4. Vegetative Assault

Chapter 4

Vegetative Assault

Jade

Mondays were the worst, especially after spending all weekend moving. I could have taken a week off to get myself settled, but with the increased sales, thanks to a new superstar influencer, my business was practically bursting at the seams.

That happens when you jokingly send a fifty-five-gallon barrel of lube to an adult-themed puppet show, and one of the puppets takes a swim in it. The video went mega-viral, and both the lube and our toys were flying off shelves.

I had a CEO to run things, but I was hands-on in most aspects of Ravishing Whispers. It was my baby, and what had started as only me had turned into a company that employed over two hundred people.

I stifled a yawn as Mara, my Chief Operating Officer, droned on about the logistics of expanding our distribution capabilities. As much as I loved being a business owner, operational meetings could be a real snooze fest.

Mara highlighted a section on the projected slide with her trusty laser pointer. “If we move to a new, larger distribution center, we’d have the space to accommodate our growth over the next five years. However, the upfront costs of relocating would be significant.”

My mind wandered to sculpted abs, forearm tattoos, and smoldering blue eyes as she started to rattle off numbers and figures. I hated to admit it, but Noah had starred in several fantasies over the past few days. Sure, he got on my last nerve, but man was he attractive.

I wondered what his scruff would feel like against my thighs. Probably amazing, but did he know what to do to make me come?

Kendall, my CEO, nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of my X-rated thoughts. “You’re looking a little flushed. Are you feeling okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, just a little warm in here.” I fanned myself dramatically, since everyone was now looking at me.

Mara raised a skeptical eyebrow before continuing. “The other option is keeping our current facility and opening a second distribution hub on the east coast to reduce shipping costs and times for our customers in that region.”

Around the oval table, my team of smart, badass women all had their eyes glued to Mara, hanging on her every word. I really should have been paying closer attention, but I couldn’t get Noah out of my head.

Damn hot neighbor. Why couldn’t I live next to a sweet old lady who was living the life after selling her viral goat yoga studio?

“Jade?” Kendall’s voice snapped me out of my daze again. “What do you think?”

“About what? Goat yoga?” My cheeks heated. Shit, I’d said that out loud, hadn’t I? “I’m sorry, my mind has gone off the rails this morning.”

“You need a vacation.” Mara sat down in her seat and folded her hands on the table. “When was the last time you took more than a day off, besides being sick?”

I’d been going nonstop since I’d dropped out of college my sophomore year. Even now that I had capable people running things, it still felt like I should be involved at the same level I’d always been. If Ravishing Whispers failed, my sacrifices would have all been for nothing.

“Are you guys trying to get rid of me?” I took a sip of my coffee. “I’m happiest when I’m working.”

None of my team seemed convinced. But why would they be? No one in their right mind would choose work over anything else in life, even if it was their passion.

The meeting finally ended after we debated the pros and cons of each distribution option. I tried my best to focus, but my mind kept circling back to my infuriating neighbor. What a waste of delicious and lickable abs.

As the team filed out, Kendall hung back, concern etched on her face. Once we were alone, she fixed me with a pointed look. “You need to take a vacation. Seriously.”

I started to protest, but she held up a hand to stop me.

“This company is everything, I get it, but you’re married to the job. You’re only twenty-six, and you’re already letting life pass you by.”

Ouch. Her words stung because there was truth to them. With the endless hustle to grow, I’d neglected my life outside of work.

“This can’t fail.” Jesus, saying it out loud did sound a bit ridiculous, when we’d brought in over fifty million the prior fiscal year.

“It won’t. We’re only growing and are projected to double our profits this year. It’s time to start enjoying the fruits of your labor.” Kendall’s gaze softened. “The company is in good hands, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s not it. I know it’s in good hands, but when you give up your inheritance and your family thinks you’re a lost soul for selling sex toys, there’s a lot of pressure.” I sighed, because any time I thought about my family, my heart hurt at their lack of support.

“We’re your family now. We won’t let you fail.” She was absolutely right, and tears sprang to my eyes at how supportive my staff was.

My phone chimed with a notification from the video doorbell I’d installed yesterday. I opened it and saw a bouquet of flowers right in front of the lens. They were a gorgeous mix of orange, pink, and yellow blooms.

“What the heck?” I pushed the talk button. “Hello? Can I help you?”

