Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

15. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Charli

“I’m renewing my objection to you working for Hunter.”

Although my brother seemed mild-mannered, he’d always been protective of me. “Acknowledged and noted.”

“I’m serious, Charli. I don’t trust him.”

I held the phone between my ear and shoulder while I fed Carina a bottle. It was almost nine at night and Hunter still wasn’t home. “Seriously, Tom, I barely see him. This job pays awesome, and it keeps me off your couch. Plus, you should see Carina. I swear she’s the sweetest baby ever.”

Tom groaned on the other side of the line. “Promise me you’ll keep it professional. Hunter is a smooth talker and a manipulator. Don’t fall for him and definitely don’t fall into his bed.”

An image of Hunter shirtless on the bathroom floor flitted through my mind. He might have been a jerk face, but the man was beautiful. Life wasn’t fair. “I’m not going to fall for him, but if I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business. I’m a grown-ass woman and I can make my own decisions. ”

“You know this is going to give me nightmares, right? I can’t think of anything worse than having Hunter Dorsey as my brother-in-law.”

I laughed. “I think you’re jumping the gun. We barely tolerate each other.”

“Perfect. Let’s keep it that way.”

“You’re impossible. Stop worrying. You should be happy we don’t have to share a bathroom like when we were kids.” Carina finished her bottle. I set it on the table next to the rocking chair I was sitting in and placed her over my shoulder to burp her.

“I don’t miss that,” he admitted. “Your hair was everywhere.”

Carina let out a huge burp and I rubbed her back. “Listen, I need to put this munchkin to bed. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Keep me informed.”

“I will. Love you, big brother.”

“Love you too. Good night.”

“Night.” I hung up the phone and set it next to the empty bottle. The apartment was quiet. Had been quiet all day. “Should we read a book?” I carried Carina over to the bookshelf in her room that had more books in it than I’d ever owned in my life. Hunter hadn’t spared a dime. Over the last two days, I’d arranged and rearranged everything in Carina’s room. It was bursting with books, toys, pillows, and stuffed animals. Painted sunflower yellow with bright pops of color in the decor, the room made me feel… happy. It was every little girl’s dream.

I wondered if Hunter picked out any of it himself or if he relegated the job to a sales associate at the store. It didn’t bother me that he hadn’t come home for dinner, but it did bother me that he was missing time with his daughter.

My fingers walked along the spines of the books. “How about…. this one,” I said, pulling one of my childhood favorites from the shelf. We sat back in the rocking chair as I read about a stuffed teddy bear wearing green overalls. Carina’s blue eyes fluttered, fighting exhaustion. It didn’t take long until her breathing evened out and she was fast asleep .

I carried her to the crib and put her inside. Her little chest rose and fell peacefully. It amazed me how much I already loved her in such a short amount of time.

Having a family of my own had never been much of a priority for me. I was too busy training as an aerial performer to think about kids, but looking down on Carina, I wanted it. Warmth spread through my chest at the thought of being a real mom.

One day.

The guys I dated in the past never really understood me. They were intrigued by what I did for a living and assumed my career in show business equated to being a wild child. Free-spirited? Yes. Irresponsible? No. I didn’t participate in crazy after-parties, where drugs and alcohol were consumed like candy. My body was my biggest asset. Like any other athlete, I was careful how I treated it. I couldn’t afford to climb silks with a hangover or under the influence. It was dangerous enough completely sober.

One day, I’d find a man worthy of me. One who would put me first. One who would appreciate my goals and support my career. One who would love me for me.

For now, I soaked in the happiness caring for Carina gave me.

I wandered down the quiet hallway, running my hand along the muted gray wall. Hunter’s apartment was minimalistic. Not a single picture hung on the walls. There were no photographs or art. With its hardwood floors and black leather furniture the space gave nothing away about its owner. In stark contrast to Carina’s room, the rest of the apartment was… functional. It didn’t feel warm or cozy. It felt cold and lonely.

In the kitchen, I cut up an apple and smeared peanut butter on the slices. Carrying it to the couch, I turned on the television and watched the latest episode of my favorite show under a blanket from my bed. My eyes began to close, and I forced them back open, readjusting myself on the leather pillows. I wasn’t necessarily waiting up for Hunter, but it did concern me that he wasn’t home yet. It would be one thing if I knew he was in a meeting or out with friends, but I had no idea where he was. It wasn’t my business. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did .

Around eleven, I heard the key in the door and Hunter stumbling through it. He dropped his keys on the foyer table with a loud clank and went to the kitchen, not acknowledging me.

I picked up my plate from the coffee table and followed him. “You’re home late.”

