Unsuitable

by Samantha Towle

  Well, I’m released now, and I want to talk about it. I also want to see my brother.

  Determined not to let the frustration I feel overtake me, I reach inside my bag and get my lunch out.

  I have this sudden feeling of being watched, but when I look around, I don’t see anyone.

  Weird.

  I open my Dairylea Snack Box and start eating.

  I enjoy sitting in peace and just eating my lunch, but I’m done in fifteen minutes, leaving me with just over half an hour left to kill.

  I put my empty wrappers back in my bag and dust off the crumbs from my dress. I decide to take a walk around the estate and check out the paddocks and stables.

  I hang my bag on my shoulder and set off walking across the garden. I hit the garden path and follow it. It curves along the garden and then leads me out through an archway.

  I stop on the other side of the archway and look around.

  This place is massive.

  Far off to my left and straight ahead is the wall that surrounds this place. It disappears off into a forest of trees.

  I can’t even imagine how long it took to build that wall—or the cost alone. Although it’s not like they couldn’t afford it.

  To my right are the stables. The paddocks are to my left and ahead. They cover a lot of the area. Horses are dotted around in each one.

  I start to wander toward the paddocks. As I near, I see a guy who looks to be fixing one of the fences that keeps the horses in.

  As if sensing my approach, he lifts his head.

  I smile. “Hi.” I lift my hand in a wave.

  He waves back. Smiling, he stands.

  Nice smile. He’s good-looking. Sandy-blond hair that’s cut short. Tan skin. Looks to be around my age. Seems friendly.

  Complete opposite of Kastor Matis.

  But, as much as I hate to admit it, Kas is better-looking. This guy is a pretty boy. Kas is a man in all sense of the word. Even if he is a complete dickhead.

  “You’re new,” he says when I reach him. He has the most delicious Australian accent I’ve ever heard. Well, the only Australian accents I’ve ever heard have been on the telly. “And you can’t be a horse owner, as I know all the owners, and we haven’t had a new horse in recently.”

  “I’m the new maid, and you’re Australian.”

  Duh.

  Dumb, Daisy. So dumb.

  “You got me.” He chuckles, lifting his hands in surrender. “Cooper Knight, native of Adelaide.” He drops his hands and puts one out to shake mine.

  Reaching out, I slip my hand into his. “Daisy Smith, native of London.”

  He squeezes my hand and grins. “I heard we had a new maid starting.”

  I wonder what else he heard.

  But he’s not looking at me like I’m a piece of trash, so maybe he doesn’t know where the last place was that I had to call home.

  Weirdly, he’s actually looking at me with a spark of interest.

  He releases my hand and rests his arms on the fence, linking his fingers. “So, how are you finding it so far?”

  “It’s…okay.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” There’s an impish grin on his handsome face.

  “Because I’ve met Kastor Matis.” The words are out before I can stop them.

  I slap my hand over my mouth, and he laughs loudly.

  “He been giving you a hard time?”

  “Mmhmm,” I murmur, dropping my hand.

  “Yeah, he can be a tough nut to crack. But Kas isn’t a bad guy, not really. He just likes people to think he is. Just stay out of his way, and you’ll be fine. Mr. and Mrs. Matis are awesome. You’ll love ’em.”

  “Where are they?” I ask him, relieved that he didn’t think I was being a bitch about Kas.

  Bitching about my boss to the other employees on the first day isn’t the best thing to do.

  “They have a place in Greece. Mr. Matis has family there, so they spend half of the year there and the other half here. Kas runs the place for them.”

  “How long have you worked here?” I ask.

  “Six years. The Matises hired me soon after they bought the place.”

  Six years. Maybe he’s older than I initially thought.

  “Where did they live before here?” I realize how nosy I’m being. “Sorry, I sound really nosy.”

  “Don’t ask, don’t find out, right?” He gives me a reassuring smile. “They moved up here from London. Mr. Matis was big in the banking industry—stocks and that sorta stuff. Made a lot of money. Think he and Mrs. Matis wanted out of the city, so they moved here for the peace and quiet. And it’s a good investment, a place like this.”

  “How many others work here?” I ask, looking around.

  “Well, there’s me, of course. I’m the stable manager. Ellie and Peter are trainers. Mack and Tash are my stable hands. They’re all off on lunch at the moment, but you’ll meet ’em soon. Then, we have Dom, who’s the gardener. It’s his day off today, but he’ll be back in tomorrow. And that’s it.”

  “What happened to the maid who worked here before me?”

