Tangled Vines: An Australian Rural Romance (2 page)

“Fine, my name is Jordan Hastings and my father is Ted Hastings, the caretaker of this property.”

“Jordan Hastings?” Confusion laced his voice and he turned his back on her. This was her chance to escape the confines of the small room and get to her room so she could put some clothes on.

Jordan had almost made her escape when a hand landed on her arm, swinging her around. She gripped the towel with one hand and the other landed on Kyle’s warm chest, immediately igniting the nerve endings in her fingers. His chest moved with a sharp intake of breath. Her fingers enjoyed the brief movement.

Before Jordan had time to react, Kyle thrust her away as if he’d just picked up a moldy piece of fruit.

“Go get dressed and then leave. I don’t want you here,” he demanded before storming out of the bathroom.

Jordan stood there not moving until the slamming of a door reverberated through the house.

What the heck is his problem?

Making her way back to her room, she wondered why Shey hadn’t mentioned to her he was coming to visit when they’d spoken yesterday morning.

A little warning would’ve been a big help to shore up her defenses for the arrival of Kyle Davis.

• • •

Kyle strode down the path through some apple trees. He had no idea he even had apple trees on the property. He never wandered the grounds of his property when he visited. He never bothered with venturing farther than the edge of the back deck.

God, it’s too early to be awake on the first day of my vacation.

The sun was slowly rising. Even this early, it possessed enough strength to warm his back. He should just go grab his board and go down to the beach. Catch some waves. Hopefully by the time he returned, his unwanted houseguest would have left.

Jordan Hastings
.

He tossed the name around in his mind. The one time he’d spoken to Ted while he was recovering from surgery on his broken leg, Ted had assured him Jordan was doing a good job looking after the property and Kyle had nothing to worry about. Of course, Kyle had assumed Jordan referred to Ted’s son. Not his daughter. Who named their daughter Jordan?

It looked like his assistant had been keeping quite a bit from him. He didn’t like it. Kyle kicked his foot in the sand.

“Fuck,” he bellowed when his big toe connected with a hard piece of granite. He hadn’t bothered to put on any shoes when he walked out of the house. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back toward the sky. Blood pounded in his big toe in time with his heartbeat. He had to get Jordan out of his house. The memory of her naked body flashed in his mind. The water dripping between her lush breasts. The way her legs tempted him when she wrapped the towel around her body.

He swore again. This wasn’t what he needed or wanted in his life right now. He wanted to be alone.

“Do you want something to eat?”

Kyle groaned. Why hadn’t Jordan left already? Now another part of him was beginning to throb. It wasn’t his stubbed toe.

Surely Shey would’ve told her he liked to have the house to himself over Christmas when she discussed Jordan’s employment contract. Well he assumed Shey had arranged an employment contract for Jordan.

Ok, he knew he’d been busy the last few weeks and hadn’t kept a close eye on this property. It could’ve been amongst the documents he signed when dealing with Ted’s accident and ensuing a workers compensation claim to cover the cost of his treatment and hospital stay. Besides, he trusted Shey with his life, not to mention his bank account, even though he suspected Shey was up to something. There was no way she’d cheat him out of his hard-earned money. But she had been making comments about him settling down recently. He’d told her to take a hike on more than one occasion.

Kyle didn’t like where his wayward thoughts were leading him. He didn’t like the lack of information or the way Shey had kept quiet about his
temporary caretaker
.

“Did you hear me? I asked if you were hungry.”

He allowed himself a small smile at the sassiness coming from Jordan before turning. “No, I’m not hungry. All I want is for you to leave.”

“Yes, I know. You’re starting to sound like a broken record. Look, I’ve made breakfast. You’re welcome to have some.” She turned and walked away from him, her hips swaying as her long legs ate up the distance back to his house.

If he’d met her at any other time of year, he could well imagine he would pursue her and have a short fling. Jordan definitely had a body designed to tempt, and he’d had a good look at it in the bathroom. Meeting her in March would’ve been much better than meeting her in December.

Kyle’s stomach rumbled, reminding him it had been a long time since he’d eaten something. He glanced at the house and sighed. Maybe he could get her to leave after he’d sampled some of the food she’d prepared.

