Passionate Night Read online

  “Man, please,” the bastard said, taking a swing at Hunter, who grabbed the man’s fist, bent back his arm as a crunch sounded, and then placed him in a chokehold.

  “Let me go, you punk,” he said, trying to break loose but Hunter held him firm.

  Impressed with Hunter’s protection of her, Harper motioned for him to follow her to a private exit that was behind a drape not far from the sitting area. He followed while the man continued to struggle and yell out obscenities.

  She shook her head with a smirk and addressed the unwanted guest. “Now see, you could’ve done this the easy way but you chose not to.” Placing her thumb on the computerized scan pad, she opened the door and was startled but not surprised to see Mason and Cameron standing there as if they were ready to kill. They stepped back as Hunter pushed the man into the hallway that led to the second floor stairwell and the security monitoring center.

  “That’s right. You better let me go,” the man huffed as he leaned against the wall, rubbing his neck. “Are y’all the managers? This asshole needs to be arrested for attacking me over this lame hoe.”

  Immediately the other three men rushed to him but Hunter yanked him by the collar first and raised him up off the floor as the brothers stood on either side.

  “What the hell did you call my sister?” Cameron yelled out.

  Gritting his teeth, Mason put his head closer to the scumbag’s. “That’s a death wish, and I don’t have a problem making it come true.”

  “Guys, calm down,” Harper pleaded. “I’m fine. Just throw him out of our club.”

  Two burly security guards approached the scene and Hunter let go of the man’s collar, dropping him to the floor.

  “Get this fool out of here,” Cameron shouted as the guards ushered the unwanted guest toward the stairwell. “Are you all right, sis? We saw that jackass grab you on the monitors.”

  “I’m fine. Mase, check the monitors and see which bartender from downstairs didn’t cut him off. That guy was wasted.”

  Mason nodded. “I will, but first, are you okay?”

  “Yes, Hunter had it under control.”

  At the mention of his name, the brothers turned to Hunter as if really seeing him for the first time.

  “Cam, Mase, this is Hunter Arrington. Remember I told you that Doctors Unlimited is having their fundraiser gala here.”

  Mason lifted his head in a “what’s up” gesture as Cameron reached out and shook Hunter’s hand. “Yes, of course.” He glanced at Mason. “My brother and I appreciate you looking out for our sister.”

  Hunter shook Cameron’s hand and turned as Mason reached out his hand as well. “No problem. Trust me, I have two baby sisters and I’d want someone to do the same for them.”

  “Well, we appreciate it. And to show my thanks, how about the next time you come you bring your lady, and I’ll have a VIP area set up for you with food and bottle service all night on the house.”

  Shaking his head, Hunter waved his hands in front of him. “Not necessary.” He glanced over at Harper with a sincere smile. “I’d do it again.” He said it to Cameron but stared right at Harper.

  Sensing her brothers’ antennas rising, she scurried to Hunter’s side and lightly pulled him by the elbow back to the door. “And I appreciated it. Gentlemen, I’ll let you get back to business, and we’re going to finish our meeting,” she explained, noticing curious eyebrows and wrinkled foreheads from her brothers. “I’m leaving soon since technically I’m off today. So, I’ll see you fellas tomorrow evening.” With that she quickly opened the door and passed through with Hunter on her heel.

  Plopping back on the couch, she glanced over her shoulder to see if her brothers had followed, but they hadn’t and she breathed easy. While they didn’t mind that she dated, they always interrogated the men she introduced them to—especially after she caught her ex cheating.

  “Take it your brothers are overly overprotective?”

  “I don’t mind, but considering we aren’t dating or anything, I didn’t want them to initiate their usual question session. Well, Cam asks the questions like a detective while Mase paces around as if he’s ready to kill with his bare hands. Of course, it has weeded out duds, but …”

  “I’m no dud. I can handle myself.”

  “So I witnessed, and I truly appreciate it. Men rarely bother me at the club, but he wasn’t a regular. So are you really a black belt?”

