“Selina said no profiles,” Kali quickly put in.
“Just for me. That’s it, that’s good. Now look this way… yes, there. Very good. That’s what we want. Sexy, with a bit of glamour. But happy, approachable. Selina says you have to be happy.”
Hunter was down behind the sundial, the slant of the shadow across his cheek. He looked right at Kali over Fran’s shoulder. “If you want me to be sexy and happy, stop talking about Selina!”
Kali had to laugh. Fran was intent on his work, firing off shots, talking a lot more than she was used to seeing. He really had a rapport with Hunter. It seemed as if Hunter was able to create a connection with anyone.
They moved from the sundial to the bench. Hunter looked yummy sitting on the round balls with the sun casting nice shadows, relaxed and talking to both of them.
“How long have you lived in the city?” Kali asked Hunter.
“It’s been ten years, now,” he said. “I moved here when I was nineteen. I had just finished my first commission, a sculpture for a prayer garden in Wycoff Hospital in Philadelphia. I thought I had it made. I was going to take over New York.”
Fran snorted. “Who isn’t? Why else do we put up with so much pain?”
“I meet a lot of artists and musicians living in Williamsburg.” Kali could have added that they all needed drastic help. Many were living off their parents’ monthly check. She had no respect for that. If she couldn’t make enough money to live, she’d be out working at a Starbucks to support herself, likely somewhere upstate where rents were cheaper.
“Aspiring artists,” Hunter corrected. “There’s a lot of people who like the idea of being an artist, but who don’t work. Fran’s a working artist. Now, with the SunTech contract, I’m another one.”
“You’ve sold your work,” Kali said, thinking of his resume. He’d had shows in galleries every couple of years, and specialized in large art installations and public art.
“My last big piece was a pro-bono job for the park in Bed-Sty. It’s not easy making it as an artist. But I couldn’t do anything else.”
His passion was sexy as hell, but the instability of it was scary to Kali. She knew first-hand how badly financial chaos could affect a family. Her mom had worked at the same upstate college her whole life, but her dad had blithely changed careers like he changed his clothes. Whether they could afford to take a vacation depended on if he was painting houses or directing plays at a local community theatre that year. She had watched her mom struggle with bills as long as she could remember. Kali would never, ever ask them for money. She had to do it on her own.
Stability was really attractive quality in a man, one of most important things she looked for, which was probably why she wasn’t attracted to many guys her own age. But she didn’t like dating older men, either. She already had a dad—a wonderful, playful, engaging dad. She wasn’t looking for a husband who would try to mold her or make her fit into his life. That’s one reason she found it easy to turn down the guys she had met since arriving in the city.
Remembering that helped to center her mind for dealing with Hunter. He was just another man who wasn’t right for her, even if she was attracted to him. He was a work colleague, nothing else. A fun, sexy coworker.
It wasn’t long before Fran got the shots he wanted. He clicked through the photos on his camera for both of them to see. There were plenty of good images for Selina to choose from.
Kali helped Fran pack up and when his phone buzzed, the photographer said, “That’s my car. It’s been real good, man. Don’t forget to call me about the casting. If I’m free, I’d love to get that shot you were talking about of the metal flowing into the mold.”
It took all three of them to carry everything down for Fran. When Kali and Hunter were left standing in front of the building, Hunter laughed. “I’m not going upstairs without you this time, Ms. Jones. You might run off again.”
She had to smile. “Okay.”
They went upstairs talking about the project and the next steps that needed to take place in order to demolish the fountain. Hunter wanted to donate it somewhere, so they could generate more publicity for “recycling” the fixture. But neither of them could come up with any ideas of who might want such a monstrosity.
So Kali wasn’t expecting the abrupt turn in the conversation.
“I know it was my fault you ran off last week,” Hunter admitted.
She was standing near the screen that hid his kitchen. He had already said that the platform on top of the bathroom was where he slept. She was suddenly very aware she was in this man’s home, and now the conversation had turned personal.
“I didn’t want to be a bother,” she said. “I didn’t realize it would be so dangerous.”
“It’s not, not really. But I kicked up a fuss running around looking for you. And those guys were looking for a wilding, so I made myself a good target for them to harass.”
It made Kali feel better to know that he didn’t blame her for it. “You handled it so well.”
Hunter shook his head. “Not as good as I should have. And I shouldn’t have gotten kinky with you without knowing you, especially in front of your boss. I didn’t realize what a ball-buster Selina is.”
“I thought you were teasing me.”
“Yes. I thought you’d like it.” He shrugged, admitting, “I really wanted to tell you, bad girl, for peeking at me in reception. And then running away. That does seem to be your thing, running away.”
Bad girl! Kali couldn’t look at him. She knew her embarrassment was making her flush, but there was nothing she could do about it. “It’s not appropriate,” she finally managed to say.
“It is if you consent. That was my mistake.”
“Who would agree to let you say… that.”
Hunter laughed. “Lots of girls.”
