Hunting Lust (Orion the Hunter Part Three) (7 page)

I was gripping the counter top and taking deep breaths when Angel came back through the door, demanding to know what had happened the day before.  She stopped abruptly when she saw me.

“What’s the matter Issy?  Are you okay?  Your face is all flushed and you’re breathing is weird.”  Her face was the image of concern.

I shook my head and smiled weakly.  Mercifully the track finished then and I was able to get myself together.

“Oh sorry, I forgot the wine,” I gushed and busied myself with taking the bottle from the black box.  I poured us both a glass and handed one to Angel.  She was looking at me oddly but I decided to ignore it. 

“Oh my god, this wine is delicious,” she cried when she’d tasted it.

“I know!  I had it at lunch today.”

“Speaking of which, you’d better start bringing me up to date with everything that’s happened since I last saw you on Sunday evening.”

“Let’s talk and eat, I’m starving,” I suggested as I dished up our food.  “Come on, let’s take it into the living room.”

I explained everything that had happened over the previous thirty six hours, leaving out only the details about Lucas being a former Dom and my associated interest/enjoyment.  Angel was transfixed, barely eating her food.  She was getting through the wine though, I noticed.

“I don’t bloody well believe it,” she announced when I’d brought her up to date.

“What don’t you believe?” I asked as I put my empty plate on the coffee table and picked up my wine.

“That you are in an actual relationship.  I was beginning to think that I’d never see the day – I thought that if I moved in with Chad, that you’d be coming with me!”

“Ha bloody ha.  Well you needn’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily.  I didn’t say I was in a relationship, just that I’d agreed to give Lucas a month in which to try to persuade me to give it a go.  There is no way in hell that anything will come of it, past the end of the month.”

“I wouldn’t be so confident if I were you.  There’s obviously something special about Lucas Hunter … he’s accomplished more than any man has ever done where you’re concerned.  I am gobsmacked that you’d even grant him a month to try.  Actually, what made you agree to that?  Tell me he didn’t write you another check!”

“No, of course he didn’t.  I told you, he regretted doing that.  Try to imagine it Angel, he has never had anyone refuse him anything.  All day long, he gets his own way at the office then he goes up one floor and falls into bed.  He isn’t used to someone disagreeing with him or doing things that are out of his control.”

Angel tilted her head and looked thoughtful.  “Hmm, I can see how that’s a problem, but nonetheless it’s a problem of his own making.  It’s weird that he has no friends at all, isn’t it?  Did he mention family?”

I thought back and realised that neither of us had really given out much personal information at all and there had been no mention of family.  “Just that he had none.  And, on the friendship front, I can hardly talk … I only have you.”

“That’s rubbish - you have Chad, Ethan, Scott and Travis.  I wonder how long Lucas has been without any family.  Perhaps he’s never had to give and take.  I wonder what happened to his parents.  I am willing to bet that he was born into money – he probably inherited a fortune.  Did he mention how he made his money?” 

“No and I’ve no idea – I didn’t ask.  He is an absolute workaholic ... well, until yesterday when he took the day off and half a day today.”

Angel bounced up and down in her seat, grinning from ear to ear.  “Ooooh!  He’s got it bad for you, Issy Prince.  What if he doesn’t just walk away at the end of the month?  Do you think he will still want to be the boys’ agent?  I hope it doesn’t balls things up for them.  They’re working flat out to prepare for those festivals and a possible tour.  I hope Lucas doesn’t decide to take it out on them.  Is there no chance that you’ll consider giving it a go with him?”

I picked up the bottle of wine to refill my glass.  “I bloody well hope he walks away.  The thought of him pursuing me relentlessly is not one I would want to have to confront in reality.  He is a force to be reckoned with.  I hope that he doesn’t take it out on the boys … I see no reason why he would.  He loves music.  Did I tell you he is a fantastic singer?”  I realised that the bottle in my hand was empty.  “Angel, you’ve drunk all the wine!”

“Well, just open another one and don’t change the subject.”

“I wasn’t,” I huffed.  “I’ll just go and grab another bottle.”

I poured us a glass of wine but Angel pulled a face.  “Yuck! This tastes disgusting after that other stuff.”

I laughed.  “It’s what we usually have so I’m sure you’ll get used to it.”

She wrinkled her nose.  “I suppose so.  Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?”

“Is there no chance that you might change your mind?  I think you’d be really good for him.  Someone who can stand up to him and make him less egocentric and more … well, normal and he’s obviously good for you.”

“How so?” 

“Well, promise me you won’t go off on one,” she implored, her kind blue eyes like saucers.

I scowled. 
As if I would!
  “Okay.”

“Issy, you’re so used to being Miss Independent that I worry you will turn into an old maid.”

I huffed indignantly but she raised her hands and gave me ‘that look’- a look that she gave when she thought she was right about something and the other person was an idiot.  She spoke slowly and calmly.  “I knew you wouldn’t listen.  Just sit and be quiet for one minute.”

“You’re on your own because it’s all you’ve ever known.  If you’d had a normal upbringing you wouldn’t have these hang ups – now I know that’s not your fault and that you’ve been through so much but you don’t have to let the past dictate your future.  What if Lucas is ‘the one’, you could be spoiling your one chance of happiness before you’ve even given it a chance.”

