Priceless Treasure(13)
She was blathering. She always blathered when she was really nervous. But even knowing that, she sometimes found it impossible to stop, dang it.
“And what was up with the shoe situation, Ashton? I mean, really! I would have been upset too if I’d broken a favorite pair of shoes, but then again, I wouldn’t wear heels on a dock either…” Oh, please. Just shoot her now. At least she hadn’t added that those shoes were fugly as sin.
“Are you planning on torturing me, Savvy? Death by words?” He was laughing as he spoke.
Savannah thought for a moment, and then she really did see the humor. Instead of huffing and puffing, she joined in the laughter, and suddenly the tension was gone.
How could this man be so stiff and formal one moment, and then so carefree the next? She was confused. Up to this point, she hadn’t once seen him so … so friendly.
“You know,” he said, “it would be only polite to offer your guest a beer. You were the one who mentioned the subject.” And he looked as if he were about to get really comfy.
“I’m technically your guest, Mr. Storm, as you’ve already pointed out. You own the boat, and so, by your way of thinking, you should jump up and get us both one,” she told him boldly.
He turned his head to look at her for a moment and then shocked her again when he hopped to his feet and moved to the built-in fridge. The man actually grabbed a couple of beers, twisted the tops off, grabbed the slices of lemon she had already cut, and wedged a couple pieces in each bottle.
She finally sat up on the decking, then jumped to her feet before getting back on the lounge chair. That was a major relief — deck floors weren’t exactly built for comfort.
“Thanks,” she murmured as he handed her a fresh bottle of Corona. She leaned back, took a sip, and then went back to searching the stars. She’d enjoyed looking for shapes in them ever since she was a small child.
“You’re welcome, Savvy. I’m enjoying the company.”
She stared at him for a moment and chortled. “How in the world are you enjoying my company? It seems we’re sniping at each other every chance we get.”
“You know what they say, don’t you? There’s a thin line between love and hate.”
She snapped her head back to look at him, then felt tremendous relief when he winked.#p#分页标题#e#
“You really like throwing me all out of kilter, don’t you?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” The guy had no qualms about admitting it.
“Do you do that to everyone?” she asked. It wasn’t like she was special or anything.
“Not everyone,” he said, making her stomach flutter. “Just the people I like.”
What in the heck was that supposed to mean? She definitely wasn’t opening that door.
“Maybe you should find some more friends, because I’m not all that likable,” she told him with a laugh, but it wasn’t quite merry enough to cover the reality of those words. “I can be a bit prickly.”
“Prickly? Don’t get me to thinking in those terms, Savvy. And I can’t imagine that anyone on this earth would find you unlickable — I mean … unlikable.” He paused to relish her dramatic blush. “You’re beautiful, smart, hardworking, and easy to talk to. I’m sure you have a line of people clamoring for your attention. As a matter of fact, Weston seems to hunt you out every chance he can get.” He’d added that last part with the slightest of growls.
It took her a while to answer, but it was so lovely to have someone to talk to, someone to share with.
“Sometimes … life can be quite lonely. Perhaps it’s only when a person is really intent. I’ve been in school so long that it feels like I haven’t had a break in … forever. I do love my little sister more than words could possibly describe, but as for friends –—well, I just haven’t had time for that.”
“You have a sister?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s the reason I transferred here. The school has a great program and I get to be with my sis.”
“Where is she?” he asked.
“She’s been doing medical work in Africa, but she’ll be back in a couple of days now.” Savannah couldn’t wait.
“Hmm. Interesting,” he said. Of course, it was interesting. Alexa was the sister everyone liked. But before Savvy was able to say something about that, he spoke again. “Is she anything like you?”
Savannah didn’t quite know how to take that question. Was it good? Bad? Should she tell him her sister wasn’t available? Though, technically she was, but the thought of Alexa and Ashton dating sent slivers of jealousy running along her spine. But that was stupid. Savannah had no claims on Ashton and she didn’t want to. She was just upset about the idea because the man already had a fiancée.