Chapter 238: Fight
*I’ve never seen you so lost around a woman before. It’s entertaining. – Mia*
Karan walked into the classroom and watched the happy four-year-olds. They were playing a game where they were jumping and spelling simple words. She laughed as Rye misspelled car with an E at the end. The kids corrected her, and she took her punishment of doing three push-ups as the kids spelled out the word correctly.
“Miss Rye?” Karan said as she stood back up. Rye smiled over at her. “Mr. Chance needs to speak with you in his office.”
Rye nodded. “Miss Cora, can you get the snack box?” She asked her assistant. “If you guys are good, Miss Cora will read you a story. First table, go get your water bottles and sit down in your spot in the circle. Second and third tables follow.”
All twelve of her students did as she instructed. Knowing that she was leaving them in capable hands, Rye left her classroom and headed downstairs.
She crossed the common room and knocked on his open door. The other door to the reception area was closed and usually it was the other way around.
Chance wore his leather jacket and cut, which he never wore his club cut inside the daycare. His black polo was underneath and even she had to admit that he looked good. But she would only admit that to herself.
She would never tell anyone that she wanted him to look at her like he did the other women. Not that she would ever do anything like they did. But she wanted him to see her as a woman. Not an adversary. And that angered her. She should not want *any* man to look at her like. It angered her that she wanted *him* to look at her like that. She always aimed her anger at her.
She knew what men like him were like. Rye avoided men like him for a reason. To be honest, she avoided men. There were a few that worked security up at the daycare and she had slowly warmed up to them.
Looking up from his phone, he scowled at her.
“Come in and close the door.”
This could not be good, she thought as she did as she was told. He motioned for the chair, and she sat nervously.
“I went to look at your heater.”
“Why did you go?” She demanded. Of all the people in the world, the one that she did not want in her sad apartment was Chance.
“Because I was available.” He said feeling her anger. “I know you don’t like me, and I really don’t know why, right now, I’m not worried about that. The man you rent from is not a good guy.”
“I had my suspicions, but it was confirmed when he told me that he would fix my heater in exchange for sex.” She snarled at him. “Thanks for the update.”
“Rye, I’m sorry.” Chance said and meant it.
“Really? You’re not very different from him.” Although she heard the sincerity in his voice, her anger and shame kept her from accepting it. As always, she simply antagonized him.
“I am *nothing* like him.” He hissed out.
“Oh, right. You just take what you want, and he takes what he wants. Yeah, I see the difference.”
Chance stood up and stalked around the desk. Bracing himself on the arms of the chair, he leaned down until his face was only inches away from her own.
“All of my partners are willing participants. They leave my bed well satisfied and happy.” He was practically growling. Not certain if he was angry. Or if he wanted to prove his abilities to her.
This close, he noticed the small scar next to her left eye. The light dusting of pale freckles on her face. Dark blue flecks in her pale blue eyes that were almost lilac.
The woman irritated him. She hated him. And all he could focus on was how pretty her eyes were. Wonder if her lips were as soft as they looked. He took a deep breath to calm himself but was assaulted by the sweet scent of mint and lavender.
“Why do you irritate me so damn much?” He whispered.
“I have that talent.” She whispered back.
He reached up and ran a knuckle down her cheek. With any other woman, the gentle touch would have melted them into his hands. But with Rye, it angered her.
The motion reminded her of the men after her father’s death. The ones that led her mother towards addiction. The ones she had tried to save her sister from, not knowing she was already a slave to the same demons. The men that Donna Leigh was willing to sacrifice her daughters to get her next fix.
“Take your hands off of me.” Rye demanded angrily.
“Sorry, duchess. Didn’t mean to offend your moral compass.” Chance said standing up straight.
“Were you able to fix my heater?”
“No, you’re going to have to move.” He leaned against the desk crossing his arms across his chest.
“I’m not moving just because some man says that I should.”
“Then do it for your own safety.”
“I can take care of myself.” Her eyes flashed with defiant anger.
“And what about Michael?”
“I can take care of him too.” She stood up angrily.
“Rye.” Chance said gently and she turned back and saw that he was holding out his fist. She held her hand out expecting for him to drop her keys. Instead, he dropped her jewelry into her open hand. “John Erik was taking those.”
A small sob escaped her. “It’s all that I can afford.”
“Cookie and Karan can help you find a place.” He said gently as he pulled her to him. “I’m not him.” He murmured.
“Not who?” She asked wanting to give into the comfort that he offered.
“Whoever hurt you. I’m not him. I’m an ass. But I’m not him.” He spoke softly into her hair.
She fit so perfectly against his body. He couldn’t focus on that right now. He had to focus… focus on… anything. Everything. Except this woman who had his heart and mind fighting with each other.
Angrily, she pushed away from him and looked up at his confused face. “You know nothing of me.” she said angrily. She forced back the tears from just a moment ago. She would not cry. She refused to cry. “I’ll move for Michael.”
Clutching the jewelry to her chest she left the office.
Shaking his head, Chance zipped his jacket back up and headed for the outer door.
Karan sat in her office completely confused. What the hell did she just witness? Chance was almost… like a boyfriend. Even Rye was nice. For a moment.
Then it blew up, like usual, and they went in opposite directions. Both looked confused and defeated.
Shaking her head, Karan decided that she needed to start keeping popcorn in her desk for these shows. She sighed and pulled out her apple instead.
