LITMIR.BIZ

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need to go,” she said, her gaze lingering on his lips. His insides gave a kick that was a whole lot of desire but even more regret.

      He exhaled. “How are we going to do that?”

      “We get off this bed and say goodbye at the door.”

      “I don’t like that plan.”

      “Okay. You stay here and I’ll pick up my things on the way out.”

      “That won’t work, either.”

      Her eyes glistened as she smiled. “I think we’re out of options.”

      He came closer and brushed his lips over hers. “Not quite.”

      Drawing back, she gave him a playful, admonishing look. “We don’t have time for another shower.”

      “No?”

      She laughed softly. “No.”

      “Okay. Get ready for Stone’s option number two.”

      He leaned up on an elbow, resting his jaw in his palm as she pushed to her feet and turned to face him.

      Waiting, she cocked her head. “I’m listening.”

      Looking at her awesome nakedness, he was stuck.

      “Yeah. I forgot.”

      Smiling, shaking her head, she headed for the bathroom. “And don’t you dare follow me.”

      He spoke to her through the open doorway. “The walk of shame.”

      She called back. “What about it?”

      “I, for one, would love to see you in that gown again. But we can call one of the boutiques in the lobby and have something in your size sent up. Shoes, too.”

       Easy. Done.

      “That’s sweet, but I don’t need an Edward Lewis.”

      Jacob was on his feet, still figuring that out—Edward who?—when she returned to the room. She was wearing the T-shirt he’d peeled off before they’d flipped on the shower faucets. It almost came down to her knees.

      Striking a hands on hips model pose, she asked, “How do I look?”

      “Like a goddess.”

      She blinked and then laughed, but he’d never been more serious in his life. Which made this even harder...what had to be done. They needed to have one more conversation. Better that she found out now, and from him.

      While Teagan searched for her shoes, he pulled on his drawstring pants and then rummaged around in his bag for a shirt, which turned out to be a starched business number. Even when he headed off to chill with the Rawsons for a couple of days, he packed one—along with a dark blue jacket and dress pants. That’s what lawyers did. Those who ran a firm on Lexington Avenue, at least.

      Teagan had slung her heels over her shoulder. She was ready to go. But before she could say another word—It’s been nice...see you next wedding—Jacob spoke up.

      “I’ll walk you to your hotel room.”

      “You don’t have to do that.”

      “I want to.” He looked down at himself, his mismatched clothes, his bare feet. “We can do the walk of shame together.”

      “I’m a big girl. I don’t need anyone to hold my hand.”

      “Then hold mine.” When she gave a maybe not look, he added, “I won’t beg. Unless I have to.”

      She surrendered a smile. “Okay. But remember, we have flights to catch.”

      He held up one hand and put the other out, horizontal and palm down. “I swear on the Bible. Best behavior.”

      Her brows pinched and for a moment he thought she was going to say he was trying too hard. Maybe, but not to make an impression or to cling. He liked Teagan, more than any woman he’d known, but he didn’t have a stalkerish bone in his body. When he finally said what needed to be said, he wanted Teagan to be in the position of power. In her own space. Closing the door in his face if need be.

      Moving out of the bedroom, she collected her gown and evening bag while he found the key card. They took the elevator to her floor and made their way down the hall. After she’d swiped and stepped inside, he did it.

      He came clean.

      “I need to ask you something,” he said. “Confirm...something. Your surname. It’s Hunter, isn’t it?”

      Her smile was tight. “Jacob, I told you that last night when we met.”

      “I, uh, didn’t catch it.”

      “It’s okay. All’s forgiven.”

      Rubbing his temple, he muttered, “I wish.”

      “What was that?”

      “I didn’t realize it until we spoke over breakfast. About your family. About your brother. Wynn Hunter.” All your cards on the table now, bro. “He’s the Wynn I’m looking to sue.”

      Teagan’s shoulders slumped. Finally, she exhaled. “What a crap note to finish on.”

      Crap was right. “I’m sorry.”

      “Sorry that you want to take down my brother? Or sorry that you didn’t share this with me before the shower?”

      “The last one.”

      “That’s what I figured.”

      But she appeared calm, as though he’d admitted to liking baseball more than hockey. Where was the name calling? The face slapping? He wanted to sue the pants off her brother, for Pete’s sake.

      “I thought you’d be more cut up about it,” he said.

      “Oh?”

      Maybe he hadn’t been clear. “I intend to decimate Wynn when I get him on the stand.”

      “I assume that’s what clients pay you for.”

      He dragged a hand down his face, shifted his weight. “You told me how close your family is. When news of this hits, when your brother receives the verdict...it will affect the entire Hunter conglomerate.”

      Again. Totally unruffled.

      He lowered his voice. “I don’t play around in a courtroom, Teagan.”

      “Thanks,” she said. “Got it.”

      Then it hit. Her reaction.

      Well, of course.

      “You’d already worked it out,” he said.

      “When you said the case hadn’t been filed yet. Before we shared that shower.” Her mouth hitched to one side. “I didn’t want to spoil things, either.”

      “So you’re not mad?”

      “I told you. I grew up with the constant drama of big business. Everything’s about control and making sure you’re top dog. Kill or be killed.” Leaning against the doorjamb, she sighed. “No, I’m not mad. I’m just over it.”

      So... Okay, then.

      This didn’t have to be goodbye. Of course, they would want to be completely transparent from now on. No more misunderstandings. No holding things back.

      He told her, “We won’t be able to see each other while I’m working on that case.”

      “Conflict of interest.”

      And then some. “But sometime in the future...” Finally giving in to a smile, he edged forward. “We really need to see each other again.”

      When he moved in to seal it with a kiss, she stepped back.

      “I’m

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