<b>Chapter </b><b>73 </b>
-CELINE-
Getting Caesar ready that morning felt like a small slice of normalcy after the chaos in my head.
Today was my day off, and I had nned everything perfectly, ice cream at the little parlor downtown, a movie at the cheap theater, and maybe some thrift shopping to find Caesar a few new clothes.
He was growing so fast that I could barely keep up.
“Mama, can we get chocte ice cream?” Caesar asked as Ibed his curly hair, his big blue eyes bright with excitement.
“Of course, baby,” I said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Whatever vor you want
He giggled and hugged my legs tight.
2
<b>65% </b>
These moments with him were what kept me going, what made all the struggle worth it. But even as I smiled down at my son, I couldn’t stop thinking about Hunter.
Aboutst night. About the way he’d looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.
Before we could leave, I had to finish my morning duties in the kitchen, Head Maid Sally had left me a list of tasks that needed to bepleted before I was officially off duty.
I thought it would be quick and easy.
I was wrong.
The moment I stepped into the dining room to clear the breakfast dishes, I felt his eyes on me.
Hunter sat at the head of the long mahogany table, a cup of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, but I could tell he wasn’t
focused on either.
He was watching me.
Every time I moved, his gaze followed. When I reached across the table to collect tes, when I wiped down the surface, when I refilled the water pitcher…he tracked every movement like a predator watching prey.
My cheeks burned under his attention. I felt exposed like he could see right through my uniform to the woman underneath.
The woman who had been in his arms just hours ago.
“Mama, look!” Caesar called from where he sat at the table, swinging his little legs. Hunter had insisted he join him for breakfast, which was unusual but not unheard of.
“Mr. Hunter gave me extra pancakes!”
Inced over to see Caesar’s te piled high with fluffy pancakes, syrup dripping down the sides. Hunter was <b>cutting </b><b>them </b><b>into </b>
mall pieces for him, hisrge hands surprisingly gentle.
hat’s very kind of Mr. Hunter,” I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.
<b>“</b><b>You </b>know,” Chef Martinez said from behind me, making <b>me jump</b><b>. </b>I hadn’t heard him approach<b>. </b>“<b>Those </b><b>two </b><b>look </b><b>like </b><b>they </b><b>could </b><b>be </b>
<b>1/4 </b>
<b>10.43 </b>Sat<b>, </b>2 Auy
<b>65</b>%
father and son. Same eyes, and the same hair color. They’re perfect together.”
My breath caught in my throat.
The water jug in my hands suddenly felt impossibly heavy. Chef Martinez had no idea <i>how </i>right he was….if only he knew that they were father and son,
“I… I should refill Mr. Hunter’s ss,” I stammered, needing to get away from the chef’s knowing smile.
I walked toward Hunter on unsteady legs, the water jug trembling slightly in my grip. He looked up as I approached, that dangerous smirk ying at the corners of his mouth.
“Would you like me to refill your ss, Mr. Hunter?” I asked, trying to sound professional and distant. Like we were just bosses and employees.
Like I hadn’t been naked in his bed this morning.
His smirk widened. “Don’t let me stop you from doing your job,” he said, his voice low and rough in a way that made my stomach flutter.
I leaned over to pour the water, focusing on keeping my hands steady. That was my mistake.
The moment I was close enough, I felt his hand slide under the table, his fingers finding my thigh through my uniform.
My eyes went wide with shock.
The touch was light, almost innocent, but it sent electricity shooting through my entire body.
His thumb traced small circles on my skin, and I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think….
Water sshed everywhere as my hand jerked, the jug slipping in my grip.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” I gasped, jumping back and staring at the puddle of water spreading across the polished table.
“What happened here?” Head Maid Sally’s sharp voice cut through the air as she hurried over, her keen eyes taking in the mess.
Hunter smoothly withdrew his hand, leaving my thigh tingling where he’d touched me. “Just an ident,” he said calmly, reaching for his napkin.
“No harm done.”
“I’m sorry, Sally,” I said quickly, grabbing a cloth to clean up the spill. “My hand slipped.”
Sally’s gaze moved between Hunter and me, then settled on Caesar<b>, </b>who was still happily eating his pancakes,pletely oblivious to what had just happened.
“Mr. Hunter,” Sally said carefully, “perhaps Caesar should eat in the kitchen with the staff. It’s not really appropriate <i>for </i>him <b>to</b><b>…. </b>
“Hays,” Hunter interrupted, his voice leaving no room for argument. He turned to look at Caesar, and his <b>expression </b><b>softened</b>.
by
hispany. Don’t I, buddy?“,
Caesar nodded enthusiastically, syrup on his chin. “Mr. Hunter tells the best stories!”
16:45 Sat, 2 Aug
Chapter <i>73 </i>
含65%含
+201
Sally’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Perhaps Ana could finish serving you, Mr. Hunter? I’m sure Celine has other duties to attend to.”
“Celine will finish,” Hunter said firmly. “I prefer her service.” <fncaf6> The rightful source is FindN0vel</fncaf6>
The way he said it made my cheeks burn again. There was definitely a double meaning there, and from the way Sally’s eyebrows rose slightly, she caught it too.
“Is there something else you’d like to say, Sally?” Hunter asked, his tone polite but with an edge of steel underneath.
“No, sir,” Sally replied, but I could see the questions in her eyes. She gave me onest suspicious look before walking away.
“You can’t do that again,” I whispered to Hunter as soon as Sally was out of earshot.
His smirk returned full force. “Do what?” he asked innocently, but his eyes were dancing w
“You know what,” I hissed, ncing around to make sure no one was listening.
schief.
He leaned closer, close enough that I could smell his cologne, close enough that his breath tickled my ear when he spoke.
“I want to make you scream my name,” he whispered, his voice so low only I could hear. “Over and over and over again.”
My knees nearly buckled. Heat flooded through me, pooling low in my belly, and I had to grip the edge of the table to keep from swaying.
“Hunter,” I breathed, his name escaping before I could stop it.
“Just like that,” he murmured, satisfaction clear in his voice. “But louder next time.”
“Mama!” Caesar’s voice cut through the haze of desire clouding my brain. “Are we still going for ice cream?”
I straightened quickly, putting distance between Hunter and myself. “Yes, baby. Just let me finish cleaning up here.”
Caesar pped his hands excitedly, and Hunter chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Have fun today,” Hunter said, his voice back to normal but his eyes still holding promises of what was toe.
“Both of you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hunter,” I managed, my voice only slightly shaky.
As I finished clearing the table, I could feel Hunter watching me again, but I didn’t dare look at him.
Ift did, I might do something stupid like kiss him right there in front of everyone.
Finally, mercifully, I was done. I took Caesar’s hand and headed for the door, desperate to get some fresh air and clear my head.
“Celine,” Hunter called just as we reached the doorway.
I turned back reluctantly.
Enjoy your day off,” he said, but his eyes were saying something entirely different. Something that made my pulse race and my
‘ms sweat.
“Thank you,” I whispered, then hurried out of the room before I could do something we’d both regret.
16:45 Sat, 2 Aug
Chapter <i>73 </i>
As Caesar and I walked toward the front door, I tried to calm my racing heart. One day off.
I just needed to get through one day off, and then maybe I could figure out what was happening between Hunter and me.
But deep down, I knew that no amount of time was going to make this easier.
Hunter Reid had gotten under my skin, and I was terrified there was no going back.
AD