Page 17 of Knot a Bad Idea

They’re not as good as mine, but they’re still damn good.

It’s all very thoughtful, and I’m having such a good time that it’s hard to tell him no to anything.

But feeding me on his lap?

Ridiculous.

His foot brushes mine under the table, but I don’t move away. “You’re not a child,” he smirks, “but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun. What, can’t a guy worship his girlfriend?”

Girlfriend.

It sounds wrong when he says it, but I can’t tell if it’s because I want us to be more than that, or if it isn’t true at all.

The contract still looms over our heads.

I take a sip of wine from a paper cup and change the subject. “How often do all of you come here?”

He takes a macaron off a plate. “We used to come a lot,” he says. “But sometimes we get too wrapped up in work. Every time I come back, though, I’m reminded of why I love it. Especially now.”

I try to stifle a smile. “You’re just a flatterer.”

“I’m a truth teller. We’ve never brought anyone else here before, you know. You’re the first.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

“Of course. We all discussed it. You belong here, as much as we do. You’re can come anytime, now.”

I’m dumbfounded. “You don’t have to do that for me.”

This place is too intimate for them to share with me.

It’s theirs.

But Hunter fishes something out of his pocket, then hands it to me.

“Anytime,” he repeats, as I close my fist around the key. “A place where you can feel safe and create, if you want. Sorry it’s not exactly a kitchen with twenty ovens, though.”

I stare at the key. It’s new and shiny, as if it was made specifically for me. “This is…too much. I mean…what about after…”

I can’t even finish the sentence.

What about after the contract ends?

“It’s not conditional, baby. It’s always yours.”

My heart aches.

The intent behind this meansso much,and I have a feeling giving the key back isn’t an option.

“Thank you,” I murmur, placing the key in the pocket of my jeans.

Then, because I don’t know how to process the significance of what Hunter offered me, I down the rest of my wine.

Hunter chuckles. “That terrible, huh?”

“No,” I insist, placing my cup down. “I’m just surprised you would offer this to me.”

Hunter cocks his head and looks at me like I said something ridiculous. “Really,” he says, unimpressed. “You still don’t get it.”