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“No.”
“Then why didn’t she come?”
“She asked me to do it.”
“And you never say no, do you, Mandy? Always the go-to girl for those too lazy to do something themselves.”
She stepped back as his voice rose, and that just pissed him off more, because he’d never hurt her.
“Why do you do that?” Frustration got the better of him.
“What?” She wanted to back up a few more paces, he could see it in her eyes.
“Look like you want to run when I’m close. Like I’d hurt you or something?”
He’d surprised her. They never talked like this, about anything personal; actually, they never talked at all. Maybe there was that one time, but that had been a kiss, and hell he’d been paying for it ever since. Those lips of hers were built for sin, which was ironic really considering how she avoided men.
“I’d never hurt you, and it annoys me that you’d think I would.”
Maybe it was the beer talking, but he felt better for saying the words he’d kept inside for so long.
“I’m not frightened of you.”
He made a disbelieving sound and dug his fingers into Buzz’s fur to stop reaching for her. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to shake her or touch her. Smooth the frown lines away and reassure her everything was okay… whatever the hell that meant. He didn’t even know if she was okay. Hell, he didn’t know anything about this woman, but he wanted to.
“Yes, you are.”
Mandy was a closed book, her face usually showing little emotion. That pissed him off too. But her body language gave her away.
Buzz woofed his appreciation at the head scratch. The dog was pretty much universally loved in town, and most people kept his favorite biscuits in their cupboards. Ted had to admit he was no different. Even his cat, Branch, seemed to like the animal.
“Why are you afraid of me, Mandy?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. You look at me like I’m going to do you bodily harm.”
If he hadn’t been watching her closely he wouldn’t have seen her flinch.
“Why did that make you flinch?”
“It didn’t.” She backed up another step.
“Now that’s a lie, and we both know it.”
“Ted, please stop.” The words were whispered, but he heard them clearly because the pleading in her voice made his gut clench.
“I won’t hurt you, Mandy. Never. Why can’t you see that? I would sooner hurt myself than you.”
She didn’t look away, so he saw the tears as they started to roll slowly down her cheeks.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He wrapped his hands around her arms, pulling her closer. “What are you sorry for? From where I’m standing, you haven’t done anything but take a few herbs.”
Her sigh was dredged from deep inside her soul.
“I’m sorry if you think I’m scared of you, Ted.”
