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And I exaggerated. I don’tknowArcher. I knowofhim. I’ve met him a few times. We always exchange polite hellos when we see each other at social events, but that’s not very often considering I’m always working and rarely out. I just don’t have time.
That’s the extent of my so-called friendship with him. Whereas Gage really knows him. And even though I don’t trust him and know he wants to buy up my family’s property—including the bakery—I may as well use him while I can, right?
So, yeah. I want him to get me an appointment so I can propose my idea to Archer.
Not with these sort of stipulations put on me, though. Saying he wants me? That has cheap sexual thrill written all over it.
Sighing, I finally shake my head. “Of course. I know. It’s just... it’s been a long day. And then you send me the gorgeous flowers, and my Aunt Gina flipped out.”
“She’s quite the character,” he inserts politely.
“You’re too kind.” Smiling wryly, I continue on. “Then you show up begging for forgiveness and... you distracted me.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“When a girl needs to focus on working, her business, and nothing else—yes. It’s a very bad thing.” Deciding to hell with it, I move away from behind the counter and head toward the front door, flipping the sign fromOPENtoCLOSED.
“Closing up?” he asks. He sounds incredulous.
“There are no customers in here besides you.” And it’s near enough to our actual closing time that it won’t make any difference.
“So are you going to answer me?” he asks, watching me move around the tiny bakery. His big body seems to eat up all the space, filling the air until all I can breathe and see is him. I do my best to avoid him, straightening chairs, picking up miscellaneous straw wrappers and crumpled napkins that still litter the tables. I’m trying to avoid answering him. Too full of nervous, restless energy he can no doubt pick up on.
What more could you want?
You.
I mean, really. Who says that sort of thing? I feel like I’m in some bad, cheesy made-for-TV movie or something.
“What sort of answer are you looking for? You never really asked me a question,” I finally say, glancing out the corner of my eye to see him approaching.
“I did so.” He stops mere feet away from me. I can feel his body warmth reaching toward me and I’m tempted to lean in. Absorb all of that strength and warmth and gorgeousness. Though he looks utterly untouchable in the finely tailored suit that I can tell cost a fortune. “I asked if you wanted my help in getting you a chance to talk to Archer.”
“Of course I do,” I say, my voice quiet, my thoughts a confused jumble in my brain. What is going on here? Why am I even talking to him? Why do I want to be close to him? It makes no sense.
I can’t stand him.
Really. I can’t. I don’t care how good he looks in that suit or how his sexy hair probably needs a trim. How bad I want to run my fingers through it. Or maybe grab his tie and yank him closer, see what he might do if I reared up on tiptoe and kissed him...
“Then go out to dinner with me,” he suggests, his voice bold, his expression arrogant. The glint in his eyes, the curl of his lips... he’s too damn confident. Like he knows I won’t be able to resist him.
Irritating, because I’m this close to giving in and saying yes.
I slump my shoulders. Seconds ago I was imagining violently kissing him, and now I’m considering some other sort of violence toward him—like bodily harm. He infuriates me, yet he interests me. Usually if I’m interested in a guy, it’s because I like him. I don’t want to smack him upside the head.
“You’re going to force me to go out to dinner with you and in return you’ll help me arrange an appointment with Archer Bancroft?” I laugh, though I find no humor in his suggestion. I might find it... arousing. Which is wrong on so many levels I lose count.
“I’m not forcing you to do anything, Marina,” he says softly, his eyes glowing as they drink me in. “Unless... you like it that way.”
Well, holy shit. The man needs duct tape wound aroundhis mouth about twenty times. He says the worst thingsever. “Did you really just say that?” I ask, my voice sounding deadly even to my own ears.
He seems to snap himself out of a trance. Standing straighter, he blinks, runs a hand along his jaw. God, his hands are big. I wonder what they might feel like on me. Sliding over my arms, my legs, between my thighs—
Get over it!
“Did I really just say what?” He looks dazed. The tension crackling between us has suddenly become unbearable and I have no idea why.
Um, maybe because you’re attracted to him?