“I have flowers here for Zucchini Lover.” The delivery driver choked on a laugh. “They’re from Zucchini Grower.”

I was going to kill Noah .

Why the hell would he send me flowers addressed like that? Did I not make myself clear a few nights ago?

I released an annoyed sigh. “Can you deliver them to the house on the other side of the hedge?”

“We can only leave flowers with a neighbor if they answer the door.” The man backed up a step and looked at his watch.

I had no clue what Noah’s work schedule was and sighed. “Please leave them by my door, then. Thank you.”

I hung up, both intrigued and suspicious. What was Noah’s game?

“Who’s the new man sending you flowers?” Kendall had a grin so large that I rolled my eyes at her. “And why do you look like you want to throw those flowers in the garbage?”

“It’s my new neighbor, who is so incredibly annoying.”

Kendall burst out laughing. “Oh, lord. What did he do? Is that why they were addressed to Zucchini Lover?”

“It’s not funny, it’s immature! Captain seems to really like his house and yard, and Saturday night, when I went to get him, I ended up hurting myself in my neighbor’s garden and he teased me about wanting his zucchini.” I crossed my arms over my chest, part of me quite pleased he’d sent me flowers and the other part wanting to chuck them at his smug face.

“Well, do you? Sounds like he’s interested in you if he’s sending you flowers.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “Even if that’s the case, I’m not looking to date right now. I’m too focused on work and getting the new house set up.”

Kendall gave me one of her classic mom looks, like I was her eight-year-old son and not her twenty-six-year-old boss. “You really should take some time off to get settled; moving is stressful. Plus, maybe all the time will make you rethink your anti-dating situation.”

She had a point. Between unpacking, decorating, and dealing with little home projects, I was feeling overwhelmed from trying to do it all, on top of my usual responsibilities at Ravishing Whispers.

“I just…” I bit my lip, almost convinced.

“You trust me and the team to handle things, right? We’ve got this covered. Take a week, at least, to make your new place feel like home. Honestly, if I were in your position, I’d never be here.” She closed her laptop and got to her feet, looking at me expectantly.

I craved the sense of being settled, but the idea of stepping back from work made me anxious. What if something went wrong while I was gone?

But I knew Kendall was right. I did trust her and the others to keep things running smoothly. “Okay, fine. But you have to promise to call me if any major issues come up.”

Kendall grinned victoriously. “I promise. Now, go.”

As I walked out of my office, a weight lifted off my shoulders that I hadn’t even realized was there. My company was all about self-care, yet for so long, I’d been neglecting myself.

It was time to change that.

It took me four trips from my car before I plopped down on my couch, grateful to be home after a long afternoon of shopping. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spent hours browsing stores without feeling rushed. The added benefit was it was a weekday, and the stores weren’t busy.

Shopping had been my way of procrastinating on what needed to be done. I hated organizing and figuring out where everything should go, but the boxes weren’t unpacking themselves.

I looked around, and it hit me how empty and quiet it was. It seemed ten times worse here in this big house. I hadn’t wanted so many square feet, but my real estate agent had shown it to me “just to see,” and I’d fallen in love.

But now, for some reason, all the space was making me realize how alone I was. Aside from Noelle, I didn’t really have any friends outside of work. My team at Ravishing Whispers had become like a family to me over the years, but it wasn’t quite the same as having close girlfriends.

And then there was my family. I’d never been that close with my parents, but now I missed the small connection we used to have. When I’d dropped out of college, they had made it abundantly clear that my career path was unacceptable to them. Even now, when I was a successful business owner and a self-made millionaire, they couldn’t understand why I would want to sell sex toys instead of working for the family in some capacity.

Rubbing my temples, I willed away the thoughts. I couldn’t keep dwelling on the past or what I was missing. If I wanted more meaningful friendships and social ties outside of work, I had to start putting myself out there. That was easier said than done.

The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts .

Damn it. My phone was all the way upstairs, so I couldn’t see who it was without moving. I considered not answering, but when it rang again, I got to my feet.

Looking through the peephole moments later, I groaned.

Noah was holding my cat.

The flowers he’d sent me popped into my mind, and my stomach twisted. I hadn’t gotten them off the porch yet, and he undoubtedly saw them sitting there, untouched.

