hurt your aunt.”
Stuart grabbed the edge of the desk, trapping her between his two arms. Body wash and heat buffeted the space between them, the combination making Patience’s pulse quicken. She looked up to meet a gaze that was bright and resolute. “Ana is the only family I have,” he said. “I won’t apologize for trying to protect her.”
This was where Patience should retaliate with angry defiance. Unfortunately, she understood where Stuart was coming from. When it came to keeping your family safe, you did whatever you had to do. No matter what.
Still, she wasn’t ready to let him off the hook. “Let’s get something straight,” she said, straightening her spine. “I like Ana. She’s been good to me. Real good. I would never hurt her. I don’t care how good your reason is—you are a jerk for thinking otherwise.”
They were back to Mexican standoff territory, with their eyes challenging one another. Patience focused on keeping her breath even. She didn’t know if it was his scent, his close proximity, or the thrill of having held her ground, but she could feel the adrenaline surging through her. When Stuart broke the moment with a slow, lazy smile, her heart jumped. The thrill of victory, she decided.
“Yes, I was,” he said. “A jerk, that is.”
“Finally, we agree with something.” She sat back, only to realize the new posture placed her in the crook of his arm. Instinct screamed for her to straighten up again, but that would imply she was nervous, and since she wasn’t nervous she forced herself to look relaxed. “Apology accepted.”
Stuart responded with a low chuckle before—thankfully—shifting positions and releasing her. Patience was surprised how much she missed his scent when it disappeared.
“How about we start over with a clean slate?” he said. “Hi. I’m Stuart Duchenko.”
She stared at his extended hand. For some reason, the gesture kicked off warning bells. “Why?” she asked.
“Why what?”
“Why the one-eighty?” A dozen hours ago, he was smirking with suspicion. Now he wanted to be friends?
He’d obviously expected the question, because he chuckled again. “Because you’re right, I was being a jerk. And, because Ana would have my head if she saw the way I was acting. Our bickering like a couple of twelve-year-olds won’t help her. Therefore, I’m hoping we can be civil for her sake.”
He had a point. Ana would expect better of her, as well. “Does this mean you’ve decided to trust me?”
“Let’s not go crazy. I am, however, willing to give you the chance to prove me wrong.”
“Well, isn’t that mighty big of you.” Although, in truth, they had something in common. She didn’t trust him, either.
His hand was still extended, waiting for her acceptance. Fine. She could be the bigger person, too. For Ana’s sake.
“I’m Patience Rush,” she said, wrapping her fingers around his palm.
His grip was firm and confident, more so than she expected. Patience was shocked at the power traveling up her arm.
You’re playing with fire, a tiny voice whispered in her ear. Stuart wasn’t some sour-smelling creep she could hold off with an expressionless stare. He was a man whose clout and influence could ruin her life. But, like a shining red sign blinking “Do Not Touch,” she couldn’t resist the challenge.
“Nice to meet you, Patience. I look forward to getting to know you.”
“Same here.”
She wasn’t sure what to say next and, based on the awkward silence, neither did he. The strangest energy had begun humming around them. Wrapping them together, as if the two of them were suddenly on the same page. Weird. Other than Piper, Patience had always made it a rule to keep an invisible wall between herself and the rest of the world. To feel a connection of any kind left her off balance.
Stuart’s smile mirrored her insides. Tentative and crooked. “Look at us being all civil.”
“Let’s not go crazy,” she replied, quoting him. “It’s only been a minute. Let’s see how we do at the end of the day.”
“I’m up for the challenge if you are.”
Oh, she was more than up for it. If being civil led to him dropping all his talk of “secrets,” then she’d civil him to death.
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