Pretty Prize (Rags to Riches 2)

“Who the fuck are you talking to?” He glares at my phone in his hand. “Cara.” He says her name like he knows who she is before he hits the end button on the call. My eyes stay trained on the phone. I will him to give it back to me.

“Your other cell phone was left at the front desk,” Hunter reminds me. Yeah, the one my brother gave me. All cell phones had to be left to enter Hunter’s office. I gave mine over easily. Garrick made a small fit over it before handing his over too. It was that or no entry.

I nod, my eyes still focused on my phone. I can’t look at him for some reason but I want my phone back. I’m scared he’s not going to give it to me and I know that will make me hate him a little more. I make myself raise my eyes to his. His dark gaze is always so intense. Is it me or are they always that way?

“Please.” Once again I’m shocked when he hands the phone back to me.

“You can have your phone, Rose.” I quickly snatch it from his hands as fast as he took it from mine. I fear he’ll change his mind.

“No need to hide it away. I won’t take it from you.” He steps aside, motioning for me to leave the bathroom. I have to squeeze by him as I go. I stop when my shoulder brushes his hard chest. I tilt my head back to look up at him.

“Thank you.” I swear for a moment his eyes soften but it’s gone as quickly as it was there. I go back to my seat and sit down, returning to my normal stoic self when I’m in public. This isn’t public but it also isn’t somewhere I can be myself. I let my mind drift trying to focus on anything other than Hunter. My silly head gets the better of me as my thoughts wander to what it would be like to fall in love and marry for that reason. To have a family filled with so much love for each other. Is that even a real thing?

Hunter has already made a claim he’ll be planting his seed inside of me. What a bittersweet thing. I’ve always wanted to be a mom but I want to raise my babies differently from how I was brought up. I’ve seen enough loveless marriages to know that I don’t want one. They all look as miserable as me being shoved in an ivory tower. It’s not like I have a choice in the matter so I’ll make the best of my situation.

On the bright side, he gave me my phone back so that is a plus.

Hunter returns to his chair, neither of us saying anything. “We’ll be married today.”

I give another nod. Isn’t this what I’m supposed to do? He can have my body but I don’t have to give him me. I’ve reserved a part of me that I only share with people like Cara, who actually care about me as a person.

“Don’t get any ideas about-” Hunter is cut off when Chris knocks on the door.

“In,” Hunter tells him. Chris brings my coffee over, setting it down in front of me. The smile he gives me is genuine and I return it.

“That was sweet that you got that for me even if I made it a pain.” I feel a trace of guilt about being a brat. Not to Hunter but to Chris. He was a casualty in our little war. I won’t be like my brother.

“How did I do?” he asks. I lift the cup, taking a sip. Even if it is terrible, I’d tell him he got it right. He went out to fetch me my ridiculous coffee order. I won’t be rude like some other people I know.

“It’s perfect. Thank you very much.” I take another sip of the drink. It is perfect but it’s not my favorite drink. It’s the one I should drink because it’s a tenth of the calories of my favorite drink.

“Sir?” Chris looks past me to Hunter, who I refuse to look at. It’s better this way.

“Get her other coffee.”

Chris nods, leaving the room. A moment later he returns with the frappuccino that I know is covered from top to bottom in caramel and extra whipped cream.

“Girl’s gotta have options,” Chris teases me, making me laugh as he sets the drink down in front of me.

“Then, I thank you again. It was very sweet of you.”

“Anytime.” His smile grows bigger.

“That is all,” Hunter all but snaps at Chris. I turn and shoot him a glare for being rude to the man. I don’t know where the moxie comes from but he somehow brings it out of me.