Possessed by Passion (6 page)

“What are you afraid of?”

That question irked her. “I'm not afraid of anything.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you know what I think?”

“Not really.”

“I'm going to tell you anyway. I think you're afraid that I have the capability to make you feel like a woman again.”

Hunter swallowed deeply, knowing what he said was true, but she'd never admit to him. “Sorry to disappointment you but—”

“You could never disappoint me, Hunter. Only pleasure me.”

If his words were meant to take the wind from her sails, they succeeded. She wished he wouldn't say things like that. Words that could slice through her common sense and make her want things she shouldn't have. “Doesn't matter.”

“It does to me. Let's have dinner and talk about it.”

That was the last thing she wanted to do—discuss how she'd come unglued in his arms. “I'd rather not.”

“I wish you would. What I told you earlier was true. I've been sleeping for almost forty-eight hours.”

“Why?”

“A lot of surgeries at the hospital.” He paused a moment and then added, “And I lost one of my patients during surgery last week.”

His words sliced through her irritation. “Oh, Tyson, I'm so sorry to hear that.” Without realizing she was doing so, she reached out and touched his arm.

He drew in a deep breath. “Doctors aren't superheroes and we can only do so much but...”

“But you did your best.”

“Yes,” he agreed somberly. “I did my best. Unfortunately for Mr. Beaumont, my best wasn't good enough.”

A part of Hunter understood how Tyson was feeling. All she had to do was to recall that time when her grandfather had first taken ill. She had been at the hospital with him when a commotion out in the hall had drawn her attention. She'd stepped out in time to hear some family member of a person who'd just died accuse the doctor of not doing enough. The doctor had tried to calm the person down, saying he'd done all he could. Hunter had known the accusations hurled at the doctor had hurt. For a quick second she'd seen the agonized look in the doctor's eyes. And then she'd understood. The man was a doctor but he was also a human being. Just like family members grieved for their lost loved ones, doctors grieved for the patients they lost.

Tyson leaned down to pick up the folder she had dropped earlier. When he handed it to her, he said, “Look, I didn't mean to mention that. I asked you to dinner, not to attend a pity party.”

“I'm glad because a pity party isn't what you're going to get. If the offer for dinner still stands, then I'll take it.”

He eyed her curiously. “Why did you change your mind?”

“Because although you have the ability to irritate me, I do need to go over these with you,” she said, handing the folder back to him. “And I really should be nice to you.”

At the sensual gleam that suddenly appeared in his eyes, she quickly said, “Not
that
nice.”

He chuckled. “And why do you think you should be nice to me?”

“Thanks to you, I have three new clients. I appreciate the referrals.”

Tyson shrugged. “No big deal.”

“It's my business we're talking about, so to me it is a big deal. Thank you.”

“You're welcome. But there's one thing I forgot to mention about dinner.”

She looked up at him. “What?”

“It's at my place.”

She frowned, not liking how he'd easily maneuvered that one. There was no way he could have forgotten to mention that earlier. “I thought you couldn't cook.”

“I can't,” he said, heading for the door. “But I know how to pick up takeout. I hope you like Thai food.”

Hunter did, but she wasn't sure having dinner at his place was a smart idea. She was about to tell him so when he added over his shoulder, “I'll text you my address. See you in an hour.”

And then he opened the door and walked out, closing it behind him.

Chapter 6

H
unter stared at the closed door and a part of her wished there was more going on between her and Tyson than physical attraction. The sexual vibes they emitted whenever they were together were so strong she bet a person walking across the street could pick up on it.

And that kiss...

Just thinking about it made her weak in the knees so she moved around her desk and sat down. The kiss had started off gentle and when she began participating, mingling her tongue with his, it had gotten downright passionate to a degree she'd never experienced before. Who kissed like that? Evidently Tyson Steele did. She didn't recall the one time they'd kissed back in high school having this type of effect on her. He had definitely gotten experience over the years. The man knew how to use his tongue in a way that could be destructive to a woman's mind. It had definitely obliterated her common sense. For a minute there she hadn't wanted him to stop and had been disappointed when he'd done so.

The kiss had evidently affected him, too. She had been able to feel the heat radiating from his body as he kissed her. And when she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body closer to his, she had felt evidence of his desire. His huge erection had pressed into her middle and all she could think about was how it would feel inside her.

Like in her dreams
.

Hunter drew in a deep breath. That kiss had gotten out of hand, and on top of that, she had agreed to have dinner with him at his place. What could she have been thinking? Tyson had told her what he wanted from her and now he probably thought it was within his reach. That was the last thing she wanted him to think.

Hunter was about to pull her cell phone out of her purse to call Tyson and cancel dinner when it rang. She frowned when she recognized the ringtone. Why would Nadine Robinson be calling her? She hadn't talked to her mother-in-law in over two years. Not since Hunter had filed for a divorce. Carter's father, Lewis Robinson, had forbidden the family from having anything to do with Hunter for divorcing his son.

