Page 8 of Owning His Girl

The weight of my new role at Parker & Sons Trucking, the unexpected tension with Fiona, it all presses down on me, a heavy burden that I must carry. But I can't think about that now. Fiona is out there somewhere, and I need to find her, to figure out what just happened between us. Because no matter what, I want to be there for her, even if the road ahead is uncertain.

Chapter Four

FIONA

The rain is coming down hard, turningthe forest path into a mud pit.

My ATV is stuck, as dead as a doornail, under the trees. I give it a frustrated kick, my boots squishing in the mud.

I should have never come on this stupid retreat.

After Wes dropped the bombshell that my dad chose him to speak at his retirement party instead of me, I decided to go for a ride on one of the resort's ATVs to clear my head.

Being out in nature always helps me think. The wooded trails are gorgeous this time of year.

But as usual, things never go according to plan.

Halfway through my ride it started to rain. And then my ATV got stuck in the mud. So now I'm stuck, literally and figuratively.

I pull my jacket closer around me, but it's already soaked through. I think about what to do next, but none of the options look good. I could try to fix the ATV, but I don't know the first thing about engines.

The idea of walking back doesn't seem like a good idea, either. It's at least a two-mile walk back to the campground, and the thought of battling the rain and my own thoughts doesn't appeal.

"Give me a break," I say out loud, hoping the universe - or at least the ATV - might hear me.

Then I hear the sound of an engine.

I look up, and Wes is riding toward me on his ATV like a knight in shining armor.

"Hey gorgeous," he calls out. "Need a ride?"

I feel a rush of relief, but then I remember that I’m still mad at him.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I shout back as I pull my wet jacket tighter around me. "I'll wait it out."

Wes maneuvers closer until his ATV comes to a sudden halt a few feet away from me. Then he hops down, and I catch myself staring.

With his wet hair plastered to his forehead and his shirt clinging to his toned body, Wes somehow looks even more handsome. He stalks over to me, his boots squishing in the mud.

But the moment he's close enough, his expression shifts from amusement to concern.

"Jesus, Fiona.” Wes frowns as he takes in my soaked appearance. Then he brushes his thumb gently across my cheek. "Baby, how long have you been out here like this?”

I fold my arms, trying to ignore how the raindrops feel like icy pinpricks against my skin.

"I'm fine."

His frown deepens as he looks down and sees the phone in my hand. “You’re not fine. Why didn't you call me?"

"Because I don't want your help. I can handle things on my own."

He chuckles. “If this is what you call handling things, then I’m glad I bought my shares when I did.”

I roll my eyes. "I'm fine. The storm will pass soon, and I'll head back then. Thanks for your concern, but you can go."

Something flares in his eyes. "I'm not leaving you out here in the rain,” he snaps.

I can tell I've pissed him off. There’s something different in his gaze now, a smoldering intensity that wasn't there before. It's disarming.

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