Authors: Robin Kaye
“Can’t we just nuke it? I know how to use the microwave.” She pulled plates out of the cabinet. At least he didn’t have to tell her where those were.
“Just leave the plates here, put out the silverware, and see if you can scrounge up some napkins. Look in the cabinet next to the dining room table. Your mom’s probably got some in there.”
“It’s my apartment.”
“Yes, but do you know what’s in that cabinet?”
“Good point.” Toni left to look for napkins. “Maybe there’s silverware in there too.”
It was Hunter’s turn to roll his eyes. He put the finishing touches on the bread, popped it under the broiler, threw together a quick salad, and dropped the clams into the sauce.
Toni came back in. “You have thirty minutes before things start getting ugly.”
“Why’s that?”
“You don’t know my mother. She’s already on glass number three, and we’re going to have to get a crowbar to separate her from your grandfather. By the way, she’s in-between husbands.”
“Don’t worry. Gramps can take care of himself. He’s met a lot of Clarissas in his day.”
***
By the time dinner was on the table, Gramps had poured Clarissa a fourth glass of wine. He smiled like a Cheshire cat at Hunter. “This sure looks good, boy. Just don’t tell your mama what you fixed me for dinner.”
“I didn’t fix you dinner. I fixed Toni dinner. You just horned in.”
“No boy, I just came to make sure you didn’t screw this up.”
Clarissa took a sip of her wine. “My, this is awkward.”
Toni looked from Gramps to Hunter. “Screw what up?”
Grampa Joe shoved a piece of bread in his mouth as Hunter glared at him and spun his linguine around the fork. “We’ll talk about it later, Toni. When we’re alone. Okay?”
Clarissa dabbed the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “Well, I can’t remember when I’ve had a more beautiful meal. You sure know how to cook.”
“My grandson worked as a chef for years before he bought the ski lodge and started his River Runners Camp for kids. He likes to take care of everyone. No one goes hungry when he’s cookin’, that’s for damn sure.
“That reminds me. Trapper called to say he got a lawyer for Emilio. He’s all set for the bond hearing on Monday. The lawyer thinks she can get him off. The drugs they found on him were his mother’s, and he didn’t know if she had a prescription for them, so he kept his mouth shut. He was just trying to protect his mama. Can’t fault him for that.”
Toni dropped her fork. “Who’s Emilio?”
Hunter swallowed. “He’s one of the kids from my camp. He lives with his mother and brother in a shelter in LA. I found out he’d been picked up by the police for drugs just after you left. Trapper stepped in and found him a lawyer, since I couldn’t be in two places at once. I promised I’d be there for the bond hearing on Monday.”
Toni’s face fell. “Why did you come here?”
Hunter placed his hand over hers. “Because you’re more important. Everything that could be done for Emilio is being done, but you were all alone.”
Toni opened her mouth and closed it. Her eyes got suspiciously glassy, and her hand shook as she picked up her wine.
Clarissa nodded. “What you’re doing for that young man is commendable, but I don’t see why you have to be there for his hearing. It sounds as if he’s in good hands.”
Hunter cleared his throat. “I promised. And I always keep my promises.” He looked at Toni, who stared at her mother as if she’d just sprouted horns.
“Mother, nothing is as important to Hunter as his kids.”
Clarissa’s eyes snapped to Toni. “That’s not true. He’s here with you, isn’t he?”
Grampa Joe smiled. “I think that’s our cue to leave. Clarissa, what do you say we go find us some coffee and something sweet? That way, my boy can’t rat me out to his mama about what I’m fixin’ to eat for dessert.”
Hunter watched as Clarissa giggled. “That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”
“My limo is waiting right downstairs.”
Toni rolled her eyes as she rose and gave Gramps a hug. “You better watch Clarissa, Grampa Warbucks, she’s on the prowl.”
He smiled. “Don’t you worry about me, girly. I know how to keep the she-wolves at bay.”
Toni gathered her mother’s purse. “Are you staying here or with Lilly?”
“With Lilly, of course. I wouldn’t think to intrude on your privacy.”
“Right. Just behave yourself, Clarissa.”
“I could say the same thing, but I’d really prefer you didn’t.”
Gramps went around the table to where Hunter stood. “You need any advice before I leave?”
“No, I think you’ve done enough damage for one night. Thanks anyway.”
“Just get ’er done, boy. Make me proud.”
“Yes sir. Don’t wait up.”
Gramps laughed. “I was gonna tell you the same thing.”
***
Hunter saw that Toni was dead on her feet. “Why don’t you go sit and relax? I’ll take care of the dishes.”
“No, I can help.”
Taking her hand, he walked her to the couch. “Please. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“Fine.” She sat and curled her feet under her. “I probably shouldn’t have had the wine. Wine always makes me sleepy.”