Curiosity got the best of her so she clicked on the phone. “Yes, Nadine?”

“Hunter? Glad I was able to reach you. I was afraid you had changed your number.”

It was on the tip of Hunter's tongue to say although she hadn't changed her phone number, she had blocked certain callers from getting through, like Nadine's son. She would have blocked Nadine's number as well, but figured the older woman had no reason to ever call her.

“This is a surprise, Nadine. What can I do for you?” Hunter decided to get straight to the point. There was no reason for her and the woman to engage in friendly chitchat.

“I called to warn you. About Carter.”

Hunter lifted a brow. “Why would you want to warn me about Carter?”

“His world is falling apart. He's losing clients right and left and several employees have quit.”

That didn't surprise Hunter. Although Carter had underhandedly taken her clients away, she figured it was only a matter of time before he lost them. As for the employees, although Carter was a pretty good architect, he lacked people skills, so that wasn't a shocker.

“That's not my problem, Nadine.”

“I know, but he intends to make it your problem.”

Hunter drew in a breath. “And how does he think he can do that?”

“I overheard him and Lewis talking. They've come up with a plan for you to return to Boston and get back with Carter.”

When hell freezes over
. Hunter sat up straight in her chair. “What plan?”

“Carter will be in Phoenix on business in a few weeks and he plans to look you up when he gets there. He told Lewis he will apologize to you for all he's done, tell you how much he regrets losing you and that he can't live without you. The plan is to tug on your heartstrings.”

“My heartstrings?”

“Yes.”

Hunter raised a brow. “What does my heart have to do with it?”

“Because you're still in love with him.”

Hunter shook her head. Now she had heard everything. “Nadine, why would anyone think I'm still in love with Carter?”

“Because you haven't been seriously involved with anyone since your divorce. You didn't date when you were here in Boston and from what Carter is hearing, you haven't dated anyone since you've moved back to Phoenix.”

Hunter frowned. “And how can he know that?”

There was a pause on the line before Nadine said, “Carter has friends in Phoenix and they occasionally report back to him on your activities. You're not involved with anyone so it seems you're still carrying a torch for him.”

“Well, whoever thinks that is dead wrong.”

“I'm glad. I was getting worried. You did the right thing by ending your marriage to my son.”

Hunter frowned. “That's not what you told me, Nadine.”

“I know. But trust me, I did you a favor. I saw what was happening and refused to let you become a mini-me. Carter had begun treating you like Lewis treated me. You had started believing the lies and accepting his behavior. I knew you deserved better. The best thing you did was divorce my son. He's out of your life and I hope you won't let him back in.”

Hunter hated admitting it, but Nadine was right. She had started letting Carter get away with murder and he knew it. Instead of divorcing him, for two years she had bought into his crap that her life would be nothing without him. She'd opted to stay married to him but moved into the guest bedroom.

It had been goodbye and good riddance to Carter Robinson. And that's the way she would keep it.

“Trust me, Nadine, there's no way I will ever get back with Carter. And if he has this bizarre delusion that I'm still in love with him then he is dead wrong.”

“Good. I'm glad you moved back to Phoenix. But you need to get involved with someone. You need a life. As long as you don't have one, Carter is going to think he has a chance with you again.”

As far as Hunter was concerned, Nadine had no right to tell her what she needed. And Carter could think whatever he wanted. “Let me assure you, Nadine, I do have a life.”

“So you're seeing someone?”

Tyson's image suddenly came into her mind. “Yes, I am seeing someone. In fact I'll be meeting him for dinner in a couple of hours.” What she'd just said hadn't been a total lie.

“I'm glad. I know you probably won't ever forgive me for siding against you during the divorce, but I did what I felt I had to do for your own good. Goodbye, Hunter. I wish you the best and hope your young man makes you happy.”

“Goodbye, Nadine.”

Hunter clicked off the phone, shaking her head. Carter actually thought he could show up in Phoenix with a plan to get her back? Did he really think she was pining away for him just because she hadn't gotten seriously involved with anyone since their divorce?

At that moment her phone rang and she recognized Mo's ringtone. She was glad it wasn't Nadine calling her back. “Yes, Mo?”

“Kat called earlier. She has a date and Eric decided to come to town this weekend. Just wanted to make sure you'd be okay.”

She shook her head. “You guys don't have to keep me company like I don't have a life, you know.” At that moment Hunter realized she had lied to Nadine because in all honesty, she really didn't have a life.

“Mo, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you think I'm still in love with Carter?”

There was a pause. “To be honest with you, the thought had crossed my mind a time or two. Where did that question come from?”

Hunter let out a deep sigh and told Mo about her conversation with Carter's mother. “How can you or anyone think I still care for him, Mo?”

“Well, it has been two years, Hunter, and you haven't as much as dated another man.”

