“
up the pathway to the front door. She’d called and left him a message, letting him know that she was coming, and that she’d leave the documents with the housekeeper if he wasn’t there. Ringing the doorbell, she couldn’t stop the blush that stole up her cheeks as she remembered the last time she’d been here. Had it really been only two days ago? It seemed like a lot longer. Did he still have those stockings? Surely he’d tossed them out by now. And no, she hadn’t dared to purchase another pair. Not after the last debacle. When the door opened, she was bracing herself to face Hunter once again. Her plan was to congratulate him, just as she would any other client, hand him the champagne and the closing documents, and then leave as quickly as possible. Just as she would all of her other clients. They were all trying to unpack, overwhelmed with the process but excited about their new purchase. She very seriously doubted if anything overwhelmed Hunter, but she was going to go through her routine anyway. All of her clients deserved the same treatment, and she shouldn’t slack off with Hunter simply because…well, because he could make her feel things that… “Goodness, come in out of the heat, my dear!” the housekeeper urged, waving Kara into the cool interior. “Mr. West is out back in the pool, but he said he was expecting you and that you’d know the way. If he needs anything at all,” she said, as she hefted a purse onto her shoulder that Kara suspected could substitute for a suitcase, “just tell him to give me a ring.” Kara opened her mouth to stop the woman as the two of them exchanged places, the housekeeper moving to the outside even as Kara was nudged inside. Kara went so far as to lift her hand, trying to indicate that she wanted to say something, but the efficient woman bustled out of the house, closing the front door in the process. Kara stared at the closed door for several long moments, wondering how that had just happened. Her plan had been simple. Just hand over the bottle and documents, convey her congratulations and head back. What had just happened? Kara turned around. It felt strange to be standing here, alone, in Hunter’s house. She’d been here two days ago, but the house hadn’t been his. The man now owned the house, all the furniture, and the acres of land and waterfront. It felt much more intimate now for some reason. Looking around, she wished that she could just leave the documents on the kitchen counter or the rough, wooden coffee table that looked perfect next to the white sofas. Everything felt and looked clean and comfortable, exactly as she would have decorated this area. The pops of green were vibrant and exhilarating, a perfect accompaniment to the fresh, white furniture. With a sigh, she turned away from the alluring great room décor and searched out the man of the moment. As she stepped past the sofas, she saw him. In the pool. Without any clothes on! Oh goodness, she thought with a strangled breath. It took her several moments to realize that she needed to inhale, her breath caught in her throat as she watched the man’s bare skin, and all the muscles, and…well, all of him! Okay, so he wasn’t naked, he was wearing a bathing suit but his broad, muscular back and those arms…they were even more ridged with muscles than she’d thought. He was spectacular! Never in her wildest imaginings had she pictured him that buff, but there
”
”