Keeping his voice low and smooth, he answered, "I finished my business and got here as quickly as I could. Did you read my emails?"
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest, not budging from the opening of the doorway. She had no intention of allowing him inside. But she hadn't slammed the door in his face either. It was a promising compromise, and he'd grasp at anything he could at this point. "No."
James frowned at the simple syllable. He'd written his heart out in those emails and in the card he'd had the delivery man give her. "Did you read the card I sent you?"
"No." Her eyes glared daggers at him. She was practically bristling for a fight and he much preferred this to her running away. But she was not going to make this easy, and honestly, he deserved this.
"Anna." James reached a hand out to her, careful not to touch her, and edged slowly forward. "Please listen to me."
"There's nothing to say, James. I got your message loud and clear. What we had,whateverit was, is over." She shrugged, looking vulnerable, her eyes welling with unshed tears behind the safety glasses. "You didn't need to come out here to finalize it. I'm not an idiot."
"Of course, you aren't." He continued toward her until they were only inches apart, feeling some reassurance when she didn't shy away. "Anna, we need to talk. Please, let me apologize and explain."
"That’s not necessary." Anna firmed her shoulders. "If you don't mind, I have work to do." She took a step back, pulling the door with her.
He stuck his foot in the doorway, stopping the door's progress with a thud. "I owe you a huge apology, Kitten," hereplied, deliberately using her nickname. "Have dinner with me and I'll tell you everything."
"Again, it's not necessary," she huffed. "I accept your apology, but you don't owe me anything. Other than some peace and quiet. Now, if you'll excuse me…" She kicked his foot out of the way with her work boot and yanked on the knob, slamming the door in his face.
Staring at the closed door, he heaved a frustrated groan against the metal. It wasn't any worse than he'd anticipated, but it was exactly what he had suspected would happen. He had broken her heart and lost her trust. In her mind, their bond had been severed and he would have to rebuild it.
If she let him, that is.
But somehow he'd do it, even if it meant he'd have to drive out here every day and camp out next to her truck. He'd get her to talk to him. He'd tell her, and keep telling her, what she really meant to him.
In the meantime, there was someone—or more like a few someones —who might be willing to help him. He scrolled through his phone, found the name he searched for, and pressed the button.
"Paradise West. This is Annette. How may I help you?"
"I need your help."
Anna's hands shook as she set the lock and leaned against the hot door. Shock still buzzed through her from the sight of James standing at her doorstep. It was the last thing she’d expected, and if she was being honest with herself, it was the one thing her traitorous heart had secretly wished for.
But she hadn't let herself believe he would ever show up asking for her forgiveness. This was an experience she was unfamiliar with. Part of her wanted to jump into his arms and pretend none of this had happened.
But she couldn't do that. His reaction to his mother's words was a gut response that he hadn’t been able to control. It would only be a matter of time before her psychic walls were breached again and he would get spooked.
Why is he here? He's supposed to be traveling the world right now, making even more billions.
Anna took off her safety glasses and ran a trembling hand down her face, swiping at the wet trails on her cheeks. What she wouldn't give to talk to Aunt Louise right now.
Why the hell haven’t I replaced my phone?
She didn't know how to handle these conflicting emotions or how she'd continue to hold the line with James. She knew by his very presence that he wouldn’t give up. He’d search her out again.
But her aunt was off on an extended vacation to Italy with Carl, a man who actually valued her and her extraordinary abilities.
Anna sniffed and swiped at her nose. If she really wanted, there were other people on the island she could talk to. One particular person came to mind. She glanced around and patted her pockets, then huffed out a harsh breath.
A phone really would have been handy right about then. She made a mental note to pick up another cell phone the next time she drove into Key West.
Moving to her desk, she opened her email and grimaced—fifty-three messages. And that was just from today. She’d never let her business go like this, and that she did it because of a man made her even more angry.
But those other emails would have to wait. She typed out a quick message to Annette, praying she'd get a response soon. It felt like she was about to come out of her skin and she really needed to talk to someone who would understand.
There was no telling how long it would take to hear from Annette, so she pushed from her desk and turned to the partially constructed cabinet when her email dinged with a response.
You have great timing, Anna! The ladies decided to hold an impromptu meeting of the Steamy Clams Romance Book Club tonight. I have no idea which book they plan on discussing. And there’s the odd shot that they actually never get around to it, but that doesn't matter. It'll be an entertaining evening either way.
