He narrowed his eyes at her, unconvinced.‘And how did you learn that lesson?Did some director tell you that?’
‘I…’ She stopped and got up from her seat.‘I don’t need this.’
‘Oh, I see.’He jumped out of his own seat and followed her.‘Something happened, didn’t it?’
‘No.’
‘Ooh, I bet that’s why you’re always following everyone else’s lead, instead of being the director.’
‘It’s what I do.’
‘You can do better.You never needed Julian to be your director, or to spark your curiosity about filming crocodiles.Julian was your excuse to get here.And now you’re here, you’re hesitating.’
‘I am not.’She lifted her chin in defiance.
‘You are.You’re following me around like I’m your director, telling you what to shoot.’
‘For your investigation,’ she snarled at him.‘And I’ve directed movies before.’
He crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Why did he have to look so good, when she was so mad at him?
‘Alright then, shortcake, tell me the last movie you directed.’
She hesitated, stepping back from him, the frown low over her brow.
‘Tell me.’
‘Arsehole.’
‘Did you only just work that out, huh?’He sneered at her.
She wasn’t going to put up with this and turned away.‘I’m not—’
He held her arm.‘What are you so afraid of?’
‘Shouldn’t I be askingyouthat?’
‘I’m afraid you could get killed by being near me.It’s almost happened twice now.’The sincerity in his voice made her chest ache for him, dousing her anger.
‘What?The hives weren’t your fault.I don’t have a life-threatening allergy to seafood, and Chook—’
‘You don’t get it.’He shook his head, turning away from her and sitting back down.
‘Tell me.’
‘You tell me first, shortcake.What’s got you all zipped up tighter than a croc’s jaw at feeding time?’
‘Ugh!’The imagery was disgusting.
Or was he doing that on purpose to piss her off?
Congratulations, arsehole, goal achieved.
She stormed to the bar, dragged out the wine bottle, and poured herself a large glass.With Stone watching her, she drank mouthful after mouthful, before plonking the glass back on the bar to refill it.‘I’ll leave money on the table when I go.’She dropped the empty bottle with a clink into the recycling bin.
‘Are you going to tell me?Or would you like to sit here and angry drink with me?’