  “Yep, Taekwondo. I started training in middle school. My parents thought I was somewhat of a wild card unlike Chase, my twin, who’s very astute. My friends had started to hang with the wrong crowd and my parents feared I would as well. They figured I needed some type of disciplined activity so I took Taekwondo and played basketball.”

  “Cool. You’ll have to show me some moves. I played softball and ran track in high school. Definitely kept me focused.”

  His eyes perused her calves and the bit of thigh that peeked from her dress. Harper swore she could feel the caress from his eyes glide on her skin in a seductive manner. She crossed her legs but that did nothing to simmer down the heat boiling in her center.

  “Yes, I see you have runner legs. Do you still run?”

  “I jog or do cardio on most days, or sometimes yoga or kickboxing. It all relieves tension.”

  A wicked smile crossed his face, and Harper could only imagine what fantasy had played in his brain. “How about that drink?” she reminded, changing the subject as she stood and he followed suit. Another check. He stands when I stand.

  “I’ll take care of it. You just relax.”

  “I need a real drink after that little fiasco. I know of this cool place within walking distance and they have really great drinks and delicious food. Besides, you need to explore some of Atlanta while you’re here.”

  He raised a hopeful smile. “So you’re going to be my private tour guide after all?”

  Her answer was a flirty wink.

  Chapter Four

  Hunter opened the door of Café Intermezzo to let Harper cross the threshold, or in her case strut provocatively past him in six inch heels. She mouthed a sexy thank you as she entered and continued to the host stand where she gave the hostess a hug and asked for her usual area to sit. Even though he was a gentleman, he had to admit admiring her sultry body wrapped seductively in a lace red dress and her scent tickling his nose was enough to make him forget. His gaze wandered over her rounded hips and plump butt as they continued onto their table. He didn’t notice any of the ambience or the patrons of the crowded restaurant. Nope, just the woman in front of him who’d finally decided to be his “tour guide”.

  Hunter had enjoyed every moment of watching her walk the few blocks to the restaurant as she’d pointed out places along the way—places he couldn’t remember because he wasn’t listening. He was too busy admiring her ass swishing in front of him, and imagining all the ways her legs could be intertwined with his.

  Pulling out her chair, he lingered his eyes on her adorable face. She wore little make-up which was fine with him. She was a natural beauty with warm, toffee-colored skin that he had an urge to glide his tongue over and taste the sweetness radiating from her. A slight strain pressed against his pants at the erotic thought. Remembering he was wearing spring khakis, he pushed in her chair and immediately plopped into his seat across from her.

  A waitress stopped by to greet them with two glasses of water and promised to return in a few moments with the cocktails they’d ordered.

  “So, what do you recommend from the menu?” he asked, picking up his in the hopes of pulling his mind out of the gutter.

  Harper raised her eyes up from her perusal of the menu and settled them on him. For the first time he noticed the place was dimly lit and the candle on the table illuminated her face beautifully. No, he didn’t think his mind was rising from the gutter any time soon. More like drowning in it, like he was at that moment as her smoldering stare rested on him inquisitively.

  “Well, what are you in the mood for?” she ask
ed.

  Chuckling, he closed the menu and leaned in toward her. Grabbing one of her hands, he set it on the table under his. He licked his tongue over his bottom lip and whispered, “Toffee. Rich toffee.”

  Her lips slid into an amused smirk, and she glanced at the extensive dessert display case that contained cheesecakes, pastries, and other sweet treats. He decided to play along and peek there as well for a quick second. The only sweet thing he wanted sat across from him wearing a sensual expression on her face. Goodness, he hoped he’d have a chance to see more of it and he hoped to be the reason.

  Closing her eyes halfway, she released a moan. “Mmm, they do have a toffee cheesecake. It’s so freakin’ delish.” Biting her bottom lip, Harper squeezed his hand. “It’s rich. Creamy. Smooth. Mmm … I think you’d enjoy indulging in it.”

  Travelling his fingers up her bare forearm and back down to her hand, Hunter loved watching her eyelashes flutter at the gesture. She let out a long, seductive sigh and shifted in her seat. Aroused by the feel of her warm skin under his, sent his pulse to race like a car speeding in the Indy 500.