“No one I know.” But then she remembered Brittany from college. Brittany had talked a lot about her freaky boyfriend and the things they did. Once she told the girls that he had spanked her for breaking his iPhone, and she laughed when she said breaking it was almost worth it because then they had totally hot sex.
“I’m sure you know plenty of people who do,” Hunter said. “Selina for one, but she’s on the giving end of things, not the receiving, I can guarantee it. Haven’t you ever tried anything like that?”
Kali felt her eyes open wide. She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be having a conversation like this. He had moved closer to her, as if drawn in by her flushed confusion. “Like what?”
“Getting tied up with a scarf during sex? Blindfolded? French maid’s outfit?”
“No!”
He smiled again. “No hair pulling?”
She shook her head silently. It was like she had no words at her command. Her mouth was open, she was breathing so fast. But she was held by his eyes, unable to move.
Hunter took a step closer. “It’s one of my favorite things, taking hold of a gorgeous woman by the back of her hair, holding her and knowing she’s mine…” He put his hand around her, on her back. She kept looking up at him.
“Just say no, and I’ll stop,” he said very low.
She remembered the feel of his hand when he had guided her on the subway, as they fled from the gang. He had touched her back like this as they got off the train car, comforting and in control. Now it raised goose bumps on her arms, remembering that and feeling him touch her so deliberately.
His hand slid up to her neck, his fingers curling around. He was right up against her now, their bodies touching but not pressed together. Close enough for her to feel unbalanced. His other hand went to her waist, steadying her.
He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Like this.”
He smoothed his hand higher on her neck, then let his fingers clench deep into her hair, twining and tugging at her scalp.
“Oh…,” she breathed. His cheek was close to hers, his breath warm on her ear.
His fingers tightened in her hair, pulling her head back. Her neck
was exposed, open to him. She was trembling. Not that she feared him, exactly, it was an instinctive reaction. Feeling so vulnerable.
So she resisted, and he had to steadily pull her head until she was looking straight up at the ceiling. His lips were hot on her skin as he kissed her neck, high up, where it was most tender at her throat.
His arms were so strong, holding her up, holding her in place for him to consume. She couldn’t help struggling as the sudden sensation was too much for her, too overwhelming. His lips pressed against her neck, then down under her ear. She couldn’t see him, could only feel him as he moaned in pleasure.
“Delicious!” he murmured in her ear.
His hips were against her, as he bent her back further. She was pressing into him, the rigid bar of his hard-on constrained by his jeans, rubbing against her.
She gasped, feeling a wave wash through her that felt almost like climaxing. What was he doing to her? She writhed against him, feeling how hard he was, how ready he was to take her.
But she couldn’t do anything about it, she could only hold onto him as he held her in place, kissing her neck. She had never felt so helpless or so turned on in her life.
Slowly his hand loosened, and she suddenly realized how tightly he had been pulling her hair. It hurt. But it didn’t feel too bad, not when every nerve was zinging and her body tingling from head to toe.
As he pulled back, he was also breathing fast, lingering near her, like he didn’t want to let her go.
Suddenly she realized how wet she was, no denying that! Wet and ready to go. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t thinking ahead, stuck in her head, questioning things and considering—what’s the best thing to do? She wanted this man, and she wanted him now.
“Nobody’s ever done that to you?” Hunter whispered, almost smirking.
“No.” That seemed to be the only word she had left. And she didn’t want to tell him “no.” She wanted him to kiss her on the lips instead of her neck, and stop looking at her with those searching, piercing eyes.
“You liked it,” he said.
She nodded. Do it again, she wanted to say. But he was so much calmer than her, not flipped head-over-heels like she was. She couldn’t say a word, only stand there looking at him all hopeful and happy, like a devoted puppy, ready to do whatever he wanted.
***
Hunter was tempted to throw her down on the floor and take her right then and there. The way she smelled, no perfume or cloying strawberry shampoo, just pure woman. Luscious! The way she moved in his arms, how she drew in her breath so softly when he touched her with his lips. How she ground her hips into him. The honesty of her reactions, no longer trying to hide herself.
Everything he loved in one sweet package. Bold, confident and independent, but willing to roll over if she was coaxed along properly.
He wouldn’t ruin that by rushing her, not a novice. Not when she had so much potential. He had messed up once before, actually twice, because he let his dick get ahead of his brain. But he would be more careful now that he knew the treasure he had in his hands.
Literally in his hands, as he rested them on her shoulders, appraising her. She waited for his next move, a natural submissive.
It was undeniable—he was putting everything on the line for this. It could cause problems with his SunTech project, hell it could get him fired if anything went wrong! Everything he had worked for could be flushed down the drain…
But it was only a fleeting annoyance in the back of his mind. He had to have this woman.
Now.
He opened his mouth to tell her what to do, but a knock on the door interrupted.
His fingers tightened. That knock was very familiar. He was tempted to ignore it, but what was he going to do—seduce Kali while Minx stood outside knocking? It was only one brief instant that he hesitated, but his disappointment was so sharp that he had to take a second to absorb it.
“Sorry,” he told her, giving Kali’s shoulders a rub of assurance, realizing he was squeezing too tightly.
