She made her way carefully up the steps, but this time she avoided the rail. If she could survive this miserable little trek, she just might see the inside of the house before the damn sun went down over the "picturesque" mountains looming all around her property.
Not that she appreciated the view. She didn't appreciate anything about this rugged land. She had grown up in a small city, but that was by the sea and huge cites hadn't been far away, especially with an unlimited credit card.
Then when she'd gone to Brown University, she had loved the large population, though she'd been on campus so much and with college life, it was like living in your own personal city with people all your age who shared similar interest. Sighing, she almost wished she could go back …
Back then, she'd already developed the chip on her shoulder when it came to her family, but it hadn't been as bad because she'd loved college, at least at first, and then she'd let the weight of the world settle on her again, and she'd left before she'd graduated. Stupid! That had been stupid.
///
Had she only finished her degree, she wouldn't be in this mess now, climbing a dilapidated house's front steps with a huge cowboy not far behind her.
"Out here, we're a little more friendly. But it's probably a steep learning curve for a rich bitch like you."
Brielle spun around at the top of the stairs and gazed down at Colt, who was looking up at her with a mocking smile that had her grinding her teeth.
"If I gave a damn about your opinion, I would ask you to speak," she said with what she hoped was a smirk on her lips. There was no way she was going to let this man - this complete stranger - make her day any worse than it already was.
She turned away, but before she had a chance to dig into her purse for the key to the house, she heard the steps creek, and without any more warning than that she felt him behind her, making her jump. She faced him again - better to see your enemy - but backed against the door.
He didn't say anything for a few moments, just lowered his face to only inches from her wide-eyed stare.
"Lady, you really need to learn basic manners." It wasn't a threat, the voice too low, the sparkle in his eyes telling her he was enjoying himself. But she didn't know this man, didn't know what he was capable of. If she were wise, and at the moment she apparently wasn't, she would apologize and send him away.
But once Brielle felt backed into a corner, she didn't tend to make the wisest of choices. Crew had often told her that when she was a young girl, she would be the first to cut off her own nose just to spite her face. She felt as if she were doing that right now, but she couldn't seem to stop herself from poking the bear - a bear who happened to have some pretty stunning hazel eyes.
When she finally found her voice, she was grateful that it came out with a bite. "Get your hands off me this instant, or I swear you will never be able to have children!"
When he didn't even cringe, just sported a huge grin with perfect white teeth, Brielle tensed, her body preparing to keep the threat she'd just issued. He must have felt her slight movement because suddenly he was pressed up against her, his legs preventing her from lifting her knee.
"Honey, I plan on making lots of babies, so I suggest you don't do that," he practically whispered, making Brielle more furious with her body's reaction to his breath floating across her lips as he dipped his head just a little bit closer.
Utterly, horrifyingly speechless, Brielle found herself looking deep into his eyes, which she was discovering had flecks of silver in them. Why and how could she notice that right now? Shouldn't she be afraid?
"Mmm, Brielle, it's going to be a pleasure working with you," he said, leaning even farther forward.
With his lips only half an inch from her own, she sucked her breath in through parted lips, wondering whether she was going to let this stranger - this cowboy - kiss her.
Why in the world would that be the thought crossing her mind? She should be screaming, not contemplating how his lips would feel pressed up against hers. Finally, her voice returned.
"Colt?" The sudden sweetness of her voice must have confused him, because he drew back a few inches, giving her space to breathe.
"Yeah, darlin'?"
"Let's hope you were lying about those babies." The smile she gave him was one of promise.
It took him a moment to process what she was saying, and then he returned her smile with one even brighter than before.
"Again, a pleasure," he said before stepping back, out of kneeing range. "Have a great day."
With those final words, he turned and jumped down the steps, soon disappearing - she didn't know where. After five minutes … ten minutes - hell, maybe an hour - Brielle finally pulled herself from the door and turned around.