Hunter cleared the table and kept one eye on Toni. She was asleep in under five minutes. Good. That took some of the pressure off. He cleaned and tried to figure out a way to make things right. At least she’d stopped insisting that he leave. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. He still had no idea how she’d feel when she woke up.
By the time he’d put the food away and done the dishes, he was dog tired too. He and Toni still had to talk, but it would have to wait until morning. There was no way he was going to propose to her with her half asleep.
He watched Toni sleep, wondering if he should wake her. She’d probably sleep better in her own bed. That decided, he went in search of her room. When he found it, he was surprised by how feminine it was. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but not the soft pastels and frilly pillows. He took the pillows off the bed and pulled down the old-fashioned chenille bedspread before returning to her and picking her up. She startled. “Shhh. I got you. I’m just putting you to bed, babe. It’s okay.”
She mumbled something, but relaxed against his chest as he carried her to the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed before giving her pouty lips a kiss. Pulling off her stockings and boots, he covered her with the sheet and a light blanket.
Toni curled up on her side, tucking her hand beneath her pillow, and sighed. Hunter unbuttoned his shirt, debating whether to sleep with her or on the couch. He knew he’d sleep a whole hell of a lot better with her. The thought of sleeping without her was what kept him up the night before. It wasn’t as if they’d never slept together. He tugged his shirt out of his pants and took it off, tossing it on a nearby chair. He toed off his shoes, pulled his wallet and the ring out of his pocket, and put them on the bedside table. He couldn’t resist looking at Toni’s ring again. It seemed to gather all the light in the room, and even in the dim light, was the most beautiful engagement ring he’d ever seen, the only one he could picture Toni wearing.
Hunter tucked the ring back in its box and stuck it in his pocket before laying his jeans on the chair. He slid into bed beside her and couldn’t resist pulling her close. She rolled over, rested her head on his chest, and Hunter relaxed for the first time in two days. “I love you, Toni.” He kissed the top of her head and slept.
Chapter 20
The obnoxious ringing of a phone woke Toni. She reached over to grab it and realized she was sleeping on top of Hunter. How’d that happen? “Hello?” she whispered as she slid off his still sleeping body and left her bedroom, looking back once, amazed to see how well Hunter fit in her bed, her room, even her life.
Her life didn’t seem the least bit anemic with him in it. Without him—she knew what that looked like—she’d grow old and become the crazy turtle lady.
“Toni, it’s Bianca. Terri called and told me about your resignation. I’m afraid I can’t accept it.”
“I’m sorry, Bianca. But you don’t have much of a choice.”
There was dead silence. Toni wondered if they’d been disconnected until she heard what sounded like a sob.
“You have to. Since James found out you resigned yesterday, everyone is threatening to leave. James hasn’t spoken to me. The models have all gone to Ketchum and are hungover. I had to bail Yvette out of jail for indecent exposure—she was doing a striptease at some bar called The Mint. I think Karma is trying to kill me, Fisher does nothing but scowl, and I have to deal with that pig, Trapper, all the time.” Bianca wailed. This was no fake cry; this was a snotty, wet, uncontrolled breathing, scream for help.
Toni felt sorry for the woman. “Calm down, Bianca. It’ll be okay. Most of the shoots were finished before I left. There was one mountain biking shoot on Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, but I’m sure you could do it at Killington if you had to. It will put you over budget, but that’s the least of your worries right now.”
“Toni, please. I’m begging you to reconsider. If this is about Hunter…”
“Bianca, my resignation isn’t about Hunter.” Now that Toni thought about it, she realized it really had nothing to do with him. He’d just shined a blinding light on the problem until she could no longer ignore it. “I worked in your shadow for so long. I forgot what it was like to stand in the light on my own. I got a taste of it in Stanley, and I can’t go back. I’m sorry.”
Bianca sniffed and then blew her nose. “There’s nothing I can do to change your mind?”
“Thanks, but I don’t think so.”
“Okay, fine. Just promise me two things.”
Toni groaned as she straightened, waiting for Bianca to stage her attack. “What?”
“Promise me that we can have lunch together after I return. You have to at least give me the chance to woo you back to Action Models. I heard what you said, and I have an idea.”
Toni relaxed. She could handle a difficult lunch meeting, especially if it would mean a good recommendation from her past employer. “Fine, but agreeing to a lunch meeting is not to be construed as anything but that.”
“Point taken.”
“What’s the other thing?”
“This is personal.”
“Bianca, I’m not trying to be rude, but we don’t have a personal relationship.”
“Please. Just hear me out. When I flew out here to Idaho, I had plans for Hunter. I knew you were seeing him, but I had no idea it was anything serious. I didn’t figure that out until too late. I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me, because I really don’t need any more guilt. Promise me you won’t give up on whatever you and Hunter have because of me or something I did. Hunter is one in a million. If you love him, don’t let anything get in the way of that—especially not me.”