  Cooper’s expression drops a little. “Tania. She left…well, I say left, but she upped and disappeared on us about two months ago.”

  “She disappeared?” I frown.

  He nods. “One minute, she was here. The next, gone. When I asked Kas about her, he just shut me down.”

  “Weird,” I muse. “Had she been in prison?”

  He gives me a surprised look, and I instantly blanch.

  Shit.

  “No, not that I know of. Why’d you ask?”

  Because I’m an idiot.

  “Um…I don’t know. Just with her running off…” I give an awkward shrug.

  I guess I just assumed that, because of what Toby said, the Matises are employers who are willing to take on people who just recently got out of prison.

  Knowing I’m the first leaves me feeling a bit weird.

  “Nah, Tania was a good girl. No way she was mixed up in bad stuff.”

  Yeah, because girls who go to prison are mixed up in bad stuff. And they’re definitely not good girls. Right?

  The knowledge of how Cooper’s opinion of me would instantly change once he knew the truth about me leaves me feeling a little sick.

  I don’t know why because I should be used to this by now.

  I guess my recent encounters with Kastor Matis have left me feeling a little raw. More than I want to admit.

  Cooper leans closer, lowering his voice. “I know Tash thought that Tania and Kas were…you know…” He gives a knowing look before leaning back. “I couldn’t see it myself, but if Tash was right and they were bumping uglies and it didn’t work out…maybe he gave her the push. Or maybe it has nothing to do with Kas, and Tania just went back home.”

  “Home?”

  “She was from Poland.”

  “Oh, right.”

  For some reason, I’m having visions of a tall blonde beauty and Kas liking her a lot.

  But not little old jailbird Daisy.

  Not that I give two shits about what Kas-hole thinks of me.

  “Tash tried ringing Tania’s mobile after we found out she’d left, but it was out of service.”

  “How long did Tania work here?” I ask.

  “About six months.”

  Feeling a bit strange about this conversation as a whole and knowing it must be time for me to get back to work, I reach into my bag for my phone and check the time.

  Yep, five minutes before I have to be back to work. I don’t want to be late and give Kas-hole another reason to be shitty to me.

  “Well…I should get back.” I gesture to my phone before dropping it back in my bag. “It was nice meeting you, Cooper.” I take a step away.

  “You, too. Hey, before you go,” he calls me back. “Do you ride?” He tips his head back at the horse grazing behind him.

  “No.” I shake my head.

  “Well, if you want to learn, let me know. I’ll gi
ve you some lessons on the house. Perks of working here.” He smiles, and it’s a friendly smile.

  I decide on the spot that I like Cooper. He might think jailbirds are bad news, and in most cases, he’s not wrong, so I can’t blame him for thinking that.

  “That’d be great. Thanks. But maybe not in this dress.” I wrinkle up my nose, nodding down at my uniform.

  “No.” He chuckles. “Unless you want to ride sidesaddle, that is.”

  “How very old-fashioned of you.”

  “I’m an old-fashioned kinda guy.” He winks.

  Usually, I hate winks, but he can totally pull it off. And I’m a little rusty here…but is he flirting with me?

  “I’m serious. If you want a lesson, let me know, and we’ll arrange something.”

  I smile. “I will do that. See you later.”

  “Sooner, I hope.”

  Okay, I totally smile like a girl at that one.

  He’s charming. And it’s nice to be charmed after Kas-hole’s mean ways this morning.

  Not that I’d take Cooper up on any offer, aside from the free riding lesson.

  Men are a no-go area for me. Jason burned me for life.

  Smiling, I swivel on my toes and walk back to the house, feeling a little lighter than when I first left it.

  Out of nowhere, a feeling creeps up my spine. That sense again of being watched.

  I lift my head, seeing no one.

  I glance back over my shoulder, but Cooper is back to work on the fence.

  I look back ahead, staring up at Kas’s bedroom window, but no one’s there.

  Weird.

  I swear, I’m going mad.

  Shaking off the feeling, I pick up my pace and head back through the archway before getting back to work.

  Eight

  It’s my second day at work, and I’m walking quickly down the lane, heading for the Matis Estate, because it’s raining like a bitch. I don’t have an umbrella with me, but I’m wearing my raincoat with the hood up, keeping my hair dry.

  I’m not far from the gates when I hear a car coming up fast behind me.

  Glancing back, I see a petrol-guzzling four-by-four approaching. A gust of wind blows my hood back off my head. I scramble to pull it back up, but before I can—

  Splash!

