She did settle because she had no choice.When she relaxed, she was able to feel the heat and hardness of the legs underneath her bottom, making her breath hitch, her nipples tighten.Her hands gripped the arm that tightened around her waist.
“Let me up.”Victoria stilled when she realized he was breathing her in.It was making her breath go faster and her heart trip in her chest.Was it possible he was feeling the same as she was?No.If he had felt like her, he wouldn’t want to push her out and make her feel like nothing.“Stop playing with me and let me up.”
“I don’t think I’m going to like what’s going through that pretty head of yours.”
Victoria stiffened again and pushed at his arm.“Let me up.You don’t have to patronize me.”
“Now, what the hell are you talking about?”
“You don’t have to give me false compliments to get my attention or soften me up.I’ve been told my whole life how I look, so that’s the wrong road to take with me.Now let me up.”
“Not yet.I want to know who filled your head with bullshit.”
She didn’t want to talk about this, ever.Who wants to admit their own mother thought she was ugly?But then add the mean comments of some of the men that traveled through their lives while she was growing up, and the kids at different schools, and it seemed to cement what her mother had told her all along.
“I’m not letting you up until you tell me, Tory.”
Victoria pressed against her eyes.“Why does this matter to you?Every chance you get, you try to belittle me and run me off.What’s the difference?”
Cole sighed.“I’m not trying to run you off.In fact, I’d like it if you found something around here.Something safe.And I’m not trying to insult you, sweetheart.Can you agree you’re a small person?”He waited for her nod.“How about because of your size, having some trouble doing the work needed to be done on the ranch?”
Her eyes lowered as she nodded.
“Good, I’m glad you understand what I’ve been trying to get through to you.Now tell me.”
“My mother, okay, now let me the hell up.This is hurting my head, but then you enjoy hurting me, don’t you?”She tried and failed to swallow the tears that threatened.
“I’m trying to prevent you from hurting yourself,” he said in frustration.“I’m going to let you up, and when you feel better, there is a lot we need to talk about.”
Victoria pulled away and took a few steps from him before she turned.She moved a little fast and felt a wave of dizziness hit her, making her sway on her feet.She jerked away from Cole and held her hands up when he reached out to steady her.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she said and made sure she leaned her weight against the wall.“Once again, thank you for coming, but I really think it’s best if we avoid each other.”
Cole smirked.“I can’t see that happening since we’re next-door neighbors.”
“Oh, I don’t know.I think if we try hard enough, we can do it.”
Cole watched her stubborn chin tilt up.Feisty even when she doesn’t feel well.He bit back a chuckle and kept all expressions off his face.“Are you okay now?”
Victoria crossed her arms.“Yes.”
Cole’s eye roamed up her body.“Tomas said you’d lost weight, and he’s right.You can’t afford to lose any more.”He folded his arms over his chest.“So, what are you going to do about it?”
Her teeth snapped together.“This is none of your business, but I’ll tell you, I am pushing myself to eat better, taking time to eat real meals instead of cereal and peanut butter and jelly.”
A growl crawled out of his throat, and his lips tightened.“That’s all you’ve been eating?”
She didn’t understand why his growls pushed her heartbeat into overdrive and made another wave of heated desire race through her body.“Yes, but only because I didn’t have the time or was too busy or tired to eat right.I’m planning on going to the grocery store tomorrow.”
“Good.You could stand to gain twenty pounds.”
Victoria gasped.“I didn’t weigh that much when I got here.”
“I’m just telling you a man likes a woman with curves, with enough pudge to cushion him when he makes love to her.”He could tell he’d said the wrong thing when the color and life seeped out of her expression.“Don’t do that.I’m not insulting you.No matter how much you weigh, you’ll always be a beautiful woman.”
She didn’t believe a word he said.“I have a lot to do.”
He took the few steps to her, stepping into her personal space.“I need you to be really careful because if Tomas calls me again, concerned for you, you won’t like what happens,” his voice was soft and menacing.
