Page 62 of Robert

Descending the stairs, she searched downstairs, and he was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t in the living room as she thought, and the kitchen was empty. The housekeeper had prepared lamb chops and baby potatoes, but she had not even bothered to partake of the meal.

Where the hell was he? Suddenly it occurred to her that he might be in the gym. She had been there twice and worked out with him just this morning before they showered and got ready for work. It all seemed such a long time ago, because of everything that had happened.

He had changed out of his suit and was in gray sweats and a black tank top and was beating the crap out of a hanging bag.

His muscles bunched and quivered and he was already covered in sweat, indicating how much energy he had already burned. A black headband held the hair back from his face that had an intensely fierce expression that warned her he was still in a black mood.

If he noticed her standing inside the doorway of the large well-equipped room, he gave no indication. The sounds of fists hitting the leather filled the room. Folding her arms under her breasts, she waited for him to stop, determined not to be intimidated.

Chapter 14

He noticed her all right. Had done that since she first arrived. How could he not? Her perfume, the subtle scent, the essence of her was acutely evident.

He was always aware of her – always – dammit! And that fueled his anger even more if that was at all possible. He had been fighting his demons for the past half hour and nothing was being resolved.

He contemplated, seriously contemplated ignoring her until she gave up and go away, but instinct told him she was not going to be shaken loose that easily. He had glimpsed the determined look on the beautiful face. He was pissed, enraged, and felt foolish. Because he had been on the verge of declaring his love for her.

And his knuckles were sore. He was almost sure they were swollen as well, and he had to stop because he felt as if he was about to collapse.

Gripping the bag to steady it, he was just turning towards the mini fridge to grab a bottle of water when she stepped in front of him. In silence, she handed him the bottle and watched as he twisted the cork and almost finished it.

“I have something to say.”

“Do so and be done with it. I have work.” He was short with her, and it pained him to see the hurt look on her face. He had never spoken to her like that before.

“You’re an ass.”

His brows winged up. “That’s telling me. Are you finished?”

He grabbed a towel from the rack and started mopping his face.

“You’re also a jerk.”

His mouth tightened at that and as he moved to pass her, she sank her fingers in his damp arm and felt his muscles quivered.

“I am not done.”

“I don’t have time…”

“I suggest you make some.” Her fingers dug in even more. She was petite and barely came to his chest. He was all of six feet three inches, and he had muscles. He could easily have moved her out of his path.

But he stood there looking down at her and felt his heart twisting. All he wanted to do was to gather her up and sink himself deep into her and be reassured that she was not interested in her ex. And it burned him that he was so insecure.

“What is it?”

She lifted her chin at the brusqueness of his tone and held onto his arm as if afraid he would leave if she did. “Jason and I deserve an apology.”

“Oh, is that right?” His tone was menacing, hazel eyes icy.

“What you walked into was not what you thought. I have no interest in him in that way. He is a friend. His firm is involved in several of the charities I am responsible for. What we had – he and I, was a childhood crush, and you know more than anyone else that it never went further than that.”

His eyes flared. “I walked in to see you in his arms. It looked intimate to me.”

“Damn you, Robert!” She took a deep breath and strove for patience. “He just told me something devastating and I was offering him comfort, nothing more. My office door was open for goodness sakes!”

“And if I had not walked in at that moment, the hug would have progressed to something more.” His eyes burned into hers. “Do you know what it did to me to see you in his arms?” His hand clamped on hers and pried her fingers away so he could put space between them. “I wanted to kill him for touching you.”

She stared at him in frustration. “Why? It was nothing personal to me. Not like what you’re thinking.”

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