He followed the same path Jordan had taken moments ago. Of course, after succumbing to the call of his stomach and eating her food, getting her to leave would not be an easy task. He hated to admit it, he quite enjoyed sparring with her. It had been a long time since a woman had answered him back—if ever.

The smell of bacon, eggs and toast greeted him in the kitchen.

“Ah, so you decided to join me after all. Isn’t that nice.” Sarcasm dripped from her every word.

He shrugged a shoulder, as if she hadn’t won the battle of wills going on between them. “I’ve never been one to say no to food I haven’t had to cook. It tastes so much sweeter.”

“I bet your mother is really happy to hear you say that after she’s slaved over a meal for you.”

Images of his mum laughing as she cooked the Sunday family meal slashed him like barbs from razor wire. The way she would always drop a kiss on his head before she slapped his hand away from the morsel of food he attempted to steal.

One more chance.

That’s all he wanted.

One more chance to talk to her. To tell her he loved her. Tell her he was sorry.

“Are you okay?” Her fingers touched his back. Kyle shrugged them off. He didn’t want sympathy. Nor pity. He didn’t deserve it.

Words were impossible so he grunted in response and picked up a plate and helped himself to the food set out on the counter.

“No wonder you get on so well with my father. He struggles with conversation, too.”

Kyle ignored her and concentrated on eating. The repetitive motion of putting food in his mouth helped to keep away the thoughts of his last conversation with his mum and dad.

The aroma of rich, freshly brewed coffee teased his senses. He lifted his eyes from the diminishing pile of food and connected with sparkling green ones.

“You look like you need this,” she said quietly as she pushed the steaming mug toward him.

“Thanks.”

“Just be careful you don’t spill it.” Jordan tilted her head toward his bare chest. “You wouldn’t want to burn yourself.”

Kyle rocked back on his chair. “You don’t need to worry about me. All you need to worry about is packing your bags and going back to your house instead of encroaching on mine.”

To his annoyance, Jordan sat down at the table opposite him. A part of him had to give the girl her due for standing up to him.

“Wish I could. But I can’t. I don’t have a house to go back to. I moved back here from South Australia just before Dad’s accident.”

His chair landed with a thump. “What do you mean you don’t have a house? Why aren’t you staying in Ted’s apartment?”

A harsh laugh erupted from her. For the first time since he’d encountered her naked body in the bathroom, bitterness and anger entered her eyes.

Jordan sighed, picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. “I’m sure your assistant Shey explained why I’m living here. She said it was okay when I spoke to her about it on Monday.”

He recalled Shey saying there was an issue down here, but he’d told her to deal with it—just so long as he wasn’t disturbed while he was in residence he didn’t care. Shey assured him she would handle it.

Now he wished he’d questioned her further. He had no plans to let Jordan know he didn’t know everything.

“Remind me.” His words came out as a command.

Jordan’s eyes narrowed at his tone. He waited for the tongue-lashing he was sure she wanted to lay on him.

“The hot water system in Dad’s apartment over the garage broke and flooded the whole place. The apartment now needs to be refurbished, starting with paint and carpet and new appliances. However, with Christmas almost upon us, the job is going to take twice as long to complete. This is why I’m staying here.”

Kyle bit back a groan. Why was this happening to him? All he wanted was to be alone at his house. Only now he had an unwanted visitor.

Hell, he’d pay for her to stay in a hotel. Anything. He’d do
anything
just to get her to leave.

“Look, Jordan, I need you out. I need my privacy. Go see John at the Margaret River Inn. He will hook you up with a room. Tell him to send me the bill.”

“I don’t need your money to go to a hotel, thank you very much. But bad news, buddy.” As Jordan lifted her cup of coffee again, Kyle knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “It’s going to be near impossible to get any accommodation at any of the local hotels. It’s school holidays and it’s Christmas. Everything is going to be booked. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

Kyle pushed his chair back. “This is unacceptable. This is
my
house, Jordan. You don’t have any right to be here. Regardless of the arrangement you’ve made with Shey.”

