Destroyed Dreams by Jessica Gray Page B

helping?” He didn’t really care if he embarrassed her or not, nature was calling and he was determined to answer that call. If she wanted to stay around and watch, that was on her.
     
    Melissa furiously blushed and backed quickly out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Returning to the living room, she started picking up empty beer cans. It would seem that he had endeavored to drink the entire case. Dumping the cans in the wastebasket, she sat down on the couch to await his return.
     
    Robert took care of business and then leaned on the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. The night had definitely taken its toll. He brushed his teeth and then decided he definitely needed coffee and a shower if he was going to survive the day.
     
    Heading into the kitchen, he started the coffee pot and then noticed Melissa was still there. “You can leave now. You’ve accomplished your purpose in getting me up.”
     
    “I’m not leaving yet. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving yesterday?” Melissa knew she sounded like she was harping, but he owed her an explanation.
     
    Robert wanted his coffee and a shower. He didn’t feel like giving Melissa a long explanation, nor did he feel like he owed her one. Knowing he was probably adding fuel to the fire, he replied, “Since when do I work for you? I don’t have to answer to you when I’m working.” 
     
    Robert saw the hurt enter her eyes and wished he could take his comment back. Then he saw her eyes harden and knew she was ready to fight. “I beg to differ. Since I am the one being inconvenienced by your presence at the cabin, you do need to check with me about your work schedule. I’m sure my uncle would appreciate knowing that his employee is actually doing the job he’s being paid for.”
     
    Now she had Robert seeing red. Shaking his head at her, he poured himself a cup of coffee and headed back towards the bathroom and the shower.
     
    Melissa couldn’t believe that he simply shook his head at her. How dare he walk away from her? He owed her an explanation. Where was he going?
     
    She quickly got up and followed him back down the hallway. “Robert, don’t walk away from me. Why didn’t you come back to work yesterday? And why weren’t you there this morning, besides the obvious?”
     
    Robert had heard enough. Turning back to face her, he took a step towards her, pointed down the hallway and told her, “Get out. Don’t say another word, just get out of here, and leave me alone.”
     
    Melissa took a small step backward, but held her ground. “I will not. I demand an explanation for your behavior.”
     
    Robert advanced on her, pleased when she started walking backwards again. His control was tenuous at best and he vacillated between wanting to kiss her senseless or bodily remove her from his house. The look of uncertainty on her face helped, and he pushed his finger at her to keep her moving. “Lady, I don’t owe you anything. Now get out of my house and leave me alone.”
    Melissa tried to control her facial expression, even though his words hurt and she was having trouble controlling her need to scream at him and hit him.  He infuriated her, and now was trying to intimidate her. Finding herself back ed into the living room, she squared her shoulders and held her ground. “I’m not leaving until I get an answer.”
     
    Robert saw the look of resolve cross her face and realized that things were about to get interesting. She irritated the hell out of him, and at the same time, he wanted to throw her down on the couch and get busy. She was a sight to behold when she was angry. He was turned on, hung over, and clearly not thinking straight. Advancing on her again, he grinned when she held her ground and didn’t back up. So, she thought she could fight him and win, huh? Well, he would call her bluff and see what she did then.
     
    Taking another step towards her brought him into direct contact with her front side. Reaching around