Something about the way he touched her made her glance up and she caught him watching her. She could feel his body heat and felt pinned beneath the intensity of his gaze.
A flood of heat washed up her throat to stain her cheeks, his eyes strolled down untill it rested on her neckline. He stretched out his hand, his fingers briefly touching the scar before it rested on her necklace. An electric shock seemed to run through Della's whole being. His touch was like an electric shock, forcing her heart to pound. His touch sent a tremor of fire through her, and she was embarrassed to feel her hormones stir. She pushed away from him and caught her breath sharply. She couldn't hid the fact that she's starting to get attracted to him, it was hard to imagine that she wasn't attracted to him.
"Your necklace." He asked deciding he would not ask or question how she'd gotten it. He ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck.
Della looked away immediately, embarrassed by the rush of excitement the action had triggered.. She tugged gently on the moon dangling from the moon lariat necklace Mrs Adley had given her for the ceremony.
"Mother give this to me. It called lariat." Hopefully her voice sounded more composed than she felt.
"It's sure suit your personal style "
Della gave a slit blush again and looked the other way, he knew where to change the composition to compliment her, and where to back off to let her shine. Della pulled her knees closer to her chest to guard against the sea breeze, the dress crumbled to the creases of her thighs and hip.
It sure was nice to have someone open doors, send flowers, and compliment you on a nice dress or a job well done. Emily must have experienced lots, as she never got any, those who took time to compliment her where her parents. A smile of joy and satisfaction lit up her eager face. She looked about him with a smile which did not leave her face.
"You're such a trendsetter to. I love seeing what new pieces you'll add next to your wardrobe. Your style is truly inspiring!"
A slow smile worked its way across his face and into his eyes.
Clouds drifted away from a full moon, drenching the patio with soft lunar light.
"I'm sorry."
Hunter broke the silence and looked at her, a penetrating stare that made his face filled with so much regrets. "It was wrong of me to have talked the way I did and i understand you must have felt really upset, angry and confused."
Della turned and glance up at him.
"I shouldn't have said that years back." His bloodshot gaze wandered over her face as he said that, in a way that made her pained. It was a sign of his history, a story of his past, and he regarded it with both yearning and regret.
"I was crude and foolish to have made such a decision." He concluded.
If she comprehends well enough he spoke of the event that had brought pain and regrets to Emily. The reason she had found comfort Diego. She didn't need another Clarence, but what she needed was time to contemplate before saying something she might regret.
Hunter glanced ahead. Della followed Hunter's gaze through the line and saw as birds migrate to somewhere beyond the sea.
...
Thunder tumbled down the huge Mountains, heralding the arrival of pelting rain that turned the Jeep road into a surging stream and the sky to an ominous shade of raven black.
Rain splattered hard against Della's windows, drawing her gaze to the windows.
"I suppose the rain this week has it flowing faster."
Della turned as soon as she hears her mother's voice, who stood in front of her, an hot coffee in hand stretching it forward. She grabbed the cup of coffee and took a sip as she stepped around her mother to find a spot in the dining table. She took another sip of her coffee, learning back in her chair.
"The jeep road is now a surging stream I feel sorry for the ones who would be returning back home this late."
"I suppose you speak of your father, he would be so sorry he didn't return home early." Replied Mary returning back to the kitchen.
"He sure would be sorry the road is flooded." Della replied a concerned gaze running over her face. "What are you preparing for dinner mother."
Mary smiled. "Beef sauce and spaghetti. You father's favorite he enjoys this on rainy season."
"Yeah because you make the best ones."
Mary smiled at the compliment.
"Felix said it was supposed to be nice outside."
"It was, until the weather changed." Replied Della before changing the subject.
"Mother you said you bought some wine I can't find any on the kitchen counter."
"I left them outside the house. They were so heavy I couldn't carry them all, could you fetch them for me."
"Do I get to have some."
"As long as you keep to your promise you can have alittle." Mary replied.
Della got up and made for the door but stood surprised as she sees a slender lady dressed in an expensive looking dark suit standing on the porch, drenched.
Emily wiped her eyes. She was drenched with rain and covered with dirt, shaking from cold, her skin crawling from the bridled charged energy of the storm and rivulets of water ran down her shivering body.
Della's breath caught at the sight of her. She appeared exhausted, dirty, and drenched. She'd never looked as beautiful as she did.
"Hi I'm Emily I'm sorry I scared you the way I did I was hoping I'd stay the night, I just need a place to duck out of the rain for a bit." Della stiffened, her heart lurching into frenzied activity at the sound of her voice. They were so beautiful and sweet.
Della looked at the beautiful, large, thoughtful eyes of the young lady's which were full of tears and of thoughts, gazing shiningly and imploringly at her, and understood that it was useless and even cruel to neglect the lady's plea.
Della carried Emily's limp but still drenched and shivering body through the connecting door to her sitting room and laid her on one of her towels.
"This should do for now I will prepare a bath for you with clean clothes." She said to the lady before apprising her mother of the visitor.
"Oh my God child you look dirty and drenched what in the world happened out there."
"Sorry that I bothered you ,my car broke down on the way, I just needed a place to duck out of the rain for a bit."
"There's nothing to be distressed about dear, it's acceptable if you spend the night. Della will assist you with some clothes."
****
"It late we better head back home."
Della said suddenly getting up and turning to leave. But Hunter soon caught her arm his penetrating gaze gave her a different kind of chill, one that made her blood quicken as well as her step.
"Are you feeling alright. you seem frightened and worried." She caught him watching her several times, obviously wondering why she was so quiet and worried.
"Mother and father would be worried." She replied redrawing her hand from his hold, she felt sorry for him as she couldn't tell him what had gotten her this upset and worried.
If the Adleys and Hardeckers discovered the truth, they would come for her. And if she was going to pull this off, she should steer clear of any emotion - that was why she was being paid.
Emotion could be her downfall. She needed to remain detached, focused solely on the task at hand. Personal feelings had no place here, not when so much was at stake.
The money, Diego was the motivating factor, the reason she had chosen this path. Allowing herself to be swayed by sentiment could jeopardize the entire operation. She had to be resolute, unwavering in her commitment to seeing this through, no matter the cost.
Closing her eyes, she pushing aside any lingering doubts or hesitations. This was business, nothing more. The Adleys and Hardeckers must never know the truth - for her own survival, she couldn't afford to let them find out.