She nodded, turning away to gather herself and smooth down her rumpled t-shirt. He couldn’t bear to look at her. What a rude awakening after such a heady start!
He opened the door, and was careful to keep his anger from his expression. He didn’t want Minx to fall into full-on sub-mode in front of Kali. This was bad enough.
Minx stood there flying her post-Goth look, drawn-on eyebrows and fuchsia hair, acting like she belonged there and eagerly checking out the strange girl in his studio.
“I won’t be needing you tonight, Minx,” he said. “I cleaned up this afternoon because the photographer was coming over.”
He stood in the door to make sure Minx understood she was not coming in. But Minx was still looking past him at Kali. “Oh, did you text? I left my phone at home,” Minx drawled.
Hunter was angry that Minx had put him in this spot—so typical of her! Obviously she had gotten his text about putting her off until later and had taken advantage by coming so early. He couldn’t just order her away as usual, not in front of Kali. He had to keep his kinky life separate from this project, or they might find out more about him than he wanted them to.
“This is Kali. I’m doing some work for her company,” he said. “This is Minx, my
studio assistant.”
Now Minx knew she had really messed up. She shot him a fearful look. “Sorry, I’ll come back later.”
“Tomorrow,” Hunter said.
Her expression fell, which is the last thing he wanted. He should have just let her leave without a word.
As the door closed behind Minx, he knew his scene with Kali was over. Fini.
Kali’s reaction was undisguised. She didn’t think much of Minx. He unfortunately felt like he had fallen a notch in her eyes. He could tell she was putting two and two together, getting four as she should, and then going even further than that.
“My studio assistant.” Then he could have kicked himself for repeating it.
“Yeah, I heard.”
She kept looking at him, but he was saved when his phone rang. Hunter pulled it out. “It’s the car. It’s waiting downstairs.”
She smiled tightly. “Time to go.”
He wished he had managed that better. It seemed like every time he was around Kali, he made stupid missteps. He should just fuck her already and maybe he would calm down. It was because she was a newbie. With Minx, she knew all the rules up front. She had called him master and sucked his dick the second time he saw her at a party. It had taken no effort at all.
He wasn’t so sure about Kali. She had definitely gotten off on the hair pulling. But that was one tiny step away from vanilla. She could have been imagining a house with a picket fence and two kids the whole time. Maybe that’s what made her gasp.
What do I know what she’s thinking?
Now Kali was folded into herself like an origami swan, giving nothing away with her slight smile as they walked downstairs. For the first time in a long time, Hunter wasn’t sure how to move forward with a woman. But he couldn’t let her get into that car and drive away without having some hook in her.
He couldn’t let her get away.
“I’m sorry we were interrupted,” he said.
“Well, now I know what kinky means,” she said lightly.
“Hardly. That’s only the tip of the iceberg.”
“I think the tip is all I need. I’m not a whips and chains, black-eyeliner kind of girl, if you didn’t notice.”
He knew she was talking about Minx. “I like that about you. Let me take you out to dinner and I’ll make it up to you. Everything.”
He opened the front door of the building for her, and she gave him a narrow look as she passed through. “What would your girlfriend say about that?”
“Minx isn’t my girlfriend. Get that right out of your head. She helps me in the studio.”
Kali glanced away. “Yes, I’m sure she helps you.”
“She likes to be of service so she
cleans my studio when I’m too busy. But she’s more a friend than anything else. Definitely not a girlfriend. Definitely. Not.” The car was waiting, and Kali was walking forward, so he asked, “How about dinner on Saturday? I can pick you up at 8.”
She didn’t answer right away. She reached for the car door, but he got there first and opened it for her. She stepped inside, graceful even in that.
Hunter stood there holding the door, to make it clear he wasn’t going to close it until she answered. He was already thinking of what he’d like to do to her on Saturday. If she let him.
***
Kali had never felt so torn. All she could think about was Minx, who was everything she wasn’t—wild, edgy and free. If Hunter dated girls like that, there was no way she could compete.
But she could still feel his hands on her hair and his lips on her neck. She had never felt anything like it! More like sex than real sex. She was heady from it, feeling like she could fly home.
She tried to get her mind under control, to say no, like she knew she should.
Instead, her lips curled in a smile she couldn’t stop. “Okay. Saturday.”
Hunter grinned down at her in triumph, closing the door. He looked like he knew that he had won.
As the cab pulled away, Kali gave up trying to think straight. She rubbed the back of her head where her nerves were still thrumming.
Remembering it, a shiver went through her.
Chapter 5
Over the next few days, Hunter worked in the sheet metal fabrication shop on the first floor of his building creating the twenty-four-foot long spear of the sundial and the round ball of its base. He also thought about Kali far too much, about the way she sank into his arms, letting him kiss her neck. The way her shirt was tight around her breasts, and how her jeans hugged that really amazing ass. He loved butts, and if a girl didn’t have a nice round one, it kind of ruined the whole thing for him. Selina had a flat ass—the kind women got from years of gym-training and too much dieting to stay thin. Kali, on the other hand, had a butt you could believe in.
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