Unsuitable

It’s my second day at work, and I’m walking quickly down the lane, heading for the Matis Estate, because it’s raining like a bitch. I don’t have an umbrella with me, but I’m wearing my raincoat with the hood up, keeping my hair dry.

I’m not far from the gates when I hear a car coming up fast behind me.

Glancing back, I see a petrol-guzzling four-by-four approaching. A gust of wind blows my hood back off my head. I scramble to pull it back up, but before I can—

Splash!

Mothereffing effer!

I stop in shock, muddy water dripping down my face.

The bastard hit a puddle at the side of the road and gave me a muddy-water drenching.

I grit my teeth together. “Wanker, bastard, thoughtless twat of a four-by-four driver!” I seethe to myself, stomping my foot.

I drag my hand down my face, clearing away the muddy water.

Can this day get any worse?

And it’s barely even started.

I still haven’t had a call back from Anne, which is stressing me out.

I weirdly overslept this morning, meaning I didn’t do my run, and I nearly missed my train. It was only light drizzling when I got on the train. Then, I had to stand the whole journey here, as there were no seats, because, apparently, the world and his wife were using the train this morning. I stepped off in Westcott, and the heavens opened, the sky raining down like it was preparing for the Great Flood.

I hadn’t brought an umbrella with me because I thought I’d be okay with my raincoat. And I was doing okay until four-by-four dickhead soaked me through to the bone.

Okay, so, evidently, my day can get worse because when I zero my eyes in on the taillights of the four-by-four, I see that it’s slowing and turning into the Matis Estate.

I growl. I actually growl and pick up my pace, heading for the car, which is stationary, waiting for the gates to open.

With the windows blacked out, I can’t see inside, but I don’t care because I’m mad. I’m soaked and mad. Not a good combination.

Reaching the car, I rap my knuckles on the passenger window. “Hey, buddy,” I say in a pissy tone. “You just soaked me back there! Watch where you’re going next time. And I’m sorry I just drenched you would’ve been goo—” The words die on my tongue when the window rolls down, and I see who’s in the car.

“Mr. Matis.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He already hates me. And, now, I’ve just banged on his car window and yelled at him.

I’m so fired.

His black eyes move over me. I see a flicker of humor in them.

He’s laughing at me.

Bastard.

“Daisy. Good morning. Or maybe not, as the case might be for you.”

I bite my tongue so hard that I draw blood, tasting metallic in my mouth.

I’m gonna…I’m gonna…

Walk away.

It’s either that or punch him in the throat, and I don’t think punching my boss would be a good idea. It’d be my fast pass back to prison.

And I really don’t want that.

Jesse. Think about Jesse.

Jaw locked, I swivel on my toe and walk through the open gates.

I’m speed-walking, sticking to the edge to keep out of the way of his car for when he drives past me.

My hands are balled into fists. And I honestly feel like I could cry.

I like to think of myself as strong and capable. But, right now, I just feel torn up with emotions.

I miss my brother. I hate my boss. I’m soaked, and I’m about to start my period. So, yeah, I’m feeling a tad emotional.

I hear his car roll up behind me, and it drives straight past me, just like I expected him to.

Because it’d be too courteous to offer to drive me the rest of the way.

Arsehole.

Gritting my teeth, I stomp the rest of the way to the house, my trainers squelching. All the while, I imagine strangling Kas-hole with my bare hands.

As I approach the house, I see the front door is open, and Kas-hole is standing there, looking all dry in his dark blue jeans and V-neck jumper.

He looks hot—as much as I hate to admit it.

I hate that he’s a good-looking bastard.

Jaw clenched, hands balled at my sides, I come to stop in the porchway.

“Dry off before coming inside.” He holds out a towel to me. “I don’t want you dripping all over the floor.”

Um…what?

I stare at him in shock.

He blankly stares back at me and gestures for me to take the towel.

Argh! I hate this guy!

I have to stop myself from reminding him that, if I make a mess, I’ll be the one who cleans it up anyway.

Ignoring him, I drop my bag to the floor and pull off my trainers. Barefoot on the cold floor sends shivers running up my legs. Unzipping my raincoat, I yank it off and drop it on the floor by my bag. Leaving me in just my wet dress.

Shivering and not looking him in the eyes, I reach out and pull the towel from his still-outstretched hand. I bring the towel to my face, patting it dry. Then, I run it over my arms and bare legs, drying them off. Reaching back, I tug my hairband out. Gathering up my hair, I squeeze the water out of it and then rub the towel over it.

When I’m done, I make the mistake of looking at Kas.

He’s staring right at me.

But, for once, he’s not looking at me with distaste.

The look in his eyes…it’s intense.

I can’t remember anyone ever looking at me like this before. I feel like he’s stripping me bare.

A tug of need pulls at my lower belly, surprising the hell out of me.

And I suddenly don’t feel so cold anymore.

His stare is heating me up from the inside out.

What the hell is this?

How can I be feeling…whatever I’m currently feeling for him? I hate him.

But, apparently, my body missed the memo on that one because she seems to quite like him at the moment.

“Mr. Matis…” I whisper his name, not sure why or what I hope to achieve by doing so. I’m beyond surprised at how breathy my voice sounds.

And it’s the sound of my voice that seems to bring him back to life. I watch as his expression shuts down. His brows draw together in a frown of disdain, and without a word, he turns on his heel and strides away.

Okay. What the effing hell was that all about?

I’m putting it down to me not having had sex in a really long time. My body and hormones just saw man and got confused for a moment.

That definitely will not happen again.

On a sigh, I bend and pick my raincoat up before shaking the water off it. I pick my shoes up and walk into the house, shutting the door behind me.

I head straight for the utility room and hang my coat over the clothes airer. I put my trainers into the dryer.

My dress and underwear are soaked. But there’s nothing I can do. I don’t have anything to change into. I’ll just have to wear them and hope they dry while I work.

First though, I need to sort my hair out.

Taking my bag with me, I head to the downstairs bathroom. Locking myself inside, I stare in the mirror.

I look like a drowned rat.

I get my hairbrush out and brush the knots out. Then, I tie it up into a messy bun. Stashing my hairbrush back in my bag, I unlock the door and let myself out.

My feet slam to a halt when I see Kas standing on the other side of it.

“I brought you something to wear.” He gestures to my wet dress and then holds out a red polo shirt and a pair of jodhpurs. The polo shirt has Matis Estate embroidered on the right breast.

“The polo’s a large, but the jodhpurs should fit you. It was all we had left in stock.”

I’m so stunned by his kindness that it takes me a moment to speak.

“Thank you.” I take the clothes from him and look up into his eyes.

He gives me a sharp nod, and then he turns and walks away.

I’ve just turned back into the bathroom when his voice pulls me back. I turn to see that he’s stopped at the end of the hallway, and he is half-turned back to me.

“I’m sorry for drenching you earlier.”

My jaw hits the floor in shock. “I-it’s okay.”

Without another word, he disappears around the corner, leaving me standing there, stunned.