“I need you to leave,” she finally says, her tone clipped.
“I’m not sure what to say to you, Patience, I’m just here trying to do something nice,” I say calmly. She hates that I’m here, but she’s going to have to fucking get used to it. I’m going to follow her everywhere, until she finally caves and gets the fuck in my bed.
Tears fill her eyes, and shit, I think she’s going to cry, but then something in her settles and she pulls her shit together. I like that. I like that she’s not fooled by my bullshit and being a pushover.
“Really? So this is just a coincidence then?” she asks, her voice softer and hands on her hips. “You’ve really been here before?”
I can’t lie. Or…I won’t lie. It’s a promise I made to myself when I was a kid. I’ve never broken it, and don’t intend to now, but I can’t admit the truth to her or she’ll be fucking furious with me.
There’s a tap on my shoulder, and I’m relieved for all of two seconds until I see the receptionist with my check in her hand and a flirty smile on her face.
“Excuse me, the manager asked me to come over and personally thank you for your donation. You have no idea what this means to us.” She smiles again, and I nod my head.
“Yeah, it’s fine, don’t worry about it,” I say.
“We hope this isn’t the first and last time we’ll be seeing you around here. I know I personally would enjoy getting to know you more, Mr. Gunner.”
I look over at Patience. Her soft expression has turned hard. She shakes her head at me, her cheeks burning red.
“You’re unbelievable!” she bites out, then walks away.
“Fuck,” I grumble. I jog after her, catching her in two easy strides, aware everyone in the room is watching us. “Patience,” I say her name, and realize I like the feel of it on my lips.
As kids, I always loved her name, and as a man, I love it even more.
“Go away,” she snaps, continuing to walk away.
I jog in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. “Will you just listen to me?”
“No!”
“Please?”
Her eyes narrow. “No!”
“Patience,” I say her name right about the time she rears back and slaps me hard across the face. Again. Fuck me, it doesn’t hurt anything but my pride. She really needs to know who she’s dealing with.
I rub a hand over my jaw in fake pretence. She looks shocked that she’s just hit me again, and I think I can use it to my advantage.
“You deserved that,” she says softly, her cheeks flaming red as everyone looks at us.
I look up at them and nod. “I did.”
“Don’t do that,” she says.
“What?”
“Don’t pretend you’re saving me when we both know you’re an asshole who’s only out for himself.”
I have to admit, that hurt a little. Mainly because it’s the truth.
“That’s just mean,” I say to her, and doubt flashes across her face. “You know, I like you, that’s all. I thought maybe I could do something nice while getting to see you.”
She shakes her head and walks away.
Shit. I thought I’d gotten through to her.
She heads out of the room, and I look around, not sure what to do now. The receptionist has gone back to her desk, and the old lady I’m stood next to looks at me expectantly.
