was clearly as much in his element as Hunter wasn’t. All these rich people, dripping with jewels and insincerity, made Hunter keenly aware that he wasn’t one of them. It reminded him of when he was a teenager, when he had all the moves but none of the money. It reminded him of other kids—like Josh—reminding him of his place. He and Hollis had always been the outsiders. Hollis hadn’t cared but Hunter had always wanted to belong.
Funny to think about the farm again. It had been a manic day, trying to make everything right—pick up his suit, get the flowers, arrange for the carriage, groom the horse—with his four-hour shift right in the middle. He’d only managed a chocolate bar for dinner and was already regretting that.
Hunter heard Josh’s laughter boom at intervals, but tried to pretend he hadn’t noticed. That guy had obviously been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, never worked hard for anything, yet believed everything should go his way.
It was kind of sweet to be helping Chloe challenge that conviction, just on principle.
Chloe did all the introductions, guiding Hunter through the ranks of friends and family. He smiled and charmed and did his best to play his part. They reviewed the items for the silent auction, his hand on the back of her waist, her perfume flooding his senses and her story turning his thoughts in an inevitable direction.
Walnuts. He couldn’t stop thinking about walnuts.
Or the fact that he hadn’t bought any.
Hunter felt the laser glare of Josh’s attention the whole time. She must have felt it, too, because her lips were tight even when she smiled at him. She gradually began to look stressed and prim, and he only wanted to make her laugh.
How could this Josh not see how his presence affected Chloe? The last thing Hunter would ever want would be to see the woman he adored wilt in his presence. He left her with her mom for a moment and talked to the band as they set up, passing some cash to make his request happen. The music started and he led Chloe onto the dance floor for a waltz.
“I’ll have to dance with him,” she said, looking mutinous about it. “My mom made me promise.”
“But the first three dances are with me,” Hunter stipulated.
“Now, you’re making rules,” she said with some irritation. She was stiff in his arms, obviously annoyed. “Why can’t I choose?”
“Okay, choose to dance the first three with me and I’ll make it worth your while.”
She smiled. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Oh, both.”
“Should I be worried?”
“You should be ready.” He grinned, then she started to laugh. Hunter felt triumphant when she relaxed and moved closer. “Come closer,” he whispered into her ear. “Pretend you like me, just a little.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of her perfume, knowing that everyone was watching. “Pretend you meant what you emailed last night.”
He felt Chloe stiffen a little, as if she might pull away, then she eased closer. Her hand stroked the back of his neck and her breasts brushed against his chest. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “You never told me how I did.”
“I didn’t know you wanted a score.”
“Thumbs up or thumbs down would be enough.”
“Two enthusiastic thumbs up,” Hunter said. “As if there could be any doubt of that.”
“It was a good fantasy,” she whispered, pulling back a bit to look into his eyes. She was close, so close, her lips soft and enticing, her gaze steady.
“A great one,” he agreed.
“You should send me one next.”
“I like lady’s choice.” He winked as the music changed. He spun her into a rhumba, well aware that Josh was making his way across the dance floor. Chloe’s eyes flashed and she laughed as she matched his moves, completely ignoring Josh’s plan. That man reluctantly ceded, backing to the edge of the floor to watch.
He’d get an eyeful when the music changed again.
“You’re planning something,” Chloe accused when they were cheek to cheek again. She was a little breathless and flushed, but best of all, she looked a bit disheveled.
“Of course.”
“Give me a hint.”
“I’m not the champion of F5F’s dance club for nothing.”
“Oh!” Chloe whispered, her eyes widening.
“Oh,” Hunter echoed. “I hope you’re up for it.”
“Absolutely,” she said, her eyes dancing.
The music changed and they took ownership of the floor. Hunter spun Chloe and dipped her, and the other dancers moved back to give them room. They moved together perfectly, like