Chapter 15 Juniper At least hes playing nice , despite the way he glares around the room like he has X ray vision looking through the walls , searching for the slightest reason to back out .
I get two coffees going and lean back on the counter as I look at him .
Hes wearing a navy blue suit that brings out his tan and the blue depth of his eyes .
Those sharp eyes fall on me with a calculating intent Im not expecting .
For a second , I wish I wasnt still slumming around in an apron with my hair going wild , without a bit of makeup on my face .
I wish the summer humidity wasnt more than a match for our clanking A / C thats also overdue for a tune up .
In another life , I wish I wasnt here , and I was going out for a date after work with a man who looks like Mr.
Rory but who knows how to smile .
Hes used to dealing with a very different kind of professional , no doubt .
Definitely not the kind who daydreams .
Okay , deep breath .
You can do this .
Cupcake ? I offer .
On the house .
His eyes flash to the few items still on display and he wrinkles his nose .
Thanks , but Im not one for sweets , he says in that deep rolling voice of his .
Oh , right .
Youre hoping the next president starts a war on cookies .
I cant resist the wisecrack , so I dont snort .
Not one for sweets is one hell of a way to describe his outburst the other day , when he told me he thought sugar should be illegal .
But since hes here I should hear him out , so I check my inner sarcastic bitch and bite my tongue until it hurts .
Frankly , Miss Winkley , my tastes dont matter .
Ive seen what a hit your creations are , he adds , resting his elbows on the table .
Youll be glad to know my associate was an instant fan .
Oh , great .
What a relief .
I was actually worried something went wrong when I saw you here again .
I grab the drinks and walk to the table with a cupcake for myself .
He might not want one , but that doesnt mean Im going without .
We dont get many complaints , but theres always a chance .
And if anyone was likely to complain , it would be you , I want to add .
Not a single objection .
He gives me another one of those intimidating pinned on smiles .
Okay , well … I gesture widely at the empty store .
You have my full attention .
Disconcertingly , he looks up from his coffee and stares at me .
This is probably the closest weve ever been .
I regret not leaving more space between us .
Im pretty sure his cheekbones could cut glass .
And damn , have I mentioned his eyes ? Up close , theyre even more spectacular , which is way more annoying .
Eyes so beautiful shouldnt belong to a jerk like him .
They definitely shouldnt remind me of the way the sun glints on the open sea .
Did you know Im local ? he asks .
That is a surprise .
You mean youre from here ? I frown , sipping my coffee to hide my confusion .
Not that I should be shocked .
We wouldnt exactly have moved in the same circles and its a big city .
Kansas City , born and raised , he tells me .
Theres a touch of pride in his voice .
I formed a company with my brothers a few years ago Higher Ends International .
Its a fast growing start up delivering five star rental experiences to folks from all over the country .
16-41 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separate Patas 16.1 % Chapter 15 Oh , youre one of those , Its out before I can clamp my mouth shut .
Those ? My face heats .
I mean ….
arent a lot of investors buying up properties the reason why nobody my age can get a house ? Sorry if Im confused .
I might as well be honest , voicing what feels like my wildest dream .
Plus , the fact that hes one of many reasons its never coming true , Miss Winkley , you are confused .
Higher Ends isnt some fly by night crew of jackoffs sweeping up as many duplexes as they can get on credit , all so they can brag about smoke and mirrors success on TikTok , he says with a dismissive snort .
Were incredibly selective .
We only acquire properties that offer a truly rich , immersive experience true to the area for a high end clientele that pays dearly .
When I said fast growing , I meant in the unique niche weve carved out .
Right .
Its so fast growing I havent heard of it and Im also from here , I stare at him .
And even if he isnt one of the cutthroats creating a housing shortage , Im not sure I feel much better when I picture the sort of clients hes looking for .
Rich people with money to burn who dont work in a bakery , fighting to make ends meet .
Youre skeptical , he grumbles .
I prefer careful .
He snorts again .
My eyes narrow as I sip my coffee , fighting the urge to spray it in his smug face .
Theres no danger to you , only an upside .
My offer is simple , he says .

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Im inviting you aboard for an experiment .
The Sugar Bowl is perfectly suited to take part in our new pilot program .
Its designed to supply fresh pastries and whatever else our guests might want for a few of our properties .
Ugh .
Regular business .
Why does he have to make this so hard ? Also , he says with a little more warmth , if that pilot goes well , were considering making larger items available things like custom cakes for special -occasions .
Our guests just order and you deliver to our star properties .
Not complicated .
My gut clenches .
Something about the way he says star properties makes me uneasy .
Its gone straight from tempting to too good to be true .
Also , theres something horribly distracting about his flickering blue eyes tonight .
I kind of miss the scowl and constant growling .
At least then I could forget how attractive he is when hes being nice .
Ill admit it sounds interesting , I say slowly , pulling at my cupcake and leaving crumbs on my plate .
Bad habit , but I cant help my nerves , especially when it feels like this is playing with a house of cards and one wrong move will send everything crashing down .
But ? he urges .
But why the sudden interest ? His face closes off again , the warmth retreating behind a stoic mask .
And , um , what do you want in return ? I know how these things work .
There has to be a catch in there somewhere .
Theres no sense in pulling any punches .
Well .
He clears his throat .
There is something else .
Of course .
I knew it .
He inhales slowly , glancing around like hes trying to keep his lungs working .
Fair enough .
Im having trouble breathing , too .
Because here it comes .
16.5 % Journey of Separates Chapter 15 The whole reason why you dont make deals with atrociously hot men who tip like they should be institutionalized , And judging by his face , its a really flipping big reason .
I take another gulp of my cooling coffee .
I reckon Ill need the caffeine hit to get me through this .
Or maybe I should just give up and fetch the whiskey stashed away in the back right now that I only break out for real emergencies .
Nefore I start , let me promise you this is only temporary .
He places both hands on the table , palms down .
Its a very stupid condition and its entirely my fault .
The man who was with me the other day, hes very difficult to win over .
When I did , I gave him the wrong impression and it made things a tad complicated for our arrangement going forward .
Thats all it takes to send my heart climbing up my throat .
Youre scaring toe , Mr.
Rory , I say .
I definitely mean it as he sighs and slowly fixes his gaze on me again .
I just need you to act like were engaged I squint at him , wondering if I heard that right .
But he doesnt correct himself .
What .
The .
Actual .
Hell ? I push back from the table like hes brandishing a knife .
See , I knew it .
This dude isnt just your run of the mill rich , handsome jerk hes psycho .
He is actually insane , and if this is some kind of convoluted ploy to ask me out or take advantage of me or … or Im out of ideas .
jikist