Where in the hell had I been banished to?
The town wasn’t just small. Compared to New Orleans, it was no bigger than a gnat. And if the townspeople thought they were going to get into my business, they had another think coming.
Had the girl really called me arrogant or had I assumed that was what she was thinking?
While the plane had landed on time, the rental vehicle brought to the airport so that I didn’t have a minute’s delay, after that I’d been forced to forge the rest of the way on my own. The forty-minute drive from Burlington hadn’t allowed me to clear my head. Instead, I’d grown angrier with every passing mile.
Alexander had taunted me again, calling minutes after I’d stepped onto the jet. He hadn’t trusted that I’d follow his letter of the law. I knew when to pick my battles. I’d suffer for a week and then head back.
That would be long enough. If everyone else in town was like the brassy redhead I’d met, I’d freaking go nuts by then.
Just thinking about her had me twisting my hand on the steering wheel. Her picture was in the dictionary next to ballbuster.
For whatever reason karma had tossed us together not once but twice, the bad taste lingered.
I glanced at the mailbox a second time before glancing at my phone. This was the right address.
A house on the side of the mountain. Great. If the woman was right about snow, with the windy roads, I could find myself stuck. The last thing I needed was to feel like a caged animal.
And why the hell hadn’t the rental car company given me a vehicle with either four-wheel drive or snow tires? I’d call them in the morning and give the owner a piece of my mind.
As I pulled down the driveway, I heard Alexander’s voice in my head.“You’ll enjoy yourself. Get out in the fresh air. Take a walk. Go skiing.”
Right. Skiing. I hadn’t been skiing since I was a little boy.
At least I’d brought some work with me. That would help with the time given I certainly had no reason to go into town. The only reason I’d gone before was to pick up the key from the real estate agent. And what had occurred?
I’d run into a fire devil.
I had to admit the woman was stunning, in a feral way. With dazzling long red hair, glistening like a copper penny, and light green eyes the color of early spring grass, she’d managed to capture my attention.
A split second before bouncing into me given she hadn’t been paying any attention.
Why a laugh surfaced I didn’t know, but her feisty attitude had latched onto me. Let alone her caustic mouth. But somehow, she’d managed to leave a lasting impression.
Maybe it was the way the faded blue jeans had hugged every curve or the soft sweater that failed to hide her excitement. Yes, her nipples had been like perfect diamonds and I’d been no gentleman, enjoying the way her full breasts had bobbed up and down when yelling at me.
Maybe there was something to be said for insolent, opinionated women. When they were slightly disobedient, all the better.
My hand itched from the thought of spanking her rounded bottom.
With her attitude being so crass, I had a strong feeling a round of discipline wouldn’t produce the effect I’d be hoping for. Besides, she’d likely hold a sharp blade to my neck in the middle of the night.
My dick twitched and I realized I hadn’t smiled so much since the assassination attempt.
As soon as I pulled up to the house, the outside security lights turned on. With twilight settling in, I was eager to get inside. Thankfully, as Alexander had mentioned, the pantry, fridge, andliquor cabinet had been stocked. That meant I wouldn’t need to go anywhere for a while if at all.
It was a small town like the vixen had tossed out. Barely over five thousand people. What were the chances of running into her again? Too high on the casino scale.
While there was an attached three-car garage and another detached one sitting off to the side in the trees, I parked in front of the house for now.
I remained inside the SUV for a couple of minutes. As I’d done several times, I thought about what my brother had said as well as the concern in his voice.
I’d fallen prey to feeling sorry for myself.
What a crock of shit.
Grabbing the bag, I glared at the cane I’d carelessly tossed into the backseat. My leg ached more than before, maybe from the tension of driving. Or from the confrontation with the woman.
