Snow & Her Huntsman (12 page)

“You look amazing, Snow.”

Beside her, Wendy applied her lipstick and flipped a stray curl into place. The blonde in pink confection reminded Rylee of cotton candy—yummy and sweet. “You’ll steal the show. I might be a princess, but you’re the queen of all queens.”

She and Wendy had shared a suite and an afternoon of delightful pampering—massages, soaks in a scented Jacuzzi, nails, pedis and facials—the works.

“Ever been to one of these events?” The woman fussed with her satin skirt.

“No. You?”

“My first, and I hope, not my last. It’s been incredible.”

Rylee nodded. “Fantastic and mind-blowing.”

A gong sounded. With a shared smile, they donned their masks and left the room to join a line of women in the corridor.

Clutching her evening bag, Rylee admired the participants near her—Cinderella in a pale blue gown, Red wearing a black and red dress that flowed around her legs. Beauty wore midnight-blue, and Rapunzel, standing in front, wore a deep, rose pink.

One by one, their fairytale character names were called. When Rylee’s turn came, she gripped her glittery gold evening bag. At the foot of the stairs, a dark figure moved into view. She sucked in her breath. Hunter, like all the men sported a tux that fit him like a glove and a black mask. His shirt was the same golden shade as her dress.

Hastings, standing to one side of the staircase, boomed out, “Snow White.”

Taking her time, afraid she’d trip on the gown, Rylee walked to the man who’d claimed her heart.

When she neared the bottom, he held out a hand then bowed as she joined him. “You’re beautiful, Snow.”

“Not so bad, yourself, Mighty Huntsman.” She let him lead her into the ballroom and out onto the magical dance floor. Rylee felt as though she were in an actual castle. Four huge chandeliers blazed with light, and the ornate, domed ceiling could have come out of a museum or old-world cathedral. Images of men and women, attending a ball in another time danced overhead as she twirled beneath.

“This has been the best weekend in my life,” she whispered.

“I might agree, but I can think of another weekend that fell into the heading of fantastic.” He swung her away from Red and the Wolf who were clearly professional dancers in the way they glided over the dance floor.

Grinning, Rylee tilted her head back. “You might have a point.”

She sighed. Like the princess in the story, she’d fallen in love. In a way, Hunter was truly her huntsman. That wondrous weekend together hadn’t allowed them to really get to know each other, but she’d known back then she’d found her prince, her soul mate. She smiled softly. Her huntsman who’d hunted her down and stepped back into her life.

Did he plan to stay this time? Or would he again abandon her to fend for herself as the Huntsman did with Snow. She rested her cheek on his chest as the music slowed. “Thank you, for saving my company, Hunter.”

Hunter held Rylee close and breathed in her sweet scent. Her hair smelled like fresh fruit and lemons. “It’s a good investment.” And Interior Dreams belonged to her. Even if her business hadn’t been worth saving, he’d have used his own money, instead of investing on behalf of his corporation to save it. For her. He’d do anything for this woman who gripped his heart. Would she cradle it and treasure it, or would she crush it like the evil queen?

“It means a lot,” she breathed softly. The music stopped, and her eyes glittered enticingly beneath her mask.

He led them onto the terrace where the air was cooler and a cloud of stars winked above them. Drawing her into his embrace, he loved how she fit against him. “Your business was solid before the economy tanked. You and Jerry created something special.”

He hated to admit, his step-brother had had a head for business. If the man hadn’t succumbed to cancer, Interior Dreams would have survived without intervention. It was difficult to feel any admiration for the man who’d allowed others to suffer in order to get what he wanted. Jerry’s childishness had destroyed Hunter’s life. He could live with that, but the man’s selfishness had torn his dad’s marriage apart and that was unforgiveable.

Music from the ballroom, along with the buzz of conversation drifted outside. Time was running out. Soon the clock would strike twelve, and the ball would end for each of them, not just Cinderella and her prince.

He and Rylee had negotiated a new contract that morning, and while she’d been off at the mansion being pampered, he’d made use of a temporary office to take care of several pressing matters. After being separated from her, all he wanted was to take her back to their tent and make love to her all night, but first, he needed to tell her the truth about him and Jerry and what happened ten years ago. But for now, he planned to dance and enjoy every minute of their evening. “Shall we take another turn on the dance floor?”

