘eating' tonight, because it's not a date, right? Ha!” Blake disappeared with his boisterous laugh wading in his wake.

Hunter still couldn't put a finger on whatever it was that drew him into Chey's world. What he did know was that the mere thought of Chey brought on an avalanche of sensations—ones that piqued his interest and certain parts of his anatomy. Could it be that he just wanted more of her physically? He dismissed that notion. At the end of the day, sex was sex; he was drawn to much more than Chey's body. His thoughts weren't frequently hijacked by memories of her just because she was great in bed—or on the floor in front of the fireplace.

Glancing at the beautifully crafted clock, Hunter shifted his focus. He needed to be in the courtroom in an hour to face Judge Piranha. She'd earned that name for figuratively biting off the heads of a few young overzealous attorneys in her time. Cockiness was a no-no in her presence. That old woman, who was years beyond retirement age, was a barracuda who didn't bother hiding her distaste for arrogant attorneys. Fortunately, Hunter was a Barrington man and handling women, both young and old, was a skill they'd mastered early in life. With a little humility, a few compliments and some subtle flirting, he seemed to stay on her good side. However, if she ever sensed that he was being disingenuous, she wouldn't hesitate to bite his head off, too.

Eric was calling as he stepped out of the subway.

“What's up, man?” He greeted his frat brother with a smile in his voice.

“It's all good. How's the teaching gig?”

“So far, so good?”

“What do you think about Kenya?”

“She seems nice.”

“Yeah. She's not a shy one.” Eric chuckled.

“I found that out. Ha!”

“She's just...what should I say...progressive when it comes to her perspective on sex and dating. Reminds me of a man, sometimes.”

“Has she always been like that?”

“Pretty much.”

Hunter stopped just outside at the base of the courthouse steps, suddenly pensive. “Have you ever tapped that?”

“A real man never kisses and tells.” Eric didn't deny or confirm Hunter's question.

“Yeah! You just told me all I needed to know.” Hunter laughed. In his mind, Kenya was now completely off-limits. “I'll holler at you later.”

“Cool!”

Hunter ended the call and jogged up the stairs. Just before entering the courthouse, he remembered that he hadn't spoken to Chey to confirm their dinner that night.

Hunter snapped his fingers. All he had was her email. He'd meant to get her number the evening before while they were in his office, but then Kenya had shown up. He wasn't going to ask for Chey's contact information in front of her. He could have gotten it from the school records but preferred Chey to give it willingly. Hunter searched his emails for the memo he'd received from her when he'd left Utah. He touched Reply and tapped out an email confirming their dinner plans and requesting her address and contact information. He shut off the phone and headed to his designated courtroom.

Inside, Hunter was focused on his case but couldn't wait to get out and check his phone. He kept wondering if Chey had emailed him back. A couple hours later, when the judged banged her gavel, Hunter made a swift dash for the door. Opening up her email felt like opening a present. He held his breath as he read, hoping she didn't attempt to cancel. He needed to be with her off school grounds and out of Kenya's reach.

An easy smile spread across his face and he put his phone away. It was time to find out more about Chey and figure out what it was about her that held his thoughts captive.

Chapter 20

C
hey couldn't remember being so nervous. She paced as she considered several outfits that were strewn across the full-size bed in her small bedroom—a black long-sleeved sweater dress that she planned to pair with boots, jeans with a black turtleneck, another pair of jeans with a pink cashmere sweater and printed leggings with a long sweater that would cover her round bottom.

“It's not a date,” she chanted as if she needed reminding. “We're just going out to eat.” That motivated her to remove the dress. Besides, it could come across too sexy because of the way it poured over her curves. Then she ruled out the turtleneck because she didn't want to look like a walking chastity belt. Hunter had already tasted the fruit. Who was she fooling? She picked the jeans and pink sweater and opted for brown boots.

Chey gasped when she looked at the digital clock on the table next to her bed. The green numbers taunted her. Since she'd gotten home from school, she had spent too much time yapping with her sister and then trying to figure out what to wear.

Within the next fifteen minutes, Chey had showered and slathered on one of her favorite silky creations, and she left the room smelling like vanilla lilies. She stood in front of the mirror and fingered her short curls in place. She hated rushing, but since this wasn't
a date
, she didn't have to work so hard at trying to be impressive. The buzzer rang as she applied liner to her eyes and lips. In a few short steps, she was looking over Hunter's head from her window. He even looked good from the top. His tall frame stood perfectly erect. Once again a small fire burst in her belly.