  “Hmm … I may have to indulge in it, as you suggested. Sounds absolutely delicious, beautiful one.”

  “It is.” Removing her hand and leaning back into her chair, she reopened her menu and continued reading it. “You should order it.”

  Wrapping his legs around hers under the table, an arrogant grin reached his face when she sucked in her breath. “I wasn’t talking about the dessert.”

  “Oh, I know,” she answered matter-of-factly. “Neither was I.”

  “So, you want to leave now?” he asked seriously, scooting his chair back.

  “No. The cheesecake will have to satisfy you. Besides, I’m hungry.”

  “I’m hungry, too, but it damn sure ain’t for anything on this menu.”

  “Down, boy. I was teasing you.”

  He chuckled and took a sip of his water even though he wished the waitress would hurry the hell up and return with his martini. “So you were flirting with me?”

  “Perhaps,” she answered with a wink. “I mean after all you started it with craving all this toffee seated across from you.”

  “I have from the moment we met.”

  “Most men do but that doesn’t mean you’re getting me. Besides, you’re only here for a few months.”

  “But you decided to go out with me anyway.”

  “This isn’t a date, remember? I wanted to thank you for handling that scumbag.”

  “No, you wanted to see where this can go.”

  “It’s not going anywhere, sweetheart. You don’t live here, and I don’t do long distance relationships …”

  The word anymore popped into his head. Hunter nodded in awareness as he now realized Harper’s gripe and it had nothing to do with him. “Ahhh, let me guess. Some dumbass brother ruined it for everyone else. He cheated and you found out.”

  “Yep, the hard way. Tried surprising him for his birthday after he said he couldn’t come to Atlanta because of a last minute business meeting that he couldn’t cancel. I decided to fly to New York and got a surprise of my own as I opened his brownstone door with the key he gave me. But something in my gut had warned me he was dating someone else. I needed to see for myself. The sad thing is she wasn’t even an upgrade. If you’re gonna cheat fine, but at least find someone more drop dead gorgeous and finer than me.”

  “Well, he didn’t know what a gem he had. But, Harper, I’m not him. I’ve never cheated on any of my girlfriends. I’m not that kind of man.”

  “Never said you were. I’m not bitter or heartbroken. It hasn’t turned me off from dating or made me think that all men are assholes who can’t be trusted. That incident simply informed me of what I don’t want. I don’t see the point of wasting my time.”

  “But here you are.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  “Hmm … didn’t I hear you tell your brothers you were off today? Yet there you were at the club.” A cocky smirk inched up his jaw and he leaned toward her. “You wanted to see me, huh?”

  She shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s not uncommon for me to stop by on my off days if I need to. I had a few calls to make for your event.”

  “And you couldn’t make a few phone calls in the comfort of your own home?”

  Swishing her lips to the side, Harper cut her eyes at him. “I needed to check on some other things as well.”

  “In a sexy red dress and heels? Not that I mind. A little overdressed, don’t you think? Considering it’s your off day.”

  “Whatever. Believe what you want. I always dress up when I’m at the club. Otherwise, I prefer to be casual and comfy in jeans and flats.”

  “I bet you look fine in jeans, too.”

  “Sure do,” she answered with a confident smile.

  The waitress returned with their cocktails and jotted down their orders. He ordered the pecan-crusted chicken while Harper ordered the slow-cooked beef.

  “You seem to know everyone in here,” he commented after the waitress left but not without giving Harper a warm hug.

  “Mostly. This is one of my favorite places to unwind. I love the food and the atmosphere.”

  “So you have all your dates bring you here?” he teased. “No wonder the entire staff knows you.”

  “Ha! You’re not a date, and no. I usually come alone or pick up a sandwich to go.”

  “I love how you keep reminding me that this isn’t a date. However, the evening is young and who knows what may happen between now and tomorrow morning.”

  “You don’t give up.”

  “Do you want me to?”

  Her eyes darkened and her legs tightened around his. “No,” she whispered.

