“If you think you’ll have time,” Hunter said.
“I was planning to use the morning to write a rough chapter or two based on yesterday’s interview. I’ll start on that after I talk to your friend. But I think I can spare the time to book plane tickets.”
Hunter nodded. “Sounds good. I’d like to read what you have so far.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch left her skin tingling. “If you’re willing to share, of course. I thought it might help if I checked to make sure the details are all there. See if you’re missing any key parts before you meet the rest of the guys.”
“Sure, that would be great. I can print the pages for you before lunch. While you’re doing that—”
“You can go on a little shopping trip,” he interrupted.
Maggie frowned. “Are we out of something? The housekeeper comes today. I could have her pick up anything you need.”
“Unless she’s in the habit of buying your shoes, I think this is one errand you’re going to need to run yourself.”
“My shoes?” Even with the jolt from the coffee, he wasn’t making sense. “What’s wrong with my shoes?”
“They’re too low.” Hunter’s fingers brushed her cheek, and this time he didn’t pull back after adjusting her fresh-out-of-bed hair. He cradled her jaw in the palm of his hand. Her pulse raced. He closed the space between them until his chest brushed up against her hands. The only thing between them was her coffee cup. He leaned forward, his lips so close to her left ear she could feel his breath.
“Tonight’s my turn, Maggie,” he said, his voice low and sensual. “And my fantasies? They involve high heels. The highest you can find.”
“Your fantasies?” she squeaked, her eyes widening. This was not the conversation she’d imagined having over morning coffee.
“Don’t worry, Miss Maggie. You can trust me. I won’t hurt you. What I have in mind isn’t rough.” He drew back and met her gaze. “Just a little sweet.”
“Sweet,” she repeated. Lust fought her hangover and won. Her nipples hardened, desperate to know what he had planned for her.
“Just buy the shoes, Maggie.”
She nodded. There was no way she’d refuse him, especially not after last night. She wanted to feel that way again. Out of control with passion, but without the oh-God-what-have-I-done panic.
He stepped back and she felt the loss of his touch. “I’m going for a run before it gets too hot out there. The info you need to contact Riley is on the kitchen counter.”
Maggie nodded again. She watched him disappear down the stairs and then made a beeline for the phone.
“Morning,” Olivia said when she answered. “I thought you’d still be in bed.”
“I need to go shoe shopping,” she blurted. “Today. This afternoon.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say those words. I’ll meet you at the mall on my lunch hour. Noon by the entrance to Macy’s.”
* * *
MAGGIE FOUND OLIVIA standing at the door to the mall with two large cups of coffee. She thrust one at Maggie. “You’ll need this. We have to move quickly. I have to be back at the gallery in two hours. First, we’re going to Macy’s, then Nordstrom’s.”
She took the coffee. “I only need one pair of shoes, Liv.”
Olivia led the way past the makeup counters, through the handbags to ladies’ shoes. “What kind of shoes are we talking about here?”
“High heels. Really high.”
Her friend stopped in front of the sandals display. “You can barely manage two inches, Maggs.”
A blush crept up Maggie’s cheeks. “I don’t think I’ll be doing much walking in these.”
Olivia smiled. “I take it last night was a success?”
“No. I mean, yes, but not entirely.” Maggie closed her eyes and refocused her thoughts. “I don’t know what I’m doing with him. He’s wrong for me. I mean, an injured Ranger? But I can’t help it, Liv, I want one more night in his bed.”
“There’s a reason they call it crazy in love,” Olivia said in a singsong voice.