Page 49 of Her Rugged Guardian

“These old locks are quirky.”

“I guess.” He’d remained very quiet since we returned, although Moose had managed to get more than one laugh out of him during the bath. “I’m sorry I accused you of being responsible.”

“Yeah. I guess you had your reasons.” He finished screwing the deadbolt in then tested it several times. When he stood, stretching his back, the sight of him took my breath away all over again.

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t follow your orders.”

As he’d done before, Jake didn’t bother looking at me. He picked up the box holding the old doorknobs, tossing a few discarded screws into it. While I knew him to be a man of few words, the silent treatment meant he was pissed at me.

“Fine.”

“Fine?” I mimicked. “That’s all you have to say to me?”

“What else do you want me to tell you, Cassandra? That I’m angry that you didn’t follow my orders? Yep. You don’t know what’s out there that could hurt you. That snake was poised to strike and you paid no attention. You’re obviously the kind of woman to run blindly into any situation. That’s only going to get you hurt or killed, or your reckless behavior could get someone else killed in the process.”

I was shocked at his vehemence when all I’d done was try to save my baby. My anger flared even though something inside of me said it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Stephen. That didn’t make what he’d just said right or acceptable. “What happened out there? Your mind was elsewhere.”

“None of your business.”

The moment I slapped my hands on my hips, he sucked in his breath. “It is my business when you criticize me for leaving your omnipotent side yet you didn’t hear my calls.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Fuck you. You don’t know me at all. You waltzed into my life acting like you were taking control. The last time I checked, I could take pretty good care of myself.”

Jake took two long strides toward me, narrowing his eyes as he glared at me. “Is that right?”

“Yeah, buddy. You’re such an arrogant bastard. You acted as if what we’d shared had meant nothing to you.” Great, now I was pulling the almost relationship card when we clearly didn’t have one.

“It fucking did! It does.”

“Bullshit. I was shocked when you left. Then I realized you were a two-timing pig.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You didn’t leave to return home to your girlfriend?”

He narrowed his eyes, staring at me for a few seconds. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“You know where I live. You were just there. I don’t have a girlfriend. I already told you that. For the record, she left me a long time ago.”

“You fucking liar. I saw you kissing her.” Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe he’d gotten me this upset. I turned away from him quickly, taking several deep breaths, almost hyperventilating. What in the hell was wrong with me?

“What are you talking about?”

“Just go.”

“Not until you tell me what in the fuck you’re talking about.”

I’d never felt so stupid or embarrassed in my life. He didn’t owe me anything. I closed my eyes, trying to control my emotions. It would seem I sucked at it as of late. “You were at the diner. I’d just bought the truck and was going there to have some lunch. You were in the parking lot. She was beautiful, long red hair, hanging all over you and you weren’t upset.”

He snorted, inching closer. “That’s not my girlfriend.”

“Whatever, Jake. Thank you for what you did. I mean it, but just go. I know you want nothing to do with me and that’s fine.”

“Is that what you think?” Jake asked, his hot breath managing to find its way to my cheek.

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