Page 34 of Then You Happened
All the reasons I’m angry these days, all the ways I harbor resentment, flit through my mind, and I know not a single one is his fault.
“Just you.”
“Is your attraction to me that hard to fight? I’m sensing it is.”
I fight the smile and lose as I bark out a disbelieving laugh. “That’s exactly it. You’re right. I can’t resist you.”
“See? Don’t you feel better now that you got that off your chest?”
“My chest is perfectly fine. My chest is . . .” My voice drifts off as I realize what I’m saying, and the lopsided smile he offers me says his mind went right there too. “You’re an asshole.” The words come out in a laugh.
“So you’ve said.”
No apologies. No nothing. Just a man standing there with a sweat ring around the neck of his T-shirt, his biceps stretching at its cuffs, a singing voice that quite possibly could make a woman weak in the knees, and a smirk that unnerves me more than I’ll ever admit.
“You’re still admiring me, Knox,” he teases. “The ladies here are getting a bit restless with jealousy.”
“Are you dismissing me?” I snort in disbelief.
“Last thing I need to be is micromanaged.”
“Last thing I need is for you to be arrogant.”
It’s his turn to snort and take a step toward the railing where I stand, the horses stepping apart for him as if he silently asked them to. He mimics the stance I had moments ago, tips the front of his hat up, and lowers his voice so I’m forced to take a step closer to hear him. “You pay me for arrogance. You pay for the sure thing. You wouldn’t be getting your money’s worth if I were any other way.”
“Whatever,” I mutter as I take a step back to gain some distance from him. The sudden chills that chase over my skin from the deep tenor of his voice don’t diminish with the extra foot or two.
“I’m sure you have work to do.”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“Then I’ll go do it.” But it takes me a beat longer to actually take another step back and break the hold he has on my gaze.
Just as I turn on my heel, he says, “I’m glad you didn’t get hurt, Knox.”
My feet falter and my head drops just a bit before I nod slightly and then continue walking to the house.
I wanted to roll my eyes at him.
I wanted to argue and tell him he’s an ass and his arrogance doesn’t do a damn thing to win my favor nor do I find him attractive in t
he least.
Hell, I wanted to thank him for saving me from getting trampled.
Instead, I stomp up the steps to the house, vibrating with a restless energy I can’t quite understand.
When I was younger and felt this way, I’d lace up my running shoes and just go. Take off for miles until the feeling settled and my head was clear. When we first moved here, I’d grab my camera and get lost in capturing the perfect image. After Fletcher died, I’d throw my suit on and go swim laps in the pool till I couldn’t do one more stroke.
After I was thoroughly exhausted from swimming myself ragged, I’d slip below the surface of the water and scream at the top of my lungs to alleviate all the hurt and betrayal that was eating me alive inside.
It’s been a while since I felt as restless as Jack being here makes me feel.
And, damn it to hell, I think everything that just happened might have won a little piece of me over to liking him.
Just a little bit.
