“Thank you so much for your help, Mr…?” I trail off, awaiting his response. I don’t know why I care when I will probably never see him again. Most likely he is here visiting someone or just passing through, so it really doesn’t matter. However, it feels really important to me to learn his name.
“Elliot,” he smiles as he speaks, showing off those teeth. “Elliot Greenham.” His eyes glitter with amusement. “It was a pleasure to bump into you, Miss…?”
A smile pulls at my lips and I find myself answering before I’ve even thought through if this is a good idea or not. “Holly.”
His head tilts slightly to one side, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Holly…” he seems to test the word on his tongue, his gaze flicking over to the building behind us. “Do you own the Holly and Ivy Bakery?”
Huh. Not where I thought we were going with this conversation, but seeing as I just walked out of the bakery it makes sense. Smiling, I nod slightly. “My sister and I do, but I am the manager.”
His whole demeanour changes, going from casual knight in denim armour to formal in a second. “I was actually on my way to see you.” His smile is perfect, but it’s lost its cheeky, flirty edge. “I’m opening a business next door to your bakery, and I wanted to stop in and say hello.” As if to punctuate it, he holds out a hand towards me, ready to shake.
“Oh.” Staring down at his proffered hand, I feel my brows raise with my frustration. Slowly, I lift my gaze and pin him with a disapproving look. “So, you’re the one who’s tearing the shop apart.”
He seems confused at my sudden change of attitude. Closing the car door, he walks around until he’s just inches from me, leaning up against the back door, arms crossed over his chest. “The shop was falling apart and hasn’t made a profit in years.”
I knew the DIY shop had fallen on hard times, but I hadn’t realised that Mr Renolds was only retiring because the business wasn’t viable any longer. Having worked in retail for years, I understand what it takes to keep a business afloat, so I sympathise. What I don’t like, however, is a yuppy from the city coming in and tearing it apart. The town has faced a lot ofchange thanks to the Hinton Institute, and having yet another local store being torn down is a tragedy.
Clicking my tongue, I also cross my arms, mirroring his position. “And what are you planning to do with the shop?”
“We are turning it into a gym and health-food bar.”
“For soufflé’s sake.” Throwing my arms up in the air, I turn and start to get in the car. A gym and health-food bar. Fantastic, exactly what we need here. What was it he said?We.Yes, I remember now that Ashley said it was a group of friends who had bought the shop. Brilliant, that’s just more of them trying to turn our rustic town into a miniature city. Soon enough, all of the locals will be priced out of living here.
Climbing into the car, seething, I strap myself in and slam the door shut, only to find that it’s opened again half a second later. Blinking in surprise and outrage, I stare up at Elliot. Is this guy serious?
Bracing himself against the doorframe he leans in slightly, filling the small space. He’s frowning, but it doesn’t take away from how handsome he is. If anything, it only makes me want to misbehave so he keeps looking at me that way. “I don’t understand the problem here.”
His biceps bulge as he holds himself in place and I have to clear my throat before I can speak. “Well, ignoring the fact that you’re tearing down a historic part of this town and building something for the city folks to come and engulf us, you’re also going to be in competition with me.”
He stares at me in silence for a heavy heartbeat, until one of those brows slowly lifts. “There was a lot to unpack in that statement, but we’ll start with the latter.” He licks his lips and shakes his head slightly. “I don’t think our clients will be regular customers in your bakery.”
The way he says it makes my blood boil, as though his skinny gym-going twigs are better than anyone who might visit a bakery – who might visitmybakery. How dare he?
“Exactly!” I snap, baring my teeth. “A health-food bar?! You are going to war against sugar and you think it’s not going to affect my business?” Snorting, I gesture widely, seeming to get more animated the angrier I get. “You will be campaigning the streets for business. Who is going to walk past a gym and go into the bakery? You are inadvertently shaming people.”
Elliot looks as though he can’t believe he’s having this conversation but is finding it amusing. Well, you just wait, buster, I’m only just getting started.
“According to you, it will bring city folk here,” he points out, the hint of a smile on his lips. “That’s more potential customers for you.”
“And according to you, none of your clients are going to want my products!” I counter, his stupid smile leaving me seething. I’m practically shouting and I can feel the gaze of the bakery staff watching on with interest. This needs to end before I do something to embarrass myself. “Look, I have somewhere to be. Thank you for your help today.”
Leaning over to reach for the door handle, I get so close to him I can smell his woodsy cologne. His whole body seems to react to having me so close and I can’t help but pull back a little to watch his pupils dilate. Just what does he think is about to happen? Clearing my throat and pretending that he’s not affected me in the least, I slam the door shut, almost trapping him in the process, but I don’t care. He manages to get out of the way and steps back as I throw my car into reverse.
Driving away and ignoring his figure in my back mirror, I take several deep breaths and try to convince myself that I’m not running away.
EIGHT
ELLIOT
Ican’t get Holly out of my head.
She’s gorgeous, of course, with all those blonde curls that tumble over her shoulders. I can just imagine the way they would feel in my fist as I yank them back to expose her long neck, perfect for me to bite down on and leave my mark…
Geez, I really need to get laid. I’ve met the woman once and pissed her off almost immediately, I should not be imagining any sort of sexual encounter with her. I can’t help myself. I’ve always liked a woman with a fiery temper – they keep me on my toes and are wild in bed. Besides, her body is fucking perfect. I could tell that beneath her tight T-shirt and ass-hugging jeans that she has curves in all the right places. While I might be a gym nut, I like some meat on my women. There is nothing sexier than the soft curves of a woman that I can run my hands over and devour.
Fuck, I’m getting turned on just thinking about her now, my cock straining against the denim of my jeans. The guys will never let me live it down if I walk in with a boner. Shifting the boxes in my arms to free up my hand, I subtly readjust myself as I reach the door to the property.
It’s a building site at the moment, the old fittings being ripped out and walls knocked down to make the space larger.Some might look at the space and see a mess of bricks and plaster dust, but all I see is potential. A quiet excitement builds inside me and I walk across the room and place the box of supplies down with the others.
