Page 22 of Betrayal

CHAPTER FOUR

What on earth was Idoing?Anna never flirted with the clients.Okay, Hunter wasn’t a client.Not in the usual sense.She flopped against the vinyl back seat of the café while she waited for Beatriz.

But he was complicated, and complicated men were trouble.A property developer in competition with his “philandering cheat” of a father.One blogger, Bizgos, in particular, fanned the flames.Hunter Samuel Thompson was also giving her the childcare centre she wanted, sooner than she’d dare hope.A roof garden.My giddy aunt.

A friendly kiss—she’d owed him that, for the inspiration of the roof garden, for sharing the story of his fractured childhood.Barefoot in the sand and wearing a bemused smile, he’d been a different man.She’d stepped closer until his scent drenched her senses, daring her to take a chance with a man she barely knew, but who tugged at her in ways she didn’t fully understand.

Bea appeared at the door to the café, placed her order, then joined Anna at the table.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“I haven’t been here long myself.”

“Sooo?”Bea let the word stretch and hover in the air, while Anna got her story straight.

“He’s offering a very good deal.”

“Personal or professional?”Bea waggled her eyebrows.

“He’s given me the name of someone operating a childcare centre he designed.I’ve called to organise a visit.”

“Mmm.”Bea leaned on her fist.“Is the person a friend?Maybe they’ll exaggerate his skills.”

“Maha Hariri, Casildo’s sister.That’s why I’m visiting.I’ve checked out enough centres in the last two years to know a good design from an off-the-shelf one.Have you ever heard Casildo talk about a sister in childcare?”

“Nope.And I didn’t see Casildo with Hunter at the party.But it was too crowded to keep track of everyone.What’s with Hunter’s name?”

“He was christened Hunter S., although the S is for Samuel.He said it was his mother’s idea of a joke.”

True to form, Bea maintained a discreet silence while the waitress delivered their meals: salad and juice for Bea, a sandwich and water for Anna.

“Odd sense of humour.Must have been hell at school.”Bea studied Anna’s lunch order before lifting her tomato juice in a toast.“Congratulations, Anna.You’ve got your centre.”

“I kissed him.”Anna put her uneaten sandwich back on her plate.Toasted cheese and tomato—her go-to lunch when she needed a calorie hit to smooth out her mood.

On a moonlit beach, his cheek had been warm, despite the slight breeze, smooth even.He’d been unsmiling, focused on her next move.He hadn’t smelled or felt like a corporate raider.Who am I kidding?She’d wanted to kiss him anyway.Just once.

“Before or after you resolved the contract?”