The dynamic range of the saxophone elevated, pulling Camilla’s attention. Transfixed, Camilla tuned Corinne out as the frequency serenaded her eardrums. The cluster of vibrations wrapped around her, comforting her soul on a spiritual level. She swayed unknowingly as her body responded to the perfect notes and balance of the instrument. Hunter really knew what he was doing, and Camilla wondered if she could get an encore privately.

Her eyes snapped open. It was then that Camilla even realized she’d closed them. The music lured her, speaking to her psyche so easily that she’d removed herself from the chair and slow danced alone. The phone was in her hand, and her arms wrapped around her body. Even Camilla’s thoughts had ventured off, and now she was wondering if she were in control of herself at all.

“Hello!” Corinne screeched from the handset in her palm. “Camilla!?”

Camilla pulled the phone back to her ear. “Yeah, I’m here,” she said.

“Girl, I have been calling your name for five full minutes! What happened?”

When Camilla spoke, her voice was straightforward and disoriented.

“I’m surprised you hadn’t hung up then.”

“I was about to, but I could still hear the music in the background, so I knew the phone was connected. Girl, talk to me, are you all right?”

“Yeah.” Camilla stared at the stage, as if waiting for Hunter to appear from behind the curtain. “I’m fine.”

“So, what just happened?”

“Something caught my attention. My bad.”

Corinne became quiet.

“Listen, I’ll call you back, Corinne.”

“Wait, are we still having a girl’s weekend or what? At least answer that question since I can’t seem to get any others answered.”

“Um, yeah, sure.”

“You don’t sound so sure. When you call me back, I’ll ask again. But if you take too long, I’m calling you.”

“Yes, Mother Dearest,” Camilla said sarcastically.

“Mmhmm, bye.”

Corinne disconnected the call, and Camilla dropped the phone inside her handbag. Instead of reclaiming her seat, she grabbed her clutch and strolled to the bar.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

“Bathroom?”

“Straight past those tables to the left. There’s a short hallway, ladies’ room is on your right.”

“Thanks.”

Camilla sauntered through the tables, catching the eye of every man she passed. Her focus couldn’t pay them any mind since the thing she needed most right then was some clarity. As she pushed through the double doors of the ladies’ room, Camilla sighed and strolled up to the sink. She dropped her clutch on the counter and turned the faucet on, slipping her hands under the monsoon of chilly water. Bending over, she sent a cold splash of water over her face then grabbed a paper towel and blotted it dry. Since she only wore light foundation, the rinse didn’t do much to change her appearance, but being cautious, Camilla reapplied the foundation and added a coat of her Burberry lipstick.

“Get it together, girl,” she spoke to herself.

Taking another long look at the image, Camilla reclaimed her clutch and left the ladies’ room. The music had taken a different turn as Rihanna’s voice now filled the speakers. Camilla took her eyes over the place and spotted Hunter standing near a separate bar in the furthest corner of the room. In front of him, a female with long caramel legs and high heels stood. Her baby doll dress was nowhere near her knees. Camilla paused at the bar next to her and slipped her derriere onto one of the stools in front of it.

“Would you like another skinny margarita,” the bartender asked.

Camilla took her gaze back to Hunter and the woman, unsure if she needed the light mixed drink or something heavy.

“Yes, please,” she responded, taking her attention to the bartender.

“Coming right up.”

“Thanks.”

Camilla glanced back at them and found Hunter laughing out loud. His charming features were elevated, and he shook his head as if whatever the woman said made his day. The woman turned slightly, with a smile also covering her face. Camilla’s eyes passed the woman’s hair that draped over her shoulders to the middle of her back and she zoomed in on her side profile. She was the same woman Camilla had seen leaving his apartment with two other women. She was the one who had told him she’d be waiting. Knowing this sent a knot of jealousy through Camilla. It was odd since Camilla had no right to be invidious.

But still, she envied the woman and decided it was time for her to go. The bartender returned with the skinny margarita, and Camilla chugged it; tossed it back like it were a mere shot of liquor. She half-slammed the glass down then stood to her feet and was caught up in a dizzy spell. Her hands shot out to the bar as she held herself steady.

“Easy,” the bartender said. “Maybe you should sit back down for a second.”

He was probably right, Camilla thought, but she didn’t want to sit. Her mission was to make it out of the bar before anyone noticed. She stood still for a long moment, holding on to the bar, trying to clear the buzz she’d created. When an overlay of heat passed down her skin, Camilla knew Hunter was there.

“Is everything all right,” his deep voice drummed.

Camilla took in a quick breath. “Everything’s fine. I was just leaving,” she said.

“So soon?” Hunter eyed her, noticing the grip she held on the edge of the bar.

“It’s getting late.”

