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I know he has a temper.
Last night, I saw him punch a patron at his restaurant who insisted on touching the female server in a very inappropriate manner. I saw the wild look of fury in his eyes, and it didn’t scare me. He is always so gentle with me.
There is a part of me that somehow feels safer around him.
Even now, as he curses at someone in Gaelic, his hand plays with my brown hair, which is bound in a loose braid. He curls it around his hand, and his face is set in a scowl as the volume of his tone increases.
I offer him a bite of the pasta, still snuggled in his lap, and he accepts it, taking a break between yelling to chew it properly.
Then the shouting match continues.
A few minutes later, he ends the call.
“Problem?” I ask, curiously.
He frowns at the blank phone screen for a few seconds. “A site that I was scouting for a restaurant was broken into. They wrecked the place pretty badly.”
I study him. “But weren’t you going to tear down the building and get another one constructed there?”
He shakes his head. “That was the second site. I liked the foundations of this one. I had just wanted to fix the place up and remodel it, maybe, a little bit. It had a great setup inside.”
I purse my lips and then, putting down my bowl, I put my arms around him. “I’m sorry.”
He stills at the sudden hug, and then I feel his arms slowly wrap around my waist as he asks hesitantly, “What for?”
“I’m sorry you had a bad break. And I’m sorry you’re upset,” I say taking in his natural scent of sandalwood and pine.
His arms tighten around me, and he doesn’t say anything for a moment.
When he pulls away, he looks slightly bewildered. “When I think you can’t throw me off any longer, you go ahead and do something like that.”
I cock my head in confusion. “Did I do something weird?”
He studies me before reaching out to brush his fingers against my cheek. “No. I needed that. Thank you.”
“What are you going to do about the site then?” I ask, leaning into him, letting him toy with my hair.
Fergus’s brow knits. “The contractor is an old acquaintance of mine. He told me to stay put and let him do a thorough damage check. But he’s not hopeful. There’s a chance I’ll have to tear down the whole place. From what he’s seen, they were pretty precise in attacking the foundation and supports of the building.”
My lips thin. “So, it was targeted at you? First the attack on you, and now this.”
“You’re reading too much into it.” He shakes his head. However, I don't miss the flicker of uncertainty on his face.
I try to get off his lap, but he holds me to him by raw strength, his hands on my hips. “What’s that look?”
“Nothing. You’re not the only one who’s allowed to sulk,” I gripe.
He gives me a look. “I’m a man. I don’t sulk; I brood.”
“All right, princess. Whatever helps you sleep at night.” I give him a sweet smile.
I artfully dodge the oncoming swat to my bottom, then he pulls me into him, and I let him rest his chin on top of my head.
“It is a good place. I really like it,” he admits, his tone heavy.
“Do you want me to go with you when you go to take a look at the damage?” I ask, fingering the button on his black shirt.
“What will you do there?” he asks, curious.
