Pretty Face

by Hunter, Sable

  Cody patted him on the shoulder. “Come see me next week, I’ll help you.”

  “Great, thanks!” Raul waved as Cody hurried on to the security keypad and let it read her retina for entrance. “I’m here!” she called out as she walked over the threshold. Two of her assistants came to greet her. “Do you have something for me to see?”

  “We sure do.” They led her to the back, and she put on a pair of safety goggles they handed her. In a few moments, she was so engrossed that time passed as quickly as if she’d slipped through her own wormhole. After she’d satisfied herself they were on the right track, she gave them some instructions and left them to it. Most of the time they did their best work when she wasn’t looking over their shoulder. This was a teaching atmosphere, any discoveries that Cody made she would share with her colleagues and the university.

  Now, she had to change hats and go from being the analyzer to the one being analyzed.

  Dr. Rowan stood as Cody entered her office. “I was surprised when you phoned for an appointment.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you were.” She took her usual chair across from the good doctor. Since she was on a path to honesty, she decided to start now. “I want to purchase those tickets for the Mardi Gras ball that you saved for me.” Cody pulled out her checkbook.

  “Not so fast.” The therapist leaned back in her chair. “I think I’ll hold them hostage so you’ll answer some questions for me.”

  “Such tactics, Dr. Rowan. Surely I’m more cooperative than that.” At her raised eyebrow, Cody had to laugh. “All right, you’ve got me. What do you want to talk about?”

  “Okay, since you’ve left it up to me, are you still communicating with Hunter?”

  “Hunter is here.”

  There was nothing better than shocking a therapist, even if it wasn’t with electrodes. Cody gave her a minute to close her mouth. “That’s why I want the tickets.”

  “You’ve told Hunter about your deception?”

  “No, I didn’t say that.” She briefly explained how he’d arrived and what circumstances they were operating in at the moment.

  “So, you plan on telling him? I think you must, or you’ll never be able to move forward. No matter which direction you finally decide is best.”

  “I do plan on telling him, when we unmask at the third ball.” Even as she voiced her plan, Cody had grave doubts she could pull it off. She went on to explain how and why he was working in her home and how hard it was to be with him and Hunter not realize who she really was.

  “How are you handling the duplicity on a day to day basis with him?”

  Cody fidgeted in her chair. “Duplicity is a harsh word. We’re becoming friends.”

  The doctor observed Cody in silence for a few minutes. She made a steeple with her fingers and paused to study them, as if checking the angle or her nail polish. Finally, she spoke. “I am concerned for you. This ordeal could end very badly. Are you prepared for that possibility?”

  “Yes.” Cody nodded. “You, of all people, understand exactly how much my pessimistic side tends to rule my thoughts and actions. I expect the worst, then I’m never disappointed. If something good happens, I’m always surprised. So, I’m going into this with the expectations of failure. I assure you I’m going to do my very best to make it end well. I’m pouring my heart and every ounce of determination I have into this and if it works, I’ll be eternally thankful.” Cody dropped her voice. “And if it doesn’t, I’ll at least know I’ve tried.”

  * * *

  Hunter had been waiting for Cody. She’d been gone most of the day. He’d eaten alone, surprised at how much he missed her company. There was something strange going on in his head and he needed to get a handle on it. Seeing Sage would work it all out, he was assured of that fact. He wanted her, he needed her—hell, he loved her. But he had developed a fondness for Cody. In some strange weird way, he was meshing the two women in his mind and there was no godly reason for it other than he was with Cody all the time and Sage was only a voice in his ear. They didn’t look alike, Sage was beautiful and Cody was…cute. Sage could turn him inside out with a purr in his ear and Cody made him laugh. Sage had been his reason for getting up in the morning and Cody was someone he’d just met.

  “Hunter!” Cody’s arrival didn’t help clarify matters. Just her saying his name made his heart jump. Was he losing it?

  “In here.”

