“Good. Now, explain this,” Ella said and showed him the bill.

“It’s for the candy floss machine.”

“The what?” she asked and stared at him.

“Candy floss? You know, the tall sugar cones the kids just love?”

“I know what candy floss looks like, Mike. I’m wondering why the hell we need one? That’s what I’m asking.”

“Why didn’t you say so? You need to speak your mind, woman. Not beat around the bush all the time,” Mike said and grinned at her.

His humour seemed to have returned to full force. His smile did funny things with her lower regions. A fact that never ceased to annoy her even more. Why couldn’t she be immune to him? It’d make her life so much easier.

“Maybe I should let my fists do the talking?” Ella snorted. “Would that be straightforward enough for you?”

Mike seemed flabbergasted for a few seconds before he started laughing, holding on to his stomach as if her suggestion was completely ludicrous.

Ella tightened her fists and prepared to give him her best shot. Just as she launched her strike, he grabbed her wrists and held her tight.

“Nah. You’ll only hurt yourself, Ella,” he drawled.

“I wouldn’t bet on it.”

“Besides, we’ve an audience,” Mike reminded her.

“I don’t care,” she said and tried to pull her hands loose from his grasp.

“Relax wildcat. I bet a little candy floss could sweeten your temper and make you nice and cooperative.”

That did it. Ella shrieked and went for him. Vowing to beat some sense into the damn man since nothing else seems to do the trick. But right before her nails connected with his chin, he twirled her around and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her back against his hard chest.

She gasped as he held her tight, making her unable to move from his grasp. She was surprised by his strength. She tried to kick at him when he lifted her.

“Relax, Ella. There are kids here,” he murmured into her ear. His voice sounded as if he tried to calm a wild horse.

She froze and looked at the people around them. Everyone seemed curious about their heated argument. Oh, no. Ella had forgotten they were in the clubhouse. She’d seen Mike in the hallway and wanted to confront him before he slipped away. But she hadn’t thought they’d attract an audience. She felt her cheeks turn red from the embarrassment.

“Showtime’s over,” Mike said to the audience as he sat her down on her feet again.

Ella turned away from the crowd and found herself staring into Mike’s broad chest. It didn’t help much. She tried to ease her breathing. But all she accomplished was to take in the scent of his aftershave.