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T he next few days settled into a normal routine. Luna spent her time at Hunter’s house, working with Adam, and their bond grew stronger with each passing day. She found joy in being his nanny, relishing the moments when his eyes lit up as she read to him. The trust he placed in her made her heart swell, and she felt a growing connection that was almost maternal as if he were her own child.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Hunter remained strictly professional since their last encounter. Yet, the sexual tension between them was undeniable, a connection that hung in the air. They both understood that their chemistry had to be put on hold for the sake of Adam, who needed their full attention. Yet, even in those moments of shared smiles and playful interactions with Adam, Luna couldn’t help but feel the magnetic pull of her attraction to Hunter.

Hunter had also been busy training for the upcoming hockey season. His days were long and very tiring. They couldn’t be together, even if they wanted to. There was no time. Adam needed attending to, and Hunter had to focus on work. He was the sole provider for his son, and he had to ensure his son was well taken care of.

Hunter trained vigorously. He loved to play hockey, but as much as he loved the sport, a part of his mind always drifted back to Luna. He had to make a mindful effort not to let her consume his thoughts. This season was crucial. He and his team needed to win as many games as possible this season. Hunter stood on the ice, taking a break from training.

“Hey, Hunter,” You distracted or something.” Hunter’s teammate, Alex, asked. “You haven’t exactly been on your best game today.”

Hunter shook his head back and forth.

“I’m good,” he said quickly. “I’m just a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Ah, I see,” Alex said. “You haven’t found a nanny yet? That has to be difficult. It has to be hard to balance work and a kid, man.”

Hunter cleared his throat.

“Actually,” Hunter started to say. “I did hire a nanny, finally. She is great with Adam.”

“Oh yeah?” Alex inquired. “Is she hot?”

Hunter’s expression suddenly turned stern just at the thought of someone else finding Luna attractive. Even though they weren’t officially together, he had no desire to be with anyone else, nor did he want her with anyone else. The idea that someone else saw her beauty felt like a personal threat.

“You know the rules,” Hunter said very seriously. “Attractive or not, never hit on my nanny, Alex. It makes things more difficult. You have to keep things professional.”

“Professional,” Alex stated with a huff. “Where is the fun in professional?”

“There isn’t any,” Hunter said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Now, let’s get back to training.”

Hunter and Alex skated back to the rest of their team. The team huddled up to listen to the coach speak. It seemed the coach had something important to say, and there was an earnest feeling in the air. Hunter wondered what all the commotion was about.

“All right, everyone,” the team’s coach, Frank, said. “Gather round, everyone.”

Everyone huddled up and listened intently. This meeting was not on the team’s schedule. Everyone wondered what was going on.

“As some of you all know,” Frank began, his tone turning serious. “As some of you all know, my father has been in ill health lately. After much consideration with a heavy heart, I’ve decided to take a short hiatus. I’ll be back before the season ends, but for now, I need to focus on my father.”

The news of Frank’s father worsening saddened Hunter deeply. David, Frank’s father, was also a coach who had helped lead the hockey team before becoming ill. The doctors had diagnosed him with terminal cancer, but Hunter still held onto hope for a cure. After all, people recovered from life-altering illnesses all the time, and he wanted David to pull through and be okay.

Not only had David been a leader for the hockey team, but he had also been like a father to Hunter during his time of need. Hunter’s own father didn’t speak to him, which was why he focused so much on being a good father to Adam. He wanted to be everything his father wasn’t. When David entered his life, Hunter appreciated having a healthy father figure around. David had helped Frank coach at the same time Hunter was drafted into the National Hockey League, offering sound advice and leadership. Over the years, they had developed a close relationship.

Hunter knew he needed to make time to visit David, but he dreaded seeing him so sick. Still, David had always been there for Hunter during hockey season and throughout life's most challenging, happiest, and saddest moments. He was present at the hospital when Adam was born, and he stood by Hunter during the funeral after his wife died in a car accident. This experience was why he walked so much in the city and avoided cabs; he didn’t trust other drivers, especially in winter. He blamed his wife’s death on the bad driving of others.

When Hunter was left alone with a small child and no wife, Frank and David were there for him. As much as he didn’t want to see David sick, he knew he had to pull himself up by the bootstraps and be there for him, just as David had been supportive of him. He hated thinking about the loss of his wife.

