I kept my composure, and no one knew the effect the showdown had on me. It wasn’t until I was alone in my SUV that I let my emotions out. I gripped the steering wheel and took in several calming breaths, my body shaking with the aftereffects. It never got easier, no matter how often I faced this situation. It wasn’t only because I was a woman—I knew Jordan had often fired foremen, replaced overseers due to bad attitudes, but men like Mr. Kurtz made it especially distasteful since they never hid their lack of respect. I hoped it didn’t cost us too much, but in the end, it would be worth it. The crew would have been run badly, and we never allowed that. It was for the best.
Still, hours later, I felt the tension in my shoulders. I went inside, stopping at the sight that greeted me. Hunter was in my kitchen, sitting at the little table, his arms folded on top, a beer by his elbow. I was certain it was one of the Creemores I had in the fridge. I lifted one eyebrow in question.
“Cash steal your bed again?”
“Greedy, furry bastard,” he said, straight-faced.
“A little early for bedtime, isn’t it?”
Ignoring my words, he stood and went to the stove. “Your stomach grumbled all last night. You didn’t eat dinner.”
“I had some crackers and cheese. Some cut-up veggies.”
He snorted and opened the oven door, sliding out a large pizza box. “I’ve seen your appetite, Ava. That’s a snack for you. I brought dinner.”
He looked up at my shock and shrugged his shoulders. “Someone needs to make sure you’re looking after yourself,” he mumbled.
He slid the box onto the table and opened the fridge, pulling out another beer. “Go change and come eat.” He stopped in front of me. “From the look of you, I’d say you need food, a neck rub, and some sleep.”
I blinked at the sudden dampness in my eyes.
He frowned, looking startled. “Hey, none of that. No tears, Little Dragon. I only brought dinner because I was hungry too.”
“And you only plan on sleeping here because your dog took your bed again?”
“Unless you plan on making me walk through the dark, scary forest back to my house alone?” He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear, his eyes filled with amusement. “You wouldn’t do that, would you, Ava?”
I sniffled. “No, I’ll let you stay.”
He surprised me with a kiss to my forehead. “Good. Now, go. I’ll be here when you get back.”
* * *
I wiped my mouth and sat back, replete. The pizza was delicious, the beer cold, and I gulped down two glasses of ice water thanks to the spicy sausage Hunter had added to the pizza.
It had been a good dinner. I’d told Hunter about what occurred earlier, and his reaction had made me smile.
“I’ve worked for assholes like that. Good riddance.” He winked. “Big balls, Little Dragon. I would have loved to see you in action again.”
I shrugged and he chuckled.
“You are a force to be reckoned with.”
I kept eating, although I felt my cheeks color at his praise.
I burped, covering my mouth with the napkin. “Whoops.”
He threw back his head in laughter. “I like that about you, Ava. Sexy, shoot-from-the-hip businesswoman by day, teenage boy by night at the table with your love of food and belching. The perfect combination.”
“Sorry,” I uttered. “I was hungrier than I thought. And beer makes me burp. So does soda.” I grinned. “And spicy pizza.”
He shook his head. “Don’t apologize.” He indicated the empty pizza box. “I like that. I like you’re honest and yourself. No hiding, none of that ‘Oh no, I’ll only have a salad’ shit. I never understood that.”
“Most men prefer it that way.”
He shrugged. “Prefer what? For you to hide who you are? I don’t. I like you just the way you are.”
“Really?” I asked, the feeling of insecurity only this subject could cause swarming up in me.
He stood and took two more beers from the fridge, setting them on the table. He slid one my way and met my eyes. “Really,” he stated firmly.
“Hmmph,” I breathed.
He swallowed and wiped his mouth. “You sound as if you don’t believe me.”
My grip on my beer bottle was tight, but I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. It didn’t fool him for a moment.
He sat back in his chair, crossing his ankles. “Who was the asshole that hurt you, Ava?”
“Who says there was one?”
He sipped his beer, contemplating me. “You are one of the most confident women I have ever met. I’ve watched you in action myself. I know what happened today. The responsibilities you carry on your shoulders. Business-wise, you’re a force. Yet every so often, I sense fear when it comes to yourself after hours. You doubt your own strength and beauty. Something or someone put that fear and doubt inside you. I assume some asshole is responsible for it.”