rubbing. âWhat do you think youâre doing?â she demanded, shocked and breathless.
âHold still.â
She wrenched at his grip, but he held her fast. The lethal glare she shot him missed its target, since his attention was focused on her backâher hips to be brutally precise. Furious, she shifted so that she could knee him the way she had that morning, but he deftly dodged the attempt, releasing her so suddenly she nearly fell.
âOnly one free groin shot to a customer, Miss Crosby.â
When she righted herself he had turned his back and was swabbing a handkerchief over her desktop, soaking up some dark liquid. Suddenly she realized what he was doing. âMy coffee spilled?â
âIt isnât mine.â He refolded his handkerchief and sopped up the remainder of the liquid that was snaking toward the fax machine. Elissa inched up beside him, tentatively touching the seat of her wool skirt. She detected a faint dampness. Twisting around as far as she could, she squinted down at the herringbone pattern. âDid it stain?â She arched around until sheâd turned in a full circle. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldnât see her rear end, much less a stain on her skirt.
His large hand on her shoulder halted her halfway through her second spin. âYou remind me of a puppy chasing its tail,â he said. âAnd no, it didnât stain.â He held the soaked handkerchief toward her. âWhere can I put this?â
She glowered at him as the harsh fluorescent light above his head accentuated his rugged good looks. Thick, black hair that tapered neatly to his collar gave off a soft luster, begging for fingers to stroke and caress. Tall and straight, he was a remote yet majestic figure, with the trace of silver at his temples and eyes that glowed like mercury. In other words, the man was sexy-as-hell. The instant the wayward thought surfaced in her mind, she squelched it, growing angrier. She had never acted like a fluttery female in her life, and she didnât intend to start now. Especially not because of him!
Mild amusement rode his gaze, hiking her agitation. Her lips parted with an urge to tell him exactly where he could put his handkerchief, but a rush of gratitude stopped her. His quick thinking had saved her favorite skirt. Before she could form an answer, his lips lifted in a sardonic smile. âIâll rephrase that. Where is your laundry room?â
Though she knew she should thank him, she stubbornly pursed her lips. Part of her wanted to tell him she was grateful, but most of her wanted him to take a flying leap off a cliff. She wasnât sure how it happened, but civility won out, and she nodded toward the office door. âThe laundry roomâs across the hall.â She extended a hand, surprising herself even more. âIâll take it.â
He appeared as startled as she felt. âThanks.â He placed the dripping mess into her open palm. âNow, Miss Crosby, may I use your fax?â
She had pivoted toward the door. With his question, she halted, bitterness swelling inside her. He had some nerve asking her permission when they both knew what would happen if she refused. She turned back, her glare unblinking and reproachful. âIâm going to fight you on this, Mr. DâAmour. Iâll prove my ownership.â She paused, struggling to suck in a breath that didnât catch in her throat. âI may have to put up with you for a few days, but donât get the notion I believe you have any claim to my property. Once I get verification that this inn is mine, Iâll call the police to have you tossed out on your ear. Do we understand each other?â The last words were a rough whisper.
One dark brow curled upward. âIs that a yes?â
Her temper flared. She couldnât remember when sheâd been this outraged. How dare he not be intimidated. She felt a spark of misgiving at that, but