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She sat on the couch with her leggings and oversized Landstad Tigers T-shirt, trying not to be mad at Mathias. But it was pretty hard since he had ruined the first holiday she had ever been invited to since moving to town.
Church had been far different than she was used to. Mostly because it was in English, whereas she was used to hours of Russian. She and Mia had gotten looks from others for talking, but she was used to it. Pastor Abbott had been friendly and had only looked their way once.
Once again, the biggest downside of the service had been Mathias sitting behind her, staring at her. Why was it up to her to explain her religion to others? What did it matter that she was at his church? Only a few days ago, they had spent the entire day together and had seemed to get along. Now it seemed he was as mad at her as when she had turned down his loan.
Maybe this was a good day to call Tasha and just have a gab session. Though they would see each other next weekend, they never ran out of things to talk about.
Tasha answered on the second ring, “I thought you were going to a friend’s for lunch?”
“I was, but Mathias was going to be there, which means I am home today.” She tried not to let the disappointment show in her voice. After all, it was better to spend a few minutes with angry Mathias at church than spend the day at his aunt’s house.
“You cannot let him push you around.”
“It is his family.”
“He owes you.”
“He does not owe me. I chose to go into that bin.” She decided to change the subject. It was bad enough that she couldn’t get him off her mind. “What is happening there?”
That was always a great way for her niece to start telling all the gossip happening in the family, from births to fights to new jobs. As Tasha was telling her about her great-niece’s wedding plans, there was a knock on Tess’s door.
Getting up, she just let Tasha talk as she opened the door, expecting Mia or Mandy or both on the other side of the door. But when she saw Mathias, she shut the door on him and turned back to her conversation with Tasha. She didn’t want to see that man again today.
Hearing the door bounce off something, she turned back to it. Mathias’s foot had caught the door, and it had bounced back open. He walked into the room like he owned the place as he shut the door behind him.
Taking a deep breath, she said to Tasha, “I have to go.”
All she heard as she hung up was Tasha saying in excitement, “He’s there, isn’t he?”
She didn’t answer as she put her hands on her hips. “Get out of here.”
“I can’t. I have to bring you to Easter dinner.” He slammed the door closed, and this time it actually annoying latched.
Tess shook her head, standing her ground. “I am not going if you are there.”
“I can’t go if youaren’tthere.” His eyes dipped to her chest, and she wished she had put a bra on when she had changed.
“Well, then, I guess you can just go home. I am not going.” Crossing her arms, she tried to block her chest from view.
“I will drag you there if I have to.” His nose flared, and his eyes didn’t move.
“I would like to see you try!” she yelled back.
At her words, he stalked towards her, forcing her to take a few steps backward, even if he had no idea where she was going. There was no way she was letting him drag her to his aunt’s house. It only took a few more steps before her back hit the wall, and he was still coming towards her. He stopped just inches from her, resting his hands on the wall on either side of her head.
“If you don’t go with me to Easter dinner, I’m going to throw you in a grain bin and roll you around in wheat.” He said in a low growl as his breath was hot against her ear, sending tingles down her spine, and heat spread through her entire body.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You would not dare.” Her hands went to push him away but couldn’t get the energy up to move his body from hers.
“In a heartbeat, Thorn, in a heartbeat.” His breath was on her neck.
“Do you really want to take care of me when I am sick again?” she said as her fingers fisted his shirt.
“I want to see you naked again.” His lips touched her neck in light kisses.
“But I will be sick,” she whispered as his lips traveled toward hers.
“Naked,” he whispered as their lips met.
