Page 50 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“What do you suggest instead?”

“A combination of stacked stone and plank siding will blend in with the forest better. And no hot tubs on the balconies. Those are cheesy.”

“They’re romantic.”

“No one wants to hear their neighbors splashing around having sex.”

He clenches his jaw, and it seems to take a huge amount of effort for his eyes to stay locked on mine. He shifts his stance like he’s uncomfortable.

I don’t need to be telepathic to get that he’s imagining us in one of those hot tubs. I had that thought when I saw the blueprints too.

But they don’t fit the glamorous image the rest of the resort embodies. And his silence means I win this round. I wrap my towel around my shoulders. “The rolls smell good, but I’m allergic to cinnamon.”

His eyes narrow. “You ate a cinnamon apple pie muffin last week.”

“Did I? I don’t think I did.” I totally did, but how does he know that?

“Any other allergies I should know about?”

I circle my finger to encompass his face. “Playboy billionaires who don’t know when to leave a woman alone. I break out in hives.”

“Good thing I’m not allergic to snarky mayors who like playing hard to get.”

“Not hard to get. Just not interested.”

“Didn’t think you were a liar.”

“It was one kiss. Get over it. I have.” I’m a horrible liar, but I keep my back to him as I thread my legs into my sweatpants, hoping he doesn’t hear the tremor in my voice.

He steps around me so we’re face to face. “Let me take you on a date.”

“Nope.”

“What are you so afraid of?”

“Enjoy your cinnamon rolls.”

“Zoe, please.” His pleading tone stops me. “What will it take?”

Landon’s arms hang in front of him. The casserole dish dangles from his fingertips like he’s forgotten he’s holding it, and the glass will smash against the rocks any second.

“Please,” he repeats.

I smother my sigh. “You only care because I told youno.” Straightening my posture, I pour resolve into my defense. “We will finish the estate, and you’ll jet off to your next project, leaving me behind. Then what? My job is to keep you in line. I can’t do that if I let you seduce me. Our boundaries need to stay professional.” I flick my hand between us. “I am not the kind of woman to engender this kind of devotion from anyone, let alone a man who’s been to more countries than I can name and owns more hotels than I could visit in ten lifetimes. Stop pretending you care about me, andpleaselet me live my life.”

“I would give you the world.”

“That’s a line if ever I heard one.” I snort. “The world? Please. Why would anyone want the whole world? I have enough trouble with my tiny town and the town council to worry about the world.”

He steps close enough that his breath warms my frozen cheeks. His green eyes blow wide like he wants to absorb every ounce of me. “Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and tell me whatyouwant.” He sets the casserole at our feet and cups my face, tilting my chin to line up our mouths. “The woman who kissed me the other day wasn’t afraid. She didn’t hide behind propriety and other people’s expectations. She wanted to kiss me, so she did.” His lips whisper across my eyelids, and I can’t breathe. “You are the kind of woman who inspires men to write sonnets and fight wars and—”

I jerk my face free before I lose my nerve. “That’s not who I am.”

“But it’s who you want to be. Don’t pretend you can’t be.”

Zoe

I need space. I need freedom to breathe and cleanse Landon’s voice out of my head.