When the doorbell rang again, I opened the door and tried really hard not to laugh at what I saw. Noah looked like a hot mess, with his white button-down shirt and blue slacks smeared with dirt. There was a streak of dirt across his forehead, like he’d wiped off his sweat without realizing there was dirt on his hand. But that’s not what had me laughing.

The combination of the grumpy neighbor scowl on his face, the cat in his arms, and the zucchini riddled with bite marks he was holding did. I could only assume Captain had gotten a little too friendly with Noah’s garden.

Except, that didn’t make sense. I’d just gotten home, and even if he had slipped past me, that wasn’t enough time for Captain to get over there and destroy the zucchini, then for Noah to catch him.

“Your cat,” Noah gritted out, thrusting the zucchini toward me. “Did this.”

“But how?” I took it gingerly, examining the puncture marks.

“What do you mean? He put his mouth on my zucchini, and he dug up my spinach. Not to mention, he took a shit too.”

I couldn’t stop the giggles. The way he said it all serious, like it was the most egregious thing that had ever happened to him, was too much.

“Oh, you think this is funny?” He held Captain out. “Take your damn cat.”

“I think it’s funny how pissed off you are about it.” I took Captain, not caring if he got my clothes dirty. “He’s a cat. Cats do cat-like things.”

Captain meowed happily, like he agreed, and nuzzled against my cheek. The little stinker and I were going to have a serious talk about how he was getting out as soon as Noah was gone.

“It’s assault.” Apparently, he was serious because he didn’t crack a smile.

“You’re accusing my cat of vegetative assault? They’re vegetables. You act like you were growing a magic beanstalk. He basically fertilized your plants for you for free.” I let Captain leap from my arms, and he ran toward the kitchen. “Maybe you need to send him flowers, so he won’t piss all over your begonias next time.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed deeply, his humor nowhere to be found today. “There won’t be a next time.”

“Oh? Is that a threat?”

“I’ll get a dog.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “The most ferocious one I can find.”

“Captain gets along great with dogs.” I shrugged, but the thought of a dog getting a hold of my cat made me nervous. He had to be bluffing, since he couldn’t even handle a cat in his garden. “Look, I’m sorry about your garden. I can come over and clean up the mess he made. I have a bag of spinach, if you want it.”

“It’s fine.” Noah ran a hand through his already tousled hair, the motion making his forearm muscles flex.

Get it together, Jade.

I forced my gaze upward to meet his blue eyes. “I honestly don’t know how he keeps getting out. I’ll figure it out and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“I’d appreciate that.” He looked down at my bare feet. “Your toes look good.”

It took me way too long to understand that he was referring to my injury. “They still hurt, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“So, you have a high pain tolerance?” His question was low and seductive.

Was he flirting with me? The smirk playing on his lips seemed to suggest so.

“I, uh…” What did I even say to that? “Yeah, I can take a fair amount of pain.” Of all the possibilities, I had to go and say the worst thing possible.

Noah’s gaze dropped down my body slowly before returning to my face. “I’ll have to keep that in mind for future reference.”

A shiver ran through me at the innuendo. Part of me knew I should shut this down before it went any further, but another part was coming alive for the first time in a while.

Clearing my throat, I decided to change the subject because I shouldn’t be flirting with this man. “Thanks for the flowers.”

“The flowers that are still sitting outside?” He bent down and picked up the vase.

“I just got home.” I reached out to take them, and my fingers brushed his, making me nearly drop the vase as he let go.

For a moment, we stood there, staring at each other. The tension between us was unmistakable, and I found myself struggling to maintain my resolve to not flirt.

Snapping out of it, I took a step back. “I should probably make sure that Captain isn’t causing any more trouble.”

“Right. I’ll let you get to that.” He took a few steps back, not taking his eyes off me. “Have a good night, Jade.”

“You too.” I was both relieved and a bit sad when he turned and started walking away.

As I started to shut the door, he turned to walk backward. “By the way, if you ever need someone to help with your pain tolerance, you know where to find me.” He winked before he turned back around.

I watched him go, feeling a bit flustered. What the hell had just happened? One minute, he was going off about my cat, and the next, he was flirting.

Shaking my head, I shut the door and leaned back against it with a sigh. As much as I tried to ignore it, I was attracted to Noah. But getting involved with him would only lead to complications, right?

Captain sauntered toward me, looking smug.

“What am I going to do with you?” But more importantly, what was I going to do with Noah?