Destined for the Dom (Masters of Submission, #2)(8)
“Doing what?” Zo? had to admit she was sorely tempted. She was a single woman. There was nothing keeping her in Pittsburgh.
“I know they’re short staffed on the bar. It might not be glamorous, but it’s well paid.”
“Why do you want to help?”
“When we first met you were barely eight years old. You were just a vulnerable, frightened little girl. Now you’re a frightened, vulnerable woman. I can’t leave you here. We share a connection. We always have.”
“But you didn’t bother for fourteen years, Hunter. Why the sudden change of heart?”
“I always hoped you were happily married with a family of your own, Zo?. I wanted to believe that you were living the American Dream. I wanted to believe that you had it all—a loving husband, beautiful children. You know the sort of shit—the house with the white picket fence. That’s what I wanted to believe anyway.”
“Yeah, you and me both, Hunter. So what can I say? Sometimes life really sucks.”
Chapter Four
The next day
“My God, Hunter. Is that your home?” Openmouthed, Zo? pointed to the large brick built house, as his Cherokee swept up the drive. “Didn’t the St. Mark’s boy do well.”
Hunter smiled. “Zo?, don’t forget I spent ten years in the Marines. I managed to save a fair bit. I guess I made a few shrewd investments along the way, too. Plus my job as an Air Marshal pays well.”
It had been hard to convince Zo? to return to Boston with him, but in the end she’d hesitantly agreed. As soon as he’d seen her seedy apartment in a rundown area of Pittsburgh, he’d felt obliged to help out. He’d practically seethed with rage at the way she’d been treated by her ex. If the guy had turned up while he was there, he’d have sent the prick into the next world.
Once Zo? had finally made the decision to leave with him, she’d become enthused and animated. Her natural high was infectious, and even Hunter, who rarely smiled, couldn’t stop grinning. From then on it had been a frantic scramble to pack everything. Luckily, he’d managed to arrange a moving company at short notice. In the space of just two hours, they’d packed nearly all her belongings, and were sending them on by freight.
As for their relationship and what would develop, who knew? Some might say he was a fool bringing her home, and perhaps he was. If he were to bring a woman back to the house as he occasionally had in the past, she would seriously cramp his style. Nevertheless, he instinctively knew that Zo? was the missing piece of his jigsaw. Somehow, when he was with her, he felt whole again, and he hadn’t felt like that in a long, long time. She was part of his past, and maybe, just maybe, she could become part of his future. Whatever happened, he couldn’t beat himself up over it, because this time, he hadn’t left her to fend for herself. Now he had peace of mind, and that was priceless.
He squeezed her hand. “Jump out, and I’ll show you around.”
“I can’t wait. You’ve done so well for yourself, Hunter. I’m real proud of you.”
After sliding from the driver’s seat, he walked around the car and opened the passenger door for his new lady.
Hunter placed his arm protectively around her shoulder, and guided her to the door. “I’ll show you the downstairs first, and then your room. Most probably you’ll want to catch up on all that sleep you’ve missed.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so excited. I don’t think I’ll sleep for a week.”
Once inside, Hunter picked up a stray sock that he’d left discarded on the floor. As a single guy, he hoped there was nothing else embarrassing left lying around. “As you can see I don’t exactly keep the place tidy.”
“You’re a man, so what’s new.” She joked. Zo? gasped with delight as she looked at the ceiling. “Oh, a chandelier. It’s so beautiful.”
He switched it on, enjoying her sexy little intake of breath. The sparkling lead crystals cast a wonderful light over the staircase, pooling right up to the galleried landing above. Zo? looked like a kid in a candy store, all wide-eyed and happy.
Hunter took hold of her hand, and teased. “Typical woman, far too interested in soft furnishings and light fittings. At this rate you’ll never get to see the upstairs.” He pointed to three doors one after another in quick succession. “Living area, dining room, and this is the kitchen.” He pushed open the door at the end of the hall. “I spend a lot of my time in here. It’s got everything I need.” It was a large open space with an additional dining area. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows gave way to spectacular views across the countryside. “One day I might get a few horses in the paddock, but because I’m away so much of the time, it just wouldn’t be fair.”
“Is that land all yours?” She excitedly pointed to the tree-lined meadows that melted into the distance.
“Yeah, I like having that extra land around me. It just feels soothing, knowing it’s mine.” As a kid, and then a teenager, growing up, he had nothing apart from the shirt on his back. His lack of identity and personal possessions had dented his confidence. Owning his own piece of America made him feel like he’d achieved something in life. It gave him roots. Something he’d never had before.
“Wow.” Zo? skimmed her fingers over the black granite worktops. “Such luxury, Hunter. I’m jealous.” She laughed. “Only kidding, I’m real happy for you, but—”