Oh I think about it. “I’m not a saint, Aunt Trixi. But you all have loved and supported me my whole life. Hell, if it wasn’t for you guys, I never would’ve been able to go to college. One year of my life is nothing compared to what you’ve all given me.” I meant that, too. Granted I had to work while going to college, but not full time. I had a support system who cheered me on every step of the way.
“Hey, you’re the one who did all the work. I can’t even think about taking one college course. It’s like I get to live my life vicariously through you. Which by the way, you’re really slacking.”
“Me? How?” I asked.
“When was the last time you went out on a date?” she asked.
I crossed my arms and said, “Please. Who has time for a love life?”
“You do. You’re twenty-six years old. This is when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life.”
“In Bermoose?” I asked.
She nodded. “See, that’s why I’m worried about you. I mean, you’re so…serious that you’re not having any fun. At your age, Carl and I would…well, let’s just say we weren’t spending our nights balancing the books. We were married, we didn’t even have a television. Not because we couldn’t afford it, but we didn’t need it,” she winked.
“Aunt Trixi, I don’t want to hear about your…personal life.”
“It’s called sex. Sex. SEX!” Trixi yelled. “And you need some,” she said. “And that’s why I’m taking a vacation.”
“Wait. What are you talking about?” Trixi had to have lost her mind. “You said you’d help me run the club.”
“I will. In a week. But I’m taking a vacation starting now,” she said.
My heart started racing. There was so much I didn’t know about the club. I probably could pull it off, but it’d be a lot harder doing it by myself. “Aunt Trixi, please, I need you here.”
“No, you don’t. You just want me here. There’s a difference and you know it. Besides, you won’t be alone,” she said.
Oh, God. Andrew. “You have to call him and tell him he can’t stay here.” The last thing I needed was more stress, and staying under the same roof with him was going to be more than I could handle.
“No way. You need time to talk and get to know each other.”
“There’s nothing to know except that he wants the land that The Treasure Chest sits on and I’m not going to sell. It’s cut and dry. So if you think leaving us alone is going to make some magical connection between us appear, you’re dead wrong.”
“So you don’t find him handsome at all?”
“No, I don’t.” Drop-dead gorgeous would be more accurate. Thoughts like this are exactly why I needed Trixi to stay. She was supposed to be my buffer so I don’t get myself in trouble. Of course, she also might be what gets me in hot water, too. After all, she was the one who invited Andrew to stay with us and was now conveniently leaving.
“Wow, that’s a shame, because that man was checking you out so much I thought his eyes would fall out.”
“He was not.” Of course, it would be hard for me to know because I spent most of the time trying to avoid eye contact with him. Not because I was worried what I’d see, but more what I’d reveal. Yes, I’m attracted to him, but that was just a hormonal reaction. I can take care of my own physical needs if I have to. “I’m not about to jump into bed with the enemy.”
“What makes him the enemy? He’s just a man who is interested in purchasing your property. I do not believe he threatened you, unless I missed something?” she asked.
“No. He hasn’t. But I have a feeling he’s not used to hearing no.”
“Do you think he’s…dangerous?” she asked.
Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.
“Aunt Trixi, please don’t do this.”
She got up and hugged me. “It’s only a week. And if you need help at the club, I’m sure Andrew will lend a hand.”
My jaw dropped. “I don’t want him there. He could talk to the ladies and…and…”
“He could do that any time. Andrew is an intelligent man, Anne. I don’t think he needs to speak to anyone at the club to decide what he wants. But what I’m hoping is that during this week, you think about what you want. And once you know what that is, don’t hesitate. Life is too short to hold back. Trust me. I wish I had more time with Carl.”
I know they were divorced, but neither remarried or even dated anyone else. Although it was never said, I had a feeling that they were still involved, in love. I wish you guys had more time, too.
“Are you leaving right now?” I asked. Trixi nodded. “Don’t you want to stay and see Andrew before you leave?” Trixi shook her head. Damn it. “When you come back you’re going to find that there really wasn’t any need for you to leave in the first place.”
“I highly doubt it.” She grabbed her purse and said, “Text me if you need me.”
“Even though you’re frustrating as hell, I love you, Aunt Trixi.”
She turned and gave a huge smile. “See? I knew you’d forgive me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I joked. We both knew that all we wanted was the best for each other. It’s just that right now, Aunt Trixi and I weren’t on the same page. A week alone with Andrew wasn’t going to develop into some wild romance. More likely we’ll be at each other’s throats.
I stood in the doorway and watched her car disappear down the driveway. I can’t believe she really left. A concerning feeling bubbled in my chest - a part of me was glad Trixi had left after all.
Oh God. She’s right. I don’t know what I want anymore.
But a week with Andrew certainly wouldn’t help me find out. Would it?
Chapter Eight
Andrew
I had to wait to pull into the driveway, because it looked like Trixi was leaving. She was expecting me, but maybe there’d been a change of plans. My cell phone rang and I checked the caller ID.
Here comes my answer. “Hello, Ms. Worth.”
