“Bouquet Restaurant. It’s on Main Street in Covington.”
Lexi shifted in the chair and perked up realizing it was where Max was heading. Main Street wasn’t too far and if she hustled, she’d arrive about the same time he did. If she could intercept him before he went into the restaurant… she only needed two minutes to make her pitch.
She grinned as she jumped up and with a friendly wave, walked as fast as she could to the elevator without appearing like a rabbit in a race.
“Miss! What about the meeting you wanted to reschedule?”
The elevator doors slid open as she waved the tag in front of the infrared eye.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. I’ll phone and reschedule later.” Lexi flashed the astounded woman a broad smile as the doors closed behind her. She squared her shoulders as she watched the floors counting down.
“I have a meeting with Max Turner today and come hell or high water, he’s going to taste my damn apple pie!”
Chapter 2
“Step on it Vince. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I allow Ericksen & Sons to get the deal with Wills Bros Coffee. I’ve been searching for a family business like theirs to expand globally for a long time. This is one I refuse to concede to Rudolph Ericksen.” Max Turner fastened the seatbelt as his driver pulled away from the pickup zone at Cincinnati Airport.
He was dead tired. This trip had been unplanned but it had involved a personal matter with his family that he had to attend to. The longer he was a major player in the corporate world the more strenuous life became. He couldn’t remember when last he had relaxed over a weekend or had fun with family and friends.
Actually, he did remember. It was five years and six days ago to be exact. The morning he’d walked out of Lexi Dutton’s life. The day he’d received the devastating news that his grandfather had a heart attack, that he needed to get to the hospital to say goodbye. It had been the biggest blow of his life, since he was the one who brought him up.
“Where to, sir?” Vince’s Texan drawl broke through his thoughts.
“The Bouquet Restaurant on Main Street. We have fifteen minutes to get there.”
Max generally didn’t chase after investments with small family-owned businesses but Wills Bros Coffee had potential to become a global player with the right guidance. That was what Turner Investments concentrated on—turning national family- owned businesses into global players. It had been the long term projection he’d worked on with his grandfather prior to his passing. Over the past five years, Max had managed to quadruple their portfolio and profit margin.
“It’s all in your hands now, Max. My legacy, Turner Investments is yours. I taught you everything I know. You are the future of all my hard work. Take it to the stars, my son, like we always said we would. To become one of the top investment firms in the United States. I trust in you.”
Max had been devastated when he’d passed away moments after he’d uttered those words—his deathbed wish. It had been a no-brainer for the bereaved man to ensure he achieved what his grandfather had asked. He had been so shocked at the unexpectedness of his passing that he’d buried himself in doing just that. He’d breathed, ate, and slept work. So much so, that it had been ten months before he’d realized that he’d walked out of Lexi’s life without so much as a goodbye.
Perhaps phoning hadn’t been the wisest choice to explain his actions, something her best friend, Vee Summers, had pointed out in no uncertain terms.
“You broke her heart, you dickhead. Now you have the audacity to phone to try and explain. Well, tough shit. She doesn’t want to ever see you again and she sure as hell won’t speak to you now.”
He’d tried again a couple of times after that but it seemed as though Vee had appointed herself as Lexi’s protector and barred all attempts to personally get in touch with her. Driving out to Williamsburg hadn’t been an option; he just didn’t have the time. Or rather, it was the excuse he used to soothe the guilt that had been riding him for years. If he truly wanted to, he could’ve made the time to drive out there but knowing that she hated him had killed that notion. It wouldn’t have served a purpose. Not then or over the years since.
His life had changed from when they were involved. There was no space for a woman in his life— except for the ones who were in the same boat. The ones who offered mutual friendship with benefits and no strings attached. Those were the only relationships he indulged in since Lexi.
“Just drop me at the curb before you park the car. Alice confirmed that they’re willing to meet with me and I don’t want to make them wait longer than necessary.”
“Will do, sir.”
“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Max? I’m not my grandfather, Vince. You know I prefer informality.”
“You’re my employer. Just as your grandfather instilled certain traits in you, so did mine in me.”
“Once you parked the car, come and join us. I’m sure you haven’t had breakfast yet since you’ve been at the airport.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, you had no control over the delay in landing.”
“A delay is one thing. Circling over the city for close to two hours is quite another.”
“I can imagine the frustration, sir.”
Max smiled at the dry intonation. His impatience for such matters was well known in the company.
“I’d still like you to join us. I’ve come to depend on your instincts during meetings with groups such as Wills.”
“If you insist, sir.”
Vince Monterini was as wise as he was modest. In a way, he’d taken Max’s grandfather’s place since his passing. He was the one to whom Max confided in. That his chauffeur was the closest person to him was a testament to his lifestyle. In truth, he was more than that. Vince was a confidante, someone whose opinion mattered since he looked beyond the dollars and profit margins. He studied people, what drove them, and who those were that had alternate agendas.
“We need to talk about your position, Vince. I’d like you to become more involved with the business.” It had been on Max’s mind for a long time but every time he hinted at it; Vince would politely refuse the invitation. He was more than happy driving the luxurious Bentley rather than sitting behind a desk for eight hours a day.
