Ambushed by M.E. McAndrews

Chapter 8

Austin

Aright, I've had enough email bullshit this morning. I stretch my arms up and yawn, rubbing the exhaustion from my tired eyes. The rays from the mid morning sun stream through the windows, filling my living room with their golden beams of warmth. I was supposed to be taking the day off, but here I am, answering emails in my damn sweatpants.

I shut the laptop and toss it on the coffee table and head to the kitchen, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. I pour myself a cup and take it outside onto the patio to enjoy the last bit of summer. The sun is already high in the sky and its warmth heats my skin. I close my eyes to savor the moment, letting it fill me with peace and calm.

When I open my eyes I notice her, on her knees digging in the dirt in that weed-infested mess of a garden. She pauses to wipe her forehead with the back of her hand. I watch her, in a trance, wondering what she's thinking about. I've seen her twice since Seth died, and she's obviously not very social.

But now I need to know what she's really thinking. It’s time. I need to get close to her. My fingers curl around the coffee mug. I’ve left her alone for the last two weeks. But not anymore. I have an empire to build. And her shitty little house is in my way.

I set the empty coffee cup down on the patio table and stand up. I trek across the street, and make my way along the stone path that leads to the fence surrounding her garden.

There's no denying it, Olivia is a sexy woman. But I can tell there's more to her. There's an air of mystery about her. Even before Seth’s death, there was a sadness in her eyes that made me want to hear her story. Perhaps there’s something in there I can use to strike a deal with her. Clearly, she’s got enough courage to stand up to me. I crack a wry smirk at the thought. I can’t remember the last time a woman told me no. She’s always been guarded, and obviously doesn't trust easily. But something about her is calling to me, something that makes me want to break through her barriers.

As I trudge through the overgrown grassy weeds, my feet sinking into the damp soil, I notice her chestnut hair tied back in a messy bun, several strands cascading down her neck, framing her face. She's wearing a pair of faded blue shorts that reveal her sinewy legs. She has on a white tank top—no bra, her skin a golden tan, the sweat on her arms glistening in the sunlight.

I stop only a few feet away from her. “It's a perfect day for yard work,” I say, casually leaning against the fence. There’s nothing casual about this.

“Jesus Christ!” She jumps in surprise, quickly wiping her face.

“Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.”

She tucks one of the loose strands of hair behind her ears, her deep hazel eyes looking down at her dirt-stained hands before looking back up at me. There's something about the way she stares up at me that makes me feel like she can see straight through me. Her expression is unreadable, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips.

“I just wanted to stop by and see how you're doing,” I say, my eyes never leaving hers as I kneel onto the grass next to the fence. I'm struck by how beautiful she is, even with dirt smudged on her cheek and sweat glistening on her skin. I can't help but feel drawn to her, drawn to her strength and beauty. How the hell had that loser Seth landed such a catch like this?

She hesitates before responding. “I'm fine, thanks,” she says, but there's a wariness in her voice that tells me she's anything but.

I frown. The attraction is going to be a distraction that I don’t need. “How's the garden coming along?”

She shoots me a sharp look, her eyes barely meeting mine. “I don't need any help, if that's what you're asking.”

She's tense, as if she's poised to bolt if I make one false move. “No worries, I just noticed you've been out here working hard. Thought I'd check in,”

“Check in?”

God, this is going terribly. I stand back up. “Sure. I can't imagine what you've been going through.” I lean against the fence, trying to put her at ease—to be nice, and not to sound like some prick. I'm not usually this easy going, but Olivia is hard to read.

She stares at me for a few moments, her eyes steadily taking me in.

“Can I at least offer you a drink or something?” I say, gesturing to the empty glass on the ground next to her. “It's hot out here, and you look like you could use a break.”

“No, thanks.” She rips a weed out from the soil. Then another. I think she’s imagining each one is my head. She’s not interested in anything I have to say, but I can't help but keep trying. I see something in her, a spark of something that I want. Even if just to understand how to best her at this game of power. The more I can get her to reveal to me, the easier it will be to play her.

“So, you grew up here?” I ask.

She gives me a withering look. “Is there something you want from me?” Her voice is cold and dismissive. I'm not making any headway, and a twinge of frustration rolls through me. Damn my stubbornness.

“Just trying to be friendly,” I say, smiling.

She raises an eyebrow. “Well, I don't have time for small talk. I have work to do.”

Her dismissal hits me like a physical blow. As I stand there in silence, I feel the tension rising between us. “Are you getting the yard ready to sell?” I ask.

She turns around and raises an eyebrow. “Are you serious? Was that a joke?”

“What?”

“You just asked if I was trying to sell my house, if I'm getting my yard ready.”

“Is that not true?” I say, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

“Are you insinuating that I'm trying to sell this house?”

“Well, yeah, I mean, isn't that why you're out here, working in the yard?”

“I'm out here because the back yard is a fucking mess,” she says. “I'm trying to make it livable.”

“Most people don't stay in the house where their spouse passed.”

“What do you mean by that?” she snaps. “What happened to Seth is none of your business. What I do with my life and where I live is none of your concern.”

I take a step back, holding up my hands in a gesture of surrender. “Easy, now,” I say. “I didn't mean to upset you. I was just making conversation.”

“Well, don't. Just leave me the hell alone.”

But I can't leave it at that. I need to know what's going on, why she's so defensive. I take a step forward. “Look, I'm just trying to help,” I say, my voice low and steady. “What happened to Seth was a tragedy, and I can't help but feel that you're alone. I just want to know if you're okay, if there's anything I can do to help.”

She spins around, her eyes blazing. “What makes you think I need your help?” she hisses. “I don't need anyone's help. I'm fine on my own. And I don't appreciate you prying into my business, asking questions that don't concern you.”

“Okay, okay,” I say. “I'm sorry. I won't ask any more questions.”

I stand here in the garden, listening to Olivia's words and watching the anger boil in her eyes. She steps forward, her finger pointing at my chest, and I can't help but feel a rush of adrenaline.

“You know what?” she says, her voice cold and steady. “I've had enough of you. I don't know what you want from me, but I don't want anything to do with you. If you don't leave me alone, I'll call the police.”

“Go ahead,” I laugh. “I'm friends with the chief. He won't do anything.”

Olivia's eyes narrow, and she takes another step forward. It was a poor joke, and now I sound like an arrogant fuck. She’s so small compared to me. She’s eye level with my chest, forcing her to lift her chin to meet my gaze. “You're not going to intimidate me,” she says. “I have rights, and I won't stand for this kind of harassment.”

“Harassment?” I say, still laughing. “You're the one who's being difficult. I just wanted to talk to you. To be neighborly, to get to know you a little better. But if that's not what you want, I'll leave you alone.” I turn and step away, but she has one more thing to say.

“You're a genuine piece of shit, you know that?” she says.

I continue walking, letting her words bounce literally off my back. As I march away from her garden, I get a flash of Olivia's face in my mind—flushed and angry. And beautiful. I can feel her eyes burning into the back of my head. Maybe I should have given her privacy, should have left her alone. I probably should have done a lot of things differently.

A few casual words are not going to win her over. Damn. This is going to take a lot more work.