He held up his hand as she went to speak. “In the caretaker arrangement I have with your father, it’s extremely clear that every year your father is to vacate the property from the third Wednesday in December until the second Sunday in January. I appreciate you taking over your father’s position while he recuperates from his broken leg. But you are bound by the same contractual arrangement. Which means you shouldn’t be here.”

Kyle tamped down the annoyance building inside of him at the sight of the smile that broke out over Jordan’s face. He didn’t want to acknowledge the way his heart beat a little faster as the smile lit up her whole face. He needed to remain angry with her. It was the only way. He couldn’t afford any other emotion with her or anyone. He
didn’t
feel anymore. It was safer not to feel. Safer to go to work and come home to an empty house and no one waiting or relying on him.

“Well, I believe I may have a different employment contract than my father. There’s nothing in mine that mentions I have to vacate the caretaker’s apartment in December and January.”

The anger he fought seconds ago bubbled up inside of him. He grasped it with both hands.

“That’s easily fixed. You’re fired.”

Two words.

He’d spoken the two words that had the power to shatter the dreams she’d begun to build. The dreams she hoped were the start of gaining back the ground she’d lost in the profession now shunning her because of her loser ex. Well, she had no plans to give up her dreams for anyone. The vines she’d so lovingly coaxed back to life were her chance to make her mark in the wine industry.

Could she make Kyle see how important her job was to her? If she explained everything, would he change his mind? She had nothing to lose by trying.

“You’re firing me? You can’t do that. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Yes, I am. And, yes, I can.”

Jordan couldn’t place the man standing in front of her with the man her father had spoken so highly of. The man Shey had told her worked hard for everything he had. One thing they’d both said: Kyle was the fairest boss they’d ever had. She trusted her father’s opinion the most because he’d worked for a lot of people.

“I have a contract. I know the employment laws. You can’t fire me without a damn good reason or without giving two written warnings. And me being here when you don’t want me to be isn’t a good enough reason.”

Kyle scrubbed his hand down his face, and for a moment she felt sympathy for him. He looked tired and she almost felt bad for fighting so hard.

Almost.

It had been not standing up for herself that had caused her to lose her job. That was the last time she’d ever mixed business with pleasure. She should’ve known better than getting involved with one of the other winemakers at the winery. Let alone the winemaker’s son.

Men, they were so frustrating. Always thinking they knew everything.

“Look.” Kyle pulled her from her man bashing. “I’m tired. I’m going back to my room for a nap. If you can find your contract, I’ll look at it when I wake up.” He rolled out what he probably thought was a charming smile. A smile that probably won over every woman who ever walked into his orbit.

It wasn’t going to work with her. She was immune. But she wasn’t completely heartless.

“Fine. I think you’ll find everything I’ve said about the terms and conditions of my contract is the truth.”

“Oh. I have no doubt.” He stood and stretched, his muscles rippling like small waves rushing up the shore. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

He walked out of the room and Jordan sat down in the nearest chair. It had taken more strength than she’d ever known she possessed to stand up to him and not cower away like a scared little mouse. If she planned to continue in a male-oriented industry, she needed to do more of what she’d just done.

When Shey had emailed her the employment contract for her role as temporary caretaker to the property, Jordan had tried to make changes. The main request she’d asked for when she’d negotiated her contract had been to live in the main house. She was disappointed when Shey had told her that would never happen. Kyle had strict instructions that no one reside in the house. If she wanted the job, she would live in the caretaker’s property.

Her father, as caretaker, had a small apartment above the garage. She hadn’t lived with her father since she was nineteen, and now at twenty-seven, she hadn’t felt comfortable living in the place he had obviously made his own while he recovered in hospital. But having no choice, she’d stayed there until the water heater broke and flooded the place. Waking up to a couple of inches of water hadn’t been fun. She called Shey in a panic; Shey had assured Jordan she would take care of everything and, under the circumstances, she could move into Kyle’s house until the apartment was okay to live in again. But why hadn’t Shey mentioned the departure clause in her father’s contract? It had been the perfect time. Who knew when the apartment would be habitable again? There was so much work that needed to be done to it.