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You're The One (Very Irresistible Bachelors 1)

Page 15

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“Sure.”

I’d been taking care of Mom for years. While in college, I worked odd jobs on the side, and fresh out of college, made big bucks working in management consultancy. After a few years, I’d had enough capital to start my own business, and attract further investors.

I sometimes wondered what would have happened if I’d moved back to England. But I hadn’t wanted to leave the States. I’d been at a good school and had managed to secure a scholarship, because I had good grades. My fellow classmates hadn’t let me forget about my new status. They’d also claimed I’d gotten it because Mom and the principal were friends. They’d nicknamed me “the stray.”

I’d learned to ignore them. I just wanted to graduate, get a scholarship to Columbia University, then buckle down to work. By the time Amelia started teaching at the school, the raucous comments were just background noise.

When Josie arrived three years later, they directed the comments at her, and I hadn’t wanted her to go through the same. I’d only meant to protect her at first, but somehow, she ended up being my friend.

Then again, Josie could be friends with anyone. She’d quickly become close with my cousins. Before I knew it, she was a regular at Amelia’s place.

The realization of it all was hitting me hard; I had some big problems. That I was about to break the law, for one. That I had to lie to everyone I cared about, for the other.

But right now, my biggest problem was that I couldn’t stop wanting Josie. I’d always noticed she was gorgeous, always been attracted to her. But I’d compartmentalized that easily enough. I’d made a clear distinction between Hunter the man and Hunter the friend.

Those walls had completely shattered when I’d kissed her. The way she’d responded... fuck. I almost got hard just thinking about it. She’d opened up without a second’s hesitation. But I knew the moment I’d tasted the cocktail on her lips that the only reason for that had been the alcohol.

I repeated that mantra, but it was no use. The second Josie opened the door, I could practically taste her on my lips. I drank in the curve of her waist, the way her dark hair bounced just above her breasts. It was as if that one kiss had opened the floodgates.

“Hey!”

She smiled brilliantly at me, then looked over her shoulder toward her living room.

“Kendra’s already here. That’s a nice surprise.”

I was very pleased with myself when Kendra greeted me. I’d personally called before and talked to her. I had a little surprise in store for Josie.

The vendor winked at me when Josie wasn’t looking and said, “Shall I begin taking out the selection?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Right away. Congratulations, by the way.”

I laced an arm around Josie’s shoulders, pulling her closer. She smiled shyly. My heartbeat intensified. I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she saw the selection.

Kendra turned to the metal case next to her, opened it, and pulled out a tray with forty rings.

I studied Josie’s face closely as she perused the rows, and knew the exact moment she found the sapphire, because she didn’t look away from it.

“Shall I take that one out for you?” Kendra asked excitedly. Then, as if deciding there wasn’t any reason to continue keeping the secret, added, “Your fiancé called before and asked if I had it in the store and to include it in the selection. I thought that was so romantic.”

Josie looked up in surprise.

“Kendra, can you excuse us for a moment?” I asked.

“Of course.”

Josie and I went into her small bedroom. Once Kendra was out of earshot, Josie asked, “How did you know about the ring?”

“I asked Tess.”

“That’s sweet,” she murmured.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just that... I want that ring when I get engaged for real.”

I hadn’t thought about that. And what was it with the knot in my stomach? I nodded tightly.



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