But something told her that he’d probably enjoy the chase. Not only that, he’d probably throw her over his shoulder in some caveman show of superiority.
Leo faced her fully, his hand still wrapped tightly around the handle of her suitcase. Her focus dipped to where they remained connected. If she ran, he’d have her only spare clothes. There was no feasible way she’d get what she wanted tonight.
For heaven’s sake. Why was he being so stubborn? One call to Jane and Kat was sure she’d understand. Unfortunately, Kat had put her cell phone into the front pocket of her carryon.
She sighed. Without uttering a word, she pushed past Leo to head for the sliding glass doors. Leo followed her. She didn’t have to look over her shoulder to verify that he was. She could feel him, sense his annoying amusement at winning this battle.
Leo would learn soon enough that it wasn’t the battles that were worth winning, though. It was the war. Kat wasn’t one to back down from a fight and one of these days, Leo was going to find himself on the other end of the barrel, wishing he hadn’t underestimated her.
Once outside, Leo led the way. Her heels clipped against the cement as she followed him into an adjacent parking lot. Neither one of them spoke which was perfectly fine with her. Leo tossed her bag into the back of a pickup and Kat immediately went for her door. One yank confirmed he hadn’t unlocked it yet.
She scowled at him as he approached her side and pressed the fob to unlock the door before gesturing for her to enter.
“Here you go, Princess.”
She bristled, opened her mouth, then thought better of retorting. Reacting to him would only egg him on. Kat climbed into the truck and pulled her seatbelt across her chest. “How far is it until Rocky Ridge?” she asked when he got into his seat.
“A little over an hour.”
Inwardly, she groaned. The flight hadn’t been terrible, but she wasn’t looking forward to spending any more time than necessary in Leo’s presence. She turned toward her window as he started the truck. Country music filled the space and she focused on anything but the man seated beside her.
“This iswhere you’re going to stay,” Leo pulled the truck to a stop in front of a cute house. It was surrounded by three others in a sort of cul-de-sac layout. They’d passed a larger house whenthey’d entered the property beneath a sign that read ‘Sagebrush Ranch’.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the house. “It is?”
He paused with his hand on the handle. “Yeah. Is something wrong?” That one brow quirked upward, daring her to turn her nose up at the house they offered her.
“No, of course not. It’s just… isn’t it a little much for one person?”
Leo snorted. “You’re not staying here alone. This house belongs to my mom.”
She blinked. Then she blinked again. “Wait, I?—”
“It’s okay, Princess. My mom doesn’t bite.”
Scowling, she folded her arms. “I am more than happy to pay for my own space.”
“At the place in town? Yeah right. With how long you’re going to be here, Jane and Noah insisted we needed to find you something close. Besides, this place is free.”
Kat shot another look at the house. It would be nicer than staying in a hotel. And she didn’t want it getting back to her father that she wasn’t being grateful for Jane’s hospitality. That wouldn’t go over well at all.
Rather than argue, she pushed open her door and climbed out. Leo already had her bag in hand as they walked up to the front of the house. Leo pushed the door open and hollered, “I’m back.”
The most delicious smells reached her and her stomach growled, reminding her that all she’d eaten today was coffee, a bagel, and airplane pretzels.
Leo smirked at her, obviously hearing the grumblings of her stomach.
The strangest temptation to stick her tongue out at him hit her, but she refrained. She could do this. She could be professional even if Leo wasn’t going to do the same.
They moved through a nice living room with a couple leather couches surrounding a coffee table. Bookshelves lined the walls filled to the brim with books. A television had been attached to a space above a fireplace. It had a homey feel, and Kat could already envision herself in this space as the weather got colder.
She followed Leo to some stairs and he led her to the second story. There was a door right off the landing and he pushed it open. The space was masculine. The bedframe looked like it had been forged from reclaimed wood. The bedding was all blues and browns. There was a mirror leaning against one wall, a dresser, and a desk. A window showed rolling hills and she couldn’t wait to get a better look.
Leo placed her bag on the bed. “The bathroom is down the hall. My mom’s bedroom is downstairs. There’s a linen closet with towels and toiletries next to the bathroom and a laundry room on the other side. If you need anything, I’m next door.”
She whirled around at that. “You…”
One side of his mouth quirked upward in the most maddeningly way. “I… what?”