  *****

  Harper replayed their conversation from the evening over and over in her head as they strolled along Peachtree Street while she pointed out different places of interests such as the Fox Theatre. Her arm linked with Hunter’s was comforting and secure as he walked next to the sidewalk. She loved the fact that he was a gentleman, even though after their heated flirting she had to admit she wouldn’t mind knowing the un-gentleman side of him as well. When he’d held her hand down on the table, the thought of being intertwined with him and naked in her bed while he held both of her hands firmly on the mattress had filled her head.

  The margarita she’d ordered couldn’t arrive fast enough to calm down her amorous visions. She hadn’t even kissed the man yet, but her thoughts had soared far beyond that. Some of them weren’t even sexual. It was just being with him in a carefree way. For example, now as she wore the flip flops that she kept in her purse while he carried her heels because her feet had begun to hurt from walking on the concrete. Normally, she’d suck it up on a date, especially a first one, but she felt comfortable enough with him to be herself. It was a wonderful feeling, and even though she’d stated she didn’t want to waste her time with him, she wasn’t. No matter what happened, Harper was thankful that she’d met a man like him.

  They stopped in the front of the Pinnacle Boutique Hotel, and she stared up at him as a wide smile filled his ruggedly handsome face.

  “You know this is where I’m staying while I’m in town, right?”

  “You’ll have to eat that cheesecake by yourself.” Pausing, Harper nodded her head toward the to-go bag in his other hand. “I’m not coming up.”

  “I wasn’t asking you to.”

  “Well, thank you for being respectful.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want to. I’m just not going to.”

  “That’s good to know. But can you walk me to my place? I walked to the club since it was a nice, spring evening. My home is a few blocks from here and no, you’re not coming up.”

  “I know how to wait for something precious, beautiful one.”

  “That’s sweet, but who said you needed to wait for something you’re never gonna have?”

  “It’s this little thing called hope.”

  “Ha, well keep h
oping,” she teased.

  Once they arrived in the contemporary-styled decorated lobby of The Lofts on Peachtree, Harper was somewhat disappointed that she wasn’t inviting him up. She wasn’t ready for the evening to end. The angel wearing white on her left shoulder kept screaming ‘no, girl, don’t let him up’ but the angel wearing black on her right shoulder whispered ‘what’s the harm, girlfriend?’

  “Can you walk me to my door? After all, you are a gentleman, right?” He doesn’t have to come in. He doesn’t have to come in, she chanted over and over in her head.

  “So you’re asking me up, huh?” he asked.

  They walked toward the private elevator to her floor that had the only penthouse apartment. She preferred her privacy so she’d bought all three lofts and converted them to one three thousand square feet space. Mason—being concerned for her safety—had installed cameras and a high-tech security system a few years back.

  She submitted her key card and the doors opened. Stepping inside with Hunter, her mind floated back to her image of lying underneath him once more. Being in close proximity to him caused her heart to beat erratically and a heat wave to wash over her body. Goodness, she wanted this man. Everything about him screamed the sex would be amazing. Passionate. Mind blowing. But she didn’t want a sexual relationship. He would be the kind of man she’d fall for and then he’d leave on his next mission. She’d never been heartbroken before, but for some reason her chest tightened at the notion, which was why she had to protect herself. He could hope all he wanted to but nothing could happen between them.

  “So no elevator music?” he teased.

  “No, and thank goodness. After listening to loud club music all night, it’s a peaceful ride up twelve floors to my home.”

  The doors opened to the hallway that was flanked with abstract paintings from local artists she supported. She locked the elevator and proceeded to pause in front of the double stainless steel doors of her home. Hunter’s chest meshed against her back and her stomach contracted with anticipation. While he wore a shirt and probably a T-shirt underneath, she could only feel the pure hardness of his body. The heat from him radiated through her and his quietness along with the subtle way he cleared his throat spoke volumes. Harper’s breathing and self-discipline quickly unraveled, and while she tried to conjure up more willpower, it was no use when Hunter whispered her name in an adoring, sensual way.