Eloise

"You look lively." Charity lifts her brows as I stroll in from a much-needed break. "More than usual. Want to tell me what's up?"

All day, I've been on my toes. Hardly acting like myself, being noticed by my assistant was bound to happen. I'm just surprised she's only now asking. Her sarcasm does get a snort out of me.

"More boy trouble," I groan as I put my apron on. Sighing under my breath as I scrub my hands, I throw a glance over my shoulder. "No one came and asked for me, did they?"

Shaking her head, my shoulders sink.

Rhett still hasn't come to pull me aside. Despite spotting him in the lobby for multiple visits, he's yet to approach the front counter. Knowing he shouldn't interrupt while the bakery is open, he could've made an appearance before I started accepting customers.

What is he thinking? Does he want me to keep squirming? He seems like the sort who enjoys making others suffer.

With Jake and Nicolas already doing plenty of that as is, I don't know if I need a third guy causing trouble.

"I'll be alright," I assure her as I force myself to perk up, "especially with the next rush coming up. Don't worry about me."

There's only so much I'd put her through when it comes to this topic. Even if she wants to hear the drama, I don't want to sound like a broken record here. Plus, it's not like she can help solve my problem. Not with the way she thinks.

Just when I think I'll be able to move past this hump, I spot Lucy approaching. Straightening up, I abandon Charity.

Lucy's the one who sits behind the mahogany desk on the top floor. Always answering calls from down below, I'm not surprised by the device in her hands. If I have to guess, she's still busy at work even when she isn't sitting down.

I met her only once. Jake wanted a cupcake delivered and I happened to talk to her for all but a minute.

Excusing Claire from taking this order, I hold my breath.

"Mr. Landersan wants a half-dozen strawberry cupcakes brought up to his office after you close the shop. The poor guy has to stay late tonight. Extra vanilla frosting. Buttercream. Chocolate shavings. Oh, and I bet you have cherries. He's got a thing for them. Don't tell him I told you." Hardly glancing away from her phone, she slides a sleek black card across the counter. "Wants them fresh too. Trust me, he'll know if you try to give him old ones. He will complain and make you wish you'd done it right the first time."

Scrambling to find something to write down her demands, I scribble everything down. Taking in her threat, I pause.

Rhett has made his feelings toward me very obvious. I don't want to imagine how he'd react if I didn't do everything he said. Boy, he has quite the list here. This feels like a test. Is this why he's kept himself away all this time? He plans on making me come to him.

So much for the guy not having a thing for sweets. This lengthy list of modifications says otherwise. Freaking sugar paradise here.

"Of course." Ringing up the order, I charge the card. One glance and I see his name carved into the expensive-looking metal.

Handing the card back, Lucy treats herself to a double chocolate chip cookie before strolling off to answer a call.

Okay. If this is a test, then I plan on knocking his socks off. While he's distracted with my goods, I can ask him why he's been watching me from afar for so long. I've waited long enough to start demanding answers.

With the business keeping up through the day, for the most part, I'm distracted.

Jake makes a quick visit during his lunch. Making an offer to slip away for even ten minutes, I know better than to agree. If I find myself in the situation of being alone with him, ten minutes will hardly be enough to itch the scratch he creates.

As if it can aid his disappointment when I turn him down, I send him off with a few chocolate chip cookies. He can never turn down a sweet.

Nicolas makes sure to stop by as well. He's smart, choosing to wait until business is slower. By his thinking, if my hands are empty, I have the time to chat. He's bought a coffee from next door, too. Perfect timing to pull me aside.

Doesn't he notice the way the other two women watch our interactions?

Charity is going to try to put more ideas in my head. Poor Claire is going to think I'm playing these men.

My heart can't take this pull and tug. It's shameful how much I'm loving all of this attention I'm getting.

I should really put a stop to this. Not wanting to hurt anyone, that's the smart thing to do.

"Be honest with me." Cradling the coffee cup, I hesitate. "If you two are aware of what I've done with the other, why are you okay with it?"

Nicolas ponders my question but hardly takes a minute to think. "It's Jake. Hard to feel jealous when I know he is harmless. He's a close friend, I could never hate him. And, if you like what he does to you, who am I to stop it?"

My brows furrow. "Even though you want me?"

