Except a few moments later, I heard the beeping noise at the back door of the lock disengaging. I sat up, startled, but before I could call out, Hunter appeared in my doorway, and I relaxed.
“What are you doing here?”
He stalked over to the bed, pulling his shirt over his head. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Um…”
“I’ve been here twice. How late do you work, woman?” he asked, shucking off his pants and shoes and climbing in beside me.
“Late,” I replied, still in shock. “I-I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I wasn’t expecting to be here either, but I can’t seem to stop myself.” He pulled his pillow away, tucked it under his head, and yanked me into his arms. “Go to sleep, Little Dragon.”
“Where is Cash?”
He snorted. “Asleep on my bed, hogging the whole thing. I had no choice but to trudge down here to sleep.”
“You could have moved him off.”
“He was in a grumpy mood. Vicious, even. I didn’t dare.”
“And the bed in the other room?”
“For one thing, it’s over fifty years old and lumpy as hell. For another, I don’t even want to imagine the things my grandparents did in it. I’d be scarred for life.”
A little giggle burst from my lips. “I see.”
He nipped my ear. “You want me to leave?”
“No.”
He stroked his hand up and down my back. “Stop talking and go to sleep, or I won’t be responsible for what happens.”
I snuggled closer, feeling exactly what he wanted to happen. “I’m tired.”
He kissed my head. “I know. Just let me hold you.”
I yawned, suddenly too exhausted to keep my eyes open. “Okay.”
* * *
I woke alone in the morning, wondering if I had dreamed the whole thing. Hunter appearing so late. Holding me. Making love to me in the early morning hours when the world was still dark and quiet. Kissing my head before leaving my room.
I sat up, running a hand over my head. Had it been a dream? I glanced at the other side of the bed and knew it wasn’t. I could see the indent of his head on the pillow. My body still felt his possession. He had shown up, checking until I was home. Held me.
I was unsure what to think. Too scared to hope that it meant anything aside from a warm body and a comfortable place to sleep.
I got up and got ready for the day, rested and in a good mood, despite the long day yesterday and the agenda ahead of me. Idly, I wondered if he would show up again tonight.
I certainly hoped so.
It was almost nine when I got home again after a long, arduous day. I had dealt with a new foreman at a jobsite. He’d talked over, around, and at me, without listening or bothering to realize he worked for my company, not me for him. He was rude, overbearing, and made his dislike for me plain. By the fifth time he’d ignored me, I’d had enough. He had a problem with the contract dates and decided he could rearrange them to suit his time frame better. I didn’t like his attitude, how he spoke to the crew or me, and I certainly hated his obvious distaste for woman superiors.
“Mr. Kurtz,” I interrupted.
He kept talking, his voice getting louder. I had no choice. I put my fingers between my lips and blew. My whistle was loud and shrill, effectively cutting him off.
He glared at me, and I smiled benignly. “Now I have your attention, I need to point out that you are, in fact, incorrect. The start and end dates are clearly stated in the contract. You work according to our schedule. We hired you. You work for us.”
“I don’t take orders from a woman.”
I feigned shock. “You were hired by one, and I run this end of the company. If you have a problem with it, you can be replaced.”
He crossed his arms, trying to look menacing. “Is that a fact?” he challenged.
I was done with his shit. I pointed at another man who had been watching us and, more than once, had rolled his eyes when I was interrupted by his boss. “You. What is your name?”
“Peter Watson.”
“You’ve just been promoted. Mr. Kurtz, you’re relieved of your duty. HR will be in touch.”
I turned my back, refusing to watch or listen as he yelled obscenities and stormed away.
I tapped out a message to Addi, telling her what happened and that I was managing it. I looked up at Peter. “Can you handle this?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve overseen crews before. I know these guys. We can make it work.”
Another man snorted. “Anyone would be better than Kurtz.”
I bit back my smile. I would have to talk to whoever hired this crew and get it fixed. I didn’t want to see Mr. Kurtz again. “Then I suggest you meet with your new crew and get to work.”