And over time, perhaps the ache of it would go away. Perhaps he’d learn to not care that when she cried out under him, she was repulsed by his face and the scars that lined his body. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind that when she smiled, she was simply biding her time.
He’d simply have to become better at hiding his own emotions.
***
After a fitful night of sleep, Hunter awoke and dressed in one of his more somber suits. He’d confront Gretchen and offer her a new business deal this morning. But when he arrived at her suite, he found the room straightened and her heading for the door with her suitcase under one arm, cat carrier in the other.
“Where are you going?”
She looked surprised to see him, but then the hurt look returned to her face. She wasn’t good at masking her emotions. Maybe she never had to, not like him. Because right now she looked miserable and wounded. “I’m leaving. I just need to call a cab.”
He pretended to straighten his sleeves, adjusting his jacket. “You haven’t finished the project you were hired for.”
“It was delayed,” she said in a cutting voice. “Though I’m guessing the delay was just as manufactured as the project, wasn’t it?”
He didn’t deny it.
She sighed, as if defeated. “Good-bye, Hunter.”
“Wait.” He stopped her when she tried to move past him. “You need to hear what I’m going to say.”
A wary hope shone in her eyes and she paused, setting down her suitcase. “What is it?”
Hunter studied her upturned face, which was so lovely. So hopeful. So deceitful. “I’ve decided that I don’t care that you only want me for my money. I have more than enough of it. If you stay with me, I’ll continue to pay your bills as long as you continue to provide companionship . . . at all levels.”
The hope in her eyes withered and died. Now she simply looked angry. “You said you loved me just a few days ago.”
“What I feel for you has no bearing on a business arrangement. I want your body. I want what we had before. Name your price.”
Gretchen shook her head at him, incredulous. “You’re killing me, Hunter.”
“One million.”
Her breath caught. “Fuck you. You can’t buy me like that.”
“No?” His mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “You don’t approve of the direct route? Very well, then. I’ll speak with Preston Stewart and see about contracting another on-site project for you. I’m sure we can arrange something.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I ache for you, Hunter,” she said in a quiet voice. “That you think such awful things of me, and that you’re so lonely that you’re still willing to have someone at your side despite thinking they loathe you. That they’re turned off by your face. You deserve to have someone who loves you.” A tear slipped down Gretchen’s cheek. “I wish you nothing but the best. I really do.”
She moved to go past him and he stepped in front again.
“Two million.”
She shook her head. “Someday you’re going to learn that money can’t buy everything, Hunter. You can’t manipulate people just because you have a bigger wallet. It’s going to make you very, very lonely.”
“Three million,” he said quietly.
“Good-bye, Hunter.”
She left the room, leaving him a little surprised and feeling a bit more alone than ever. He’d thought she’d wanted his money. But he’d offered three million dollars for her to give him exactly what they’d already had. Did she want more money? Was this another game just to fleece him out of his wealth?
Or could it be that she truly didn’t want his money? Just him?
He touched the scars on his face.
Scarface. Quasimodo.
Impossible.