“Fine.”
Nick asked her, and when she started talking and talking, he demanded she shut up as he was only hoping for a one word answer. He started eating, and Clara finished, leaving half of her plate. His anger unnerved her more than anything else.
Taking her drink with her, she entered the kitchen and started cleaning up. It was stupid of her trying to look nice for him. Whatever they’d shared in the first twenty-four hours of them knowing each other was long gone.
She washed up by hand each item. Twenty minutes had passed by the time she finished with the kitchen. Nick should be finished and long gone to his own part of the house giving her the freedom to disappear to her room.
Entering the dining room she found Nick sat, staring at the door. His gaze was on her, and she froze.
“Are you finished?” she asked.
“No, come and sit with me.”
“I’ve got to finish the dishes.” She took a step back ready to escape.
“I’ve just listened to you do all the dishes and take your time about it. I’m sure my plate can wait for you to wash. I’m not covered in diseases.”
She blushed and stepped closer to take her seat.
“No, don’t sit there. Sit here.” He shoved the chair beside him out for her to sit on.
Once she was seated, she locked her fingers together in her lap.
“I’ve been a complete bastard to you, and I apologize.”
Staying silent, she chanced a look at him. His eyes were on her and made no move to look away.
“Erm, what do you want?” she asked after several seconds when he didn’t speak.
“Will you accept my apology?”
“There’s nothing to accept. I overreacted, and I wanted to say sorry to you.”
“No, you didn’t overreact at all, but I accept your apology.” He took her hand, locking their fingers together. Staring at where he touched her to his face, Clara felt her heart racing. This was the first real contact they had in over a week. “I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me.”
She nodded. “I forgive you.”
“You’re not going to make me grovel?”
“No.”
“Well, I’ve got a present for you. I had intended to give you this a week ago.” He leaned down and grabbed something off the floor.
Clara couldn’t deny the excitement. He was the first person to think to give her a gift. “I don’t own any romance novels, but I hope this can make up for it.” He handed her a rectangular box.
Staring down at it she saw it was an e-reader.
“We can fill it up now if you want.”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
She opened the box easing out her present. The instructions were easy, and Nick got up, taking her hand as they headed toward his office. He took a seat then told her to sit on his lap. She was still tense but watched as he logged into his account.
Bringing up the books she started to pick out everything she wanted. After ten books she stopped, feeling embarrassed for asking for so much.
“You’ve not bought a lot. You’re going to need enough to last you for the next week, Clara. Buy as much as you want.”
He bought her over fifty books to get started. His hand rested on her back while she leaned forward reading blurbs and looking at the books she wanted to buy.
When she downloaded them all, she reached back and kissed his lips.
“Thank you,” she said.
Nick caught the back of her neck, holding her in place. “Don’t mention it.” His fingers caressed the back of her neck. She still felt tense at his touch.
“I fancy going for a swim. Will you join me?” he asked.
She had a swimsuit with all of her clothes. “Sure.”
“Good, I’ll meet you in the pool.” He slapped her ass lightly as she stood up.
Clara didn’t look back and continued upstairs to change. She put her present beside her bed looking forward to reading the many books on the machine.
Removing her clothes, she quickly put her swimsuit on and went downstairs. She found the pool empty and dove into the water. Breaking the surface, she kept working her body in the hope of relieving some of the stress from her tight muscles.
Chapter Nine
Clara’s tense body didn’t go unnoticed to him. Nick finished paying for her purchases and stood to look outside of the window. He needed to put her at ease around him once more. His attitude over the past week would upset anyone even a fully grown man, and he’d directed it at Clara. She’d been the receiver of much unhappiness from her family, and all he’d done was add to it.
He hated the feeling of causing her pain. After enough time had passed he went to the pool. She was walking up and down the pool. He saw the tightness of her body from where he stood.