“You know how I feel about that.”
“I also know you have so much more to offer. It’s a mystery as to why you’re a chauffeur when you have a master’s degree in economics. I truly want us to work together in some way. Perhaps find a midway of some sort. You have valuable opinions and insight for which you should receive just rewards and credit.”
“I’m too old to be bothered by that but since you insist, we can discuss it. As long as you know I’m not prepared to give up driving you around.” He glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “And I’m definitely not going to lock myself away in an office.”
“Noted.”
Vince parked the Bentley. He didn’t bother to jump out to open the door for Max. He’d given up on that long ago since the younger man didn’t have the patience to wait nor did he feel it appropriate to be waited on.
“I’ll be along shortly, sir.”
Max exited the big sedan. For a moment he stood still, transfixed by the hustle and bustle of the city. Flashes of the weekends he’d spent with Lexi in the tranquility of a small town filled his mind.
“Where the hell is this coming from?” he muttered to no one. He hadn’t thought about her for years— deliberately so. It was the only way he could move ahead and not be bogged down with guilt. “Except it’s not guilt you're trying to avoid, now is it, Max?” he mumbled sotto voce. He might have tried but there were nights when she invaded his thoughts when he couldn’t deny he’d never been able to let her go completely. She was the one woman who had captured his heart and he had simply tossed her aside.
The one who got away… correction. The one he walked away from.
“Too late now for regrets. It’s been five years. She must’ve moved on by now
.”
He drew in a breath and held it, and by extension, held himself in brief limbo as he contemplated his options. There were none. At least not as far as Lexi Dutton was concerned. With an audible exhale, he pulled his shoulders back and started towards the restaurant. "Enough about what could’ve been. The here and now is all that matters.”
“When I made the appointment with your PA, I had expected to meet you comfortably nestled in your glass and steel castle, not here, having a quickie meet and greet on a sidewalk… but, what the hell. Here we are.”
Max stumbled at the sound of the husky voice that tore open a seam letting vivid memories tumble out into the open. Caught out in the bright glare of day, he humiliated himself as he marched forward, trying to regain some poise in mid-step and utterly failing to correct in time as he stumbled over a non-existent curb. It was the first time that his thoughts of her completely staggered him and worse yet, so visibly irritated him that he couldn’t walk a straight line. He didn’t have time for this distraction, especially not by the vision of a seductive woman and the sound of her sultry voice that suddenly managed to disrupt his equilibrium.
“Max Turner, don’t even dare try to ignore me.”
The familiar voice animated by the female form blocking his path supplanted all other sensate phenomena and jarred his forward motion to a halt. He blinked back the new reality as if struck hard across the face and fixed his eyes on the curvaceous body that stood an arm’s length in front of him.
Christ, if she wasn’t sexier and ten times sassier than he remembered.
“Lexi?”
“Well, hallelujah. He still remembers my name.”
Chapter 3
Max couldn’t recall ever being dumbstruck but he found himself rooted to the spot as he stared at how the sunlight caught the shimmering luxuriousness of dark auburn hair as she tossed the tresses back. She had the most delectable high cheekbones and forest green eyes that shimmered with what he deemed a challenge. Her perfect button nose tilted an inch higher; a delectable companion to perfect Cupid’s bow lips, which she nibbled on with pearly-white teeth as he regarded her silently. Like the first time he encountered her, she made his knees go weak.
“Well? Cat caught your tongue?” Lexi’s eyebrows raised daringly as she returned his piercing look. She licked her lips as she struggled to peel her eyes from him. He looked debonair in a dark charcoal colored suit and tie with a pristine white shirt. His dark blond hair was longer than in the past and had a tousled look, as if he dragged his hands through it often. His long eyelashes fanned over deep gray eyes which had the same intensity, honesty, and gentleness that had drawn her in on that first day they’d met. With distinct cheekbones and angular jaw he was still devilishly handsome. He didn’t look a day older than she remembered but she detected a strength of character that was much more pronounced than before.
His deep voice brought her out of an enraptured trance.
“What are you doing here?”
“Here on this spot or here in Cincinnati?”
“Both.” He glanced at his watch. Her surprising appearance rocked his mind but it couldn’t have come at a more inappropriate time. He couldn’t afford to miss this appointment with Devon and Luke Wills.
“Are you going to stand there and pretend you don’t know?”
Max was greeted by a sparkly look of censure in her eyes.
“I don’t have time for riddles. If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.” He jammed his hands in his pants’ pockets.
“I don’t believe this,” she mumbled as she glared at the creases at the corners of his eyes indicating his impatience. “You have truly turned into an asshole.”
“I have an appointment which I can’t afford to miss, so—”
“And yet you didn’t think twice to not even show up for the one with me.” She glanced at her watch. “Almost an hour ago.”
