Page 16 of Defying Ella
Aside from that odd sight, he didn’t look like a volcano waiting to erupt. His shoulders were relaxed, or as relaxed as they could be given our situation. Ingredients clattered intothe mixing bowl, but otherwise, he didn’t make a sound, none of the mutterings I’d grown used to with him.
Maybe the coast was clear.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my tone tentative enough to make me want to kick myself.Way to give away your confusion, idiot.
He glanced over his shoulder, his face set in neutral lines. “Nothing.”
My eyes narrowed at his bored tone. It wasn’t nothing. The bad boy of Rhiannon baked. I repeat,baked.I had never pegged him for having a sweet tooth or the patience to make a cake.This breach of normal needed committing to video. No one would believe me without evidence.
Only he’d definitely take my head off if I started recording him.
Maybe I’d just appreciate the rare calm and enjoy it while it lasted.
“Okay, carry on doing nothing.” My lips twitched trying to break into a grin. I bit it back and slid down onto the sofa before I broke.
Laying back against the softest sofa cushion I’d ever had the pleasure of touching, I let the grin out. Jared Michaels baked. Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen that one coming.
Wait.
I shot back up. “Seeing as I’m going along with you here, do I get cake?” Jared’s brows climbed in warning, and I took it at face value.Shut the fuck up, Ella, or no cake. “We’ll just pick this back up when it’s out of the oven then.”
The delicious aroma of a Victoria sponge cake filled the lodge. Between it and the wavesof heat from the fire, I must have fallen asleep. The weight of a blanket falling across my body jarred me from my nap.
I didn’t fully open my eyes, didn’t tense. Jared’s fingers lingered, brushing my hair back before disappearing entirely. My face hurt from controlling the frown that wanted to take over.
Why was he smoothing my hair?
I really had stepped into an alternate dimension. Bloody hell.
The glorious smell of cake had grown closer, and my will to pretend evaporated.Gimme the cake. My eyes snapped open to find Jared still hovering with a weird look on his face. No way would I call it interest, that ship had well and truly sailed. Still, his green eyes had this odd softness I’d never seen before.
“What are you doing?” I stupidly asked, my voice hoarse.
His eyes narrowed, chasing away any semblance of sweetness. A plate of cake sat on the coffee table, waiting to be devoured. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Jared for longer than a second, though. He backed away but the damage was done. I could see the pressure building in him.
Sighing, I shuffled around on the sofa until I sat upright. Then I picked up the delicious-smelling cake. Might as well enjoy it while he went off on one. I cut into the fluffy goodness with a fork, keeping my focus on the plate.
I just wanted to be left alone to unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet. And cake. No snide remarks, no digs about bad past choices I’d rather forget, no reminders that I was a shit judge of character.
I moaned around a mouthful. “This is really good.” Colour me surprised.
His expression hardened.
“Mind your own business next time, Ella.”
Here we go.I let my eyes fall shut on the sweet taste, ignoring the hate in his gaze.
“We’re stuck together for now and when we get out ofhere,everythinggoes back to normal. Nothing’s going to change. I won’t let you make me your pet project.”
I frowned at that. “Pet project?”
“Don’t play dumb. You hate the way I live my life. Well, sweetheart, I don’t give a shit what you think of me.” His arms crossed as he glared down at me. “I’ve fucked plenty of women who thought they could tame me. It didn’t go well for them, and it won’t for you.”
Where did he come up with this stuff? I’d spent months trying and failing to forget he existed and the last month working to avoid being in the same room as him.
“So keep your fake smiles and your Bambi eyes to yourself. Keep your fucking clothes on and your mouth shut around me. I don’t double-dip, so the fuck-me-eyes are a waste of energy. I’m never going to touch you again.”
My head started to throb.Who did he think he was?
