Page 138 of Rough Around the Hedges

Yes.

You told me not to touch other men, then spent that following evening being pictured with tons of other women right before texting me goodnight. Then you came back and spoke to me like nothing happened, even flirting with me.

“I’m perpetually upset with you. I can’t imagine how you could do anything more to upset me at this point,” I replied, looking away from him. “Isn’t that the whole basis of our relationship? You piss me off, I get angry and upset, and we repeat that cycle.”

“All right, I’ve upset you,” he said astutely. “Can you tell me what I did so I can fix it?”

“Unless you can time travel, you can’t fix it.” I walked around the van and opened the door, and he swiftly followed me.

Oliver grabbed the door before I could close it and leant into me. “Rose, let’s talk about this.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I jabbed the keys into the ignition. “Please unhand Ramona.”

He stepped closer instead. “Meet me at the cottage.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t be a brat. It’s only cute when you’re naked.”

I stilled. “Go fuck yourself, Oliver.”

“I will, but I’ll think of you the whole time.” He grabbed my hand and pulled it to his mouth, pressing a kiss against the inside of my wrist that sent a tingle across my skin. “Go to the cottage. I’m going to follow you, and we’re going to talk, because we’re adults and that’s what adults do. We can either havethis conversation in private at the cottage or on your doorstep. Which one would you prefer?”

“Wanker,” I hissed, snatching my hand back. “Fine. But I’m only staying for half an hour.”

He stepped away, satisfied with my response, and gently closed the door. I clenched my jaw and turned the key, bringing the van to life.

What a prick.

What a bastard.

What an absolutely toe-curling, dominating, argumentative, bossy little twat he was.

What did it say about me that I liked it, huh?

Maybe he was right.

The chicken therapy really wasn’t working out for me. ‘Bock-bock-bock’ wasn’t exactly a tried-and-true coping method, after all.

I drove out of the village and towards the Hanbury Estate. When I got there, I took the turn for the hidden side entrance Oliver had shown me last time and followed the track down to the cottage. It was secluded and the perfect place for us to meet away from prying eyes.

It was like the one place we could just…be.

He pulled up behind me and got out of his car, quickly unlocking the front door with the key from under the flowerpot. I stayed in the van, pouting, and he came over and opened the door.

“Do I have to carry you in there?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve manhandled me like that,” I grumbled. “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“You never want to talk to me, yet you do. Won’t it be more comfortable to sulk inside, though?” His eyes twinkled as he pulled out my keys and grabbed my hand. He tugged me out of the van, and I let myself be taken from the vehicle and guided towards the cottage.

Once inside, he locked the door behind us and put the keys on a little side table. He pushed me through to the living room and plopped me down on the sofa before sitting next to me and making me look at him.

“Tell me what I did.” He cradled my chin in his hand. “Are you upset about Saturday?”

I said nothing.

“Was it what I said to you on the phone? If so, I’m sorry.” He brought his face closer to mine. “I was jealous, but that’s not your problem, that’s mine. I shouldn’t have said those things to you.”

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