Mary's stomach did a little flip at the knock on the door.

She skipped across the marble entryway of her sister's house in Washington and flung the door open. Hunter's front-page worthy, clean-shaven chin complimented his light-blue suit and dazzling golden eyes. The late evening sky glowed deep purple behind him as he stood on the porch, a bag with what she hoped contained sushi in one hand.

"You found me."

"Worth the effort." His smile caused goosebumps. "I'm a bit early."

She ushered him in. "All good. Beth and Lance are gone and the kids are in bed."

"Oh, I was hoping to meet little Ben and Keri."

"Trust me, it's better this way." Mary ran a finger down his tie. "They get soy sauce everywhere." She eyed the bag in his hand.

Hunter offered it to her. "I never break a promise."

Mary suppressed a laugh. No man was that perfect. She opened the bag to find a clear plastic covered container with tiny rolls of rice and what she hoped was salmon. One of the many things Bridgetown lacked was a sushi restaurant. And given Emily was pregnant, it wasn't like anyone was ordering it from the next town over. "I've been looking forward to this."

"Me too."

"The food or the company?"

"Both." Hunter followed her into the kitchen, where Mary placed the bag on the counter. He took off his suit jacket and placed it over the back of a chair. "How's your sister feeling?"

It was too early to tell strangers about her sister's pregnancy, so Mary sidestepped the question, grabbing two glasses from the cupboard. "Better. Care for a sparkling cranberry?"

Hunter yanked at his tie as he nodded. Mary dove into the fridge, pulling out the ingredients for the drink. She would have preferred a glass of her favourite red, but the substitute would have to do. "How's the senator? Kissing babies and staying scandal free?"

"He's good. The crowds lately have been standing room only, which is a good sign." Hunter undid the top button of his shirt. "Hasn't disappointed anyone yet."

Give him time. 

Drinks ready, Mary handed one to Hunter and clinked her glass against his. Did cheers count if there was no alcohol inside the goblet? She decided it didn't matter. The smile she received in return was enough.

"When will your sister and her husband be back?"

"Depends. They went to the movies. If they saw what Lance wanted to see, maybe ten o'clock." Mary inched closer to Hunter. "But I suspect longer as Beth is not a fan of superhero stories." She claimed her husband was all the superhero she needed.

Hunter looked at his watch. "So, we have at least three hours." Golden eyes that had deepened to the colour of Finn's favourite scotch met hers. "Alone."

She nodded, wondering what Hunter had in mind. Their last date they came back to her place with the intent to sleep together before the night had been ruined by the waterfall in her living room. They couldn't simply pick back up from there, could they? That night it was what she'd wanted, to move their relationship forward.

"Shall we eat?" Mary turned towards the food. Hunter took her drink out of her hands and placed both glasses on the counter.

"How about dessert first?"

He took her chin in his hand, tipped her head back, and placed a quick kiss on her open lips. "I missed you." Hunter's hands found her hips, tugging her closer.

"You did?"

"Mmm," Hunter placed a feather-light kiss on her neck, warm lips finding a sweet spot that made parts of her tingle. Simon zoned in on her neck as well. Why was she thinking about Simon? Mary shook her head to clear her mind.

Hunter pulled back. "Want me to stop?"

Did she? "No. Thought I heard something." Placing her hand on his shoulder, she guided him back to his former position. "Please continue."

"With pleasure." Hunter resumed his actions, soft kisses up and down her neck. Mary closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation, focusing on the man in her arms. The fine material of his button-down shirt, the firm grip of hands travelling up her body and into her hair, the clean smell of a spicey aftershave she didn't recognize. The scent tickled her nose, unlike Simon's woodsy aroma that reminded her of sunny afternoons spent in meadows by the lake.

Fingers in the here and now asked Mary to turn her head. She acquiesced and the soft lips that teased her neck found her mouth, attaching themselves to her, a hunger evident she hadn't expected from the mild-mannered Hunter.

"You taste so good," he mumbled when they broke apart to catch their breath. It didn't last long, Hunter taking her lips back, then asking for more. She opened up, let him in, waiting for her body to warm up with the desire aimed at her. In a bid to get closer, Hunter pushed her backwards until they hit the kitchen cupboards and a handle dug into her spine.

The motion reminded Mary of the backseat of Tony's car, the night they'd had sex as teens. The way the ridges of the seat belts had pushed into her as his weight pressed down. She'd been so naïve back then, didn't even ask to use a condom. Now she carried them with her everywhere, determined never to make that mistake again.

Hunter moaned, a low guttural sound, as he scrunched his body against hers, covering her like a warm blanket. She let him set the pace, followed his lead. His hands, now free, took their time exploring her body, fluttering over curves and dips, not quite finding the places she wanted them to land. Simon would linger there in those spots, with soft caresses and gentle pressure. But she wasn't with Simon.

Fingers found the top button of her blouse, deftly popped it open, then the next and the next. A thumb dragged down the hollow of her neck to the gap between her breasts. Hunter paused a moment, perhaps asking for permission. Mary took his hand and moved it under the lace of her bra, giving him the leave to take what he wanted.

Hunter broke the passionate kiss but didn't break contact, pressing his head against hers. "So soft." His hand cupped her breast, thumb circling until it found her nipple. "Is this okay?"

Mary arched her back, tried to create friction, tried to ignite the fire she needed from his touch. This was what she wanted, to be adored, to be revered, to be desired. By the right man. On paper, Hunter represented everything she should want in life. Rising star on the political stage, go-getter who wasn't afraid to fight for what he believed in. All of it hinted at the bright future they could have together. Wife of a prominent politician would bring her family's reputation back from the grave.

In her arms, her willing partner made his desire for her obvious, offered his fine physic to her. Unlike Tony, Hunter was kind, generous, genuine. This man wouldn't ghost her in the morning, Yet she wasn't reacting. She ran a hand along his toned arm, along his shoulder, to the back of his neck, waiting for her body to respond to the man before her.

"Auntie Mary?"

The small voice broke through the haze of her brain. Hunter jumped away from her like she'd given him an electric shock. Mary grabbed at her exposed chest, clutching the fabric of her shirt together, and turned towards the tiny human standing in the hallway.

"Ben, baby. What are you doing out of bed?"

The toddler rubbed one of his eyes. "I... I want mommy."

Mary went to her nephew, knelt before him, and tried to straighten his ruffled hair. "Mommy will be home soon. But I'm here."

"Will you read me a story?"

"Didn't daddy read you one earlier?"

"Yes, but... but I want another one."

Mary looked back at Hunter who stood behind the kitchen island, both hands grasping the grey marble top. He met her eye and nodded. "Go on. I'll..." he looked around, "put the sushi in the fridge."

"Sorry," she mouthed at him before scooping Ben up in her arms and heading for the stairs. "What story shall we read?"

"Peter Pan please."

As she carried her nephew up the stairs, Mary wondered if Ben had saved her from making another mistake.