Rylee’s eyes shone as though filled with stars, reminding him of polished amethyst stones. “Yes. I’d love to dance some more. I wish this night could go on forever.” She sighed when he swung her back into the throng of dancers.

Her wish echoed in his heart. He just hoped when he told her the truth, she could forgive him and put the past behind them in order to build a future.

****

Sitting in their meadow, with a fire crackling in front of them, Rylee set her empty coffee cup down. The full moon and a clear sky showcasing a canopy of diamond bright stars made for a perfect ending to a wonderful evening. She’d changed out of her gown, unwilling to chance ruining it with grass stains or smoke from the fire. Sparks popped, shot high, then floated back to earth. It was a dream setting.

She leaned into Hunter. Their time was nearly over. Tomorrow, they’d both go home, back to their busy lives and businesses. He’d be a partner in hers, which meant she’d see him again. But was that all? Did he want to continue as her Dom? A long sigh escaped. Not once had he indicated he wanted more than this weekend.

“So, is this it? Will I see you again?” She loved him and wanted him in her life.

Hunter tightened his arms around her. “We’re business partners.”

His answer tied her heart in knots. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Yeah, I know. I want you, Rylee, back in my life. Not just a partner.”

“As my Dom?” He’d proven to her yesterday she was his sub. His very willing sub.

“That and more.” Something in his tone sent threads of unease snaking through her belly.

Rylee turned her head, then shifted to stare into his shadowed eyes. She didn’t regret her marriage and life to Jerry but couldn’t help wondering how different her life might have been had Hunter not ended things between them before they even got going. “Hunter, why did you contact me six months ago?”

She was glad he’d wanted her enough to trap her into this weekend. That gave her two wondrous weekends with this man, but she wanted tomorrow and the next day as well. She yearned for her happily-ever-after.

He pulled her hair free and finger combed the shiny strands. “I wanted to see you again. I’ve never stopped thinking of you.” He bent his head and kissed her, his lips a gentle brush. “I never stopped loving you.”

Rylee frowned. “Then why did you blow me off? I fell in love with you that weekend.”

“I fell in love with you, too.” Hunter shifted her closer, needing to feel her heart beating. Her warmth flowed into him, and he drew in her sweet scent. Staring into the mesmerizing fire, he knew the moment of truth was upon him. His dad always said the truth set a man free, but in this case, the truth might destroy what they’d found. He didn’t want to be free. He wanted to tie himself to this woman and never let her go.

He’d planned to tell her the truth this weekend, before he’d fallen even deeper in love than before. He loved Rylee Kincaid. How could he risk losing her again?

“Hunter?”

“I put family first, Rylee.”

“I don’t understand. They didn’t know me. Or did they have someone else in mind for you? I knew you came from money. Was I not good enough for your parents?”

“My mother would have loved you had she been alive, and so would my father. They weren’t the problem.”

“Then who?”

Hunter took a deep breath. “My dad remarried when I was in college. His new wife also had a son going to college. I welcomed him as a brother, but he never accepted me and neither did his mother, but dad was so damn happy. I did everything I could to keep tensions down.”

“What does that have to do with me? With not seeing me again?”

Hunter shifted her and held her gaze. “My stepbrother found out I’d spent the weekend with the girl he had his sights on—you. He’d gone on a couple dates with you, and he accused me of trying to take you away from him. He caused a lot of trouble with my dad and my stepmother. To avoid the family drama, I stepped away.”

Rylee’s jaw dropped. She scooted onto her knees and stared at him, anger and indignation coming off her in waves. “That’s crazy! Who was the guy? I hope I didn’t give him the time of day.”

Hunter smiled sadly. “You married him. Jerry was my stepbrother.”

Rylee jumped to her feet as though something stung her in the ass. She stumbled, nearly fell backward into the fire, but Hunter stood and grabbed her arm. She shrugged him off. “That’s not true. Jerry only had his mother. No siblings or father.”