His wife, Sarah, had been a beautiful woman who tragically died in the back of a cab due to a horrific car accident. She was taken too soon, and Hunter had loved her deeply. The two were excited to start a family together and were elated when Adam was born. Sarah’s passing changed both Hunter and Adam forever. Hunter never thought he could get over his deceased wife; in many ways, he hadn’t. But in the last four years, something shifted within him, especially after meeting Luna. The feelings he had when he was with her mirrored those he felt around Sarah and perhaps even felt stronger. This realization frightened him because it contradicted his desire to remain professional.

The team started to murmur among themselves, a sense of nervousness settling in. Their coach was their leader, and losing him at the beginning of the season, even before it started, agitated them. They needed a figure to guide them.

“Hey, everyone, calm down,” Frank said. "Do not worry at all. I know this is somewhat of a shock to you, but I give you my word that I am not leaving you high and dry. It is quite the opposite. There is going to be a new coach for half of the season. I want to introduce you to Stella. Stella, come on out.”

Stella, an attractive older woman with long, red hair came out. She was in her mid-forties, and there was an evident sex appeal about her. Despite her looks, she had a reputation for being a successful trainer. She frequently substituted for other coaches or aided other teams. She was part of successful teams that were successful. Although the news of Frank leaving the team temporarily was a shock to the team, having an attractive, effective coach wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

The team watched as Stella walked out. Most of the men were in awe of her. She was a natural leader, and she was a pretty leader, at that. Hunter didn’t pay as much attention, though. His thoughts drifted back to Luna. Sure, he noticed Stella’s beauty, but she had nothing compared to Luna. If he couldn’t have her for the time being, then he didn’t want anyone else.

Stella, the new head coach for the time being, looked around the crowd. She was excited for the new position. She loved hockey. As she looked out at each new player she would be leading, she noticed one player in particular. She didn’t know what it was, but something about her was drawn to one player on the rink. She was staring at Hunter.

That evening, Luna cleaned up the playroom. She and Adam had the best day together. After he finished getting ready for bed, she read him a bedtime story, and put him to bed. She stayed in the living room, reading a book. She was waiting for Hunter to come back home, so she could leave and head back to her apartment.

The interactions between her and Hunter were nothing but professional since the last time they made love, and although she wanted more, she knew she was acting in the best interest of Adam. Suddenly, she heard the door open. Hunter walked in with his gym bag. Luna got up from her seat and walked over to greet him.

“Did practice go well?” she asked. “You look like you had a long day.”

Hunter appreciated how Luna cared about his day. It made him more attracted to her, but he stopped his thoughts from going further. He looked her up and down before he responded.

“It was an interesting day, actually,” Hunter stated. “We have a temporary coach. This woman, Stella is going to be filling in for Frank. Rumor has it that she is a good coach. So, we will see how the season goes.”

Luna was taken aback by surprise. She knew there were women coaches in all sports, but for some reason, the thought of a female coach, coaching Hunter’s team made her body stiffen. She tried not to show her immediate jealousy towards the situation.

“Oh?” Luna stated with surprise. “That seems like a sudden change right before the start of the season. I hope it all works out.”

Hunter could hear the tone in her voice change. Was she being possessive of him? Part of him was surprised by this, and the other part of him liked that she was jealous.

“I’m sure it will,” he said with a slight smile. “But like I said earlier, time will tell.”

Luna gathered her belongings and walked towards the door. Hunter watched as she walked away. She looked so beautiful.

“Wait,” Hunter said. “Let me walk you out.”

Hunter walked her to the door. When they approached the entrance to the apartment, she turned around and looked up at him.

“I will see you tomorrow,” Luna said softly.

She didn’t want to leave, but she knew she had to. She was sticking to what they had discussed the last night they were romantically together. Adam had to be the focus. He needed stability, and he didn’t need a complicated relationship to get in the way of his development.

Hunter wanted so badly to kiss Luna. He eventually leaned down as if his lips were going to touch hers, but Luna reached her index finger up and gently touched his mouth to stop him.

“Professional,” she said softly. “It’s not about what we want right now. We have to be professional. We have to do this for Adam.”

Hunter smiled. His emotions were conflicted, but at the end of the day, none of that mattered. She was right. Adam had already been through so much after losing his mother unexpectedly.

“For Adam,” he said positively. “Be safe going home, and I will see you tomorrow.”