“This is not a date!” Chey cleared her throat as she ran to the intercom. “Hi, Hunter. Come on up. I'm on the fourth floor.” She pressed the button to listen to his response just in time to hear the end of
okay
. When she turned around, she wished she hadn't invited him up.

Her tiny apartment, which was usually tidy, still had breakfast dishes in the sink. A pile of mail sat on the coffee table. The shoes she'd unevenly stepped out of were spread across the floor, and her bed, which could be seen from the living room, was still covered with the clothes she'd decided not to wear.

Chey picked up the shoes and tossed them across the room, almost knocking down her lamp. She grabbed the mail, placed the frying pan from this morning in the sink with the rest of the dishes and dashed to her bedroom to close the door just as she heard a knock on her door. Chey looked around to see if she needed to move or hide anything else.

Drawing in a deep breath, she rubbed her clammy hands down the front of her pants. “Coming.” With one last look around, she opened the door.
Damn!
She hoped that she hadn't said that aloud.

Hunter's tall frame filled her doorway, looking like a brown god draped in leather. His freshly trimmed hair and goatee framed perfectly structured features. Come-and-kiss-me lips spread into a sexy smile that revealed a perfect set of teeth that looked more like freshwater pearls.

“Can I come in?” Hunter's words snapped her out of her temporary trance.

“Oh...sure.” She stepped aside, waving him in. “Please, have a seat.” Chey motioned toward the chair she wanted him to sit in. The couch was much too troublesome to rise from. “I'll just need a few more minutes. Would you like something to drink?” She was already making her way to the kitchen. Her mouth was as dry as if she'd been eating cotton. She needed a sip of water herself.

“Water would be fine.”

Seconds later Chey returned with two chilled bottles of spring water. She waited for Hunter to finish removing his coat, scarf and gloves and then handed one to him. His kelly-green shirt fit well, outlining his taut chest. A picture of his bare abs flickered across her mind.

Chey cleared her throat, turned on her heel and headed for the bathroom. “I'll be right back.”

Inside, she looked in the mirror and shook her head at her own reflection. She'd seen him in suits at school, bulky jeans and sweaters in Salt Lake City, but today, in those jeans and with that stylish shirt straining against his muscles, Hunter looked hot!

“This isn't a date,” she whispered while spreading pink-tinted gloss across her lips. “We're just going to eat. He's my professor now. That's it, that's all.” Chey huffed and assessed her reflection. She wiped gloss from the rim of her lips and tossed the tube in her petite makeup bag. She was ready.

“Where are we going to eat?” Chey asked as she pulled a brown parka from the closet and twirled a pink pashmina around her neck.

“I have several places in mind. What kind of cuisine do you have a feel for?”

“I absolutely love Thai. We don't get much of that in my part of Virginia.”

“Then Thai it is, and I've got the perfect spot as long as you can handle a little spice.”

“Oh, I can handle the spice.” The second those words fell from her lips, she wanted to take them back.

“Yeah.” He winked.

“You can really be presumptuous sometimes, Professor,” Chey chided him with narrowed eyes.

“Okay! I won't do that anymore.” Hunter held his hands up innocently.

“Let's eat.” Walking out the door with her stunning professor at her side made her feel adventurous but nervous. What if someone saw them?
This isn't a date
, she told herself once more. They were just two friends sharing a meal. It was true that they had known each other before school started. They were just being reacquainted. She had no reason to feel as though she were doing anything wrong. By the time they made it to Hunter's SUV, she'd completely convinced herself that going out with Hunter—to eat—was perfectly fine.

Being a gentleman, Hunter opened every door they approached, held out her chair and waited for her to sit. Once they were seated, he made several recommendations and offered her the opportunity to order first.

Hunter watched her closely. Chey hoped her constant squirming went unnoticed.

“I see there are a lot of Thai restaurants in this area. In fact, there are several on the same block.”

“Yeah.” Hunter sat back easily. “This is my favorite place for authentic Thai cuisine. It's the real deal and this is not too far from your apartment.”

“I thought we got over here pretty quickly. Where are we?”

“Ninth Avenue and Forty-Sixth Street. The West Side. How long have you been in New York now?” Hunter leaned aside to let the waiter place two glasses of water on the table.

“Just a few months. I moved here in October.”

“Have you explored the city much?”

