Ronan frowns. “I don’t know why I wasn’t invited but I wasn’t. I get the impression this town doesn’t really like me, though I haven’t figured out why.”
I take a sip of my coffee, trying to figure Ronan out. “And you live here all alone? What about work?”
“I work from home.” He crosses his arms, his jaw taut, as if he is uncomfortable.
Something is shifting, and I don’t understand it “What do you do?”
“I’m the general contractor for the Lachlan Group. It’s the family business.”
My body goes as cold as the snow outside the window. “Lachlan? As in Lachlan Resorts?”
A hint of a smile splays across Ronan’s face and he leans in. “You know the name?”
I scoff. “Everyone in this town does.”
“Really?” Ronan’s eyes narrow. “I didn’t realize—”
I cut him off. “Lachlan Resorts screwed over Hollow’s End.” And my father, in particular. “Surely you know that?” Looking around the massive kitchen it all begins to make sense. I’m such an idiot.
“What?” Now it’s Ronan’s turn to scoff. “What are you talking about? Screwed over what?”
I lift my hands, scooting away from the table. Suddenly feeling totally exposed. Totally seen. I need to put on my clothes.
My dad can never know about this indiscretion. I would never purposely hurt him, but the Lachlans lied to him outright and made him lose so much in the wake of those lies.
“Of course, you’re a Lachlan. This house and the money. I wasn’t even thinking last night. I was so caught up in the storm and... oh my gosh. Your family single-handedly messed things up for half the town.”
“What are you talking about?” Ronan asks, following me.
Blood pumps through my body. I know I’m impulsive in general, but what I did last night was more than spur of the moment. It was stupid. I came here a virgin and slept with the enemy. It’s like a freaking soap opera and I’m the star.
I look at this man I don’t even know. A man who has seen parts of me I am embarrassed to have shared so quickly. “If you don’t even know, you’re a bigger ass than I thought when I first met you last night.”
He snorts. “Yeah, and did you really think I was an ass when you were riding my cock all night?” He shakes his head. “Actually, don’t answer that.”
“Why? Because you know what a jerk you can be? Truth is, Ronan, last night you didn’t really want to get to know me as a person,” I throw back at him. “You still haven’t asked me a single thing about myself.”
“If you’d just calm down and have a civilized conversation—”
I cut him off. “You don’t know me, Ronan. And you clearly don’t know anything about this town.”
He runs a hand over his beard, his eyes blazing with anger. “Then explain it.”
“I have to go.”
“Go? Where? You’re car won’t go anywhere today.”
“Then I’ll walk.”
“Ten miles in the snow? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’ll get a ride as soon as I get closer to town.”
“You’re being irrational.”
“Last night you seemed to like my throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude,” I tell him, leaving the kitchen and heading toward the staircase.
“Last night was just about sex though, remember? You running away now is about life or death.”
I don’t answer, I just storm to my room and pull on my clothes and coat, lace my boots and stuff my hands in my gloves.
I’m leaving this mansion and going home.
And then I’ll pretend, somehow, that last night never happened.Chapter SevenRonanI watch her from the same window I watched her from last night when she arrived at the estate.
So much can change in such a short time.
She stomps away from the house, half buried in the snow, her feet sinking so deep it’s taking her ten minutes to leave the front gates. How long do I let her run off like this before I carry her inside, pull off those boots, and let her warm her feet by the fire?
And even if she’s pissed at me now, I have a feeling I could warm her up if she’d just let me.
Making love to her was enough to break down all my walls and I already know I’d lay my life down at her feet. She’s more than a woman —she’s a beauty— both inside and out.
But damn, has she got a temper.
And right now, as I watch her through the window, I see she’s in trouble. My heart pounds as I realize what is happening before my eyes.
Oh, hell no.
Two wolves circle her, fangs bared. Their dark grey winter coats a sharp contrast to the bright white snow.
I run down the staircase, dashing out the front door. Bella may never have wanted to see me again, for reasons I don’t understand, but I certainly want more of her.
All of her.
I can’t let anything hurt her.