Devastated (Anger Management, #1)(45)

“There was a morning meeting?” Kylie asked, shooting the long line of people waiting to get in a nervous glance that had him biting back a curse and heading towards the large atrium built in the middle of the hotel.

“There’s always a morning meeting, Miss Rogers,” Hunter said with a sad shake of his head as he led her towards the small footbridge that would take them over the lagoon. He ignored the signs directing them to the elevators that would take them to their room and headed towards the walkways and walked past the replica of an eighteenth-century ship that had been turned into an upscale restaurant, a French delicatessen, the baby alligator habitat that he’d planned on taking Kylie to see later, and continued until they finally found the path that would take them to the resort’s outdoor pools.

“And we’re having it now? It’s five o’clock,” she asked, sounding relieved once they were finally outside.

“Can you think of a better time?” Hunter asked, as they made their way around the pool and headed for the outdoor bar.

“What about the convention?” Kylie asked, glancing over her shoulder as he gestured to the hostess to seat them over by the adult pool. With a smile, she grabbed two menus and gestured for them to follow her.

“I think they’ll survive without us,” Hunter drawled, giving Kylie’s hand a reassuring squeeze as they followed the hostess to a small table in the shade with a view of the waterfall emptying into the pool below. Kylie didn’t say anything as he held her chair out for her, but he knew her well enough by now to know what she was worried about.

“Your waitress will be right with you,” the hostess said with a smile and a lingering look in his direction before she reluctantly walked away.

“I’m fine,” Kylie promised him when he sat down.

“I didn’t think you weren’t,” Hunter said, leaning back in his chair as he watched Kylie take a shaky breath as she took in their surroundings.

“Then why are we out here?” Kylie asked, nervously fidgeting with the corner of her menu until she realized that her hands were trembling and placed them on her lap.

“Finishing our conversation,” Hunter said, shifting his attention to the waitress heading their way. “Two burger platters with Cokes,” he said before she had a chance to reach their table. With a smile and a nod, she turned around and headed back the way she came.

“What conversation?” Kylie asked with an adorable frown.

“You were telling me about the most fucked-up thing that you ever had to do as an assistant.”

“I was?” Kylie asked, shooting him a curious look.

“You were,” he said, nodding solemnly.

“And why was I doing this?” Kylie asked, sounding amused as the waitress placed their order on the table before quickly moving to greet a small group heading towards the bar.

“Because you live to entertain me, Miss Kent,” Hunter said, making her lips twitch.

“Is that what I do?” she asked with an adorable smile as she took a sip of her drink.

“It is,” he readily agreed as he popped a fry in his mouth.

“And sharing my pain entertains you?” she asked, as her smile turned teasing and he noted that she looked more relaxed.

“It does, Miss Lane,” Hunter drawled, unable to help but notice just how beautiful she was.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you,” she said with a playful roll of her eyes that had him chuckling.

“And I appreciate that,” Hunter drawled, making her lips twitch and her beautiful blue eyes sparkle with amusement.

“Where should I start?” Kylie asked, as she nibbled on one of her fries.

“With the worst job you ever had,” Hunter said, taking a bite of his burger.

“What if the story traumatizes you?” Kylie asked, blinking innocently at him.

“I’m willing to chance it.”

“Okay,” she said with a grave nod as she released a shuddering breath before continuing, “I was hoping that I would never have to relive this, but since you need to be entertained.”

“I really do,” he cut in with a murmur that had her lips twitching.

“Then I guess I have no choice but to share my pain.”

“You really don’t,” Hunter said, chuckling when she paused to glare at him.

“Well,” she began once again, “I guess the worst job that I ever had was for this man who-”

“What was his name?” he interrupted her, mostly because he loved the way her eyes narrowed as she debated kicking him beneath the table.

“Does it really matter?”

“Only if you want me to feel like I was there,” he said, watching as she struggled not to laugh.

Clearing her throat, Kylie said, “Fine. We’ll call him Gunter,” making his eyes narrow.

“Gunter?” he drawled, as the little brat nodded gravely.

“Mmmhmm, Gunter. Now, where was I?”

“You were enthralling me,” Hunter said dryly, as his attention shifted to her lips and he thought about just how soft they’d felt against his.

“Right,” she murmured with a nod as she shifted in her chair, cleared her throat and took a sip of her Coke, making his lips twitch as he waited for the little smart ass to get on with it.