Page 22 of Addiction

“This is so different from the cabin.” She glanced back his way.

“It is.” He grinned, recalling how she’d referred to the wooden home that was so dear to him in the car. He wouldn’t let that transgression pass without repercussion. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten what you called my woodland sanctuary, little girl, because I haven’t.”

“You’re still on about that?” She rolled her eyes theatrically.

“You’re damn right I am.”

He considered tugging her to the ground then and there and tanning her tempting backside for her insolence, but he had to be practical. They were both dehydrated and needed to freshen up. There would be time to chastise her later, and when he seized that chance, she would pay for her rudeness.

“Well, I’m sorry that I upset you.” She threw her hands out in a conciliatory gesture. “I’m just saying the place had limited facilities.”

“Apology accepted.” He shook his head with a smile. “But don’t think that precludes you from punishment.”

The naughty gleam in her gaze assured him that she hoped it didn’t.

“As if I would, sir.” She gripped his hand. “But this place is just so different. It’s like two separate people own them.”

He steered her into the enormous open-plan kitchen. “I suppose, in some ways, they do,” he explained as he offered her a stool at the marble island. “This place, and the others I own, represent the old me.”

He paused as the mental image of that younger man burst into his head. Arrogant and snide, the youthful version of Tucker had believed he was infallible. He would never have believed the things that had happened to him since. Wandering to a nearby cabinet, he took two glasses from the shelf and switched on the cold-water faucet. He allowed the water to run over his fingers as the sneer of the man he’d once been faded in his mind.

“And the cabin?” she prompted from the island behind him as he filled both glasses and switched off the tap. “Is that the ‘new’ you, sir?”

“It was once.” He answered before he’d had time to really consider her question. “It brought me great solace for a long time.”

“Until me.” Her voice sounded glum. “I ruined the cabin for you, didn’t I?”

He twisted to look at her. “This isn’t your fault, little girl.” He didn’t know how she’d got the idea that she was to blame, but he wanted his response to her despondency to be clear. “None of this is down to you.”

Large green eyes met his as he placed the glasses down on the counter between them. She hadn’t asked for water, but that didn’t seem to be the pressing matter as he perched on the stool opposite her.

“Thank you.” She motioned to the glass.

“Drink,” he instructed, reaching for his own glass and sipping the water. “I’m sure you’ll prefer this.” His lips twitched. “It actually comes from a proper faucet.”

“I see that.” A beautiful bloom of heat erupted on her cheeks as she reached for her drink.

He watched her intently as she drained most of its contents.

“Ella.” Leaving his glass, he reached for her free hand. “I want to be explicit about this one point at least.”

“The water, sir?” Her facetious tone assured him that she was only joking, no doubt intentionally dodging his assertion.

“No.” He answered her sarcasm with calm. “The conversation before that. All the shit that’s happened is because of your father and me. It’s not on you.”

“I know, sir.” Her voice sounded tiny in the huge expanse of his kitchen.

“Do you?” He gripped the edge of the counter with his other hand. “Because I don’t want you carrying that burden around with you.”

“I know why I was there, Tucker.” A new ferocity burned in her gaze as she met his eyes. “I’m not confused about that, but…”

“But?”

He didn’t like the way she’d used his name, but the significance of the moment insisted he resist the urge to challenge her. He wanted to know what was really on her mind, and if she genuinely accepted no liability for the events that had led her to his cabin, then he’d take knowing whatever thoughts had taken its place.

“I am a little confused about the things that happened while I was there.” Her lips curled, her gaze flitting between his face and her glass.

“Well…” His heart raced a little faster at her sardonic smile. She was adorable, even if he wanted to spank all traces of sass out of her tone. “I feel the same way.”

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