“That piece of wood is too small for the hole and did you not sand it yesterday? Have you sanded it so much that it no longer fits?”
“I need two pieces for the hole,” He lifted the other. “And I am now finished sanding.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Is there something you needed, Tempest.” His green eyes twinkled with delight.
Did he take pleasure in her discomfort?
“I wish to speak with you.”
“We are speaking,” he pointed out.
Oh, he was having too much fun at her expense, or so it seemed that way.
“Do I owe you an apology?”
“For what?”
“Oh, I do not know,” she admitted as she sank down on another fallen log across from him.
“Are you telling me that you do not remember our conversation last night?”
“I am not certain,” she admitted. “Did I do anything that I should…that could be viewed as improper.” She vaguely remembered telling him that he should kiss her and hoped that she’d been mistaken.
“You danced naked on the beach, if that is what you are wondering about.”
Her stomach nearly revolted even though it had been settled a moment ago. “No. Tell me I did not do something so foolish.” How could she ever face him, or her sisters or anyone? She would rather send them all away and she would remain in the hut for the rest of her life, alone, and a spinster having never been kissed.
Rhys groaned with concern. “You really do not remember doing that?”
Oh God! What must he think of her?
“No.” She whispered.
“Because you did not.” He grinned. “But the fact that you feared that you had and had forgotten explains why you became drunk so quickly.”
“I was not drunk!” Oh, she had been and she hated that it had happened in front of Rhys.
“I would not describe you as deep in your cups because you were able to carry on a conversation, even if you revealed more than you normally would completely sober. Because you are afraid you do not remember something is a sign that you are not used to strong drink. I am certain that you recall the whole of the evening and should have no concerns.”
Tempest placed a hand against her head. “I told you how it was all my fault because I was selfish and frivolous.”
“Yes, you did.”
Tempest groaned, yet it was the truth she had spoken.
“You are also wrong.”
“Please, Rhys, I do not have it in me to argue with you today.”
“Then be quiet and listen.”
She gasped at the audacity but held her tongue.
“I will tell you what I should have said last night but only partially explained.”
Tempest frowned because she recalled some of what he had said, but not the whole of it.
