Page 26 of Taming Her

“What?”

“I had some time owing, I’ve called it in. Suits the station, my partner is recovering from surgery.” He downed his smoothie then stood. “So we’re stuck together. Here. Get used to it.”

Chapter 6

Ava stared at Griff. He really was a piece of work. She’d head off the moment she got the chance.

Trust and obey.

Seriously.

“Another coffee?” he asked.

“Yes, please.”

He set about fiddling with the coffee machine.

Ava finished her breakfast, enjoying the fresh natural flavors. A glass of bucks fizz would have complemented it quite nicely but she knew that request would be pushing it.

“What’s through there?” she asked, pointing at a door beside the inglenook.

“The living room. Go take a look, I’ll bring the coffee.”

She slid from the stool. The old flagstone floor was cool on her soles.

The living room was long and thin with two deep-silled windows on both the left and right walls. At the end was another huge brick inglenook with a grate. On either side, logs were stacked along with kindling.

The sofas, facing each other, were red striped and appeared soft and comfy. Dotted with purple velvet cushions, they matched the heavy floor-length curtains. It wasn’t the type of bachelor pad she’d have expected Griff to have; in fact the only nod to modern life was a large TV to the right of the fireplace.

She stepped toward a dark wooden dresser and examined several photographs in frames. Griff was in two of them. One with a woman she vaguely recalled, his sister Bethany, and another with an older lady in a garden. Ava guessed it was his grandmother and wondered if it was the cottage garden. If so it was when it had been loved and managed, not like now.

She wandered to the sofa and sat, tucking her feet beneath her ass. It was the perfect room for a family Christmas. A big tree in the corner, the fire lit, decorations hanging from the mantel, and outside a dusting of snow. She folded her arms, hugging herself. The image was comforting. The cottage had a nice vibe, as if lots of happy family memories had been made there.

“Coffee.” Griff stepped into the room. He stopped when he saw her on the sofa. “What are you doing?”

“Er, waiting for coffee.”

“Did I tell you to sit down?”

“No. Why, is this seat reserved?” She huffed.

“Don’t be sarcastic.” He placed the tray of coffees beside the photo frames and lifted the two cups.

She watched him walk over and set them on a table between the two sofas.

“On the floor,” he said.

“What?” She frowned up at him.

“You heard, on the floor. I’ll tell you when you can sit beside me; for now, you will sit by my feet, on your knees.”

“No, I—”

“Do as you are damn well told,” he snapped. “Or you’ll feel my hand on your behind.”

She gawped at him, looking for signs that he was messing with her.

He wasn’t.

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