“The first year after my divorce I swore off men,” she said, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

“That's understandable.”

Hunter knew that the reason Mo had divorced her ex hadn't been about another woman but about Larry's gambling addiction. When he had refused help and had sold every single item in their home to feed his habit, Mo had had enough.

“What about now since you've moved back to Phoenix?” Mo asked, interrupting Hunter's thoughts.

“I'm busy trying to start my business here.”

“Then you need to learn how to multitask. And to be honest, it sounds to me like you're making excuses. Being in a relationship with someone won't consume that much of your time, Hunter. You've even got one of those Bad News Steeles hot on your tail. Do you know how many women in town would love to be in your shoes?”

“Then let them. I prefer not to do casual relationships.”

“After what Carter put you through do you honestly prefer a serious one? All you'll get is nothing but heartache...unless you're entertaining the thought of marrying again.”

“Never!”

“Then what's wrong with casual? I'm not saying you should start hopping from bed to bed or that you should get involved with Tyson Steele but...” Mo trailed off.

“But what?”

“If I was going to do casual after going without sex for as long as you have, Tyson would be my man. One night with him would probably make you realize what you're missing. You claim you haven't had an orgasm in so long that you've forgotten how it feels. That's sad for any single woman to admit to...unless you're doing the celibate thing.”

“No, that's not it.”

“Then what is it? I can see why Carter thinks you're still carrying a torch for him. What you need to do is declare your sexual independence.”

“My sexual independence?”

“Yes, and I think the ideal person to start with is Tyson. The word
serious
is not in his vocabulary so you're safe there. And if the rumors about him are true, he'll make you remember just how explosive an orgasm can be and have you screaming all over the place. He told you that he had plans to seduce you, so let him.”

“If I were to do that, then I become just another notch on his belt. I didn't want that when we were in high school and I don't want that now.”

“Then what do you want?”

Hunter should be woman enough to admit she wanted Tyson. She couldn't help but want him after all those erotic dreams she'd been having of him lately. But she didn't want him on his terms and told Mo how she felt.

“In that case then why not take the initiative and seduce
him
? That way you'll maintain control.”

Hunter gazed out her window and stared at the mountains in the distance. The sun was going down and cast a purple glow on the skyline. “Seducing a man might be easy for you, Mo, but it wouldn't be for me.” She just could not see herself using her feminine wiles to get a man in bed.

Mo intruded on her thoughts. “For once will you accept that you're a woman who has needs like the rest of us? A woman who's capable of planning her own seduction and doesn't need Tyson Steele to plan it for her?” She blew out an exasperated breath. “There's no manual detailing how to go about it. You do what comes natural.”

“What comes natural?”

“Yes, and it's easier than you think. There's physical attraction between you and Tyson, as well as strong sexual chemistry. Kat and I felt it that night at the club. All you have to do is let that chemistry be your guide.”

Mo's words echoed in Hunter's mind long after they ended the phone call. They haunted her as she began closing her office for the weekend, knowing she had little time to decide just how she would handle Tyson. Her conversations with Nadine and Mo had made her realize it was past time to take control of her life. For a change, she needed to do whatever pleased her.

An image of Tyson suddenly appeared in her head. The thought of sharing a bed with him sent heated shivers through her body. And if he was really a master in the bedroom, as those rumors went, then he was just what she needed. In fact, he was long overdue. However, like she'd told Mo, she had one big issue with Tyson. He'd already planned how he intended for things between them to end—with his seduction of her. He probably had a spot in his bed with her name on it—right along with all those other women he'd had sex with in that same bed.

What man targets a woman for seduction and, worse, is arrogant enough to tell her, as if it's a gift she should appreciate? Only a man with the mind-set of Tyson Steele.

She would just love to best him at his own game and still get something out of it. It was about time some woman knocked him off his high horse. It would serve him right for being so darn egotistical. Could that woman be her? It would mean her stepping into a role she'd never played before, but it would be well worth it if she got the results she wanted and on her terms.

Moments later she left her office, deciding that tonight she would not allow Tyson to seduce her. She would be seducing him.

* * *

Tyson smiled as he gazed around his kitchen and dining-room areas. His sister-in-law Brittany would be proud of him. The table was set perfectly. Brittany owned Etiquette Matters, a school that taught etiquette and manners. Tyson's mother was into all that etiquette stuff and although she'd made sure they had impeccable manners while growing up, she felt her sons needed to take a refresher course. When Brittany opened a school in Phoenix after marrying Galen, Eden Tyson Steele strongly suggested that her sons enroll in one of Brittany's classes. To pacify their mother, they had.

Tyson checked his watch and drew in a deep breath, not wanting to think about this being a first for him. He didn't prepare dinner for women. They prepared dinner for him. Although he hadn't actually prepared this one, he had invited her to his place and would be feeding her. He had crossed plenty of boundaries with Hunter and wasn't sure what he should do about it.