As he watched Luna leave his apartment, Hunter felt a deep appreciation for her dedication to Adam’s care. Her nurturing instincts made her incredibly attractive, and he admired the genuine concern she showed for his son. Closing the door behind her, one thought consumed his mind: he couldn’t wait to see Luna again tomorrow morning. The bond she was building with Adam filled him with hope and warmth, deepening his feelings for her even further.

When Luna got home, she stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the day. She felt a swell of pride for showing such restraint with Hunter; her feelings for him were undeniable. As the steam enveloped her, her thoughts drifted back to him—his mouth, his body, the way he knew just how to please her. The mere memory of him ignited a longing within her that was impossible to ignore. It had been far too long since she had experienced that sweet release.

As the water cascaded down her skin, Luna reached down between her thighs, imagining it was Hunter's touch igniting her desire. She could almost feel the way he caressed her body, stirring her cravings further. She needed to find release. The entire way home, her thoughts had been consumed by him, and the only way to ease that longing was to pleasure herself while envisioning him.

She recalled the sensation of his mouth on her clit, the way his hands grasped her breasts, and how he thrust into her. Memories of his large, thick penis filled her mind, intensifying her need. As she slid her fingers inside herself, the pleasure built until it became overwhelming. She continued to explore her pussy until waves of ecstasy washed over her, leaving her breathless. While it wasn’t quite the same as the orgasm she had with Hunter, it was a satisfying release, a momentary escape from the yearning that consumed her.

Afterward, she finished her shower, got herself ready for bed, and set her alarm. While lying in bed, she wondered if Hunter ever touched himself and thought of her. She also wondered how much longer they would be able to keep their hands off one another. How much longer could they be professional?

The next day, she arrived early, as usual, and saw Hunter eating breakfast. He looked up at her as she walked into the apartment.

“Hey,” Hunter said cheerfully. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”

Luna thought back to her personal time in the shower. She blushed.

“I slept pretty well,” she replied. “And you? How did you sleep?”

“Not well, actually,” Hunter said seriously. “I was in some pain from all the intense training, but I’m sure it will go away soon. Just have to push through. It is all a part of hockey season.

Luna wished she could take his pain away. She wanted to give him a massage, touch him tenderly, and make him feel better. She let the thoughts of touching his body fade away.

“Hey,” Hunter started to say. “Hey, I was wondering if you could bring Adam by the rink sometime later today. Maybe you could bring him after lunch? He loves watching me train and play.”

She nodded. She was excited about this, too. She wanted to see Hunter play. She had been wondering what he looked like in a hockey jersey. She imagined he would still be sexy, perhaps even sexier.

“Yes,” she replied enthusiastically. “I definitely will bring him.”

Hunter smiled and thanked her before picking up his gym bag and heading out the door, a spring in his step. Knowing she would be watching him practice filled him with excitement; he wanted to show off his skills on the ice. As he walked, thoughts of impressing her swirled in his mind, mingling with the undeniable desire he still felt for her. The frustration of not being able to touch her was building, and he knew he would have to channel that energy into his performance on the ice.

Hunter arrived at the rink excited and ready to take charge. He was a seasoned player for a team with a reputation for being a good leader. He often took control during practice, and he was excited to showcase his leadership skills to his son and Luna. He wanted to impress them both. When he got to the locker room to change into his training uniform, he heard his teammates talking amongst themselves.

“Yeah, man, it could definitely be worse,” one teammate said. “Stella is hot for an older woman, bro. No lie, man. I would bang her.”

The men were gathered at one end of the locker room, engaged in lively conversation and laughter as they shared stories and jokes. Meanwhile, Hunter deliberately positioned himself at the opposite end, seeking a moment of solitude. While he acknowledged that Stella was an attractive older woman, he understood that, as their new coach, she deserved his utmost respect. He had no desire to participate in any inappropriate locker room talk about her; such behavior felt uncalled for.

Choosing to distance himself from the group, Hunter began undressing, focusing on his routine, and mentally preparing for practice. He took a deep breath, allowing the noise to fade as he concentrated on his own thoughts and goals for the day ahead.

“I mean, if she wasn’t our coach,” he heard one man say. “I’d have to take that girl for a test drive. You know what I mean, bro?”

Hunter quickly changed into his training uniform, locked his belongings in his locker, and got the hell out of there. On his way out of the locker room, he ran into Stella in the hallway leading to the ice rink.

