Page 3 of Heat Stroke

He sounds almost sincere.

What the hell is his game?

Raising my brows, I stare at him. Taking in his appearance. My eyes trail over him disdainfully.

He seems to be doing the same to me, only he’s smiling warmly. My jaw tightens and my back straightens as I respond to him. “Mr. Carrington.” My voice is flat. Cold. That’s it. He gets nothing else. He deserves nothing else. My eyes leave him and return to my father, dismissing him. “Daddy, the P.O.?! I need to get back to my office if I’m going to head to the mill to get the order ready? Where is my P.O.?” My tone is harsher than I intended it to be.

Good job, Wren. You’re strong and professional. You can handle it.

You’ve got this shit!

Daddy nods as he looks at me, surprised at my tone. He removes a slip of yellow paper from his clipboard, handing it to me. “Sorry, baby. I know you don’t like anyone invading your space. I planned on returning it before you got here…” He shrugs sheepishly. “I just got busy. Here you are.”

Gripping the paper tightly, I nod briskly; I turn on my heel and start to head back to my office. My legs feel like Jell-O and my stomach is in knots. I just need a minute.

Just get back to your office, Wren.

My daddy’s voice stops me in my tracks. “Wren, just a minute.” I can hear it in his voice…

Nooooooo.

Stopping, I glance over my shoulder. “Yeah?!”

Daddy smiles at me and I can see it… “Actually, Blaze is going to be accompanying you to the mill. With him needing the order tomorrow and all, he’s generously offered to help get it pulled. Can you take him back?”

What the fuck?

What in the actual fuck?

Blaze Carrington is going to help get his order ready? And, I’m supposed to not only bring him to the mill, but, then I have to work beside him to pull it?!

This is a fucking joke.

It has to be.

The universe is not that cruel.

Blaze

Wren looks shell-shocked.I saw the anxiety and fear in her eyes when she saw me standing beside her dad and I hate that I’m the reason for it. I also saw the rage.

I need to explain everything to her. I shouldn’t have treated her the way I did… I know that. But, I was a young asshole.

I know what I did to her. I saw.

There’s so much I need to say. So much I need to make amends for.

I just hope I can get her to listen. Not that I deserve it…

Maybe saying I’d help with my order was underhanded, but, she can’t say no here.

Nodding at her, I smile slightly. She doesn’t smile back. She just stares at me. Her lips compress and I see her jaw clench. She’s not happy.

Reaching out, I shake Mr. Jimmy’s hand warmly. I always liked him. “Thanks, Mr. Jimmy. With the rush, it’s the least I can do.”

He smiles at me and nods. “No worries, Blaze.” He waves at Wren. “Wren will take good care of you. She runs a tight ship, but, the men love her. She’ll get you straight.”

I glance over her.

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