-HUNTER’S POV-
I cut into my steak, but I wasn’t hungry.
Across the table, Caroline smirked like she knew something she shouldn’t. Like she was enjoying a private joke at my
expense.
It was irritating.
More irritating than usual.
I didn’t know if she was teasing me about earlier or if she was just reveling in being a general menace, but either way, I needed to shut it down before she pushed any further.
“You spend more time at my ce than your own,” I muttered, keeping my voice even. “Should I start charging you rent?”
Caroline gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in mock horror. “Oh, how cruel! You wouldn’t dare, cousin.”
38)
I stabbed another piece of steak, unimpressed. “You have a house. A very expensive one, if I remember correctly. Maybe you should start using it.”
She rolled her eyes, swirling the wine in her ss like she was bored. “And miss out on the joy of annoying you? Not a chance.”
I shook my head. But at least she was distracted. That was all I needed.
Then Celine walked by.
She carried a tray, moving quietly, setting down a fresh dish with careful precision. She didn’t look at me. Didn’t acknowledge me.
But I looked <i>at </i>her.
I told myself not <i>to</i>. I told myself to keep my eyes on my te, on Caroline, on literally anything else<b>. </b>
But I failed. Again.
She wasposed, her expression neutral. Like nothing had happened earlier. Like she hadn’t frozen under my touch. Like I hadn’t felt the warmth of her skin against mine.
But I saw it. The slight tension in her shoulders. The way her fingers curled just a little too tightly around the tray.
She had heard Caroline’sment. She had felt the weight of it just <b>as </b>much as I had.
“Why are you two staring <b>at </b>each other like that?”
Damn it.
I forced myself to look away. But Caroline caught me.
She didn’t call me out on it–not yet. She just smirked, sipping her wine like she <b>was </b>waiting for the perfect moment to
strike.
I clenched my jaw and pushed my te aside.
9:08 pm
“Where’s Caesar?” she asked suddenly, turning to Celine.
Celine stopped mid–step. “He’s ying in his room.”
Caroline hummed, tapping her chin. “Is my cousin bullying you?”
Celine blinked. “What?”
“My dear, serious cousin,” Caroline drawled, throwing me a sideways nce. “He can be quite… intense<b>, </b>can’t he?”
Celine hesitated, then offered a small smile. “I wouldn’t say that.”
+39
Caroline leaned forward, her grin widening. “Well, if he ever gives you a hard time, just ignore him. Works like a charm for me.”
I red. She winked.
Celine just chuckled softly, murmuring something polite before disappearing into the kitchen.
I should have stopped watching her. I should have let it go.
But I didn’t. And, of course, Caroline noticed. This time, she didn’t smirk. She outright grinned.
I exhaled sharply. “Finish your food and go home, Caroline.”
Sheughed, slow and satisfied, like she had all the time in the world. Like she had already won.
I was done.
Pushing my chair back, I stood abruptly. “I have a business meeting tomorrow. Lock the door when you leave.”
I turned toward the stairs, eager to put distance between myself and this ridiculous dinner-
But just as I stepped away, Caroline’s voice cut through the room.
“She’s different, isn’t she?<b>” </b>
I froze.
Not for long. Just a second. Barely enough for anyone to notice.
Except Caroline noticed everything.
“She’s not like most girls you’ve met.” Her tone was teasing, but there <b>was </b>something else there too. Something unsettling. “Isn’t that right, cousin?<b>” </b>
I didn’t answer. Didn’t turn around. I just walked away. Because maybe Caroline was right.
And that was exactly the problem.
-CELINE’S POV-
The water ran warm over my hands, but I barely felt it.
My mind was still tangled in the mess of dinner.
9:08 pm <b>G </b><b>GGG </b>
Caroline’s teasing. Hunter’s unreadable expression. The way the air had felt thick with something I couldn’t name.
Something had shifted tonight.
Maybe it was the way Hunter’s eyes lingered on me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. Or how Caroline had grinned like she knew a secret I didn’t.
I shook my head. It didn’t matter.
I was here to do a job. That was it.
Wiping my hands on a towel, I nced at the clock. It waste. I needed to get home.
Caesar was probably already curled up in bed, his little stuffed lion clutched tight against his chest.
The thought made me smile.
He had been his usual, relentless self today–chattering about dinosaurs, demanding extra syrup on his pancakes, and running around like the morning hadn’t unraveled the way it had.
I wished I could bounce back that easily.
With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, my feet already moving toward the back exit.
And then- “Celine.”
breath caught.
froze. That voice. Deep. Smooth. Cold.
I turned slowly, pulse stuttering.
<b>38 </b>
Hunter stood at the entrance of the kitchen. His sleeves were rolled up, his tie loosened–like he had stripped himself of just enough control to be dangerous.
His expression was unreadable.
For a second, I thought I should say something. Anything. But my voice? Completely useless.
He stepped forward.
Not close enough to touch. But close enough to make me grip the strap of my bag like it was the only thing keeping me upright.
He didn’t speak right away. Just studied me<b>–</b>silent, assessing. Like he was trying to figure me out. Like I was something that didn’t quite make sense to him.
And then-
“Ignore Caroline,”
I blinked. “What?”
Hunter’s voice was steady, measured. “She likes to run her mouth. Don’t let her get to you.”
Oh.
<b>3/4 </b>
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