Page 10 of Lovestrung

“Excuse me? What did you just say?!”

I stood up so quickly, my chair toppled over, and stomped to his side. I was so mad I wanted to strangle his neck, but Ethan was quick on his feet and before I knew it, I was staring into his hard, breathing chest. Oh, gosh, he smelled good. A hint of wood and citrus attacked my nostrils, and I almost forgot we were arguing.

“That’s right,” he grumbled. “It’s not safe for a young woman to travel on her own. How the hell will you be able to stop someone from attacking you? Huh?”

My anger fused through me, and I was glad it did. I put my hands on my hips and craned my head back. I refused to back down, no matter how much he was dead-set on intimidating me with his size.

“Have you forgotten about my black belt in karate? I can take care of a thief if worse comes to worse.”

He leaned closer, eyes intense and frustrated.

“Prove it,” he spat out.

It was my turn to blink in shock.

“What?” I whispered.

He nodded and gave me the once-over.

“You’re, what, 130 pounds?”

I seethed.

“120 pounds,” I replied sweetly.

He rolled his eyes.

“Fine. Try to take me down, and I swear I’ll back off.”

Gramps started laughing, and I felt a blush rising on my cheeks. I’d been so focused on Ethan that I’d forgotten we had an audience. Even when he was mad, he had the ability to make everything else fade away, leaving me so focused on only him.

Damn him.

“Thanks for dinner.” Gramps smiled at Ethan. “As fascinating as your stand-off is, I think I’ll bid you both a good night. I’m tired. But, Ethan…” His laughter died down as he pointed at him. “You’re a fool if you think that I, or Pippa’s parents, would let her go on her own if we didn’t believe she could handle herself.”

Warmth settled in my heart at his words.

“Thanks, Gramps.”

He nodded once at me before he put his hands on his wheelchair and backed it away from the table.

“I expect you’ll be going at it for a while longer.” He narrowed his eyes at Ethan before he turned around and left us alone. I looked back up at Ethan, a bit fascinated at the way he was able to grit his teeth so hard without making a sound. It had to hurt.

Frustrated, I turned my back and started to pace in front of him.

“I don’t understand you,” I muttered. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year, and then you waltz in tonight, hardly say a word – you won’t even look at me!” I pointed an accusing finger at him. “And then you have the nerve, the audacity, to tell me that you think I shouldn’t follow my dream?”

I stopped and turned in a half-circle.

“What the fuck?” I shook my head in disbelief. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

“I didn’t waltz in,” he started and tore a hand through his already messy-looking dark hair.

My mouth popped open in shock.

“That’s all you have to say to me?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.