A Scandalous Attraction

Chapter Eleven Part 12

He glared down at her as if he was going to answer her question, then changed his mind. "Just get the hell downstairs when you've done." He bit out savagely then thrusting her from him he slammed out of her room.

What had he meant? She wondered as his words kept swimming around in her mind. He was such a hard man to figure out! Paige thought irritably heading towards the bathroom to freshen up. Should she find herself pregnant then she would deal with it and he would be the last person she would want to become involved. She and her child could manage on their own.

Reluctantly Paige made her way to the lounge where she found him standing out on the deck with his back to her. A part of her yearned to go running to him, wrap her arms around him and beg him to tell her he loved her just as much as she loved him. But Blake being able to love her wasn't going to happen because he wasn't capable of loving anyone, he loved his freedom too much.

Hearing a movement coming from behind him, he turned his head and cast her a glance over his shoulder before fully turning around. Their gazes locked in silent battle, neither of them saying a word. Suddenly the housekeeper walked in.

"Lunch is served Mr Deveraux." She informed then left.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer Paige cast her eyes downwards. When she heard him move, her eyes shot to him, for one weak moment she thought he was coming to over to her, a traitorous part of her hungrily welcomed the advance, but he merely brushed past her.

"You heard lunch is ready." He muttered darkly on his way out.

Paige had no choice but to follow him. He pulled out a seat for her at the table which could easily seat at least twenty people. The aroma which came from the food made her realize just how hungry she was but the food delicious as it was tasted like sawdust in her mouth.

She noticed Blake barely touched his meal either. His poor housekeeper was probably going to feel insulted by the fact that her hard work had barely been touched by either of them. Pushing his plate away he stood up.

"I'll be in my study if you need me. Consider today to be your day off." He bit out before leaving her sitting alone, in the elegant room.

He had suddenly become so distant so unapproachable, almost like he'd erected an unbridgeable gap between them. Leaving the table she decided to go for a walk and explore the mountains a little.

As she took in the splendour of the red mountains, she couldn't imagine any place to be more beautiful than Colorado. The air was thin and the natural beauty seemed to be enhanced by the secluded remoteness. The heat which beat down on her felt wonderful, although looking down at her bare arms which were taking on a pink tint made her realise she should have used some form of sun protection. It was probably time to head back to the house she thought to herself as she cast another sweeping glance over the vast terrain of unadulterated beauty before turning around and slowly making her way back.

The house with its comforting coolness was so soothing to her hot skin. Just as she was about to head into the kitchen to get herself a cold drink Blake stepped out of his study. Paige swallowed as the scowl on his face deepened.

"What the hell have you done to yourself?" He barked, his sharp gaze taking in her reddened bare

arms and pink nose. "You've been out in the sun haven't you?" He demanded and continued without

waiting for her to reply. "Of all the idiotic things to do! Don't you have any common sense?"He grated savagely.

"I've only gone a little pink that's all."

"A little pink? Do you have any idea how badly burned you could have become?"

"Well I didn't! I don't know why you're making such a big fuss!" She lashed out at him. "If you're looking for an excuse to vent your anger, find someone else to use as your punch bag but don't you dare use me!" She flung at him and marched into the kitchen and got herself a glass of cold water. She took sips of the water with an unsteady hand then rinsed out the glass and put it on the side to drain.