“An hour ago I was in an airplane circling over Cincinnati Airport.” He leaned forward. “If I had an appointment with you, I would’ve known. Alice knew I wouldn’t be able to keep any appointments this morning, so I am sure those who did would’ve received an email informing them it had been canceled.” He straightened his tie. “I’m sorry, Lexi but I really don’t have time to talk with you now.”
“I made that appointment over a month ago, Max. I know how pedantic you always were about checking your calendar every morning, so don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you didn’t know.”
“Well yes, that was way back then. Nowadays I leave it up to my PA to ensure I am informed of my schedule every evening and morning. All my appointments for the past four days and this morning have been cancelled. The one scheduled for this morning was with LDD and…” His voice drifted off as he made the connection. “Lexi’s Decadent Delights.”
“Exactly.” She propped a hand akimbo on her waist and nudged a hip forward as she all but pushed the confectionary box under his nose. “And I’m not leaving until I get what I came here for.”
“I apologize that you came all this way for nothing but I really have to go. I suggest you check your email and confirm the meeting Alice rescheduled.”
“Why? So you can cancel it again? Be honest, Max. You never intended to honor the meeting in the first place.”
“I’m not going to debate this issue. I already told you I didn’t even realize the meeting was with you. Now, you really have to excuse me.”
Lexi simmered as she watched him straighten. There was no way she was going back to Williamsburg without him having tasted her apple pie. She moved sideways as he tried to walk around her.
“I came here to convince you to invest in my business and I’m not leaving this goddamn city until I at least make you—”
“Investing in a small town pastry bakery is hardly the kind of business I do, Lexi.” He reached for her shoulders to push her out of the way. “As I said, check your email and— hmmm.”
His eyes sparked with fury as she summarily thrust a piece of apple pie into his mouth.
"There's more where that came from and you know you won't find anything better,” she said smugly as he was forced to chew and swallow the pie.
“You’re going too far— hmmm.”
Another piece of the decadent deliciousness was shuttled into his open mouth.
“Remember the sweet yet tarty taste, oozing with the best sticky apple sauce…” she defiantly took a step closer until they stood toe to toe. Her eyes flashed as she landed the punchline— one she hoped wouldn’t backfire on her.
“In the meantime, I'll offer Richard Ericksen a taste of my sticky, tart apple pie as well. Maybe he has better insight into the potential my business has to go national. Who knows, I might just decide to rather offer him a regular taste and he’ll be prepared to do something good for a local community battling for survival."
Max didn’t miss the double entendre but refused to open his mouth again. They had already drawn an audience that was watching the public display with obvious amusement. He wasn’t giving her another opportunity to shove another piece of apple pie into his mouth… no matter how tasty and addictive it was.
“Enjoy, Mr. Turner,” she smiled broadly as she pushed the confectionary box into his hands. “Maybe offer some to whomever it is you do deem more important to meet with than me. Who knows, it might just be what you need to clinch the deal.”
“Lexi—”
“I’m looking for an investor. You know I am one of the best pastry chefs in the country. If you’re interested to see the full potential of what I have to offer… you know where to find me.” She started to sashay away with her final retort floating back at him over her shoulder. “You have five days, Mr. Turner or I’ll offer my apple pie to Ericksen.”
Max was transfixed by her gently swaying hips as she strutted away looking as sexy as any front page model in skintight jeans and heels.
Heels? Lexi Dutton wearing heels? What the hell happened to her? For that matter, when did the shy, introverted wo
man who used to blush when he made love to her in broad daylight turn into a sultry and sensual siren?
His gaze dropped to the box in his hands as she disappeared around the corner.
“Offering your sticky sauce to Ericksen? Over my dead body.” he muttered under his breath, surprised at the possessiveness that flashed through his mind.
“Sir? Aren’t you supposed to be inside already?”
Max turned to find Vince staring at him questioningly. A quick glance at his watch spurred him to walk towards the restaurant.
“Damn! Yes, let’s get inside before Wills decides it’s not worth his time to wait any longer.”
Chapter 4
“You did what?” Vee Summers stared at Lexi with wide eyes. “You, Miss Prim and Proper caused a scene in public?” Her tinkling laughter filled the cavernous open plan design of Lexi’s charming two-story home perched on a slight hill off Dela Palma Road a few miles outside of Williamsburg— across the street from where Lexi’s Decadent Delights was situated.
It was one of the most popular get-together spots for the community. She had to add an additional parking area a couple of years ago to accommodate the number of customers who luxuriated in passing the hours of the day ensconced inside the shop. It had become so popular that she added a living room section strewn with overstuffed sofas supplemented with ottomans crowned with large wooden trays to accommodate plates and glassware where patrons could sit and enjoy the aromatic coffees and pastries on offer.
“Well, he had it coming,” she grumbled as she collected her feet under her as she settled on the sofa, quaffing mouthfuls of a fragrant Zinfandel. “The man is still the same dickhead who walked out on me.”
“Hmm, if memory serves, you never called him that until…” Vee held up her hands. “Hey, I’m just making an observation.”
“One of mine is that you’re the one who always referred to him as a dickhead. Now, you suddenly have a different view?”
Eat Your Heart Out: A Romance Charity Anthology Page 16