The Existence of Reconcilable Differences

Chapter Fifteen

Dani's eyelids slowly opened as the orange-colored sunbeam. Gunner was her big spoon and she pushed herself further back onto his hardened morningwood. She cried herself to sleep while Gunner held her. Waking up in his arms made her feel better after reading her father's confession about his life and how his depression had a hold on him. Gunner kissed the back of her head and pulled her scent into his nose.

Dani slipped around and on top of him. Her lips crashed into his and she embraced his morning breath.

"Make love to me so I can have a good day." Her seductive voice made his morningwood stiffer.

"Gladly."

After spending over 30 minutes trying to jumpstart her sweet little beetle, she finally gave up and Hunter insisted on giving her a ride back home. That also gave him a chance to officially get acquainted with Mary.

"Mary, Hunter. Hunter, Mary." Dani proudly introduced them to each other and Mary was struck by how handsome he was. He tenderly placed a kiss on her hand.

"It's very nice to meet you." His voice sounded like sex – it wasn't something he could control.

"It's very nice to meet you as well." Mary was smitten.

Dani stood, smirking at Mary who couldn't take her green eyes off him.

"Would you like something to drink? Something to eat?"

"Oh no, I don't want to impose. I won't be staying for long." He politely refused with a heart-melting smile.

"Oh, please! You're not imposing. Water? Juice? Beer?... Wine?" She deepened her tone and Dani snickered at her flirtatiousness.

"Uh... wine would be nice. Not too much, please, I've got to drive home after this." They made their way down the hallway into the kitchen. Opening the mahogany wine cabinet, Hunter grew astonished at her perfectly organized wine collection.

"Very fascinating. May I take a look?"

"Oh sure, yes." She stepped back and he scanned the bottles lightly with his fingers.

"This is quite a collection. You've got great taste." He complimented.

"I knew you were a wine kind of fellow. Thank you."

"Here, I think you'd enjoy this one. It's one of my favorite bottles." She snatched up the 2010 Francois Leclerc, Gervrey Chambertin, Burgundy wine and swindled it as if she was advertising it on QVC. Dani watched Mary throw a random wink; she smirked.

"So, where are you from?"

"Etampes, France. It's just outside of Paris."

"Wow, born and raised?"

He nodded, "Born and raised. It's a beautiful place. It's like the suburbs of France. Very quaint place." Mary fell deeper and deeper in love with his accent as she brushed her fingers through her hair. Dani sat quietly and watched them engage in a smooth conversation, all the while, scanning his demeanor and listening to his responses.

"So, how'd you get into dancing?"

"My uncle was a huge influence in my life. I'd travel to Paris, where he lived, to watch him dance. He... taught me a lot."

"Do you have any siblings?"

"I'm one of four."

Dani's eyelids flickered with surprise.

"Really?" She chimed in.

"Yes. I'm the middle child... my siblings are off doing what they do."

He seemed to close up a bit like it was time for him to pull his curious head back into his shell.

"...Would you like some cake? I baked it today."

"Yes, thank you." Hunter was going to refuse until he took into account that Mary didn't seem like the type of woman to take no for an answer.

Suddenly, Dani felt a gradual and unexpected warmth shimmering from her left thigh. Eyes fastening into his, she gasped and felt her body instantaneously clam up at the feeling of his sensual hand on her thigh.

"Leaving soon." He murmured.

Dani nodded more times than she intended.

Mary came back to the table and placed a nice-sized piece of cake in front of him. He thanked her and dived right into eating.

"C'est delicieux." Hunter's compliment in his native tongue made Mary giggle like a high school cheerleader.

"Parfaite."

"Who's this?" Everyone snapped their necks at Gunner, who stood, poised with curiosity.

"Oh, this is Hunter. Dani's dance instructor."

Hunter lifted himself and shook Gunner's hand. Gunner had a powerful shake that forced Hunter into defense mode. One of the views, amongst other ideologies, that Hunters' father taught him was to always deliver a firm handshake to men. The delivery must be one with intensity yet welcoming, just enough to make a person recognize who you are by simple bodily contact. Eye contact must be focused as if you're implanting your soul into the person.

"I heard about you. Nice to finally meet the man himself." Hunter didn't seem swayed by Gunner's stamp.

"Oh, really? What have you heard about me?" Gunner's eyelids blinked with a peculiar shade thrown in them.

"Godbrother, climbing the ladder of success. I heard you work for Hillman Scots – it's a trustworthy partner of my company."

Gunner couldn't stand his smug attitude, the look of his simple shirt, and his accent.