Page 31 of So Wrong It's Right

“Yes?” I whisper again.

“Did I hurt you?”

I whirl around, forgetting my fear, eager to make sure he understands. “No. No, of course not.” Only we bump noses and crack foreheads and we both pull back in shock. Déjà vu of our first meeting.

I clutch the counter, waiting for the pain to dissipate. “Do you see stars again?”

He chuckles and the weight of the strange moment lifts. “Yeah. I guess I just need to get used to it for the next few weeks while I’m in Brazen Bay.”

Does he think I need the reminder that he’s leaving? That I might take what just happened as a sign of something else? Something permanent?

“I should go,” he says. “I’ll take the salads. Drop them off at the clinic.”

“Sure,” I say. I can’t read this guy. Not at all. And it’s driving me crazy. Not two minutes ago, he was grunting like a caveman and pulling my hair. Now he’s pushing up his glasses, which are askew by the way, and acting like we just got done with tea.

In my best Queen Elizabeth accent—which may or may not be fabulous, I say, “Thank you. I would indeed appreciate that.”

He cocks his head warily, and I’m glad he understands me as much as I understand him.

I help him box up the jars and he kisses me goodbye—on the mouth—and then he leaves.

And I am so confused that I do the one thing that I know will tether me back to the real world. I call my sister and ask how the wedding plans are going.

Chapter Twelve

Christopher

Yesterday afternoonwas a big mistake.

In the harsh light of day, hiding in my office like a coward, I will admit that I really, really screwed up. Brunch and the farmer’s market were fine. And all she expected or even wanted from me.

But after.

I never lose control like that. Never. I treated Stella badly and I’m ashamed. I’m her boss...sort of. I’m not staying in town for long. We hardly like each other. And I took her like a caveman in her kitchen.

I spanked her. I’ve never hit a woman. Never thought I wanted to. But I was overcome with the need to mark her. The sight of my handprint on her ass took me someplace I’ve never been. And she fucking loved it as much as I did.

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