“Not as much as I would have liked to. I did get to Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the tree, checked out a few museums. I look forward to taking in a Broadway show sometime soon. There's so much to do I almost don't know where to start. Besides—” Chey looked down, watching her own hands nervously fold and unfold the napkin in her lap “—some of these things aren't cool to do solo.”

“Did you know anyone here before you came?”

Chey glanced up at Hunter's penetrating eyes and looked back down. “No. I came here a lot as a kid. My aunt used to live in Brooklyn. She moved south after she retired several years ago.”

“I live in Brooklyn.” Hunter leaned forward. Chey almost moved back to give herself space to breathe. “Sounds like you could use a tour guide. New York is too intriguing to go unexplored. We need to get you out.”

“That would be nice.”

The waiter delivered their appetizers, giving her a short-lived yet much-needed reprieve from his presence. Chey's heart stopped beating when she saw Hunter bow his head to bless his food.
And the man prays.

“What made you choose Dunford U?” he asked when he was done.

“They're known for churning out some of the country's best perfumers.”

“You're really into this, huh?”

“Oh my goodness, yes. I've been doing it for years, but I want to be official.” Chey told him about her desire to work for Estelle London and one day have her own company.

“That's fascinating. I don't think I've ever met a perfumer before. Are you wearing another one of your creations now?”

“Yes.” Chey raised her hand to him. “Smell.”

Hunter sniffed. “Hmm. Nice. I want you to make something for men.”

“My father just said I need to work on a line for men.”

“Smart man.”

The waiter came to take away her half-eaten appetizer and deposited a steaming plate of red curry rice in front of her.

“Oh. This smells delicious.” Taking a forkful, Chey now closed her eyes and savored the spicy robust flavor and moaned. “Goodness. This is by far the best Thai food I've ever tasted.”

“If you think that's good, I can't wait to take you to my other favorite place, in Brooklyn.”

“Can't wait! I haven't been to Brooklyn in years.”

Conversation flowed as they enjoyed their meal. Chey made sure to find out every detail that she'd missed from their exchange in the mountains. The two bundled up and braved the icy weather as they walked back to Hunter's SUV.

Their dialogue was still full, fun and energetic until they pulled up to the front of Chey's building. Both sat quietly. Chey glanced sideways at his full lips, imagining them against hers, but this was not a date and he was off-limits.

“Are you busy this weekend?”

“No plans.” Chey busied herself, twiddling her fingers to keep her eyes off his lips.

“There are a few things happening in the city. I could check them out and let you know.”

“Sure.” A few moments passed in silence. “Dinner was great.” She put her hands on the door handle, not really wanting to get out. “I guess I better get going.”

Hunter pushed his door open. “Let me walk you to the door.”

They took their time exiting the car and walking to the door. Chey fiddled with her keys before inserting them. She wasn't ready for the night to end.

Finally pushing the door open, she turned to Hunter. “Good night.”

“I'm walking you to your apartment door.” Hunter motioned for her to step inside the building.

“Oh!” Chey was thankful that she had him for a few more minutes. Taking her time, she sauntered up the four flights of steps and moseyed to her apartment door. They engaged in small talk along the way. And again, she fiddled with her keys.

Hunter stood close behind her. His scent filled her nose. She turned to say goodbye and he closed in on her, his face centimeters from hers. Her breath caught. He closed his eyes and took in her scent. They swapped the air of that small space.

“I want to kiss you.” His voice was low and husky.

“I...” She almost admitted that she'd wanted to feel his lips on hers all night. “I know.” Moments passed. Sounds of their breathing filled the charged silence. He was so close. If she tilted upward, her lips would be on his.

“Chey.” His whisper resonated in her loins. Her stomach tightened.

“This is not a date...remember.” Her voice was soft.

“It was just dinner.” His nose grazed hers. His breath caressed her face. Hunter spread the palm of his hand on the door behind her, outlining the space around them. “Are you ready to go inside...alone?”

She sucked her breath before finding her voice. “Not really.” She was honest.

Grazing her lips, Hunter didn't kiss her, but the light brush left them sizzling with want. “Then let's go!”

Hunter grabbed her by the hand. Chey didn't protest at all. Bouncing down the steps, she followed him back to the car, exhilarated; her body tingled with a staticky mix of excitement and desire, and her heart thumped. She couldn't help but laugh.

“I'm still not going on a date with you, Professor.”

“I didn't ask you to,” Hunter said.

Chey had no idea where Hunter was taking her and she didn't care.