Ryder looked nothing short of mortified. “Shit.” His neck flushed pink. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
“A little.” I scowled. “I’m not up for games at the moment, Ryder.”
Ryder’s gaze lingered on mine for a moment before he simply said, “Noted. But regarding the dozer thing, that must’ve been scary. I honestly didn’t mean for you to take me literally.”
Now he was just lying, and I eyeballed him. “Oh yes you fucking did,” I threw back in his face. “I think you’d do anything to protect your garden.”
Ryder winced and stepped back. “I . . . that’s not . . . entirely true . . . at least most of the time.”
The steam ran out of me. “Well, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have its fun moments,” I relented. “And you’re welcome, by the way.” I turned and headed for the cottage, calling over my shoulder, “And you better make that two bacon sandwiches...withsausage.”
Ryder could do with that last bit whatever he liked. If the man were wholly straight, I’d eat his fucking gumboots.
CHAPTER SIX
RYDER
I watchedThaddeus go with a reluctant smile on my face. In no time at all, the feisty young man had crawled under my skin in a way that I wasn’t at all comfortable with. I was attracted to him, sure. He was hot, handsome, and smart-mouthed with it. Plus, Ziggy liked him, which said a lot.
So yes, overall, Thaddeus Grey was pretty much my kryptonite, which should be enough on its own to set all my alarm bells ringing. But there was more to him than just good looks, and it was that which both intrigued and bothered me. Along with my mother’s voice in my head, my curiosity about the young man was the real reason I’d invited him for breakfast in the first place, when everything inside warned me not to.
For all of his bluster, Thaddeus couldn’t hide the soft, forgiving nature at his centre. He also had a penchant for making me laugh, something I could do with more of in my life. It was clear he’d been hurt by what had happened with his ex, far more than he was letting on. It showed in the tight lines around his eyes and the defeated way he carried himself when he thought I wasn’t looking.
Thaddeus had lost an awful lot in twenty-four hours but had somehow found the courage to help me out of a tight spot. He’d put himself on the line in a way few people did for someone they barely knew. And he still had time to call me on my bullshit.
“Well, well, well.” Tap clapped me on the shoulder, startling me out of my musings. “Whatever are you going to do now, my friend?”
I didn’t meet his gaze, worried he’d see more than I wanted him to. “I have no idea what you mean. We’ll finish breakfast, Thaddeus will call for his tow, and that will be that.”
A moment of silence was followed by Tap’s hearty laugh. “The best part of that answer is, I think you honestly believe it. Come on, Ryder, the man ordered a sausage, and the least you can do is tell him he came to the right place.”
I groaned. “You are so not funny.” I strode toward the cottage and left him chuckling at his own joke. Back inside, I grabbed a dry pair of sweats from my bedroom and headed for the kitchen. I found Thaddeus sitting at the dining table, making a bacon sandwich from the leftovers on his abandoned plate of food. Ziggy sat rigid at his feet, staring longingly up at his new best friend.
“Get yourself into these.” I handed Thaddeus the sweats.
He hesitated only for a second, then took them and disappeared into my laundry to change. When he returned, looking even better in this pair of sweats than the last, I walked over to take his plate. “I’ll cook some fresh?—”
“Leave it.” He brushed my hand away. “I happen to like my bacon cold. Besides, I’m almost full. Where’s Tap?”
“Good question.” I glanced toward the silent hall. “Giving us a moment, I think.” I sat in the chair opposite, and Thaddeus’s eyes locked on mine. I recognised the challenge in their depths, and something unruly fluttered in my belly. “I have a confession?—”
“Stop.” Thaddeus raised his hand. “I apologise for what I said outside. It was completely out of line. You’ve been very kind, and your personal business is really none of mine.”
It was a pretty speech that only cemented my decision to be honest. “Just listen for a minute, will you? Yes, I’m gay. I didn’t tell you when you were open about your own boyfriend because... well, because I’m a shitty person. You’re not... unattractive, let’s just say that, and I was trying to avoid any misunderstandings or... complications.”
Thaddeus snorted. “Not unattractive, huh? I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.” His direct gaze pinned me to my seat. “And exactly what complications would you be referring to? Did you think I might jump you in the chicken shed? Or blow you next to the lily pond?” He chuckled and sat back in his chair, golden eyes twinkling. “Sorry to burst your bubble, Casanova. You’re a nice guy and all, but you’re hardly irresistible.”
My hand went to my chest. “Ouch.” And then I laughed. “I guess I deserved that.”
“You absolutely did.” He saluted me with his bacon sandwich, and a slow smile spread over his face. “But thank you for telling me. I think I’m just pissed at being on the back foot again. I’m sorry I put you in a spot.”
“And I’m sorry for checking you out so rudely,” I returned.
“Oh, goody.” Tap strolled into the kitchen and joined us at the table. “I love a good mutual apology. I’ve been telling Ryder for years that he’s not irresistible.”
I gave a put-upon sigh. “You were listening from the hall, weren’t you?”
“Of course I was,” Tap admitted with zero apology. “I thought the shitty-person thing was particularly fitting.”
