“That’s none of your concern.”
He takes a step toward me. “Itismy concern when it’s holding you back. You won’t be able to see how special this place is if you’re shut down.”
“You know,” I say, half laughing. “This has got to be the worst apology I’ve ever heard.”
He breathes in and I swear the room shakes.
“I’m … I’m …” he mumbles.
“Such a prideful man. You can’t do it, can you?”
“Fine. Maybe I’m not sorry I said you shouldn’t be runnin’ around the animal pens in flip-flops. I’m not going to apologize for trying to look out for you.”
“Your ‘looking out for me’ sounds a lot like criticism.”
“It would to someone as stubborn as you,” he barks.
Now I’m stepping up on my tiptoes. I’m 5’9” but it feels like Duke is still towering over me. “Let me assure you, that no matter what I’m wearing, I’m still going to do my job. I will learn about this place and be as objective as I can. If Firebird Ranch is as special as you say, then show me instead of being such a jackass!”
Duke opens his mouth, but I’ll be damned if he’s getting thelast word. His mouth is still moving, but all I can focus on is the flex of his jaw. Without thinking, I grab him by the nape of his neck and pull him to me. My mouth crashes into his, and suddenly my body is no longer my own. My fingers curl in his hair, hips angling forward, heart pounding so loud I’m sure he can hear it. But what was meant to be a punishment starts to unravel into something that I wasn’t prepared for. This kiss isn’t a shut down; it’s a match strike.
His body goes still for a second. Then, his hands move, tentative at first, fingertips brushing my waist like he’s checking if this is real. He pulls me in and kisses me back with heat and hunger.
That’s when I realize my mistake.
I release him and search his darkened eyes. His still-wet lips part as he lets out a quick gasp.
“Sometimes you need to stop talking and listen, Mr. Faraday. Now get in or get out of my way.” I head for the door. “Thank you for attempting to apologize.”
I crack the door and wait, hidden behind it, until he finally moves.
“Dinner is, uh, out in what we call the Nook, tonight,” he offers. “Hope to see you there.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He puts his cap back on and even though he leaves, it still feels like electricity is climbing the walls. I finally get dressed, plop down on the bed and scribble thoughts in my tattered canvas-covered notebook while I wait for Leo and Allie to arrive. Thirty minutes later there’s a knock at my door. Relief washes over me as Leo and Allie are there this time holding paper bags from their trip to the grab-and-go part of the kitchen.
“Whoa, what’s going on?” Allie asks. “Your aura … you look like a human sparkler right now.”
I roll my eyes, but this is why I love Allie. She’s mood rings,tarot cards, reflexology and palmistry. As much as I think that’s all hooey, nothing gets past her. Nothing.
We spill out into the warm day and sit at a table on the veranda. Leo pours us all a glass of San Pellegrino as I tell them what just transpired with Duke.
They hang on my every word until Allie breaks the silence. “Okay, so … let’s recap this. He comes up here to apologize, you’re wearing nothing but your bathrobe, looking all hot, wet, and ethereal. You start arguing, and to silence him, you kiss him?”
I pull my knees to my chest. “I have no idea what came over me.”
“Oh please,” Leo scoffs. “Yes, you do. You should sleep with him now, to get it out of your system.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Allie says, taking a sip of her water. “It’s going to be a long, hot summer if you two try to deny this primal energy between you.”
I suddenly wish I were drinking something stronger than sparkling water. “That is the opposite of what needs to happen. I can’t let anything sway my objectivity with this assignment. I need to judge this place on its merit, not because I have slept with the owner.”
“Objectivity is overrated,” Leo says. “Passion makes for much better copy.”
“You’re so much stronger than I,” Allie says.
“Did you sleep with Topper?” I ask.
