LOGINHunter pushed open the bedroom door and found Maya hiding beneath the duvet.A quiet chuckle escaped him as he stepped inside and sat on the edge of the bed."Go away..." Maya groaned, tugging the blanket higher over her head.Hunter laughed. If he'd known there was a side of her beyond the sarcastic pain-in-the-ass reporter he'd always known, he would've tried to win her over a lot sooner."Do you want me to bring your breakfast up here then?" he asked, giving the duvet a light tug."What are you?" Maya's muffled voice came from beneath the covers. "My boyfriend?"Hunter shrugged. "Technically... we are a couple."Maya finally peeked out from under the blanket."Fake couple," she corrected. "The only time we have to make it convincing is when other people are watching."Hunter's smile widened. Without warning, he grabbed the edge of the duvet, yanked it away, and pinned her beneath him before she could escape."We made it pretty convincing last night, Cats," he murmured, one hand set
The ringtone of a phone woke them both.Hunter was the first to stir awake.Maya was still wrapped in his arms on the couch, sleeping peacefully against his chest. She made a small, barely audible sound when he shifted slightly.Hunter looked down at her, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.The phone continued to ring.Maya groaned softly and made another sleepy little sound."Turn off the alarm," she muttered, pouting in her sleep.Hunter chuckled.Then he carefully eased her out of his arms. Maya instinctively tried to cling to him, but he gently pried her hands away.She let out a quiet protest."You told me to turn off the alarm," Hunter said with an amused smile. "You have to let go so I can do that."Still refusing to open her eyes, Maya finally released him.Hunter climbed off the couch and stood, grabbing his briefs that were tangled with his trousers before pulling them back on.The phone was still ringing.He glanced around the living room until he finally sp
He didn't rush. His fingers traced a slow path up her ribs, his thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts until she whimpered, her fingers tangling in his hair to pull him back down.“Hunter…”“Let me look at you,” he murmured against her jaw, his voice thick with restraint.He leaned down, his lips replacing his fingers. Maya threw her head back, her hands gripping his bare shoulders as his tongue traced a burning line down her throat, settling on the pulse point at her neck. She moaned aloud, the raw sound only making his grip tighten.His hand slid lower with impatience that made her pulse race. When his fingers slipped past the lace of her underwear, finding the slick, aching heat of her, Maya completely lost her breath.“Hunter, please,” she breathed, her hips lifting instinctively against his touch.“Easy, cats,” he whispered, though his own jaw was clenched tight.He started a slow, rhythmic friction that had her twisting beneath him. It was a dizzying sensation, entirel
Maya wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeper.Hunter let out a low growl against her lips. His hands settled on her waist, holding her steady as he kissed her back.One of his hands slid to the back of her head, his fingers slipping into her hair as he deepened the kiss.After a long moment, he finally pulled away and looked into her eyes."Shit. We shouldn't be doing this," he said, his breathing still ragged.Maya laughed softly.Yes, they shouldn't be doing this. But somehow that only made it harder to stop.She looked up at him, amusement dancing in her eyes."Just shut up and kiss me," she said.She wrapped her arms around his neck again and pulled him back into the kiss.The last of Hunter's resistance disappeared.He kissed her again without another word.It hadn't even been twenty-four hours, and they were already breaking one of the most important rules in the contract.But if they could trap her in a situation like this, who said she couldn't have a little fun
Hunter's lips were warm.Maya's breath hitched as every camera in the room seemed to explode at once. Flashes lit up the platform from every direction, followed by a wave of excited murmurs that swept through the ballroom.She forgot about the reporters.Forgot about the cameras.Forgot this was supposed to be fake.For one impossible second, there was only Hunter Callum.Then he pulled away.His thumb brushed lightly against her jaw before he let his hand fall.The ballroom erupted even more."Holy shit... he actually kissed her."The whisper spread through the ballroom almost instantly.Maya could still feel Hunter's lips on hers as the room erupted into applause, cheers and the relentless clicking of camera shutters.She stared at him for a heartbeat, her mind refusing to catch up with what had just happened.Hunter looked as composed as ever.As though kissing her in front of dozens of reporters hadn't affected him in the slightest.Sarah cleared her throat."That'll be all for no
“It's time,” Holiday said.Hunter looked at Maya. Her eyes were still glistening.“You okay?” he asked quietly. “If you're not ready, I can stall.”Maya forced a small smile and shook her head. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could leave.She just wanted to be alone. Somewhere quiet. Away from all of this.“I'm fine,” she said with a sigh. “Let's just get this over with.”Holiday nodded, a faint smile touching her lips.“That's the spirit.”Holiday's assistant, Sarah, hurried over.“Ms. Adams, this way please.”She gestured toward the platform and turned to lead the way.Maya took a step forward, but Hunter caught her hand, weaving his fingers through hers.She glanced down at their joined hands. For some reason, the simple gesture sent goosebumps across her skin.“Is this necessary?” she asked as they walked.Hunter didn't answer immediately.After a moment, he nodded.“Yes. For the cameras.” His lips curved into a faint smile. “And for emotional support.”Maya lo
Maya stirred slowly to warmth pressed firmly against her back and an arm draped heavily across her waist beneath the blankets.For a few quiet seconds, she didn’t move.Hanger over effects. Her head felt heavy. Her thoughts slow and foggy beneath the lingering haze of alcohol while soft morning lig
“Hunter Callum?” Someone gasped from the crowd.It couldn't be him right?Maya stared at him through the flashing club lights, her tequila-soaked brain trying and failing to properly process what the hell was happening.Then she frowned. “No.”The man standing in front of her raised a brow slightly
“Jessie,” Maya muttered without looking up, “if you came back just to judge me some more, I want you to know our friendship is becoming toxic.” A low laugh sounded beside her. It didn't sound like Jessie. Definitely not Jessie. Maya paused for a second too long, her brain slightly delayed in catc
“Fuck Hunter Callum.” She said the second she sat down, before Jessie could even open her mouth. Jessie blinked at her. “Hello to you too.” “And fuck Chloe Miller.” She added, flagging down the bartender. “Especially Chloe Miller.” “Okay.” Jessie nodded slowly. “We’re doing this.” “Whiskey,” sh







