“Why did you stop?” The demand in her voice surprised her.
He leaned against the opposite counter, staring at her like he was a man starving and he wanted to feast.
Well, she was here for the taking.
“Because that wasn’t meant to happen.”
“Why not?”
He turned away, running his hand through his hair. “My control is shot today. You shouldn’t have come over.”
Ouch. That fucking hurt. She dropped her gaze and slid off the counter. “Sorry. I’ll go.”
“No, wait. Fuck! I didn’t mean it like that.” He stepped forward and caged her between his arms as he rested his hands on the counter behind her. “Sunny, look at me.”
She kept her gaze lowered, not wanting him too see the tears in her eyes.
“Sunny. Look. At. Me.”
Nope. No way. Nuh-uh.
“I’m going to start counting,” he warned.
She raised her gaze to glare at him, her temper overriding her determination to hide her hurt feelings from him.
“Just because you start counting doesn’t mean I’m going to do what you say.” She stomped her foot on the floor then looked down at the limb in question in amazement. Had she really just stomped her foot?
“Are you having a tantrum, little rebel?” he murmured.
“No,” she sulked. “I want to go home.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You’re not the boss of me!”
He grinned. “Ah, but honey, that’s exactly what I am.”
She frowned up at him.
His face sobered. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Sunny. I didn’t mean to. I misspoke.”
She felt her temper drift away at the regret and worry on his face. “Are you all right?”
His face lightened. “Oh, Sunshine River, what the hell did I ever do to deserve you?”
She blushed slightly at those words.
He cupped her face with his hand. “So sweet. Always thinking of everyone else. But who looks after you?”
“I can look after myself.”
“Of course, you can,” he said, surprising her. “You’re smart and strong and resourceful. But I like taking care of you. It makes me feel needed and useful and strong.”
“You’re all those things,” she whispered. “And more. You’re much stronger than me.”
He smiled down at her. “My Sunny. She makes everyone around her feel good, but she doesn’t see how truly amazing she is.”
Her blush deepened.