Page 44 of Time To Learn

Sighing, I nod, keeping my eyes downcast. I daren’t look up, giving Kristian the satisfaction of seeing how much he’s rattled me. I cross my legs, my feet screaming to be let out of the death traps I’ve squeezed them into. The black, pointy suede boots are cute, and an early birthday present from Trish when she showed up at the farm earlier in the evening. I knew I shouldn’t have worn them out tonight, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her no when she asked me to keep themon.

Guess I’ll just have to sit down all evening.

Crap.

A gin & tonic is placed before me. I swallow the thank you I’m about to say when I notice the masculine, tattooed, and very big hand on the glass.

That’s not Trish’s hands. I look at the tattoos on the man’s knuckles and my heart begins to pound in my ears as I recognise the script. Of their own will, my eyes follow the lines of the gaping wolf as it grins up at me, and my heart skips abeat.

My head snaps up as the chair in front of me is pulled out, and I frown at Kristian as he sitsdown.

“My friend, Alex, stole your friend,” he says as he sits back in his seat. “She told me to get you your drink and keep you company for a spell.”

My lips turn down as I glance up at thebar.

When Trish lifts her glass at me, her hand resting lightly on Alex’s chest, I want to get up from my seat and throttleher.

Traitor, I mouth at her. Her smile turns into laughter as she winks atme.

“Well, it would seem I don’t have a choice in the matter,” I mumble as I take the drink. I almost wince at the sharp taste of gin, and I remind myself to take it easy tonight.

“There’s always a choice,” Kristian’s low voice catches my attention. I narrow my eyes at him. The intense honesty staring back at me makes my belly dip. “If you really want me to go, just say so, and I’ll be out the door. But let me apologise first.”

I blink slowly. “Forwhat?”

He purses his lips and leans forward, resting his arms on the table, a sheepish grin on hislips.

“For being an arrogant prick yesterday.”

Wow. I didn’t see that one coming.

“Which time?” I look him dead in the eye, completely serious.

He grins atme.

Oh, no, not the dimples again.

“All of them.” He shrugs. “I still think you lied when you said you aren’t interested, but –,” he looks down, holding his hands up towards me, “– I shouldn’t have tried to bait you into kissingme.”

I tilt my head athim.

“Apology accepted.”

His eyes follow my hand as I lift my glass to mylips.

“I still want to kiss you, though.”

I sputter as the drink goes down the wrong way, making me cough.

“What?” I squeak, gasping for breath at the same time. “You can’t just say that to me. I’m a complete stranger.”

“I disagree. From what I’ve seen so far, I know that you’re a great mother. You wouldn’t work at the farm if you didn’t love the animals. And that tells me that while your heart may be soft, you’re also a great businesswoman.”

I gape at him, completely stunned.

The sight of the warmth in his eyes does really weird things to my insides. It also makes me remember how turned on I was last night.

I shake my head a little as I snap out of my stupor.