Hunter: I’m home. Sorry it took so long. I hope you won’t back out on me, but if you do, I understand and things won’t be awkward. You’ll always be important to me and Isla.
My heart did the stupid flip again.
Taylor looked at my face and smiled. “That him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to check the hallway?” she asked.
“This is insane,” I said on a nervous giggle.
“It’s crazy exciting,” Taylor corrected.
Hunter’s text was so sweet that my heart already decided for me.
“Please.”
Taylor got up, opened her door a crack, looked both ways, then turned back to me. “Clear.”
I stood. My legs felt shaky. “Thanks for your help.”
Taylor leaned against the door, watching me. “Don’t get caught.” Taylor touched my arm before I stepped out. “Catherine.”
I looked back. “Make sure this is what you want. Not just because he’s hot. Not just because he’s forbidden. Because if this goes sideways, it’s going to hurt.”
I swallowed. “I know.”
I texted Hunter.
Me: I’m at Taylor’s. Just coming over to you.
I stepped into the hallway. I walked the few doors down to Hunter’s apartment with my heart beating so hard I felt it in my fingertips. This was reckless. A terrible idea. Exactly the kind of thing that could blow up my family, my place with the team, and whatever fragile, dangerous thing had started between us. But it felt worth it because maybe Hunter and I had a chance at something real.
CHAPTER 13
Hunter
I opened the door, and every reasonable thought I’d had for the last twenty minutes disappeared. Catherine stood in the hall with flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and lips I already knew too well for a man who was supposed to be staying away from her. I’d spent all morning thinking about her. One kiss had made me feel like a starving man who’d been handed something he couldn’t have.
“Hi,” she said, a little breathless.
I gripped the side of the door. “Hi.”
Neither of us moved.
The hallway was empty, but it still felt like the whole damn building could hear my pulse. Max could walk out of the elevator. Taylor could open her door. Someone else could get off the elevator. We were being reckless and stupid and asking for trouble. I still stepped back.
“Come in.”
Catherine walked inside, and I shut the door behind her. The second it clicked closed, the air changed. I wanted her so badly I had to curl my hands into fists to keep from grabbing her.She turned around slowly. Her gaze dropped to my mouth, then lifted back to my eyes.
“I should probably say something responsible,” I said.
Her lips parted. “Please don’t.”
My control cracked right down the middle.
“Catherine.”