Page 14 of Breaking Him

Asshole. “Fine.” It was so far from fine it wasn’t funny.

“Fine?”

“You said you wanted to apologize, so apologize.”

He was quiet for several seconds. “Shit,” he grumbled. “I’m sorry, Abigail.”

I wanted to tell him to stick his sorry where the sun doesn’t shine, but that wouldn’t help my cause.

“So, ah, you gonna give me another shot, babe? Let me take you out again and show you how sorry I am?”

There was a cockiness to his voice that annoyed the hell out of me. The guy really was an idiot if he thought I’d ever sign up for a repeat of the other night. “I appreciate the apology, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“What?”

“Look, Kyle…the other night, Eli—”

“That psycho fuck!”

I took a calming breath. “You weren’t just being pushy, you were being really pushy. You scared me, Kyle.” I hated to admit that to him, but my pride would have to take a backseat because I wanted him to understand that what Eli had done was Kyle’s own damn fault. “Eli knew it; that’s why he did what he did.”

“You’re overexaggerating. Shit, if he hadn’t stuck his big dumb nose in, we would’ve been just fine.”

What? Jesus, the man was delusional. “I want you to stop talking crap about him.”

“Shit, whatever.” He was silent for a couple seconds. “You’re not the only hot piece in this town, Abi. But I’m gonna give you some time to cool down, then we’ll try this again.”

I opened my mouth to tell him to get lost, but he hung up.

I was still fuming after my conversation with Kyle, stomping around the kitchen, when there was a knock at the door. My anger drained away almost instantly, replaced by a good amount of trepidation—I didn’t know how Eli was feeling today, if he wanted to continue with what we were doing. But there was also a delicious hum of excitement riding me. It had only been a day, but I missed him.

Tucking my hair behind my ear, I rushed to the door.

I pulled it open, and Eli was standing there. He was fresh from the shower. I could smell the subtle scent of his soap. His jeans and shirt were clean, and his hair still looked damp. I bit my lip at the look in his eyes, the deep flush that crept over his cheeks when he took me in from head to toe in return.

“Got your note,” he said softly.

I smiled a wobbly smile. “I didn’t know if you’d come…after everything that happened.”

He dipped his head and looked at me from under his lashes. “Wasn’t you saying those things, Abi. The way I heard it, you were defendin’ me.” He shook his head. “You don’t need to do that, darlin’.”

I wanted to argue with him, but I didn’t want to drag all that up again, not when it had caused him pain. So instead I gave him a little nod and pushed the door wider, plastering a bright smile on my face. “I hope you’re hungry.”

His eyes locked with mine, and his voice turned smoky. “Yes, ma’am.”

My belly quivered. “Well, you better come on in then.”

I sat him at the kitchen table, gave him a beer, and got on with dishing up. I’d put my favorite tablecloth down. It was a floral print—I loved anything with flowers on it. Seeing Eli sitting there, I was surprised how he looked even more rugged, more masculine against the feminine print.

The steak was done to perfection, juicy and thick. Eli always got the steak when it was on the menu. His favorite, he’d once told me. Well, he hadn’t exactly offered that information, but when I’d asked him on our way home from a trip to town, he’d nodded. I grinned to myself as I dished up the potatoes and salad, then put a loaf of freshly baked bread on the table. His gaze followed me as I grabbed our plates, making me tingle all over.

He murmured his thank-you when I put it in front of him, then I sat as well, and we started to eat. Eli did what he always did, tucking into his meal like a man starved…

My potato turned to ash in my mouth. I took a sip of beer. “Is it true?” The words were out of my mouth before I could choke them down with my dinner.

He paused, looking up at me.

“A-about your father…starving you, abusing you.”