Hunter glanced at his Rolex. “It’s only nine.”

“And I have work in the morning,” she said, her voice elevating.

Hunter studied her a little while longer. “If I’ve done anything to offend you…”

“Why would you think that, Hunter?”

He moved into her space, so close his thigh bumped into hers. The light tap sent a fluttering through her libido, and Camilla silently cursed herself for being so damn out of control with him.

“I’m not sure. You tell me, Angel.”

Camilla removed her outstretched hand from the bar and folded her arms across her chest.

“Tell me something, did you know last night while we had dinner that I’d be interviewing you today?”

Hunter’s swept a keen eye over her face. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how you’d feel about it.”

“Did you think I’d refuse to interview you?”

“I knew there might have been a chance of that. And when I have my mind set on a certain outcome, I don’t gamble with it.”

Camilla paused, and her eyes roamed over the thick pillar of his throat. “What outcome would that be?”

His stare simmered as it held steady on her. “Getting to know you better?”

“Hmmm. Don’t you have enough women to get to know?” Camilla purposefully glanced at the woman he’d just been talking to, causing Hunter to also glance her way.

The woman smiled flirtatiously and winked as she held up a martini glass. Hunter grimaced inwardly. The night he’d taken Kelly, the woman in question, back to his place with her friends, Hunter’s gut instinct had been opposed to it originally. But he’d ignored that warning, thinking it wouldn’t hurt him in the long run, and here it was biting him in the ass.

“It’s not what you think.”

“No?”

“No.”

“What I think is a few minutes ago you were talking as if you’d like to get to know me, and maybe it’s my bed you’d like to get to know.” Camilla shrugged. “But I’m not looking for a one-night stand, Mr. Valentine.” She looked back at the woman. “Have a good night.”

Camilla side-stepped him and put on the best show she could to walk in a straight line. “Damn that skinny margarita,” she cursed after making it outside to her car. If she couldn’t handle the supposedly light drink, it’s a good thing she didn’t try the Between the Sheets cocktail.

Plopping down in the driver seat, Camilla turned on the Toyota Camry and sat for a second with her eyes closed and her head against the headrest.

“Now, how are you going to come down here and actually have the nerve to fall in like with Hunter Valentine of all men? How, Camilla?” She chastised herself and waited for the buzz to wear off. When she felt safe to drive, Camilla reopened her eyes just as a soft knock rapped against the window. Carrying her gaze toward the sound, Camilla was met with Hunter’s tender stare.

She powered the window down. “Yes?”

“Let me drive you home.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“It may not be necessary, but it’s safer.”

“Why, Mr. Valentine, are you saying you care about whether I’m safe or not?”

Hunter smirked. “I do. But you already know that, Camilla.”

When he used her name, it cleared all necessary tension between them. He’d spoken it as if to let her know that he was serious. Slowly, Camilla dropped her eyes from his, and a small light chuckle escaped her. Whatever it was they were doing was like a cat and mouse game. But the thing that tripped her out was she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to play.

With a roll of her eyes, Camilla spoke. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, I only had one, maybe two,” she paused and questioned her statement, “Two? Three? Oh hell, I only had a few. I’m not drunk. If I were, I wouldn’t be in the driver seat. How irresponsible do you think I am?”

She was only toying with him because Hunter got up under her skin.

“Give me your phone number,” he said.

Camilla lifted a brow, and Hunter removed his phone from his pocket and slipped it through the window where it fell into her lap. He didn’t ask again, only waited for her to do what he requested. They stared each other off, then Camilla found herself lifting the device and swiping the screen.

“It’s locked,” she said, unamused.

He rambled off the code, and she punched it in, opening the phone. Clearing her throat, Camilla glanced back at him then entered her number and name. When she handed it back, it came with an excuse.

“I only did that because I still have your card, and at some point, you’ll get tired of me spending all your money. Then maybe you can release mine.”

“I doubt that.”

Camilla arched a brow. “You doubt what?”

“That you could spend all my money.”

Camilla eyed him. “I could think of a few things to buy. Then you’ll change that tune.”

Hunter’s grizzly laugh tickled Camilla’s skin.

“Whatever you say.” He rubbed his thick lips together. “I’ll make a deal with you?”

Camilla waited for him to proceed.

“Don’t pull out of the parking lot until you’re absolutely sure you can drive, and I won’t bully you about taking you home.”

Camilla teased him. “I knew you were a bully.”

“Yeah… but not in the way you think, love.”

A pocket of heat dissolved between her thighs.

“I’ll call you to make sure you got home safely.”

Camilla nodded, not trusting her voice.

Hunter nodded once and walked away. She followed him as he reentered the Velvet Café.

Closing her eyes again, Camilla’s head fell back, and she rested there for another thirty minutes before finally pulling away from the club.