  Mothereffing effer!

  I stop in shock, muddy water dripping down my face.

  The bastard hit a puddle at the side of the road and gave me a muddy-water drenching.

  I grit my teeth together. “Wanker, bastard, thoughtless twat of a four-by-four driver!” I seethe to myself, stomping my foot.

  I drag my hand down my face, clearing away the muddy water.

  Can this day get any worse?

  And it’s barely even started.

  I still haven’t had a call back from Anne, which is stressing me out.

  I weirdly overslept this morning, meaning I didn’t do my run, and I nearly missed my train. It was only light drizzling when I got on the train. Then, I had to stand the whole journey here, as there were no seats, because, apparently, the world and his wife were using the train this morning. I stepped off in Westcott, and the heavens opened, the sky raining down like it was preparing for the Great Flood.

  I hadn’t brought an umbrella with me because I thought I’d be okay with my raincoat. And I was doing okay until four-by-four dickhead soaked me through to the bone.

  Okay, so, evidently, my day can get worse because when I zero my eyes in on the taillights of the four-by-four, I see that it’s slowing and turning into the Matis Estate.

  I growl. I actually growl and pick up my pace, heading for the car, which is stationary, waiting for the gates to open.

  With the windows blacked out, I can’t see inside, but I don’t care because I’m mad. I’m soaked and mad. Not a good combination.

  Reaching the car, I rap my knuckles on the passenger window. “Hey, buddy,” I say in a pissy tone. “You just soaked me back there! Watch where you’re going next time. And I’m sorry I just drenched you would’ve been goo—” The words die on my tongue when the window rolls down, and I see who’s in the car.

  “Mr. Matis.”

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  He already hates me. And, now, I’ve just banged on his car window and yelled at him.

  I’m so fired.

  His black eyes move over me. I see a flicker of humor in them.

  He’s laughing at me.

  Bastard.

  “Daisy. Good morning. Or maybe not, as the case might be for you.”

  I bite my tongue so hard that I draw blood, tasting metallic in my mouth.

  I’m gonna…I’m gonna…

  Walk away.

  It’s either that or punch him in the throat, and I don’t think punching my boss would be a good idea. It’d be my fast pass back to prison.

  And I really don’t want that.

  Jesse. Think about Jesse.

  Jaw locked, I swivel on my toe and walk through the open gates.

  I’m speed-walking, sticking to the edge to keep out of the way of his car for when he drives past me.

  My hands are balled into fists. And I honestly feel like I could cry.

  I like to think of myself as strong and capable. But, right now, I just feel torn up with emotions.

  I miss my brother. I hate my boss. I’m soaked, and I’m about to start my period. So, yeah, I’m feeling a tad emotional.

  I hear his car roll up behind me, and it drives straight past me, just like I expected him to.

  Because it’d be too courteous to offer to drive me the rest of the way.

  Arsehole.

  Gritting my teeth, I stomp the rest of the way to the house, my trainers squelching. All the while, I imagine strangling Kas-hole with my bare hands.

  As I approach the house, I see the front door is open, and Kas-hole is standing there, looking all dry in his dark blue jeans and V-neck jumper.

  He looks hot—as much as I hate to admit it.

  I hate that he’s a good-looking bastard.

  Jaw clenched, hands balled at my sides, I come to stop in the porchway.

  “Dry off before coming inside.” He holds out a towel to me. “I don’t want you dripping all over the floor.”

  Um…what?

  I stare at him in shock.

  He blankly stares back at me and gestures for me to take the towel.

  Argh! I hate this guy!

  I have to stop myself from reminding him that, if I make a mess, I’ll be the one who cleans it up anyway.

  Ignoring him, I drop my bag to the floor and pull off my trainers. Barefoot on the cold floor sends shivers running up my legs. Unzipping my raincoat, I yank it off and drop it on the floor by my bag. Leaving me in just my wet dress.

  Shivering and not looking him in the eyes, I reach out and pull the towel from his still-outstretched hand. I bring the towel to my face, patting it dry. Then, I run it over my arms and bare legs, drying them off. Reaching back, I tug my hairband out. Gathering up my hair, I squeeze the water out of it and then rub the towel over it.

  When I’m done, I make the mistake of looking at Kas.

  He’s staring right at me.

  But, for once, he’s not looking at me with distaste.

  The look in his eyes…it’s intense.

  I can’t remember anyone ever looking at me like this before. I feel like he’s stripping me bare.

  A tug of need pulls at my lower belly, surprising the hell out of me.

  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