Chapter 14 -HUNTER'S POV- I cut into my steak , but I wasn't hungry . Across the table , Caroline smirked like she knew something she shouldn't . Like she was enjoying a private joke at my expense . It was irritating . More irritating than usual . I didn't know if she was teasing me about earlier or if she was just reveling in being a general menace , but either way , I needed to shut it down before she pushed any further . " You spend more time at my place than your own , " I muttered , keeping my voice even . " Should I start charging you rent ? " Caroline gasped , pressing a hand to her chest in mock horror . " Oh , how cruel ! You wouldn't dare , cousin ." 38 ) I stabbed another piece of steak , unimpressed . " You have a house . A very expensive one , if I remember correctly . Maybe you should start using it . " She rolled her eyes , swirling the wine in her glass like she was bored . " And miss out on the joy of annoying you ? Not a chance . " I shook my head . But at least she was distracted . That was all I needed . Then Celine walked by . She carried a tray , moving quietly , setting down a fresh dish with careful precision . She didn't look at me . Didn't acknowledge me . But I looked at her . I told myself not to . I told myself to keep my eyes on my plate , on Caroline , on literally anything else . But I failed . Again . She was composed , her expression neutral . Like nothing had happened earlier . Like she hadn't frozen under my touch . Like I hadn't felt the warmth of her skin against mine . But I saw it . The slight tension in her shoulders . The way her fingers curled just a little too tightly around the tray . She had heard Caroline's comment . She had felt the weight of it just as much as I had . " Why are you two staring at each other like that ? " Damn it . I forced myself to look away . But Caroline caught me . She didn't call me out on it - not yet . She just smirked , sipping her wine like she was waiting for the perfect moment to strike . I clenched my jaw and pushed my plate aside . 1/4 9:08 pm Chapter 14 " Where's Caesar ? " she asked suddenly , turning to Celine . Celine stopped mid - step . " He's playing in his room ." Caroline hummed , tapping her chin . " Is my cousin bullying you ? " Celine blinked . " What ? " " My dear , serious cousin , " Caroline drawled , throwing me a sideways glance . " He can be quite ... intense , can't he ? " Celine hesitated , then offered a small smile . " I wouldn't say that . " +39 Caroline leaned forward , her grin widening . " Well , if he ever gives you a hard time , just ignore him . Works like a charm for me . " I glared . She winked . Celine just chuckled softly , murmuring something polite before disappearing into the kitchen . I should have stopped watching her . I should have let it go . But I didn't . And , of course , Caroline noticed . This time , she didn't smirk . She outright grinned . I exhaled sharply . " Finish your food and go home , Caroline . " She laughed , slow and satisfied , like she had all the time in the world . Like she had already won . I was done . Pushing my chair back , I stood abruptly . " I have a business meeting tomorrow . Lock the door when you leave . " I turned toward the stairs , eager to put distance between myself and this ridiculous dinner- But just as I stepped away , Caroline's voice cut through the room . " She's different , isn't she ? " I froze . Not for long . Just a second . Barely enough for anyone to notice . Except Caroline noticed everything . " She's not like most girls you've met . " Her tone was teasing , but there was something else there too . Something unsettling . " Isn't that right , cousin ? " I didn't answer . Didn't turn around . I just walked away . Because maybe Caroline was right . And that was exactly the problem . -CELINE'S POV- The water ran warm over my hands , but I barely felt it . My mind was still tangled in the mess of dinner . 2/4 9:08 pm G GGG Chapter 14 Caroline's teasing . Hunter's unreadable expression . The way the air had felt thick with something I couldn't name . Something had shifted tonight . Maybe it was the way Hunter's eyes lingered on me when he thought I wasn't paying attention . Or how Caroline had grinned like she knew a secret I didn't . I shook my head . It didn't matter . I was here to do a job . That was it . Wiping my hands on a towel , I glanced at the clock . It was late . I needed to get home . Caesar was probably already curled up in bed , his little stuffed lion clutched tight against his chest . The thought made me smile . He had been his usual , relentless self today - chattering about dinosaurs , demanding extra syrup on his pancakes , and running around like the morning hadn't unraveled the way it had . I wished I could bounce back that easily . With a sigh , I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder , my feet already moving toward the back exit . And then- " Celine . " breath caught . froze . That voice . Deep . Smooth . Cold . I turned slowly , pulse stuttering . 38 Hunter stood at the entrance of the kitchen . His sleeves were rolled up , his tie loosened - like he had stripped himself of just enough control to be dangerous . His expression was unreadable . For a second , I thought I should say something . Anything . But my voice ? Completely useless . He stepped forward . Not close enough to touch . But close enough to make me grip the strap of my bag like it was the only thing keeping me upright . He didn't speak right away . Just studied me - silent , assessing . Like he was trying to figure me out . Like I was something that didn't quite make sense to him . And then- " Ignore Caroline , " I blinked . " What ? " Hunter's voice was steady , measured . " She likes to run her mouth . Don't let her get to you . " Oh . 3/4 terbated wall wa wwwww wwad tie de vit quite delere me . Then , with a sharp nod , he turned and walked aw AN ** 262 / html / was holding her the bell was that ? I didn't know . But my heart was still racing AS Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!