Emotions running high, I went to the one place I could relax and absorb myself in my thoughts—the riverbank where Scotch and I had our last ride. Edging quiet country lanes with ruins of an old monastery in the background, it was the one place where he and I could truly lose ourselves. In the summer, I would often pack a sandwich and a bunch of carrots, ride down to the quiet spot under the shade of the picturesque old bridge here, and sit and have lunch with him munching happily next to me.
I parked my car on the grass verge, climbing my way up the steep embankment barefoot. Leaning back against the cool grey bricks of the bridge, I closed my eyes, revelling in the heat from the afternoon sun. Nothing but the sounds of buzzing insects surrounded me—it was sheer bliss. I gazed out over the still, green waters, watching a pair of swans gliding through the water in all their grace.
Thoughts of my father began to surface, guilt nibbling at me once again for not visiting his grave more often. I had never been able to visit it without thinking of a rotting skeleton beneath my feet. The morbid silence that hung over the entire cemetery sent chills down my spine. Scotch had been my living memory of him in a way, my small sliver of reality that really, he was still around.
I sighed, resting my head back against the rough surface. Losing myself in thoughts, I didn’t even register the fact my body was slowly coaxing me into a deep sleep. My mind embraced the darkness, shutting off the jumbled mix of emotions tumbling around inside me…
“Kyra. Kyra. Kyra.”
I startled awake, opening my eyes to see Ash stood over me. A vibrant night sky littered with stars served as a background for his looming figure, jumping me to my feet.
“What the…?”
He chuckled. “You’ve been asleep. And err…” He pointed at my face before picking bits of grass from my cheek.
I rubbed at my face, looking down to see an imprint of my body in the long grass where I must have slid onto my side at some point. I blushed.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “What you doing here?”
“Your charming boss rang me. He was worried about you.”
A dawning realisation hit me square in the face. “Oh shit…”
“Yeah, he told me about your lovers’ tiff.”
“It wasn’t a lovers’ tiff, Ash. He was being a first class dickhead.”
“Well, he told me to tell you he won’t be accepting your resignation.”
I snorted. “About right. I can’t even do what I want to do.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Really? And just how are you going to survive without a job?”
I glared at him, narrowing my eyes. “Shut up. Just let me have my moment.”
He chuckled as he picked up my shoes, taking my hand to help me back down the riverbank. “Can I trust you to get home okay or do I need to escort you?”
“I’m fine.”
As I sat in the driver’s seat, he knelt down next to me, his eyes filling with concern. “I know you’re emotional, Ky, but I am worried about you lately. You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. Honestly, I’m fine. Stop fussing.”
He fell silent for a few seconds. “You know he went everywhere looking for you—Paul. He does care.”
I reached for my car door. “Good night, Ash.”
He grinned and walked away, melting into the depths of the night.
***
I woke the next morning, my stomach churning as I made my way to work. When I pushed open the office door, Paul was sat on the edge of my desk. He broke out into a huge smile, his eyes gleaming. “Are you okay?”
I walked straight past him, putting my bag down on my desk with a definitive slam. “Fine, thank you.”
“Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” I stole a glance at his handsome face as I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Okay.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes. I mean, no.” He paused and scratched his head. “Well, yes, I suppose, seeing as you don’t want to hear what I have to say.”
“Okay.”
“Can I take you out tonight as an apology?”
“No.”
“Oh. What about tomorrow?”
“No.”
“Next week?”
“No.”
“Is any day I ask for going to be a no?”
“Yes.”
A strained silence fell between us for a minute or two before he switched tactics.
“I’ve had your warning taken off your record and I’ve told Tate it was my fault. I’ve told him to back off with you.”
“Okay.”
He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m trying here, Kyra. Work with me. Please.”
“Why should I? All you caused me yesterday was a shitty afternoon and a hell of a headache.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I acted like a complete dick.”
I snorted. “Yeah. You can say that again.”
He pouted, batting his eyelashes. “Forgive me? Please?”
My body betrayed me as I looked into those dangerous sapphire eyes of his. Before I could even think, my head was nodding, agreeing to his demands. I was utterly useless when it came to resisting him. He surged forwards, scooping me up in his strong arms and planting a delicious kiss on my reddening cheek.
“So can I take you out tonight?”
I shook my head.
“Why not?”
“You think because you apologised I’m going to let you off that easy?”
He was silent.
I rolled my eyes. “Figured as much.”
“Have you got plans?”
“And what if I have?”
He scanned across my face for a few seconds before admitting defeat and retreating back into his office. As much as I wanted to jump at his offer of dinner, my stubborn side refused to allow it. He needed to learn a lesson.