“Sorry about that, ma’am,” Hunter said to Stella. “I didn’t see you there.”

He desperately hoped she couldn’t hear how the other men were talking about her.

“Oh, please,” Stella said with a smile. “Please, call me Stella.”

She reached out her hand for Hunter to shake. He thought it was odd she wanted him to call her by her first name. Calling her ma’am or coach elicited more respect, and she seemed to want to communicate on a personal level.

“Okay,” Hunter said with a smile. “Coach Stella, it is then.

He thought calling her Coach Stella was a fair compromise. Hopefully, she agreed with his suggestion.

“I’m actually glad you ran into me,” Stella said somewhat seductively. “I want you to lead the training this morning. I want to see each player’s leadership skills, and today is your lucky day; start with the same drill you guys ended with last practice. How does that sound?”

“Whatever you want, Coach Stella,” Hunter said while nodding his head in agreement.

“I told you,” Stella said while gently touching Hunter’s arm. “I told you, Hunter. Just call me Stella.”

He watched as Stella walked away, pondering whether she had been flirting with him. Surely, as a professional, she would act more appropriately, yet a part of him couldn’t help but wonder. He quickly dismissed the thought; his mind was still occupied with Luna. That reminded him—she would be arriving soon with his son. With a sense of purpose, he headed to the ice rink to prepare for training.

Meanwhile, at his apartment, Luna was working with Adam. Today was math day, focusing on basic counting skills and simple addition and subtraction. Adam clearly demonstrated intelligence beyond his years and was likely to outperform most, if not all, of his peers when he started kindergarten. Luna felt a swell of pride in his progress, thrilled that she could contribute to his future success in school. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was almost time to leave for the rink that was on the outskirts of the city. Excitement bubbled within her at the thought of seeing Hunter in action.

She got Adam ready to leave, gathered her belongings, and headed downstairs. Initially, she had expected to take the subway with Adam to the ice rink, but as she stepped outside the apartment building, she was surprised to see a black-tinted car waiting for them. Standing beside the car was Peter, the driver—a tall man who appeared to be waiting specifically for her and Adam.

“This is for us?” Luna asked the driver, as soon as he got out of the car.

“Yes, the driver said with a polite smile. “Mr. Hunter wanted to make sure you and Adam got to the ice rink safely. There is a car seat for him in the back.”

Luna was surprised by this gracious gesture. She could get used to traveling in style. Not taking the subway was always a good thing in her book. She gently picked up Adam and placed him in the car seat. After she made sure he was safely buckled in, she got into the car, and they were on their way to see Hunter in action. Even though she was still on the clock, going to see a professional hockey player train while riding in a private car made her feel special, like a princess.

By the time they arrived at the training area, Adam was excited to see his dad play. She thanked the driver for the ride and ensured he would be there to pick her and Adam up when it was time to go. She took Adam by the hand and walked inside. This was all new territory for her. She did not know much about the sport of hockey, but she was excited to learn. All she knew about it was that the sport consisted of large men who skated and tried to score. She also knew that often, the game became violent. Something about its ruggedness excited her, and she was looking forward to seeing Hunter in a jersey. She knew he would look good, and she wanted something else to fantasize about.

She walked to the stands with Adam. She could see the team spread out over the ice. They were doing agility drills. She looked for Hunter, but it was hard to see from so far away.

“Daddy!” Adam exclaimed.

She looked towards the direction Adam pointed. Luna looked out into the crowd. There he was. Hunter was leading the agility drill. He was in charge of the situation. Seeing him in control made her think about the last time they made love. She scanned the ice rink and noticed several players, including an attractive older woman standing on the sidelines. Recognizing her immediately, Luna realized that the woman must be Stella.

Forget being older; she was a beautiful woman. She wondered if Hunter thought Stella was more attractive than her. Did Hunter want to be sexually involved with Stella like he had been with her? She shook her head back and forth. She reminded herself that there was no reason to be so jealous or possessive of Hunter. They were not a couple, and even though she had feelings for him, none of that mattered. It was her idea to remain professional, after all, and technically, Hunter could do whatever he wanted to. He could be with anyone he liked. Although, she hoped if Hunter wasn’t going to be with her, then he wouldn’t be with anyone else. It was all wishful thinking, she thought.

