Page 23 of Holiday Hire

"That's chivalrous of you," I tease.

"You don't know what chivalry is, remember?" he replies, and it's the first time I've witnessed him smile. He slides the sharp edge of his knife over the tape.

"What's with you and chivalry?"

He moves to the next box, slicing through it just as seamlessly. He turns, challenging, "Is there something wrong with treating a woman like a woman?"

"Did I say that?"

He assesses me a moment, then answers, "No, but I'm trying to decide if you're just used to boys who will always be boys or if you're one of those feminists who refuse to let a man step into his role."

"His role?"

Alexander nods. "Yes, his role in life."

Confused, I question, "Which is?"

He grunts. "A man's role is to care for his woman and family."

"And that's achieved by opening doors?"

"It's a sign of respect for a woman."

"Is it?" I ask, not because I feel one way or the other but because I'm unaware of these viewpoints. Lance has never held a door open for me, nor had any guy I dated before him.

Very adamantly, he declares, "Yes, it is."

I shift on my feet, feeling naive. It's rare I do, but right now, I feel ignorant. I open the box, pull a handful of clothes out, and say, "Okay, good to know."

He stares at my hand, and I glance at the black lace lingerie. My mouth turns dry. I quickly go to the dresser, open a drawer, toss them inside, and shut it. I spin and chirp, "I really should get unpacked."

He nods, finishes cutting the tape off the boxes, and steps outside the room. Then he turns back and says, "There's one thing you should know about me, Phoebe."

My chest tightens. I tease, "You have tattoos of unicorns on your ass?"

He stills, then breaks out in a smile. "No. Why would you even suggest something so ridiculous?"

I shrug. "You train horses. Maybe you think they're magical or something. I don't know."

His smile grows. "Well, horses are magical, but without a fake horn on their head."

"Good to know. I'll remember that if I ever decide to take up riding."

He pretends to be in shock, his mouth hanging open.

I ask, "What?"

As if I committed a crime, he questions, "You've never ridden a horse?"

"No."

"And my family hired you?"

My nerves reappear at full throttle. I admit, "It didn't come up in the job interview."

"How is that possible?"

"I… I don't know." I furrow my eyebrows.

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