  When she came into the kitchen, she was all smiles. “It looks so good!” She admired his handiwork, smoothing her hand over the wood, going on her knees to inspect drawers which slid out with ease. “I love it!”

  “I’m glad. One thing we haven’t addressed is hardware. I need to know what kind of drawer and door pulls you want.”

  “Oh, I have them. Hold on!” Quick as a wink, she ran to the back room and came back with a small ladder. “They’re in the attic, I’ll get them.” Since she’d made the decision to come clean with Hunter, it felt like a million pound weight had been lifted from her soul. Even if it didn’t work out, she would know she’d done her best, been honest and apologized. When she came to the hall, Cody opened the ladder and stood on it, tugging down the rope that controlled the attic stairs.

  “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Hunter had followed her, but she was fast. Before he could stop Cody, she was standing on the very tiptop of the ladder and was shimmying up in the dark hole above.

  “They’re right here. I have fleur-de-lis pulls. I’ve had them forever. They’re adorable.” He tried to grab her legs, but she was wearing a skirt and he was getting an amazing eyeful. And he didn’t think she had a clue.

  “Be careful,” he cautioned, his hands in the air like he was aiming to catch a football.

  “K.” He heard her huffing and straining, then a triumphant, “Gottem!” And she stepped down…and missed, falling into his arms like an adorable sack of potatoes.

  “Umph,” Hunter grunted as he absorbed her weight.

  “Sorry,” Cody whispered as she realized what she’d done. But some things are fortuitous, for she found herself cradled against him. Strong arms enfolded her and she felt for all the world as if she’d come home.

  Letting her slide down his body, Hunter tried to control how he was feeling. But he couldn’t. She was close. She was warm. She was all things feminine and if he couldn’t have a taste, he would die. Gently, he sat her down. But instead of releasing her, he turned her to face him. The packet of hardware that lay between them had to go. “Let me.” He took them from her and dropped them on the floor.

  Cody was frozen, mesmerized, so aware of him that every nerve ending in her body was screaming for more! “Hunter, I need—”

  “You need to hush,” he whispered as he framed her face and kissed her.

  He kissed her.

  He kissed her.

  And Cody felt the sun rise and the earth move. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him because this was the one moment in all the world she’d been waiting for and it was happening! His lips were hungry and hot on her mouth, his tongue tasting and teasing. She kissed him back, her whole body straining to get nearer. Nothing had ever been so good and so perfect. “Hunter…” she whimpered as he pulled back a fraction.

  When she opened her eyes, she saw it.

  Doubt. Surprise. Uncertainty.

  All of those emotions were mirrored on his face and she knew it had been an accident, a mistake, something he would regret—and she couldn’t handle it.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered and ran, needing to get away before her body betrayed her any more than it already had.

  Cody pulled out of Hunter’s arms and fled. He reached out for her, and she slipped through his fingers. “Cody, wait!” My God, what had he done? Did he have no more control over himself than that?

  His chest was heaving, his heart was pounding and he was aroused. Fuck! He pressed his face against the cool paneling on the wall and tried to calm down. At the other end of the house, he heard a door slam an
d a thump. For a few more seconds, he gasped, more turned on than he had been in a long time.

  Another noise, a muffled one and he had to know if she was all right. Moving toward the back of the house, he searched. “Cody?” he asked. There was no answer. And then he heard it. Little noises, gasps, whimpers, words being whispered. His name. “My God.” Was he hearing right? Cody was touching herself. She was masturbating and the name she was calling was his.

  “Hunter, oh, Hunter.” Cody leaned against the wall, her fingers pushed down in her panties, the other hand massaging her breast. Her body was vibrating with pure desire. She needed him so much. She ached to be held. Her whole being craved Hunter. With feverish rubs and swirls, she massaged her clit, desperate for release. “Um, um, oh God, please, please, um, Hunter!”