Toni always knew Bianca had a soft side few had ever seen. She remembered the way Bianca said good night in Italian to the janitor, and when she found out his granddaughter needed surgery, the girl’s hospital bill was paid anonymously. The man claimed it was a miracle—maybe not so much. “I’ll think about it. Why don’t you have James give me a call when he wakes up? I’ll talk to him and see if I can smooth things over for you. Maybe Hunter will talk to the River Runners staff.”
“I can have James call you, but Hunter isn’t answering any of my calls—I’m persona non grata where he’s concerned. Is there anything else you think I can do?”
“Give everyone the morning off. You need to rebuild the team spirit we had going, and you’re not going to do that by making them work with hangovers. You can do the last shoot this afternoon. There will be plenty of light left.”
“Done.”
“Try talking to James and a few of the models and photographers. Ask them to stay an extra day. Pay them double time—it’ll be less expensive than planning another shoot at Killington. James can handle it on his own. He’s more than capable.”
“You’re right. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”
“Oh, and Bianca? You really should rethink having Karma shoot the rapids. You’ve missed an incredible opportunity there, and she might just change her attitude if you tell her you were wrong and ask for her help.”
Bianca groaned. “Do I have to?”
Toni shook her head. “No, but you should. Think of the shots you could get. Karma is the epitome of everything Action Models stands for—gorgeous, athletic, and strong. Karma is beautiful, fearless, and fantastic on the rafts.”
“Fine. I’ll swallow my pride if I must. I’m getting a lot of practice lately. So, Toni—you’ll think about what I said?”
“I promised lunch, that’s all.”
“No, I meant about Hunter. He’s yours if you want him. All you have to do is let him find you.”
“He already has.”
“And?”
“And I’m thinking about it.”
“Good. Thanks for your help, Toni. I’ll call you to schedule our lunch.”
“I look forward to it.” When Toni hung up the phone, she realized that she did. Something had changed to put her and Bianca on more equal footing. She wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe Bianca had been taken down a peg, maybe Toni jumped up a few. But whatever it was, it felt pretty damn good.
***
Toni tiptoed to the bedroom, pulled off the rest of her clothes, and slid back into bed to watch Hunter sleep. If someone had told her two weeks ago that she’d fall in love with a man who lived in the woods of Idaho and looked at her as if she was the best thing since fishnet stockings, she would have called the nice men in the white coats for a pickup.
When she’d been in Idaho, all she had known was that she still wanted to keep him looking at her that way. Every time he did, she felt special, treasured, and loved. With one look Hunter filled a great yawning hole inside her soul, and when he put his arms around her, for the first time in her life she belonged. Too bad she’d been too stupid and scared to trust it.
Toni had decided well before her conversation with Bianca that she didn’t want to lose what she’d found with Hunter—not because of Bianca, geography, a job, or her own sheer intractability.
The thing that had held her back from day one was that she hadn’t believed in love. Maybe she hadn’t believed she was worthy of love—not really. When she learned Hunter had come after her instead of going to LA to help one of his kids, it was a two-by-four to the head. She believed him when he said she was more important. He’d meant it, and he’d proven it every day they’d been together.
When she finally acknowledged it instead of trying to find a catch, the significance took her breath away. Hunter Kincaid truly loved her. She might not deserve it or him, but she was just selfish enough to overlook that. Besides, if they were going to do this relationship thing, she’d have plenty of time to earn the love he so freely gave and show him that same love in return.
Toni rested her head on Hunter’s chest as his arm came around her. She listened to the beating of his heart wishing he’d awaken, but at the same time, wanting to stay just like they were.
***
Hunter had gone to bed with a fully clothed Toni. Sure, he’d taken off her shoes and stockings, but he’d left the rest of her clothes on because he didn’t want to wake her and didn’t want her to think he was a perv. He slid his hand down her back, then lower. Sure enough, she wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing. He wasn’t certain what it meant. Hell, he wasn’t sure there was any meaning at all. Toni always slept naked—well, at least since they made love that first time. So maybe she just woke up and took her clothes off because she was uncomfortable, or maybe she wanted to make love.
She kissed his chest and slid her hand down his stomach. “Your heart is racing. You’re either awake, or you’re having one hell of a dream.”
He rolled over her. “I think it’s a dream come true.”
“Good answer.” Her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him into a kiss that had all his cylinders firing.
Damn, they needed to talk, not make love, even though he really wanted to. God, this was going to kill him. He pulled away. “Toni, babe, we need to talk.”
“Can’t we talk later? We’ve only got a little while before calls start rolling in.”
“Who’s going to call?”
“Bianca called earlier. She got my resignation and tried to talk me out of it. I told her I’d have lunch with her when she returns.”
