“Because…” he murmurs. “Because I want you to think about this. Really, truly think about this.”
“Ihavethought about it. It’s all Icanthink about.”
Hunter shakes his head. “What you’re asking… I can give it to you, Eden, but you have to be sure you won’t regret it. If you have any doubts —any at all— I’m not going to do it. What you’re offering me… It’s precious. Singular. If you’d rather lose your virginity to someone you trust—”
“Idotrust you, Hunter.” Desperation drips from every single syllable. “I trust you.”
“Enough to be your first?”
“Yes,” I blurt out. “Yes, yes,yes, I trust you enough to be my first. Hunter, please—”
The door to his office swings open. Renee walks in with a stack of folders in her hands. Hunter pulls away quickly, but I’m almost positive she caught a glimpse of us together.
Hunter runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Renee, what the fuck? Stop coming into my office unannounced. This is your last warning.”
Renee gives him a tight-lipped smile. “Apologies, Mr. Stride. I tried buzzing your phone, but it appears you were preoccupied.” I don’t miss the glare she throws in my direction. She roughly hands me the folders. “These need to be signed and submitted by tonight,” she says before turning on her stiletto heels and walking out.
I lick my lips, disappointment hitting me in one massive tidal wave. I miss Hunter’s warmth, his nearness. We were soclose.
Stupid Renee and her stupid timing.
Hunter takes the folders from me. Whatever heated tension was there before is gone now, nothing but a residual buzz left in the air around us. “I want you to take the rest of the day off,” he tells me.
I frown. “What? Why?”
“Because I want you to take this seriously.”
“I do.”
“Go home, think about it. If you really want this, meet me at my place tonight. I’ll text you the address. My housekeeper will let you in if I’m not there right after work. Can you do that for me, Eden?”
I take a deep breath, collecting myself. Maybe Hunter’s right. This is much more complicated than just having sex. Choosing to lose my virginity to Hunter comes with strings attached. He’s my boss. He’s twice my age. He’s a man my father can’t stand. I need to approach this with a cool, calm manner, and I can’t do that when just being near him makes me want to jump his bones.
“Alright,” I say. “I can do that, sir.”
He nods once. “Good girl.”
Even as I leave through the office doors, I already know what my answer is going to be.
Chapter 10
Tip #10: You can always say no, but I plan to say yes.
EDEN
Ihave to check and then double check to make sure I got the address right. This place ismassive. My car looks so out of place parked here on his smooth driveaway that I’m worried someone might think I’m here to commit a daylight break-in.
“Well, shit,” I mumble, staring up at the mansion in awe.
A little old Asian lady waddles out from behind the front doors. She waves at me with a big smile, the corners of her eyes wrinkling as she does. She’s cute. I’m half-tempted to pick her up and put her in my pocket.
“Hello,” I start. “Um, I’m hoping I have the right place… Mr. Stride told me to—”
She holds a finger up before quickly reaching into her pocket to pull out her phone. She taps the screen, and I realize she’s asking me for my number. Unsure what else to do, I give it to her.
She sends me a text message.
I’m Mei-Lee, Mr. Stride’s housekeeper. I am deaf, so I cannot hear you. Please feel free to message me, though.