“Please, call me Trixi. Ms. Worth makes me sound ancient.”
I didn’t care what she wanted me to call her, as long as she helped me convince Anne to sell.
“Okay, Trixi. I believe I just saw you backing out of the driveway. Would you like me to come back later?” I asked.
“No. Anne is home. And she is expecting you. Lunch is in the oven, hope you like chicken parmigiana.”
“I do. You sound as though you won’t be eating with us,” I said.
“I’m not. Actually, I’m going out of town a week.”
“And you didn’t see fit to mention that when we last spoke?”
I heard her chuckle. “Well, about that. See, I know my niece better than she does sometimes. And as long as I’m there, she’ll let me play interference, so she doesn’t have to deal with it herself.”
Oh, that is a bad game to play with someone’s life. I’d fucking kill my brothers if they pulled this shit.
“I can still work with Anne while staying at the motel,” I stated firmly.
“I know that, but I’m telling you right now, her answer won’t change. See, there’s a lot you don’t know, and I could tell you, but I’d rather not. Just know that Anne is at the club because she feels as there is no other choice. I think if anyone can help her find a different resolution, it will be you,” she said.
That surprised me, but then again, everything about The Treasured Chest had thus far. Why should this be different?
“I take it you mean besides my purchasing the property,” I said. That was the only thing I wanted. Whatever else was going on between Anne and her attachment to the place meant nothing to me.
“I googled you. You have a reputation of getting what you want,” Trixi said.
“That is accurate,” I replied. And I want that land.
“Like Anne, I think this week might give you a chance to think about what you really want, too.”
“Unlike Anne, I know exactly what I want,” I stated firmly. “Or
did Google not provide that detail?”
“One week, Andrew, and then you can tell me what you want. Oh, and I’m entrusting my niece to you. Don’t hurt her or you’ll answer to me,” Trixi warned.
That woman couldn’t scare anyone. “I’m here for one reason, and it’s strictly business. I have no intention of hurting her. Just acquiring the club.”
She ended the call and I pulled up the driveway, parked, and went up the steps. I couldn’t help but wonder how Anne felt about this. Was she a willing participant in Trixi’s manipulation, or was she as pissed off as I was? Only one way to find out. I knocked.
When she answered, her eyes were cold and filled with anger.
“Should I come in or head back to the motel?” I asked. It didn’t matter what Trixi wanted. I needed to hear it from Anne.
She opened the door wider and said, “You might as well come in. Aunt Trixi left clear instructions for me to play nice. I just don’t see the point. We both know why you’re here. A week or a month won’t change anything.” Once inside, she closed the door and added, “But it’s your time you’re wasting, not mine.”
I followed her into the kitchen, where I noticed the table was set for two. “Can I help you with anything?” I offered.
“Yes. You can do the dishes after.”
Does she think I’ve never done dishes before? “No problem. I mastered those a long time ago.” She turned and looked at me as though I was lying. “I’m serious. It was the standard punishment when we were growing up. Get in trouble at school and you had dishes for a week. I swear I went a year of doing them every day when I was a teenager.”
“Somehow, that I believe,” she grinned.
“It’s good to see you smile again. Believe me, Anne, I’m not here to get you upset. It’s just business. I hope you can understand that,” I tried to explain.
“Andrew, I didn’t get much sleep last night, or should I say this morning. I know we have to talk about it, but I’d prefer to do so when I’m…clear-headed. Otherwise, I might be a bit snippy with you. Not that you don’t deserve it,” she said.
“What did I do to deserve that?” I could think of a million reasons why others would cuss me out, but I didn’t recall doing anything to Anne.
“Oh, let’s see. How about not making your presence known when I came out of the bathroom in just a towel? What if it had slipped?”
I didn’t even bother to hide my smile. “Then I guess I’d have had one hell of a view.”
Anne picked up a dish towel and threw it at me. “You’re horrible.”
“No. I’m honest.”
“You’d think that a rich and powerful man like yourself would be a gentleman.”
“The key word is I’m a man. When a beautiful woman is standing practically naked in front of me, should I act as though I don’t like what I see? Would you believe me if I said I would have closed my eyes and spun around?” Anne shook her head. “I didn’t think so. Just to make one thing clear, Anne. I don’t play games. I say it as it is. Even if someone doesn’t…want to hear it.” My brutal honesty wasn’t always appreciated, and at times, ended relationships. That didn’t change the facts. I’m not here to make her like me, that’s just a complication that I seem to have gotten caught up in.
She looked up at me and asked, “Then answer this. Why are you here?”
“Because I want to convince you to sell The Treasured Chest to me.” That was as honest as I could be.
“I mean here, at the cabin with me. You don’t have to stay here.”
She was right. No matter what Trixi said, I didn’t need to know someone personally in order to seal a deal. If anything, it risked fucking things up. So there had to be something else that I didn’t want to admit, even to myself. But if I wanted her trust, I’d need to start building it now.
“I want to get to know you better,” I said. “Who knows? Maybe we can watch one of those B rated comedies you mentioned.”
