A Headstrong Woman(96)

“I will get this door open,” he threatened.

Alexandria eased the window open and slipped onto the porch before tip toeing into the yard. Once there she made for the cook shack at a run.

“Can I hide in here?” she demanded of Cookie.

“Sure,” the man shrugged.

“Thanks,” Alexandria was huffing for her breath. “Need help peeling anything?” she offered.

“If you want,” the man shoved potatoes at her.

“Alexandria!” the call came from the yard.

“Shhh,” Alexandria held a finger to her mouth.

“He’s headin for the barn,” Cookie peered out the window.

Alexandria remained where she was for several minutes until Jonathon moved well beyond the ranch yard in his search for her and then returned to her office. She placed Jonathon’s hat and her own on the desk and waited for him to make his way back to the house. It was fun to claim the upper hand on Jonathon for a change.

She was coolly pursuing some papers when he stepped into the office; his face was stormy.

“Looking for something?” she asked sweetly as she placed her papers back on the desk.

Jonathon stalked around the desk and planted his hands on either arm of the chair.

“You don’t take as well as you give,” Alexandria accused with a wide grin. She waited for his reply; her smile faded when he continued to stare at her. A moment later he was kissing her, not the soft gentle kiss of a few nights earlier, a firm, demanding kiss that left her reeling when he pulled away.

“Leave my hat alone,” he ordered before turning and leaving the office.

Trying desperately to gather her thoughts, Alexandria stared after him. It certainly hadn’t taken him long to reclaim the upper hand, she mused. What had he been thinking, kissing her like that? Just what did he think he was doing? Alexandria was frowning now. Her temper flaring, she jumped from her chair and stalked after him. She caught up with Jonathon half way across the yard to the barn.

“Just what was that about?” she demanded.

Jonathon turned to her and stopped.

“You think you can just…”

“Kiss you?” Jonathon arched a brow.

“You have no right!” she challenged.

He looked taken back, but then nodded.

“You’re right. I don’t have that right; I’m sorry I took liberties that weren’t mine to take.”

His apology took the wind out of her sails; she stared at him in frustration. How could he scramble her insides like that and then walk away so casually? She found herself on the verge of tears and had no idea why. She turned and started back to the house; she needed somewhere private to sort through her crazy emotions.

“Alexandria,” Jonathon caught her arm. “I’m sorry, truly.”

“I know. I need to…excuse me,” Alexandria refused to look at him. She pulled free from him and hurried toward the house.

“Please don’t leave here mad at me, Alexandria,” Jonathon insisted on following her.

“I’m not mad,” she informed him and struggled to stay ahead of him.

“You’re upset; I can tell,” he countered.

She turned on him. “I don’t make a habit of going around kissing men, Jonathon.”

“I know that,” he winced at the sight of her tears.

“You do? Well, I wish you had remembered that earlier.” Alexandria turned again.

“Alexandria,” Jonathon reached the door just ahead of her and held it closed. “The last thing I intended to do was hurt you in any way.”

“I’m not sure what my problem is; just let me in, please?”

“Fine, we’ll discuss this in your office.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” she argued.

“Then why are you crying?” he demanded.

“I’m not sure!” she snapped.

Jonathon sighed and leaned against the wall of the house; he left the door free for Alexandria to enter. She stood head down, and arms wrapped around herself instead.

“I was mad at you when you took off with my hat. It was a gift from my father and means a lot to me. By the time I caught up with you my anger had turned to frustration. I was simply planning on chewing you out when I leaned over you. But there you sat smiling up at me, your eyes shining and the next thing I know I’m kissing you. I’m not sure I ever made a conscious decision to do so. You looked so beautiful,” Jonathon shrugged, unable to express just what he had been thinking.