Page 42 of Kiss of Wrath

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say, but then she told him, “We offer wonderful anger management classes at our clinic.”

He snorted his opinion of that suggestion. Then, he made a shooing motion with his hand. “Go! Before I check to see what you are hiding under that ugly robe.”

She smiled inwardly as she saw him begin to clear the table and rinse her mug and his glass in the sink. Her very own house husband, sort of. Wait ’til she told the women at work what she had waiting for her at home. A Viking nanny. Or a Viking house manager. Whatever. He was damn hot and in her kitchen.

Something occurred to her then. “Are you married?”

He glanced back, realizing she hadn’t left yet. “No.”

“Ever married?”

He hesitated before nodding. “She died long ago.”

She was about to apologize for being so intrusive, but had to ask one more question. “Do you have children?”

The sudden bleakness in his eyes was shocking. His lips thinned, in anger or pain, she wasn’t sure. He tossed the dish towel on the counter and sliced her with a cutting glance. “I do not ever discuss my children. Never!”

“I’m sorry.”

He ignored her apology and walked stoically out of the kitchen and into the backyard. Through the window, she could see him staring off into space, his back to her. Even from here, she could see that his hands were fisted.

Who is this man I’ve brought into my house?

Why am I so touched by the pain he has clearly suffered?

Is this going to be the biggest mistake of my life?

Eight

(Viking) honey, I’m ho-o-o-ome . . .

Miranda checked with Mordr several times during the day to make sure everything was going all right.

At nine a.m., on her grilling him, he said, “The children are settled in their schools under the watchful eye of my men. Naught will happen to them there.”

“Already your men are there?”

“Already.”

“Did they get to school on time?”

“Of course.”

“Larry always forgets—”

“Larry had his backpack on.”

“I meant to mention the broken bathroom window.”

“The glass man is coming this afternoon.”

“What about—”

“Miranda.”

“What?”

“Go to work.”