His Every Defense by Kelly Favor

and now you’re in. This is how I handle things in my profession.”
    “Sure. I understand.” She nodded.
    Hunter suddenly kneeled down and kissed her. The passion in his lips was a surprise, and Kallie found her own reaction to be even more of a shock. She began kissing him back, just as urgently. She wanted him with total and utter desperation.
    They hadn’t been together in days. “Fuck me,” she whispered, as he kissed down her neck.
    Abruptly, Hunter pulled away. “No. Not now. Not like this,” he told her.
    “Why not?” she gasped.
    “Don’t question my decisions,” he said, his voice getting that harsh edge again.
    “Okay.”
    “I’m serious, Kallie. You need to start respecting me, or there will be consequences.”
    She smiled. “Consequences? What am I, five years old?”
    “You’re acting like it.” He shook his head. “I’m going to book those flights now.”

    ***
    The next hours were a blur. There was a lot to get done. They had to shower, pack, book a hotel room, flights and a rental car, drive to the airport.
    Kallie was completely exhausted by the time they arrived at T. F. Green Airport.
    As they sat waiting at the gate to board the plane to L.A., her new phone rang. She looked at the number as Hunter gave her a suspicious glance.
    “Who is that?” he asked.
    “I think it’s my brother, Sean,” she said.
    “Are you going to answer it or not?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You should answer it,” Hunter replied, closing his eyes and laying his head back against the wall behind his chair.
    “Shit. I know, you’re right.” But somehow she had a feeling she was going to regret opening this can of worms. Still, she put the phone to her ear despite her misgivings. “Hi, Sean.”
    “Mom told me everything,” he said, as if they’d only just spoken moments ago.
    Kallie sighed, as Hunter opened one eye and then closed it again, adjusting his head to get more comfortable.
    “Sean, I’m fine. I’m sorry if she worried you—you know how Mom gets sometimes.”
    “I’m not buying it,” he replied.
    “What aren’t you buying?”
    “She said you’re staying with that guy.”
    “His name is Hunter.”
    “I don’t care what his name is, to be honest. I don’t like him.”
    “I can’t imagine why I didn’t call you sooner,” she said, laughing with frustration.
    “You didn’t call me. I called you, remember?”
    “Sean, please.”
    “I’m flying into New York to see you.”
    She took a deep breath, told herself to stay calm. “When are you doing that?”
    “Right away. Tomorrow.”
    “I’m not going to be in the New York area tomorrow. I’m actually about to get on a flight to L.A. as we speak.”
    There was a long pause. “Fine,” he said. “Then I’ll meet you in L.A. tomorrow.”
    “Sean, no. I’m going on a business trip—“
    “What kind of business, Kallie? You’re a nanny.”
    “It’s complicated. Look, I’ll explain it—“
    “Tomorrow. You can explain it tomorrow when I see you.”
    She looked at Hunter, who simply smirked and shrugged. He wasn’t going to be of any help. “Listen, Sean. You need to back off. I’m an adult. I’m not your baby sister anymore.”
    “You’re my sister, and I’m going to make sure you’re all right.” He softened his tone somewhat. “Look, Mom wants me to do this too. Just meet me for lunch or a drink or something. You can give me an hour out of your hectic schedule, can’t you?”
    “An hour? That’s all?”
    “That’s all.”
    “And you promise not to start any trouble with Hunter?”
    He let out a deep sigh. “Sure. Sure. I just want to see you and talk to you for a minute, face-to-face. Okay, Kallie?”
    “Fine, Sean. We’re staying in West Hollywood, so if you get a hotel in the area, I’m sure we can find a time later in the afternoon or early evening to meet up for a drink or dinner.”
    Not long after that, she was off the phone and Hunter was still laying his head back, eyes closed.