I shook my head.  “Have I ever told you that you’re so full of shit?  I’m beginning to think that you’re desperate to get rid of me … you want to palm me off with the first guy who shows an interest.”

“That’s bollocks Issy and you know it.  I love you and want what’s best for you and you know that plenty have guys have shown an interest but you’ve shown them the door regardless.  Lucas Hunter is the first man to get past the first night … and that is no mean feat with you.  That’s why I think he could be something special and come on, face it Issy, you’ve agreed to give him a month – that’s a massive step for you.  And don’t say it’s all about how good he is in bed – I know you better than you think.  You may be stubborn but I didn’t think you were stupid.  I just hope that you aren’t pig headed enough to destroy something before you give it a fair chance.”

I felt like I’d been slapped in the face; Angel never spoke to me like that.  My head was telling me that I should be angry – she’d insulted me, after all.  But my heart was telling me that Angel knew me better than anyone and that she always had my best interests at heart.  She was always the one person guaranteed to have my back.  This was big.  No, this was massive.

I drew breath and prepared to ask what had brought on her outburst but I was beaten to it by the ringing of her cell.  I gathered that it was Chad and that he was coming over.  I stood and collected up our plates and took them to the kitchen.  Angel appeared and asked for the wine bottle that Lucas had sent.  I handed it over and watched as she took a photograph of it with her phone.   A few clicks later and she announced that she had sent for reinforcements.

“Um, what now?”
Was it me or was she acting weird today?

“The boys are coming over after their practice and Chad asked if I wanted them to bring anything.  I asked for a few bottles of that wine but I knew he wouldn’t be able to remember what it was called, or even say it so I’ve sent him an image of the label.  Sorted!”  She looked very pleased with herself for a second.

“Ah, I see.  Good thinking.  I am shattered so I’ll probably call it a night before they get here.” 

“Oh no, don’t Issy,” she cried, a little too forcefully.  “I mean, the boys will love to see you; they’re so buzzed about those upcoming festivals.  And you know Travis, he’ll probably just want to come and get in bed with you …”

I frowned at her.  What she said made sense but there was something she wasn’t telling me.

“Right.  I’ll have a shower and change into my pajamas before they get here then.”

I turned and took just two steps when she almost shouted “No, don’t do that.”

I spun on my heel and looked at her flustered face.  She couldn’t meet my gaze.  She began to twist her hair around her fingers.  I could stand it no longer.  “Alright, Angel.  What gives?  I know there’s something going on.” 

I narrowed my eyes when she lifted hers to mine.

“Um … well, Chad asked whether it was okay to invite Lucas to come with them and-“

“What?  Chad wanted Lucas to come here … tonight?  I bloody well hope you told him no.” 
Why the hell am I even bothering to ask?  Of course, she didn’t say no. 

One look at Angel’s scarlet cheeks was enough to confirm my suspicions. 
Oh crap!

I felt like grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking some sense into her.  “Angel, I was right here – why didn’t you just ask me?”

Her big, pale blue eyes looked at me pleadingly.  “I didn’t think you’d mind.  You had lunch with him today and spent the afternoon with him … and last night … and all day yesterday.”

Arghhh! She is so exasperating!

I took a deep, calming breath and clenched my hands at my sides in the hope that it might distract me from throttling her.  “Exactly, Angel.  If I’d wanted to be with him tonight, I would have arranged it myself.  And it wouldn’t be here with all you lot, I can tell you.  I would have …”

Oh, now I’ve got it!  She wants to meet him – that’s what all this is about.  I’ll bet Chad didn’t even ask to invite him!  No, I bet she begged Chad to invite him.  Devious cow!

I worked hard to keep my face straight.  “Well, I’ll just call him and explain that I’ll see him tomorrow.  I’ve told you I’m tired.”

Her eyes widened and then I could almost see her thinking up how she could thwart me. 

“No, you can’t do that.  It would be rude.  And Chad really wanted him to come back.  I think he wants to make a good impression on Lucas.”

I had to grit my teeth to stop me from grinning.  “Oh, and we wouldn’t want to disappoint Chad now, would we?”  I said as sweetly as I could manage without baring my teeth.

The relief that washed through her was visible.  “Exactly.  So come on, go and make yourself beautiful.”

I bit back the retort that came to mind and pretended to skip happily to my bedroom. 
Right, you madam.  You’ve asked for this.

I went in to the bathroom and removed all of my make-up.  Then I scraped my hair into a severe bun, grinning to myself in the mirror at my genius idea.

I then found the oldest, most misshapen and unsexy pajamas and pulled them on.  Then I pushed my feet into my huge bunny slippers that Angel had bought for me as a joke.  I looked at myself in the mirror and grimaced. 
Perfect!  This will teach Miss Meddle-Arse.
 

I stayed in my room until I heard the intercom buzz, followed by the sounds of raucous laughter. 
Right … show time!

The living room was alive with conversation when I walked in.  I didn’t look at any of the guys.  I sought out Angel and watched for her reaction.  I was not disappointed.  Her chin hit the floor and she just stared.  I shot her a smug grin and pirouetted proudly. 

“Fucking hell.  Who are you and what have you done with sexy Issy?”
Travis!