Anne didn’t budge. She asked, “Do you think getting to know me will help your cause?”
“Actually, I think the opposite. I never mix business with pleasure,” I stated. It was a lot harder to negotiate when I had to take another person’s feelings into consideration.
“You are a hard person to figure out, Andrew Heart.”
At least that was something we agreed on. “Maybe after we eat, we can talk about you.”
“Sorry. After this, I’m going to the club. I have to open up and get ready for a long night. Without Aunt Trixi here, it all falls on me,” she sighed.
“You don’t have anyone else working it?”
“Not in a management position.”
“Did you want my help?” I offered without thinking.
Anne chuckled. “Thank you, but I don’t think I’d feel comfortable having you there.”
“Why?”
“Actually, I don’t know the answer to that. I just know I wouldn’t. Besides, you agreed to do the dishes,” she smiled.
“That I did. But if you change your mind, just call me,” I said and handed her my business card.
She slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans and said, “Thanks. Now we’d better eat or I’ll have to go to work hungry.”
Anne turned and bent over to take the food out of the oven. Her slender hips and round ass were a sweet torture. I’ve never been easily turned on, but something about Anne made my cock ache.
I’ve been hungry from the moment we spoke. And no way in hell can I sample what I’m aching for. This was going to be a long fucking week if my cock got hard every time we were in the same room.
Good thing I’m not going to the club with her. I’m probably going to need a cold shower while she’s gone.
Chapter Nine
Anne
That was the longest night I ever had. How did Uncle Carl do it? It wasn’t just managing the employees, but making sure the patrons didn’t become unruly. Although I didn’t think we needed a bouncer, I might need to reconsider that.
All I wanted right now was a hot shower and a bed. But when I walked into the house, Andrew was sitting in the living room watching a movie. He turned to me and asked, “How was work?”
“Don’t ask,” I grumbled.
“That bad?” I nodded and he continued, “Do you want me to reheat you some leftovers?”
I forced a smile and asked, “Does it come with a glass of red wine?”
“It can. Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll have it ready when you’re done?”
That sounded perfect. All except for the fact it was Andrew doing it. I didn’t want to like anything about him. Like he said, ‘don’t mix business with pleasure.’ I was already fighting this stupid physical attraction. I didn’t need to like him on any other level. But I was too tired to argue. So I took him up on his offer.
Although I wanted to stand in the shower until all the hot water was used up, I knew my dinner would be getting cold. I was almost too tired to eat, but I hadn’t had anything since lunch. Falling asleep was good. Passing out would be bad.
I slipped on a pair of fleece pajama bottoms with an oversized t-shirt. I didn’t have the energy to get any more dressed than this. Besides, if Andrew was really going to spend the week here, then I was going to treat him like a roommate and not a guest. He could pick up after himself and have the privilege of seeing what I really look like when I wake up.
When I left my room I found him back on the couch. My dinner was on a tray, with the wine I had requested. I sat on the couch, leaving a comfortable space between us. One thing about leftovers is they usually taste even better the next day. I just hope I’ve got enough energy to enjoy it.
“You really didn’t have to do this, but I appreciate it,” I said.
“I’m a bachelor. Microwave is the appliance I use just about every day.”
Picking up the plate and fork, I took a bite. “Perfect,” I teased.
He grabbed the remote control and said, “I hope you don’t mind but I conne
cted the television to my phone so I could watch something other than the local news. Not that there wasn’t anything interesting, but a tractor pull or Mrs. Gray’s sick alpaca might be a bit too…stressful for me.”
In a serious tone, I said, “I hope it isn’t Marvin. He’s her favorite.”
The expression on his face was priceless and I couldn’t hold back and cracked a smile.
“That was much better than your mule joke the other day,” he said.
“It must be the wine,” I said.
“You haven’t even taken a sip,” Andrew corrected.
“Just knowing it’s there is enough for me.” I put the plate back on the tray and picked up my glass of wine. The first sip tasted like heaven. The second and third weren’t so bad either. “That’s better.” I held the glass and leaned back on the couch.
“You didn’t eat very much,” he said.
“I’m too tired to eat,” I admitted and took another gulp of wine. The glass somehow was two-thirds of the way gone.
“Then you might want to take it easy on that.” Andrew reached over and took the glass from my hand.
“Hey, I’m not done with that.”
Andrew picked up my plate of food and said, “You eat while I get you a little bit more.” He disappeared into the kitchen.
That was acceptable. Of course, Andrew was taking what seemed like forever filling my glass. By the time he returned, I had finished the entire plate he’d prepared for me.
When he sat down and handed me the glass I asked, “Was that intentional?”
He met me square in the eyes and said, “Yes. I don’t need you getting drunk and having to carry you to bed.”
I blushed, for no reason at all. “I’m no lush. Actually, I rarely drink. It’s just today…well it totally sucked. And I thought the shower would help, but I’m still sore.”
“Sore?” he asked.
“Besides being on my feet all night, I had to break up a fight. Can you believe it? I’m barely five foot five and these guys were as tall as you.”
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