*Excerpt from The Lonestar Groom:*
“I’m not much for games, Ms. …” His voice faltered.
Clearing her throat, she frowned. “Wright.” She took a step back and forced her pounding heart to calm. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Waters. I’ll do an afternoon interview with you then.”
Not moving his hand from the door, his frown deepened into a scowl. “I don’t know what your deal is.” His voice was low and gravelly.
“Tomorrow,” she said again, not moving.
Their faces were still close, and she thought of a documentary she’d watched on the Discovery Channel of what wolves in a pack do when they are having a standoff for the alpha role.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
He swiftly grabbed the door nob and pulled it open. “Fine, I’m up at six and out running immediately. I lift, have breakfast, and hit the studio by eight.” His mouth was set in a straight line as he took a step back. He cocked an eyebrow in challenge. “If you can keep up with the schedule, I’ll talk to you when I lift weights.” He shrugged. “No time to chat in the afternoon. I’m recording with the band.”
Getting angry, she sized him up. “You want me to interview you while you’re lifting weights?”
His face stayed serious. “You can do whatever you want, princess, but I would think a reporter trying to do her job, would do her job, right? She would be a groupie if that’s what the job called for.”
The way he said groupie felt personal. What, exactly, was he talking about? Her heart hammered inside her chest, and she wanted to slap him hard across the face. The impulse shocked her as she never thought violence was the answer.
His smile widened, and she saw something in those eyes, something close to anger. Now, his smile turned to superiority. “But do whatever you want if your work means nothing to you.”
“I hate you,” she whispered then jerked back, taken aback by her own words. It was not like her to say things without meaning them. Even more, it wasn’t like her to put all her cards on the table. She felt like she was a savvy reporter, but all savviness had fled from her brain in his presence.
The smile widened even further, and he let out a small, sardonic laugh. “Nothing new, princess.”
At this point, she felt caught, and there was a feeling she wouldn’t be able to say anything that could even touch a man like this. The cold, hard look in those blue eyes was intimidating, leaving her almost breathless.
“Maybe you’ll show up tomorrow. Maybe you won’t.” He nodded. “Good day,” he said as he prepared to swing the door shut.
Rushing through it, she kept her face clear of emotion. “I’ll be here at five o’clock tomorrow night, Mr. Waters. Hopefully you’ll be able to fit me in.”
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