  Outside the door, Hunter leaned against the jamb in absolute thrall. He massaged his dick through his pants. This was the sexiest damn thing he’d ever experienced in his life. Listening, he could hear her panting, making sexy little moans. He could just imagine that she was finger-fucking herself, riding her little hand and wishing it was him making her feel good. When he heard a movement, Hunter turned, leaving as he’d come. Being caught outside the door eavesdropping on her would be disastrous.

  Needing to cool off, he ducked into the powder room. God, he was hard. Hunter stared at himself in the mirror and wondered who the guy looking back at him was. Here he was, just about to meet the woman he’d yearned for more than air and he was about to mess up by leading on one of the sweetest women he’d ever met. Cody had been nothing but nice to him and he’d given in to his weakness and kissed her. Hunter hung his head and ran some water over his hands, wetting his face, wanting to jack-off so bad he could taste it. But he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. As soon as he was with Sage, all of this would work out.

  He lingered a few moments longer, knowing he had to go out and make things right. Cody hadn’t done anything wrong. All of this was on his own head.

  Opening the door, he went into the kitchen and waited.

  And waited.

  After thirty minutes, he realized she wasn’t coming out.

  And he was too cowardly to go to her, so he left.

  Chapter Six

  Hunter searched online till he found a place to rent a tuxedo. Fortunately for him, the shop also carried masks and he picked up a fairly plain, black one that would only hide his eyes. On the way back to the motel, he purchased a six pack of beer. He came back to the motel and drank it all. Feeling disconnected, he turned on the TV and watched a marathon of Bones. For the first night in forever, he wasn’t even tempted to turn on the computer.

  When he fell asleep, his dreams were mixed up. Sage. Cody. Sage. Cody.

  He thrashed under the covers, sweat beading on his body.

  All he could hear was Sage whimpering his name.

  Cody calling out his name.

  Both women caught up in the throes of ecstasy.

  The same voice.

  One voice.

  Cody. Sage. Cody. Sage.

  As day broke, he’d quieted. Sleep, like the tide, had swept away the details that had caused him confusion and he rose, ready to face the day. Ready to apologize to Cody and ready to contact Sage and tell her that she was all he ever wanted.

  Ding!

  Hunter had just stepped out of the shower when he heard it. The welcome sound brought a smile to his lips. Throwing a towel around his waist, he went to his computer. Sure enough, there it was.

  Sage: Good morning, baby. Are you there?

  Hunter felt his heart surge in his chest.

  Hunter: Morning, sunshine. I’m here. Are we still on for tonight?

  Sage: Yes. Meet me at the Magnolia Room in the Southern Belle Plaza at seven. Black tie, optional. Mask required.

  Hunter: How will I find you?

  Sage: Don’t worry, I’ll find you.

  Hunter: Is this really happening, are we finally going to be together?

  Sage: Yes, I’ll be in your arms tonight, until the break of dawn if you want me.

  Hunter: Oh, I want you. I want you in every way a man can want a woman. It seems like I’ve waited forever for you.

  There was no return answer for about thirty seconds and Hunter thought she’d lost power or something. But it finally came.

  Sage: I am so afraid.

  Hunter almost dropped his computer.

  Hunter: Why, baby? You know me better than anyone does.

  Sage: I know I do. That’s not the problem. You don’t know me.

  Hunter: Oh, yes I do. Let me tell you what I know. Ready?

  Sage: I’m listening.

  Hunter: I know you sleep on the left side of the bed and that you hog the covers. I know your favorite color is orange. I know you hate cooked spinach. I know you get up at seven every morning and have to sleep with a fan. I know your second toe is longer than your big toe.

  Sage: You’re making me laugh.

  Hunter: I’m not through. I know how you sound when you cum and I know you love me.

  Sage: I guess you know everything you need to know.

  Hunter: I am counting the seconds till I’m with you.

  Sage: This is big, isn’t it? It’s finally going to happen.

  Hunter: Yes, this is the day I’ve been waiting for.

  Sage: I just hope you don’t regret it.

  Hunter: Never. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

  Sage: Tonight, I’ll make love to you if you want me to.

  A thrill ran through Hunter.

