Page 5 of Sworn to Defend
Hannah cleared her throat. “This is Rochelle, my sister’s wedding planner.” Her tone sounded positively miserable. He didn’t want this vile monster of matrimony breathing in the same air as his Hannah.
“And a friend of the family. I went to the same private school Hannah and her sisters attended.” Rochelle flashed him a smile and tossed her hair behind her shoulder.
Jesus. The woman was anything but subtle. “Right.” He slid his arms more firmly around Hannah. “I booked our flight last night.”
Hannah’s head jerked up, eyes sharply focused on him. “I told you not to do that.” Her expression was stricken. He wasn’t sure if it was annoyance or panic that had a line forming between her brows, but he was thrilled she was playing along with his game. “You’re going to be bored to death.”
“Not going off for a whole week without me.” He didn’t have to pretend to infuse the possessiveness into his voice. “Not happening, beautiful.” Just the thought of the slick, wealthy bastards who would try to scoop her up made him feel like a caveman. For the first time since he woke up in an overseas hospital, his accident felt like a monumental blessing. He was on mandatory medical leave for three months to monitor his injuries before he’d be put back on active duty. He wasn’t the type of man who did well without a purpose. Now, thanks to Hannah, he had one.
“I guess I will be adding a plus-one.” Rochelle had a pout on her face. One that was deeply satisfying. “I’ll just wrap up my measurements and be on my way. I’d like to find a…nicer part of town to spend the night.”
“While you’re finishing up,” he said to Hannah, “I’m going to find whatever stinks in here. It smells like my grandmother’s perfume was ignited with a blowtorch.” He leveled his gaze at Rochelle before giving Hannah a reassuring squeeze. She tried to stifle a laugh and let out an adorable snort. Damn, she was cute. Not to mention, the other woman’s feathers were quite ruffled now.
A horn beeped, and Hannah glanced at the watch on her wrist. “That’s the bus.”
“I’ve got it. Been dying to see him.” He couldn’t help himself from leaning down again and brushing his lips to the top of her head. Maybe she’d think he was trying to play it up for Rochelle, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now the question was how did he convince Hannah to give him a shot?
Chapter Three
Even though she was inside with the wedding planner from hell, Hannah knew the moment Collin spotted Hunter. Her son’s shriek of pure delight rang out from the front lawn, cascading over the god-awful pop music Rochelle had insisted she needed to “work.” She smiled despite the uncomfortable corset being cinched up—could she even sit down in this thing without cracking a rib? She was horrified speculating what type of dress would require this much shapewear, but it was probably just another part of her mother’s unrealistic beauty regime.
“Is it hard?” Rochelle tied off the corset and stepped around to face Hannah. She tilted her head to the side, her long, sleek black hair running over her shoulder.
“To breathe?” Hannah didn’t hold back an ounce of annoyance as she looked the other woman in the eyes. “Yeah, I can barely inflate my lungs.”
“No. To date someone so far out of your league.” Rochelle softened her voice, infusing it with false sympathy. “I’d be in a constant state of panic waiting for him to stray.” She placed her hand over her heart in a dramatic stance. “Because, Hannah, he will. Men who look like that, even as bruised and battered as he currently is, well, you can hardly blame them. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
She angled her body toward Rochelle, crossing her arms over her chest. She’d had enough of this. The other woman’s snide comments were so over-the-top and outrageous they were nearly laughable.
“I never realized you were so insecure. If Hunter cheated on me, I’d send him packing, but I have no reason to believe he ever would.” Even though her relationship with Hunter was a sham she’d have to rectify, she didn’t have to project a fake sense of confidence. There was more to self-worth than just looks. She worked damn hard, had a respectful job where she was able to help others, and a beyond wonderful son. She hadn’t had many friends, well, until recently, or boyfriends for that matter, but she was loyal and always willing to help if she could.
Hunter’s heart had been in the right place when he stalked into her bedroom and called her baby. The thrill of his words was something she’d try not to dwell on. She wasn’t sure what he was doing here or when he got discharged, but he no doubt heard Rochelle’s rude words and jumped in to help like the protector he was. The damage was done. She’d tell her family they’d split right before the wedding, as Rochelle was going to run back to Texas with the juicy piece of gossip that Hunter had unintentionally started. Everyone who frequented her parents’ country club would be informed of her new relationship.
After Rochelle finished measuring every inch of her body to fit her for various coordinated outfits, she packed her things. They stepped into the hall and the mouth-watering scent of bubbling cheese baking in the oven dominated Rochelle’s pungent perfume.
Rochelle stopped abruptly as they passed the kitchen, and Hannah nearly ran straight into the backs of her stiletto heels. Hunter and Collin were sitting at the table playing cards, grins on their faces. Warmth pulsed through her, expanding in her chest. They were so beautiful sitting their together, heads bent, Collin’s shock of red hair and Hunter’s rich brown, eyes focused on the cards in their hands.
“It was certainly a pleasure meeting you, Hunter.” Rochelle tossed her dark hair over her shoulder—a practiced move designed to draw eyes. “I’ll be sure to save you a dance at the wedding.”
Hunter glanced up, meeting her eyes, not Rochelle’s, and the intensity in his gaze made her throat go dry. Desire and something deeper radiated in the russet depths as he stared openly at her.
“No need. Not going to waste one second with someone else when my arms could be wrapped around my woman.” His gaze didn’t leave hers and his low, gruff tone chased away the annoyance that had flickered to life at Rochelle’s flirtatious words, replacing it with a long, liquid pull that heated her from the inside out. This isn’t real. He was pretending they were in a relationship, and with the way he was looking at her right now, it would be dangerous to let herself play along, no matter how briefly.
She didn’t introduce Collin—Rochelle wasn’t worth his time, and she’d spent far too much time on this woman. “I’ll show you out.” Hannah walked past Rochelle to the front of the house. The space wasn’t large, but it was hers. Something she’d sweated for and made her haven. The click of heels sounded behind her. Hannah opened the door and turned.
Rochelle spoke first. “I’ll send you the event itinerary. Your attire will be labeled and sent to your suite. The wedding room block is at the Ritz, unless you’re staying at your parents’ estate.”
She wasn’t sure which was worse, having to sell a kidney to pay for a week at a five-star hotel or offer up her sanity in exchange for accommodations at her parents’ mansion. “I’ll let you know.”
Rochelle’s chest rose with an exaggerated breath. “No later than tomorrow. The wedding is nine days away.”
“We’ll be at the Ritz.”
Hunter’s voice sounded behind her, and a moment later, the comforting weight of his hands rested on her shoulders. Hunter might mean well but he was making things increasingly difficult for her. She fought the urge to let out her own exaggerated breath and turned to face him. “We haven’t made any final decisions.”
“Unless you’d like to stay with your parents, I’d feel more comfortable at the hotel. We can get a connecting room so Collin can have his space.”
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream or cry. The last two hours with Rochelle had been unexpected and draining. She’d only just finished mowing the lawn and had a thousand other chores she’d needed to accomplish when the designer car had rolled into the driveway. Now, Hunter had showed up, and while she appreciated and was even touched by his initial support, he was taking it too far. The tighter he wove this story, the more difficult it was going to be to unravel. Not to mention she couldn’t afford to reserve two rooms at the Ritz. She didn’t even know if she could scrape up the money for one. If he kept pushing it, she was going to be on the hook for the payments. She wasn’t sure if Rochelle had sensed her panic or was just doing her part as a wedding planner, but a slow smile spread across her face.