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“Must have been fun to grow up with.”
“They’re pretty awesome, but I’m not like them,” Mandy said quickly.
He frowned. “You need to stop that.”
“What?”
“Putting yourself down. It’s really annoying.”
The shirt he wore was an exercise one and pulled tight against his muscles. But she wasn’t frightened of this man anymore. He’d never hurt her. Piss her off, yes, but hurt, no.
“I don’t.”
“You do…, constantly. It’s like you’re not happy unless you’re sure everyone understands you’re beneath them.”
“What? No, I’m not!” Mandy felt the foreign burn of anger. “You have no idea about me. I can be determined when I need to.”
“Sure you can. Tell me an instance.”
Mandy scrambled to come up with something.
“I told Mr. Randall yesterday that I wouldn’t be giving him a second scone for free because the last mouthful had baking soda in it.”
His lips twitched again. “Tough girl, but that’s not what I meant and you know it. When was the last time you really stood up for yourself?”
She dug deep into her memory and came up with nothing except the fact she’d been to see Mr. Timms today about taking his apartment. But she wasn’t ready to tell anyone that yet, in case she backed out.
“Thought so. You need to work on that, Mandy. Work on being mentally stronger.”
“I’ve always been this way.”
“I don’t think so, and that’s no excuse. In fact, it’s a pretty pathetic one.” He braced his legs and folded his arms, which showed off a really nice set of muscles. Not that Mandy was looking.
“It’s not pathetic to be quiet and… and shy. You don’t know what I was like, what I’m like now. In fact, you know nothing about me.”
“You’re as timid as a mouse. I can’t imagine you’ve been any different. I bet you were bullied at school too.”
She had been, but she wasn’t letting him know that.
“In fact, I think Rory told me she was mean to you.”
“Shut up.”
“Why should I? It’s not like you’re going to fight back or anything.” His face was calm and just a bit supercilious. Her anger rose.
“Is there a reason you’re being mean?”
He didn’t speak, just gave her a smile.
“Asshole!” Mandy muttered, then took a step backward as a large hand shot out and grabbed her, hauling her close.
“I would never hurt you. I thought we’d covered that.”
“It’s instinctive,” Mandy whispered.
“Then break the habit.” He pulled her closer still. “Be strong in here,” he said, kissing her forehead. Then he released her, and Mandy was reeling.
“You did that, provoked me deliberately!” She was outraged.
