Protecting Her - Alexis Noelle Page 0,11
me, I serve a purpose for him.
The car stops and I recognize the front of the hotel. “You think you can walk?” I nod my head, slipping on my sunglasses to try to hide my tear stained eyes. The door opens and Hunter takes my hand, leading me past the flashing lights and the heinous remarks being yelled at me. The elevator ride is quiet, and laced with an awkwardness that has never been present before.
When we get to the room, I walk to the couch and sit down, lying my head against the arm and closing my eyes. Maybe if I wish that today was just a dream, I will get a do over tomorrow.
“I’m sorry.” He takes a seat next to me.
I look up at him in confusion. “For what?”
“I should have been there with you. I can’t believe you aren’t more pissed at me. What happened is my fault. You could have been hurt and I would have been to blame. I’m sorry.” He isn’t looking at me but more just staring out the large window.
I touch his arm, causing him to look at me. “I don’t blame you. I would still be lost inside myself if you hadn’t been there for me. You were there when I needed someone to care. You have no idea how rare that is for me.”
His hand skims my cheek, and his eyes soften. His mouth parts slightly, as if he is trying to think of what to say. That’s when the door swings open. Hunter’s hand drops like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar.
“Mr. Stone you are dismissed. Your compensation was sent to your company.” No. She can’t do this. “I expect that you will keep quiet about anything you have encountered, as stated in the NDA you signed.”
“You can’t be fucking serious.” Hunter stands up. “What is you goddamn problem lady?”
My mother’s eyes go wide as she looks at him. “My problem is you not doing your job. That and I see the way you look at my daughter. She is not your kind, and as I made clear to you earlier, I will not have you trying to sink your claws into her.”
Earlier? What happened earlier?
“Maybe if you opened your eyes, you would see that your daughter went through some traumatic shit today and you treated her like a piece of trash afterwards.” His fists are clenched at his sides as he yells his response.
“Maybe if you weren’t flirting with that little tart on the production team, none of this would have happened. You obviously can’t be trusted with my daughter’s safety.” The mention of him interacting with that girl has jealousy coursing through my body, but it quickly disappears when my mother continues. “As I said, you’re dismissed.” Her hands fold over her chest as she tries to assert her authority.
“No.” They both turn my way. “It’s my safety at stake and I want him to stay.”
“Samantha, you can’t be serious.”
“I am.” I can tell she is shocked; I have never gone against a decision she has made for me.
“You need to let me handle this. You are obviously infatuated with him and can’t think straight.”
Hunter turns to me and seems to assess me before giving me a small smile. Ass. “I am thinking straight and I am saying that he stays.”
She looks back and forth between the two of us, her disbelief evident. “Have it your way, for now. When he gets you knocked up and you end up in some dingy apartment on welfare, I will tell you I told you so.” She leaves without another word, the door slamming after her. Sometimes her attitude really surprises me. We used to live in a dingy apartment and received aid. I guess that’s all easy to forget once you have money.
Hunter sits back down next to me. “You okay?”
I nod my head, taking a deep breath. “I’ve never disagreed with her. I usually just follow her lead and say yes. It actually felt good to say no.”
He laughs. “Why don’t you go take a bath and relax? Promise I won’t interrupt you this time.” He stands up and walks toward his room, but turns as he reaches the door. “Unless you want me to interrupt you.”
I throw the pillow at him, hitting his head. “You’re an ass.”
“Just thought I’d offer. Have fun, cupcake.” He winks at me before disappearing into the room.
He’s still an asshole, but an asshole with a sweet side.
Chapter