And I suddenly don’t feel so cold anymore.
His stare is heating me up from the inside out.
What the hell is this?
How can I be feeling…whatever I’m currently feeling for him? I hate him.
But, apparently, my body missed the memo on that one because she seems to quite like him at the moment.
“Mr. Matis…” I whisper his name, not sure why or what I hope to achieve by doing so. I’m beyond surprised at how breathy my voice sounds.
And it’s the sound of my voice that seems to bring him back to life. I watch as his expression shuts down. His brows draw together in a frown of disdain, and without a word, he turns on his heel and strides away.
Okay. What the effing hell was that all about?
I’m putting it down to me not having had sex in a really long time. My body and hormones just saw man and got confused for a moment.
That definitely will not happen again.
On a sigh, I bend and pick my raincoat up before shaking the water off it. I pick my shoes up and walk into the house, shutting the door behind me.
I head straight for the utility room and hang my coat over the clothes airer. I put my trainers into the dryer.
My dress and underwear are soaked. But there’s nothing I can do. I don’t have anything to change into. I’ll just have to wear them and hope they dry while I work.
First though, I need to sort my hair out.
Taking my bag with me, I head to the downstairs bathroom. Locking myself inside, I stare in the mirror.
I look like a drowned rat.
I get my hairbrush out and brush the knots out. Then, I tie it up into a messy bun. Stashing my hairbrush back in my bag, I unlock the door and let myself out.
My feet slam to a halt when I see Kas standing on the other side of it.
“I brought you something to wear.” He gestures to my wet dress and then holds out a red polo shirt and a pair of jodhpurs. The polo shirt has Matis Estate embroidered on the right breast.
“The polo’s a large, but the jodhpurs should fit you. It was all we had left in stock.”
I’m so stunned by his kindness that it takes me a moment to speak.
“Thank you.” I take the clothes from him and look up into his eyes.
He gives me a sharp nod, and then he turns and walks away.
I’ve just turned back into the bathroom when his voice pulls me back. I turn to see that he’s stopped at the end of the hallway, and he is half-turned back to me.
“I’m sorry for drenching you earlier.”
My jaw hits the floor in shock. “I-it’s okay.”
Without another word, he disappears around the corner, leaving me standing there, stunned.
Nine
I’m on my knees, scrubbing the bathtub in the main bathroom, when my right boob starts to vibrate.
I decided to keep my phone on me in case Anne called, and as these tight-as-hell jodhpurs don’t have any pockets, I had to stash my phone in my bra, hence the vibrating boob.
Reaching in my top, I pull my phone out, seeing Anne’s name on the caller display.
My heart starts to beat a little faster as I connect the call. “Hello?”
“Hi, Daisy. It’s Anne from Social Services.”
“Hi. Thanks so much for calling me back.”
“Sorry I’m a bit late in returning your call. I wasn’t in the office yesterday, and I’m just catching up on messages.”
“No problem at all. I understand.”
“So, your release came through.”
“Yes.” I smile.
“Good. I am pleased for you.”
“Thank you. Anne…I wanted to talk to you about Jesse. What do I need to do to start the process of applying for custody? And when can I see him?”
“Well, first things first, you and I need to have a chat.”
“About?” My tone is edgy. I just can’t help it.
“Just about your circumstances now—”
“I have a place to live. My best friend’s apartment. I’m living with her, paying rent.” Not that Cece will talk to me about paying rent, but I will be giving her money as soon as I get paid. “It’s a really nice place in Sutton, and it has three bedrooms. One is for Jesse. I have a job. I’m a maid at a big estate house in Surrey. So, I’m in a really good position to care for Jesse now, and I really—”
“That’s wonderful, Daisy,” she cuts me off. “I am so pleased that everything is coming together for you. I’d love to see your new place. So, how about I come to visit? We can have a chat and go from there.”
I slump back onto my haunches, disappointed, knowing that I’m not going to see Jesse anytime soon.
“Sounds great,” I say, trying to inject enthusiasm into my voice that just isn’t there.
“Fabulous. Now, looking at my calendar, I’m free on Friday at five p.m.”
“I work until six, and it takes me just over an hour to get home.”
“Oh, well, how about I come at six? You could ask your employer if you can leave an hour early. I’m sure if you explain your reason for needing the time, your employer will be understanding.”
Kas understanding? Ha. Not likely.
However, he was nice to me earlier, bringing me the clothes and apologizing. Maybe his hard shell is softening toward me.
There might just be some kindness in him.
“I’ll ask and let you know.”
“Fabulous. Speak soon.”
Hanging up my phone, I stash it back in my bra.
She wants to come to my place at six, which means I’ll need to leave at four. It takes me an hour and twenty minutes with the train journey and the walks to and from the train stations. And I’ll need to shower before she arrives, so I don’t stink of cleaning products.