She nodded at him, confirming there were no objections. More than that she could feel every muscle in her body tensing as she felt all of her resolve to prove she had been right to be angry with him ebbing away.
He lowered his face so that it was almost touching hers as he told her with a more forceful tone to his voice, “Answer me.”
“Yes, James,” she replied with a genuine air of nervousness, but also excitement as she realised that not only was this Mr Control Freak, James, before her, but he was as mad as hell.
“This beautiful car that I chose especially for you really is no more than gift wrap, so—” He hit the remote key and as the car opened all the lights flashed.
Jim handed her the key. “Get in.”
She complied immediately and felt slightly reassured that he actually got in beside her, but curious to make sense of his reference to the car being gift wrap.
“So, what don’t you like about my wedding present?” His voice remained terse.
“Please don’t say it like that. Whether I like it or not is irrelevant,” she said softly as she turned to face him.
“I think whether you like it or not is totally relevant, Tasha. Let’s start with the upholstery,” he persisted.
“It’s nice. Leather,” she stated rather obviously.
“Layout?” he asked now.
“Nice, albeit the wrong way round.” She tried to lighten the mood.
“Get used to it,” he replied bluntly.
He was obviously really upset and angry with her if her attempts to smooth things over with her light-hearted manner and tone simply annoyed him.
“James, please let me explain. The message I sent was not—” Was as far as she got before he interrupted.
“Now is not the time. Start the engine up. Listen to it,” he told her and she did so immediately.
“It’s quiet, isn’t it?” she said.
“So it would seem.”
Jim hit a button, or turned a dial, she wasn’t sure which and almost immediately she could feel heat beneath her.
“I like that,” she announced suddenly. “That will be fantastic in the winter,” she said enthusiastically.
“Maybe not a winter in L.A. though.” His voice was turning softer. Going so far as to smile at her expression. “I thought the hot ass seats would appeal to you and your love of having a warm, red butt.”
She laughed, sensing a thaw between them. “I prefer your usual method of ensuring my ass is hot.”
“You are trying to distract me, Natasha, but I’m not falling for it this time,” he told her firmly, turned off the heated seats and got out of the car.
“Release the hood.”
She looked around for the bonnet release and when it was obvious she was struggling he opened her door and stretched in and hit the release button.
He took her hand and led her to the front of the car. “So, let’s put the hood up.”
“Bonnet,” she corrected.
“In England maybe, but you’re Stateside now, honey, so it’s a hood.” His smile broadened a little, making her grin at him.
“I do love you,” she said suddenly.
“Just not enough to accept my gifts graciously.” He sounded hurt more than angry now and she felt guilty and sad to have caused that.
