Grant watched from across the small room.It would only take maybe five steps to get to her, but he was afraid to touch her right now.He wanted so badly to shake her.He took a deep breath, leaned against the wall by the door, and crossed his massive arms over his chest.
“We’ve got a few problems, sweetheart.”
A tremor shook her at the tone of his voice.He talked so smoothly, but right now, it had a hard edge to it.
“Hi,” was all she could say.He could tell she was shocked at seeing him in her living room.
Grant inclined his head.“Hi yourself.”
“What are you doing here?”she asked.
“We had a date, remember?”
“But I thought...”
“I know what you thought.I’m sorry.I know I hurt your feelings.I knew if we kept talking, we’d either keep arguing or I’d have you pinned against my desk.Can you guess which one I’d vote for?”
Jennifer wrapped her arms around her waist.“Um, yes.”She shook her head hastily.“I mean, no...”
He eyed her as she stood with her back against the slider doors, as the early evening muted light came through.The soft light made her look like an angel, encompassing her tiny figure.A quick grin crossed his face at the thought of her as one.Probably not, he thought,angels don’t argue with everything.“Now, let’s get back to the problems we seem to have.”
“What problems?”She frowned at his arrogance.
“First and foremost is the fact you left your door unlocked, and you didn’t check to make sure of who it was.”
“But—”
He quickly held up a hand.“But nothing.”He crossed his arms over his chest again.“Jen, were you one hundred percent sure of who was on the other side of the door?”
“But...”
“Jennifer!There are no buts.It’s a yes or no.”
Her chin tilted up.“Well, no.But I don’t see how it’s any of your business.”
His eyes narrowed at her belligerent tone.“I’m making it my business.”
Jennifer gritted her teeth and stomped her little foot in frustration, which he found adorable.
“You can’t—” she started.
“I am,” he interrupted.
A growl rumbled up her throat, but it ceased abruptly when someone knocked at her door.They stared at each other for a long, intense moment.
“Come in,” she yelled as she cocked an eyebrow at him in defiance.A shiver ran down her spine at the livid look he threw her before the door opened.
“Hi, Jennifer.”
Grant stepped out from behind the door to stand behind the younger man.Grant could tell by the sound of the new man’s voice and his lanky build that he was very young.
“Hi, Joey.The peanut butter is on the counter.”When the boy turned, she glared over the boy’s shoulder at Grant, but smiled when the boy turned back.
Grant became irritated at the sweet smile she gave the boy.She had yet to look at Grant like that.But then, most of the time they’d spent together had been arguing.
Joey stepped toward Jennifer.“I can’t thank you enough, Jennifer.You have saved me once again.”
“It’s no bother, Joey.I’m always glad to help.”