  Hunter: You’re making me hard.

  Sage: That’s not hard to do, I think you’re always hard.

  Hunter: The next time I have pleasure, I want it to be with you, in you.

  Sage: I want that too.

  Hunter: Till tonight, my love.

  Sage: You’re being very sweet.

  Hunter: Just wait, I’ll show you how sweet I can be.

  * * *

  When Hunter arrived at Cody’s cottage, she met him, her eyes wide and as full of questions as his own must be.

  “I want to apologize to you,” he began.

  “No.” She stopped him with a hand on his arm. “No, you have nothing to apologize for. I fell on you. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  By her seemingly calm demeanor, Hunter could tell she was determined to ignore the situation, to put it behind them, to move on.

  “No, I’m good. But I still need to apologize. I’m meeting the woman I’m in love with today. For the first time. She’s finally agreed to see me.” Hunter let the words flow, needing to say them. “We met online, this is my first chance. And I shouldn’t have kissed you, it wasn’t fair to either one of you, and I apologize.”

  How was it possible to be flattered and hurt at the same time? She didn’t know, but that was exactly how she felt. “Your girl is a very lucky woman.”

  “Sage, her name is Sage.”

  Cody nodded, loving the light that came into his eyes when he talked about…her, Sage. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

  Hunter was glad to talk about work. It seemed…safe. “Today we put down the floor.”

  Cody forced a smile. “Today I teach class.” He was so handsome in his denim shirt, with his sleeves rolled up his strong forearms, his jeans tight enough to show off his fine ass. “There’s shrimp creole for your lunch. And you can take the leftovers with you.”

  “You won’t be back before I leave?”

  She shook her head. “Probably not and I wanted to give you this.” She reached into her pocket and took out a check. “I thought you might need this. It’s payment in full.”

  Hunter didn’t know what to say. He took the check because she just kept holding it out. “This wasn’t necessary. I lack a few more days work.”

  “I know. I just wanted you to have it, in case something happened.” In case after tonight he never wanted to see Sage/Cody again.

  For long
moments, Hunter stared into her eyes. Really looked. Something was nagging at him. He didn’t know what. “This is Thursday, I’ll be here tomorrow, of course. Do you want me to work this weekend? If you do, I need to get some materials today.”

  “It’s up to you. I’ll be here either way.” Slowly, she backed up, holding his gaze. “Have a good day, Hunter. And a good time tonight.”

  And then she was gone.

  * * *

  Hunter did his best to concentrate, he really did. He was thankful that work like this came automatically to him, he could still do his job even though his mind was on Sage. Just think, tonight he’d be with her, he’d be able to touch her and kiss her. Feel her breath on his neck. Would she like him? He knew she enjoyed him online, but even he had to admit you never really knew someone until you met them face to face.

  Thoughts of Cody plagued him also. Sometimes she seemed so sad. He hoped one day she would find someone to love. She had so much to offer. Other than her friends, Marnie and Trinity, he had seen no evidence anyone else ever came to visit. There were no phone calls from men, no evidence she had a social life of any kind. Her solitude bothered him. Hunter enjoyed her company and…hell, he had Sage to think about.

  Sage was worthy of concentration. He didn’t know what the customs were for Mardi Gras, but he had a gift for her. A gift he’d brought from Colorado. He’d had it special made, a gold bracelet with two charms, a fleur and a heart. She’d mentioned once that she wanted a charm bracelet, and he hadn’t forgotten. Hunter intended to add to the charms as time went by. As he laid one oak floor board after another, almost mechanically, he let his dreams fly. If they hit it off, like he expected, Hunter intended to stay and find other work. Perhaps even restoring some grand old structure as was his dream. Jobs like that weren’t easy to come by. And he didn’t know what kind of home she had, maybe they could find something together, something resembling Cody’s cottage here on the river. Beyond that, he didn’t know what would happen. Mainly, he just wanted to hold her, make love to her, see if their reality could compare with the wonderful dreams they’d woven together.