Jamming his hands in the pockets of his tux, Hunter felt his stomach clench and burn. “Jerry never considered me a brother. The marriage between our parents didn’t last but a few years. Shortly after Jerry graduated, they divorced and by then, you and Jerry were married. There wasn’t any reason for any of us to have any more contact.”

And he’d sacrificed his own happiness for nothing.

Rylee couldn’t breathe. Hunter not only knew her husband, but the two of them had been related. Stepbrothers. She paced, unable to wrap her head around the information. She’d known her mother-in-law had remarried while Jerry was in college, but not once had he mentioned a brother. Even in college, while they dated, he’d never told her that Hunter was his stepbrother or that he’d known of their shared weekend.

Her husband’s betrayal burned like a red-hot poker through her heart, destroying her image of him, of the life they’d built. The foundation of that life crumbled beneath his deception. He’d married her knowing she loved another. Not only had he kept the truth from her, he’d been the reason Hunter ended things.

Tears of fury stung her eyes. She’d always known her husband was a bit spoiled, being an only child, but to manipulate Hunter in order to get what he wanted was too much. “I don’t believe this.”

Hunter’s decision affected her life as well. He’d lied to her, hurt her horribly, and left her vulnerable to a man who’d gotten her by foul means. It didn’t matter that Jerry had been good to her. He’d deceived her, and now she couldn’t vent her anger on him. She whirled around and jabbed her finger into Hunter’s chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Rylee. It’s in the past. Jerry was a good husband. I don’t want to destroy what you had, but I can’t keep the truth from you if we are to have a future.”

“How do you know he was good to me?” And what kind of future did he think they had?

“I checked up on both of you over the years.”

“Jerry’s been gone two years.”

“I gave you a year to mourn and six months for me to get my courage up.”

“And stayed away another six months.” Deep inside, she wept. It didn’t matter if her marriage was good. She’d been deceived. By both men, her choices cruelly ripped from her.

Hunter betrayed her when he let Jerry have her—giving her no choice—and Jerry’s silence was worse. He’d come to her falsely and built their marriage on a foundation of lies. Not once had he even tried to tell her the truth, not even when he’d been dying.

He’d acted like a spoiled boy, thrown a tantrum, and gotten the prize he wanted—her. And she’d lost, first Hunter, then later, Jerry. And now, in the space of a heartbeat, her fond memories of Jerry were gone and her wonderful, happy weekend with Hunter crashed down around her.

She fought tears. “You should have told me. Ten years ago. Six months ago. The day I stormed into your office.” She turned her back on Hunter, desperate to hide the tears and pain from the man who was breaking her heart all over again.

Hunter forced her back around. His eyes were dark shadows with hints of light from the fire. His finger dug into her shoulders. “You didn’t give me a chance six months ago.”

She glared at him. “Bullshit. Four little words:
Jerry was my brother
. I’d have been pissed. Maybe I wouldn’t have listened, but I’d have had the choice.” She kicked a loose stone. It pinged against the rocky fire pit.

“Dammit, Hunter, you and Jerry deceived me, took away my choices ten years ago, and you lied to me with that ploy of saving my business. You didn’t let me decide whether or not I wanted a second chance with you. You finagled things so I’d spend the weekend with you and fall in love all over again.”

Hunter met her gaze squarely. “Yes. I couldn’t risk you refusing me again. What we had was special.”

“Yet you tossed it away.”

“Because I was trying to do the right thing. I was wrong. I admit that. I should have been a selfish son of a bitch and claimed you instead of letting Jerry have you. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Yes, Hunter. That’s what I want to hear. That’s what you should have done.” She stared at the man who’d secretly held her heart all these years. With a deep breath, she weighed her options. This time, the choice was hers.

All her life, people made her choices for her. First, her controlling military father and a mother who had her own ideas of what made a perfect daughter, then Jerry. Oh, her husband had been a good man. He hadn’t been domineering or even bossy or controlling, but if he didn’t get his way, he sulked and made her life difficult until she gave in.

While she had no problem giving control to others, to her employees, to Hunter in the bedroom, she was not going to be bullied or guilted into doing what someone else wanted. He made the choices for them years ago. Today, she made hers.

She walked away.