More Exposed (Exposed 4)

"I'll do it as soon as he's back." I have to. This is tearing me ap

art inside. It's too reminiscent of when he was engaged to Christina and hiding that from me.

"Good girl."

Chapter 13

"We have to talk." I've practiced saying those four simple words for the past day now. When Hunter did finally return my missed call the other night while he was away, I didn't mention anything about Cory's biological father. He'd told me how much he loved me on the phone and it broke my heart. I need this man to be transparent with me. I need him to trust me with everything in his life if this is going to work.

He turns slowly from where he's seated by the table. He's just finishing his coffee after getting Cory ready for a playdate. "You're so serious, sunshine. Is this about how I fell asleep before you got to bed last night because I'm ready to go right now?" He cocks both brows and I melt instantly at the suggestion that we make love. I wish it were that easy. I wish I could take off my clothes and jump on his lap right now.

I reach out my hand to him, hoping he'll take the lead and follow me to the couch. "It's very serious, Hunter."

He's up on his feet in an instant, grabbing onto my hand before he pulls me into his chest in a tight embrace. I pull my arms around his waist, wanting to soak in this moment. I love everything about him. He's so strong, so protective. He's such a beautiful person both inside and out. He takes the initiative to pull me by my hand to the couch. I nestle in very close to him, my hand resting on his thigh.

"Are you okay?" There's so much genuine concern and love woven into the words. He really does care for me. I know it. I can feel it. If we can climb over this hump, we'll be happy again. I can sense it.

I shake my head. I'm not. I need to tell him that I know about Cory's biological dad and I'm hurt that he kept it all from me. "Not really, no," I manage to say in barely more than a whisper.

His blue eyes scan my face very slowly. "Are you ill? Has something happened to someone?" They're both expected questions. He has no idea that I have a clue that he's been lying about Cory's father.

"It's nothing like that." This is it. I have to just blurt it out. "It's about Cory."

"Did he do something? What did he say to you?" The questions feel awkward and misplaced. Cory is an innocent, tender little boy. Granted, he sometimes said things that made my heart ache. Things about how much he misses his mommy and wishes he could see her more.

I pull a faint smile over my lips as I think about the tight hug he gave me before his nanny rushed him off this morning to a playdate. "Cory's perfect." I believe those words. He's human but he's the most amazing little human being I've ever met.

"You know, don't you?" His voice is deep and low. How can he possibly know that?

"Know what?" I want clarification. I need to hear it from him. I have to hear the words coming out of his mouth.

He pulls his gaze down into his lap. "That question I was going to ask you when you were on the bus a couple of weeks ago. You know that I want you to be Cory's guardian, right?"

The words bowl through me with lightning speed. I fumble to grasp onto them. Did Hunter just say he wants me to be Cory's guardian? "What?" I can't manage anything beyond that right now. How did this go from my needing to know about Cory's biological father to us talking about me being his guardian?

"Did Donna tell you? I knew she overhead me talking to my attorney about it. Shit. I wanted to tell you myself." His eyes lock on mine and I see happiness deep within them.

"No." Again, the words just aren't there. I can't form any cohesive thought. How am I supposed to respond to this? It's just another secret that he's kept hidden from me. Cory's nanny knew about this and I didn't? How did this wall of secrets suddenly appear? Everything changed when I moved in or maybe there have always been things he's held from me and now that I'm here and closer I can finally see them.

"You'll do it, right?" There's so much expectation hanging between us right now.

I fumble in my mind, trying to claim words that will make sense when they tumble off my tongue. "What does it mean?" I have to understand what he's asking of me.

His brow furrows. I can tell he's looking for an answer himself. He reaches to grasp both of my hands in his. "It means that if anything happens to me, Cory can stay here and you'll take care of him."

It's not that simple. What about Christina? What about the man she slept with that night? The man who helped to give him his life? What about them?

"Sadie? Why aren't you saying yes?" He squeezes my hand slightly and I recoil at the touch. I can't agree to that. I can't agree to take Cory away from his real parents if something happens to Hunter.

"Who is Cory's real dad?" I wince the moment the question leaps from lips. I was thinking it. I didn't want to pounce on him like this. Not now. Not when we're stuck in the middle of a conversation about what will happen if I lose Hunter.

He bolts to his feet in an instant as his large hand runs through his hair. "Sadie." My name leaves his lips in a rush. There's anger circling him. I can see it. I can feel it in the air.

"Hunter. I know." I don't really know. Why would I say that? I want to know. I need to know.

"You don't know anything." The words are harsh and terse. He mutters a curse before he turns on his heel, pulls his suit jacket from the back of the couch and walks out of the apartment.

Chapter 14