He smiles and leans close enough to make my heart jump. "Even though I want you." Like he doesn't realize what effect he has on me, his eyes lower. "Jake and Rhett are it though. Mention another man's name and I'm not sure I can say the same thing."

Cheeks growing hot, I stumble back and almost drop my coffee at the pure jealousy coating his words at mentioning someone else.

Who said anything about Rhett?

"I'm a bit preoccupied with you guys to find someone else," I choke out before guzzling down my coffee. Suddenly, having a conversation has become more difficult.

Can't one of the women call for me? I need saving.

He hums in contempt before his smile returns. "With that cleared up, don't worry about us. We've already talked about this."

They have?

Oh god, that's embarrassing. How much was said? Do they share stories? I don't want to think any more about this. Not without wanting to die of embarrassment.

"I'm getting stared down by your assistant. I should probably leave you be." Lifting his gaze, he puts a foot between us and I remember how to breathe. "Are you busy later?"

I am, thanks to Rhett and his order.

"I might be free tonight. Depends on how things play out." Assuming I'll be free tonight, maybe Nicolas can spend another night at my place. Better yet, maybe I could check his out.

At the same time, I wouldn't mind making up for the missed opportunity with Jake as well.

If only I could kill two birds with one stone. Ugh. I blame Charity for making me even consider suggesting such a ridiculous idea.

What if, though? How would they react if I invited them both over? Despite what Nicolas claims, I struggle to believe every party would want to take part without calling me delusional.

My sex clenches at the very thought, my imagination getting the best of me.

"I'll text you," I promise, my voice strangled. I will not get turned on during the middle of my shift.

I won't creep up to either of their offices with a fake delivery to catch them during a break either.

Nicolas, unaware of the war going on in my mind, squeezes my shoulder. "You know where to find me."

Okay, maybe he does know what I'm thinking. Why else would he chuckle as he strolls away?

Damn them all, seriously.

With a throb between my thighs, I stubbornly decide to put myself through hell and don't slip away. No matter how appealing easing this ache is, I stay strong until it's time to close shop.

Claire is happy to take home the few spare desserts we have left before she escapes.

Noticing Charity cleaning, I stop her. "You can go ahead and leave, I'm going to stick around." Giving me a confused look, I sigh. "The CEO made a special request. I'll be staying to meet his demands. Cleaning will give me something to do while I wait for his stuff to bake."

Satisfied with my excuse, she wishes me luck before leaving with a handful of the employees in this building. It is about that time for those on the lowest level.

Once I'm alone, I'm looking over Rhett's order once more. Knowing damn well he's going to give me a hard time if I mess anything up, a fire grows in my chest from determination to impress.

"Your opinion of me will change completely, Rhett Landersan," I murmur to myself as I get started.

A couple of hours pass before I carefully put all six cupcakes in a box. Topping them each with a cherry, I take in my work proudly.

The lights are dimmed in the lobby with a lack of life inside. Security is already making their occasional rounds. The few extra cupcakes I had leftover in case I fucked up have already been snagged by the appreciative guards.

Now it's time to deliver these. The fact that Rhett hasn't made an appearance to scold me for his wait, I'm assuming he's still in his office. I wouldn't put it past the guy to put in extra hours.

Will he be even more grumpy for having to stay this late? Maybe he likes all the extra work. Who am I to judge? I throw plenty of hours into my own business. Though, my company isn't worth millions of dollars. He must be somewhat stressed.

Shutting off the lights, I make my way in the direction of the elevator.

Moving up the floors, I take in the gorgeous view. No matter how many times I ride in this elevator, my fear of heights always makes my stomach swoop. Seeing the way the buildings light up, it's a nice little distraction.

When the doors slide open, I clutch the box to my chest a little tighter.

Now is not the time to get nervous. It's just Rhett. Sure, the guy has made it pretty clear that he wants nothing to do with me, but I'm sure being alone with him in a nearly empty building will be completely fine. It's not like he'd take me out or anything.

Either way, he's kept his word. While I didn't expect to find myself coming up to his office during closed hours, I have to stay confident. We're going to have a one on one without any disruptions.

Even if my stomach is tightening and my body is getting a wave of chills from thinking about being alone with him, I'll keep reassuring myself that I can do this until I believe the words.