Now he was really confused. Bianca spoke to Toni, and Toni was still in bed with him?
“Things got a little crazy after word of my resignation got to James and the models. The models are out of control—Yvette got arrested. It’s a mess. They’re all hungover and threatening to leave. James hasn’t spoken to Bianca since he found out. Fisher, Karma, and Trapper aren’t taking her under their wings, and Bianca had a meltdown. Besides begging me to retract my resignation, she was apologetic about what happened between the two of you. She was nice.”
“Are you going back to Action Models?”
“No. I feel bad for her, but not that bad. I told her I’d talk to James and gave her some hints to get back on the models’ good side, but I’m not going to retract my resignation. Why? Do you want me to?”
“Babe, I want you to be happy. If that means going back to work for Action Models, we can figure it out. If not, that’s fine too.”
“I told her you might talk to Karma and the guys—maybe ask them to give her a break—if you want.”
“The only thing I want right now is to talk to you about us. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about Bianca and the deal. I knew you’d be upset, and I only had a few minutes to explain before Bianca came after me. I was going to tell you, I swear. I fucked up. I’m sorry, babe.”
“We did this last night. Can’t we just move on? I’m sorry, you’re sorry, we both made mistakes, and we both felt like crap. The thing is, no matter how mad or hurt I was, I still loved you. I still missed you so bad I felt like I was missing part of me. I felt sick, I ached, and I didn’t think it was going to change anytime soon. It sucked, and I’d really rather not relive the whole thing. I spent enough time picturing myself as the crazy turtle lady to last a lifetime. I mean, can’t we just have make up sex and figure out what we’re going to do next? If you still want to give this whole relationship thing a try? You do, don’t you? I know I can be a real pain, and then there’s my mother. Although you seemed to be just fine with her, which is too weird to even think about, I still can’t believe you—”
Hunter kissed her. He understood it all but the crazy turtle lady thing. He made a mental note to ask her about that sometime—just not now.
When he broke the kiss, he put his finger over her lips. “My turn.”
“Remember what happened last time you did that?”
Hunter smiled and pulled his finger away. He couldn’t afford any distractions. “I love you. I want us to be together, to live together. And if you want, we can even work together. But if you don’t want to work, that’s cool too.”
“I guess I can work on fund-raising and with the camp.”
“Toni, did you catch the first part?”
“Yeah, I got that. But what did you mean if I wanted to work? I have bills to pay, you know, health insurance, food, my share of the rent, though I don’t know if I really want to give up my apartment—”
He was just about to kiss her again when the phone rang. Toni reached for it and sat up. “Hello?” Toni listened for a moment. “James, I talked to Bianca.”
“No, he’s right here. I’m going to put you on speaker.” She pushed a button. “Can you hear us?”
“Hi Hunter. I guess you two worked things out?”
Hunter pulled Toni into his arms. “We’re in the middle of negotiations.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted. Toni, I found out you quit, doll. Everyone did. I’ve always loved you. It seems the models do too. They blame your quitting on Bianca sending you home, and it’s not pretty, dollface. I guess someone saw you watching her come on to Hunter. Then when Hunter took off, Bianca was as welcome as Cruella de Vil at the Westminster Kennel Club.”
“Yeah, she mentioned that.”
“I quit, but not because of Hunter. I think I’ve outgrown the job. It just doesn’t fit anymore, you know?”
James laughed. “Bianca said she’s planning on hiring you back.”
“I only promised to have lunch with her and listen to her idea. Look James, I just wanted to talk to you and ask you to give Bianca a break, okay? She apologized for making a play for Hunter. She swears she didn’t know we were serious, and really, can you blame her? I guess she’s had a thing for him since they met.”
“Who are you and where is Toni?”
Hunter laughed, and Toni elbowed him. “Ow.”
She stuck out her tongue. “Everyone’s entitled to a screw up every now and then. She apologized, and I’m in a forgiving mood today.”
“Bianca Ferrari apologized?”
“She did. She’s having a hard time. Could you just try to be nice? For me?”
“Yeah, she can act like the bosszilla and send you away…”
“She didn’t. She just played the game the way we always have. I’m the one who changed the rules, not her. Give her a break. She’s willing to let you pick a team and do the Sun Valley mountain bike shoot on your own. I told her she’d have to pay double.”
“Did she agree?”
“If anything, she was afraid to ask you.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to her—”
“Nicely?”
“Yes. I’ll be nice. Take care, Hunter. Toni, call me when you’re finished with negotiations. I love you, doll.”
“Thanks, James. I love you too.”
The call ended, and Toni handed Hunter the phone. “You might want to call Karma and the guys.”
“Can’t I just text: B nice 2 Bianca or else?”
“No.”
“Fine. Then I’m getting dressed.” He got out of bed and grabbed his shorts.