Stella observed her players on the ice, pleased with how well the training was progressing. She felt confident that they would have a successful season together. However, her gaze kept drifting back to Hunter—her temptation. She had successfully kept her reputation for dating team members under wraps, yet there lingered a silent acknowledgment among hockey executives that she had a reputation as a loose woman. Each season, she would typically choose a “pet,” a kind and exceptionally talented player, and secretly take credit for their success. In return, they believed it was her guidance—both sexual and otherwise—that propelled them to excel during the hockey season.

Her latest “pet” was Jackson Hodges, the current golden boy of the sport, who had garnered attention from every team thanks to her influence — or at least, that’s how she saw it. Lately, she had been feeling increasingly sexually hungry. Being with someone younger made her feel vibrant and attractive, reinforcing her belief that she wasn’t washed up. The last thing she wanted was to be perceived that way. Once again, she glanced at Hunter, convinced he could help restore her sense of self-worth.

From afar, Luna watched the team train. She had noticed Stella, too, and Stella’s demeanor threw her off guard. It wasn’t that she was jealous of her; it was that she noticed Stella staring at Hunter. Being a woman, she knew how women thought, and she could tell one thing for sure. Stella wanted Hunter. She was practically drooling over him. Luna could feel her body stiffen.

When the team took a break, Hunter skated over to the side of the rink. He sat down and took his ice skates off. He looked around to find Luna and Adam. When he finally found them, his whole face lit up. Luna made her way towards him with his son.

“You look great,” Luna exclaimed with a smile. “Didn’t your daddy do good, Adam?”

Adam ran towards Hunter and wrapped his arms around his legs. It felt good to make his son proud.

“Daddy did good!” Adam cheered happily.

Hunter reached down and picked up his son.

“Thank you so much for bringing him,” Hunter said genuinely. “I want him to see why I am often gone away from home. Maybe it will help him understand why I work so much. Plus, I want him to also like the sport and think his dad has a cool job.”

Hunter and Luna laughed in unison, and he felt a warm sense of happiness having her there with him. Just then, he heard the sound of skates gliding up behind him. Turning around, he saw three of his teammates approaching with mischievous grins. Curiosity flickered in his mind about what they were up to.

“Hey, man,” one of his teammates called out. “Who is this? Is this your new girl?”

Hunter’s teammate, Henry, reached out his hand to shake Luna’s.

“This is Luna,” Hunter said seriously. “Luna, this is my teammate, Henry.”

Luna reached out her hand to shake Henry’s. Hunter then introduced her to the others who had skated over to assess the situation. Hunter thought they were all so nosy.

“Hunter,” Henry started to say. “Hunter, you didn’t tell us how beautiful Luna is.”

Hunter quickly turned his head and stared at Henry. His stare was a death stare. Luna had never seen Hunter look so serious. Henry, on the other hand, seemed to have no idea what was going on, and he seemed to have crossed a line by complimenting Luna.

“Hopefully,” Henry started to say to Luna. “Hopefully, Hunter, here, isn’t working you too hard. Still have to have a personal life, right?”

Henry seductively smiled at Luna. He obviously found her attractive, and who could blame him? Hunter certainly couldn’t, but he did want Henry to respect his rule for the team: no hitting on the nanny!

“Why don’t we show her around?” Henry said with a smile. “Hunter, don’t you ever let Luna have a break?” Henry added.

“I will show her around,” Hunter said with a harsh tone. “Adam and Luna will stay with me. Plus, you have to redo those drills. You were looking pretty weak on the ice.”

Henry gently laughed, but it was obvious his ego was bruised. It was one thing to comment on his technique, but it was a whole other thing to comment on it in front of a beautiful, single woman. Henry kept his mouth shut, but he was definitely angry on the inside. He looked at Hunter with a smirk.

Hunter was the unspoken team captain, even though they did not have an official team captain. Hunter was the best and most seasoned player. His expertise and talent made him the best leader for the group, and Henry envied what he had. Henry envied Hunter’s natural leadership abilities, his speed on this ice, and now, the time he spent with Luna. Luna was beautiful, and even though Hunter made it clear it was unacceptable to hit on the nanny, a part of Henry felt entitled to her.

“Well, Luna,” Henry said with a gentle smile. “It was very nice to meet you. I am sure we will meet again.”

