Page 44 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
I was having a really good morning, and now he’s ruining it.
His gaze is too intense for me to maintain eye contact, so I break it easily. Is this man not aware of how intimidating he can be?
“We still have unfinished business between us,” he says.
Huh?
What is he talking about? I’ve been good—I did as he asked, I stopped apologizing and invading his space, I even got my meds to curb the sleepwalking.
“Look at me,” he drawls commandingly.
Every instinct in me is telling me to obey him, but I’m also scared of the tongue-lashing that is undoubtedly coming, so I keep my eyes low.
He grunts in frustration and I flinch, closing my eyes, bracing myself for the worst. I wait and wait, but nothing happens. Just as I’m about to open my eyes, I feel his rough fingers on my chin, pinching it, tilting my head up.
“Look at me, Miss Diva...”
The moment that nickname leaves his lips, I am done for. I’ve missed hearing him say it with such softness that it almostbrings tears to my eyes. This time, I obey him, and my eyes flutter open to meet his dangerously dark ones.
He’s watching me, not with the expected usual animosity but with curiosity, wonder, and one more feeling I can’t quite place my finger on, leaving me confused. Where is the anger and wrath that usually comes whenever we cross paths?
“We need to talk,” he speaks up softly, catching me off-guard as I’m wondering about his sudden shift in attitude toward me.
Just as I’m about to reply, Ella walks into the kitchen, and once again—just like she interrupted us that morning in his cabin—she’s quick to jump in between us.
“Zane, step away from her,” she screeches, pulling at his shirt, making his hand drop from my face.
Zane turns to her angrily, but Ella is not backing down. “Why won’t you leave Ava alone? Stop bullying her.”
“I’m not.”
He actually wasn’t, but I’m in too much of a shock to say anything.
Ella rolls her eyes, not believing him, and turns to me. “Are you okay?”
I nod, peeking at Zane through my lashes, who is busy glaring daggers at his sister.
“Get up, we’re leaving,” she demands, then turns to Zane. “And you stay the fuck away from her.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he defends, but Ella doesn’t listen.
I manage to grab my phone as she drags me away. I throw Zane one last apologetic look as we exit the kitchen.
“He really wasn’t doing anything,” I inform Ella as we walk to the front door.
“He had his hands on you.”
“Yes, he was asking me something, but you walked in before he could,” I explain.
Her steps falter. “Oh, so I’ve overreacted?”
“Yes, but just a tiny bit. Don’t worry about it,” I assure her.
She nods, but she does look guilty. It’s not her fault though—Zane hasn’t exactly proven himself to be kind when it comes to me, so her reaction was valid.
“What do you think Zane was going to ask me?” I ask Ella.
“I don’t know, probably to scold you again,” she answers, refusing to give her brother the benefit of the doubt.
