I sighed, closing my eyes as she drew closer.
But I shouldn’t have treated her that way. It wasn’t her fault I was so drawn to her. She had no idea that she was part of what was making me feel so unsteady. I owed her an apology, but after that, I needed to stay away from her.
I opened the door before she even knocked, and her mouth fell open in surprise. I was surprised too—she looked so different. Her hair was wet, and although she wore a flowery summer dress, she had no makeup or jewelry on. My heart knocked against my ribs. She’s so beautiful.
Beautiful and fucking furious.
Her mouth snapped shut, her eyes narrowing. “I have something to say to you.”
“So say it.” I joined her on the porch, shutting the door behind me so the cat didn’t try to get out. I figured I owed it to Margot to let her bitch at me. What could she say that I hadn’t said to myself?
First, she parked her hands on her hips and then she poked a finger in my chest. “You’re not nice.”
I almost smiled. “No?”
“No. I don’t know what you have against me, but I’m not here to make you miserable, I’m here to do a job. And I’m just as sorry about yesterday as you are, but you did not have to be such a jerk to me today.”
“No, I didn’t. And I’m sorry.”
“And you—” She blinked at me. “What?”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I was a jerk today. You didn’t deserve it.”
She looked to the side and then back at me. “That’s it? You’re not going to argue with me?”
“Did you come here looking for a fight?”
She huffed. “I don’t know. Yes.”
“Well, there’s nothing to fight about. I was a dick.” I stuck my hands in my pockets and took a small step back. Margot sweet and bubbly in broad daylight was tempting enough—Margot feisty and looking for trouble in the dark was downright dangerous.
“Why’d you do it?” she asked.
“That’s hard to explain.”
“Were you getting me back for spying on you?”
“No.”
She chewed her lip for a second. “What about that stuff about my shiny hair and blue eyes fucking with you? What about telling me I’m your problem?”
“You’re not my problem. That came out wrong.” My problem is the way I feel standing so close to you.
She didn’t appear convinced. “What about what happened yesterday? In the barn. Are we ever going to talk about that?”
I shrugged. “It was a mistake.”
That earned me an eye roll. “No shit.”
“Then why’d you ask?”
Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know. Because you confuse me. I never know whether I’m coming or going with you. One minute we’re kissing, the next you’re yelling at me to get out. This morning you’re an asshole, tonight you apologize.” She slapped a hand to her forehead. “I can’t keep up.”
“You don’t have to. Aren’t you leaving soon?” Please say yes. I can’t go on like this, wanting you this way.
“In about ten days.”
Fuck. I wasn’t sure I’d make it.
Suddenly she clapped her hands over her face. “God, what am I doing here? I must be crazy. You’re a client.” She stepped off the porch and started hurrying down the path away from the cabin.
“Margot, wait!” I was relieved she was leaving, but I couldn’t let her go alone. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I didn’t drive,” she called, heading into the trees.
My chest got tight, and I sped up, following her into the dark. “Margot, stop! I’ll drive you back. You shouldn’t walk alone at night.”
“I’m fine.”
“Hey.” Catching up to her, I grabbed her elbow and spun her around. “I’m not letting you walk anywhere near that highway in the dark, do you understand me?”
Just enough moonlight spilled through the tops of the trees that I could see her eyes glitter with angry tears. “Let go of me.”
“No.” I started trying to drag her back toward the cabin so I could get my keys, but she fought me.
“Let go of me,” she said through clenched teeth.
“No!” I roared, gripping her by the upper arms and drawing her in. “I can’t.”
And without even thinking about it, I crushed my mouth to hers.
She wiggled around in my grasp for a second, and I thought she was still trying to escape, but when I loosened my grip, she threw her arms around me.