Henry reached out his hand. Luna thought he wanted to shake it again, but instead of shaking her hand, Henry kissed it. He looked at Hunter as he did it. Hunter tried to hold back his anger, but his face said a thousand words. Luna, herself, was a little shocked. It was obvious that they were in some pissing contest with one another, and she felt in the middle of it all. The whole thing reeked of machismo, and she wanted no part of it. She thought it was best to intervene before things got too out of hand.

“It was nice to meet you too, Henry,” Luna said politely. “Hunter, would you mind showing me around the place? I think Adam wants to see everything, too.”

Hunter was thankful that Luna wanted him to show her around. He smiled at her and nodded. Henry watched as they walked away. Sure, Hunter won for now, but Henry was determined to see Luna again. If he couldn’t be the leader of the team, maybe he could convince Luna to spend a night with him. He stared until they were out of sight.

Hunter wanted to hold Luna's hand as they walked, but he controlled himself. He didn’t like watching Henry flirting with her. It made him feel possessive of her, but it had been months since he and Luna’s last sexual interaction. They had managed to keep normalcy, for Adam’s sake. He wondered how much longer that would last. He felt the need to reclaim her.

“So,” Luna said. “This is where you spend the majority of your time.”

Luna looked around. The area was big, but besides a large ice rink and locker rooms, there was not much there. Hunter did show her the lunchroom and Stella’s office. The door was closed, but the lights were on. Hunter and Luna continued walking down the hallway. As soon as they passed by her office, Stella opened the door.

“Hunterlo!” Stella exclaimed. “Hunterlo, is this your little man?”

Luna cringed inside. She hated the nickname, Hunterlo. She was pretty sure Hunter hated it, too, but he would never say anything to her because Stella was technically his coach. They both turned around and stared at Stella. Luna wondered if Stella was going to acknowledge her presence. She stood there, waiting.

Stella leaned down and introduced herself to Adam.

“Isn’t he just the cutest!” Stella exclaimed. Then she stood up and looked directly at Hunter. She continued to ignore Luna, who stood there awkwardly.

“By the way, Hunter,” Stella started to say. “You did great on the ice today. You really took charge out there, and the guys listen to you. I appreciate your help. I know they are still adjusting to the change of having me as their head coach for a while. It will benefit them to have someone like you, who has been with the team for a couple of years, take charge.”

Stella walked closer to Hunter. Was she really not going to say hello to her? She realized she was the nanny, but she was also a human being. The decent and kind thing to do would be to say hello, like a normal, polite person would. She doubted that Stella was a normal person, though. Watching her talk to Hunter was like watching a cougar attack its prey.

Stella moved by Luna to stand beside Hunter. Luna moved out of the way to make room for her. She grabbed Adam’s hand and walked into the lunchroom.

“I’m going to let the two of you talk,” Luna said to Hunter awkwardly. “Adam, let’s go get a snack from the break room. I think I saw a couple of vending machines.”

Adam grabbed Luna’s hand, and they walked back down the hallway. Stella watched as they left. She wanted to be alone with Hunter and saw Luna as a threat. She learned the hard way never to trust an attractive nanny. Stella placed her hand gently on Hunter’s shoulder.

“I want you to be my right-hand man,” Stella said softly. “You know these men better than me, and if I say something or tell them to do something training-wise and they see you are on board with what I say, I think it will help pave over any bumps we may have on the road.”

Hunter nodded. He noticed how close she was to him, but he didn’t think she was genuinely attracted to him. That would be unprofessional on so many levels, but there was a ten-year age difference between them. Perhaps Stella was just overly friendly. He tried not to read too much into Stella’s demeanor. Plus, at the end of the day, she was going to be his head coach for a while, and he had to respect her. Hunter did wish Stella had introduced herself to Luna. Ignoring her was rude, and he did not like that at all. He didn’t like anyone flirting with or ignoring Luna. He wanted her to be treated with respect, just as he would treat her. Hunter brought his attention back to Stella.

“Yes,” Hunter started to say to Stella.

He looked down at her hand on his shoulder, then back up at her.

“A united front,” Hunter said quickly. “We will be a united front for the rest of the team.”

Stella smiled at Hunter. She then thanked him and walked back into her office. She sat down at her desk and put her feet up. She smiled to herself.

A united front with Hunter meant spending more time with him. He would be hers in no time. She would make sure of that.