He grabbed a glass from the cupboard, poured some bourbon into it, and tossed back the amber liquor. “Yep.”

His tie hung loosely around his neck and his shirt was untucked. I didn’t miss the smell of alcohol on his breath. “Are you okay?”

“I’m perfect, dollface,” he said, pouring himself another shot.

“Did you drive home?”

“Ubered.” Shrugging out of his suit coat, he tossed it on the kitchen island along with his tie and glared at me. “What?”

I flinched. “Nothing. I’m glad you’re home.”

“Awww. That’s so sweet,” he said sarcastically. “Your concern is unnecessary and unwanted. If I need a babysitter, I’ll let you know. Until then, mind your own damn business. Got it?”

Why the hell was he pissed at me? This job didn’t pay enough to get my head bitten off for showing concern. I backed out of the kitchen with my hands held up in surrender and headed for my bedroom. “Understood.”

“Where’s my daughter?” he demanded.

I turned with my hands on my hips. “I put her to bed two hours ago. I waited as long as I could.”

“Fuck,” he muttered and pushed past me into Carina’s room, shutting the door behind him.

The man infuriated me. Not only did he disappear tonight, but he hadn’t bothered checking on us. It would have taken two minutes to pick up the phone. Then, he acted as if I was the one in the wrong. Fuck him.

I went to my room, locking the door behind me. Too wired to go to sleep, I ran myself a hot bath to unwind. I slipped into the tub and rested my head back against the edge. My brother’s words echoed in my head. He didn’t trust Hunter. Maybe I was wrong in defending the man who snapped at me for no reason. It was great pay, but at what cost? My dignity was worth more than what Hunter paid me for twenty-four-hour service .

Feeling frustrated, I slipped beneath the surface and let the hot water rush over me. He was tipsy at best, drunk at worst. What happened today that made him feel the need to tie one on? Despite the excuses my mind conjured, they had nothing to do with me.

It wasn’t my problem.

Yet my heartstrings tugged for him. I had no idea what he was going through. Last week he was a carefree bachelor. This week, he was a single dad trying to pull it together for his daughter. It was enough to rock even the strongest person to the core.

Emerging from beneath the water, I took a deep breath. Everything was okay.

I was okay.

I might have been the target of his anger, but I wasn’t the source. Despite his rigid exterior, he was hurting inside. I saw it in his eyes, in the way he tossed back alcohol without a care. His sharp tongue and cold demeanor were symptoms of a bigger problem.

He was right. It wasn’t my business, but his daughter deserved better than the man who walked through the front door tonight.

Getting out of the tub, I threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Whatever was up his ass, we were going to get to the bottom of it.

I stormed down the hallway to Carina’s door, which was still closed, prepared to give the man a piece of my mind. Treating me like a punching bag was unacceptable. Pushing the door open, I stuck my head inside, ready to duke it out.

Hunter lay on the shaggy floral rug in front of the crib, curled up in the fetal position with his daughter tucked against his chest. Still in his dress shirt and suit pants, he snored quietly. With all his hard edges softened, he resembled a small child instead of the fierce man he was.

Drip by drip, my anger drained away, leaving pity and compassion in its place.

Gently tugging Carina from her father’s grip, I placed her back in the crib. Then I nudged Hunter’s shoulder with my foot. “Come on, big guy. Time for bed.”

He grumbled and cracked one eye open. “What? ”

“You fell asleep on the floor.” I reached out my hands for him to grab. He took hold and I heaved him to his feet.

“People suck,” he slurred as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and leaned on me.

I led the big oaf down the hallway. “I know.” When we got to his room, I pulled back his comforter and seated him on the bed.

Hunter looked up at me with glazed eyes. “You’re pretty.”

“And you’re drunk,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s get your shoes off.” I knelt in from of him and untied each shoe, slipping them off his feet. For a moment, I let my mind wander. Big feet meant big… hands. Forcing my naughty brain out of the gutter, I set his shoes aside.

“You look good on your knees,” Hunter said as he unbuttoned his shirt.

I stood and helped him out of his shirt. “I was going to take off your pants, but you can sleep in them.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m plenty of fun, but I’m not a fan of drunken sex.” I pushed him back on the bed and covered him with the blanket.

“Like I said, no fun.” Hunter rolled on his side and crumpled the pillow under his head. Within seconds, the room filled with his soft snoring.

I plugged in his phone on the nightstand and turned out the light. “Sweet dreams. Tomorrow will be better.”

It might not have been true, but I didn’t know what I was supposed to say when your drunk boss propositioned you. Chances were, he wouldn’t remember any of this tomorrow anyway, but he would have one hell of a hangover.