Page 30 of Unsuitable

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.

Nine

I’m on my knees, scrubbing the bathtub in the main bathroom, when my right boob starts to vibrate.

I decided to keep my phone on me in case Anne called, and as these tight-as-hell jodhpurs don’t have any pockets, I had to stash my phone in my bra, hence the vibrating boob.

Reaching in my top, I pull my phone out, seeing Anne’s name on the caller display.

My heart starts to beat a little faster as I connect the call. “Hello?”

“Hi, Daisy. It’s Anne from Social Services.”

“Hi. Thanks so much for calling me back.”

“Sorry I’m a bit late in returning your call. I wasn’t in the office yesterday, and I’m just catching up on messages.”

“No problem at all. I understand.”