Rhett

I've lost count of how many employees I've found with sweets in their hands in the lounge areas throughout the building. All have the same brand. The little shop in the lobby must be relishing all of these sales. I'm pretty sure we even have people from the streets requesting entrance.

Happy employees mean happy results. I should be happy right along with them. So, why in the hell am I so annoyed?

In the back of my mind, I know the answer. This woman, she's a distraction. Sure, she might be a successful business owner from the looks of it, but she's catching too much attention. Not by the employees, but by the two men who are meant to be helping me hold everything together.

Leaving my office, I spot Lucy sitting behind her desk. There's another one of those cupcakes, half-eaten on the corner. Catching her gaze, I notice the way she straightens up and purposely looks busy. She manages to clutch a stapler, stapling two random sheets together.

I hope when I sign her checks, she's being paid for more than the occasional flirt with Jake. She answers calls and races around whenever we need something immediate.

"I'll be out for a short moment. Send any calls to my assistant."

Nodding her head quickly, she struggles to meet my gaze. Despite hiring her to manage this desk for over two years now, she acts like anyone else I talk to. Skittish like a vulnerable animal in the wild.

"Yes, sir."

From the way she swallows, I'm surprised I can't hear her gulp. Almost like she's expecting me to scold her, she braces herself. Normally, I would.

Right now, I'm distracted. Frustrated, even. I'm not one to aim my feelings toward the innocent.

Not wanting to make her shake in her high heels, I turn and make my way toward the elevator. Once the door slides open, I step inside with a sigh.

Pinching my brow to ease the sour expression on my face, I try to smile. Try to look pleasant even slightly. Knowing damn well my face will make anyone run, the curve of my mouth doesn't linger for long.

Looking out through the glass, I take in Seattle. It's a cloudy day with the promise of rain in the forecast. Stepping closer to the glass, I look down at the city. Feeling like I'm on top of the world here, there's a reason why I had them install these glass elevators. There was a time when I loved looking down on the world. Hell, the view fueled me to stay in my position.

Lately, the fire that normally burns has felt like it's been doused by a bucket of water. Maybe it's boredom that's making this unenjoyable. Or, maybe the ten years I've been in my spot is too much repeating for my liking.

Each day is filled with meetings with men who try their hardest to say the right things. Even when they fuck up and fail me, they think they can sprinkle a little sugar on a pile of shit to make it easier to consume.

No wonder I'm in a foul mood all of the time. This place, the people inside, everything drives me crazy.

Jake wants me to relax, to have fun. Nicolas tries his best to stick at my side and offer up a shoulder whenever I hit my breaking point. A few months ago, I never thought I'd even crack.

I haven't mentioned retirement to either of the men at my side. Hell, I assumed I'd have another decade in me, maybe even two. Despite being at the top, I'm not happy. Something is missing.

It's not money. Hell, my accounts are full. I pay a broker to manage my stocks. Financially, I'm set until I hit my deathbed. In my forty-two years of life, I hope I'm nowhere close to that point.

It's not power. At the top of this company, there's nowhere else to go. I can make whatever orders I want and it'll happen. A hungrier person might abuse the position I'm in. Thankfully, I make smart decisions and know when to involve myself.

What else do I need in life? Sure, I don't have much of a social life, but changing that will only provoke headaches. My definition of a fun time is catching late hours at the office, or taking on a bottle of brandy in the comfort of my home. I don't need to be surrounded by people to feel complete.

Even if I were dropped into a social setting, I'm sure I'd scare everyone who crossed my path anyway.

The doors slide open and the rush of nervous Mr. Landersan from a group of waiting employees makes me turn away from the view outside.

"Good morning." Offering a nod, I drift past them into the lobby area. Reaching my destination, I make a pit stop at the coffee shop only a few feet away from Ellie's Sweet Treats. Keeping my eyes forward, I order a black coffee.

No cream, no sugar. Nothing but untainted bitterness.

I need to look like I have a purpose. If I plant myself against the nearest wall, I can only imagine the panic it'll cause. Watching my employees means I'm hunting for something to be wrong. That'll make them think something happened.

Another sigh rolls out as I keep moving. Even with a simple stroll, I'm left overthinking everything.

I'm not too fond of this weakness of mine.

I shouldn't be here, not with how much I have left to do. Despite all my responsibilities, I'm here anyway. All because I want a closer look at the woman who is currently stressing me out without even lifting a finger.

Sticking out like a sore thumb, nameless employees greet me in passing as they head in the direction of the elevators. Those who dare to meet my gaze get a nod of acknowledgment in return.

With the excuse of getting a freshly brewed coffee, I'm sipping at the burning hot liquid. Rather than enjoying the bitterness of my drink, I claim one of the seats in the lobby while watching our newest addition work hard behind the counter of her bakery. Hardly productive on my part.

Eloise Tanner. The blonde wears a smile for the entirety of the twenty minutes I watch her. Whether she's dealing with sugar-crazed employees or taking a minute breather, her lips are curved. The only time I catch her slacking is when she thinks no eyes are on her.

Well, I'm always watching. Whether I like it or not. There isn't anything that catches my attention like this woman. She's an enigma, something I can't seem to wrap my mind around.

What is so special about her? The way she's got both Jake and Nicolas' attention, I'm at a loss. Something as simple as this should come easy. Drawing blanks are only agitating me more and more the longer I ponder. Are her sweets so delicious that they've become addicted?

Is it the woman herself? From one look at her, I notice she looks as bland as any other woman who has crossed my path. Nothing sticks out enough to make a difference.

Well, I shouldn't say nothing. Appearance-wise, she's flushed as she moves about. Her tied-back blonde curls bounce with every step. She's a bit shorter and probably would come to my shoulders if I stood near her.

If I had to pinpoint anything that came appealing to me, it wouldn't be her looks. It's the fire burning behind her gaze as she keeps going. Like a firebox with a never-ending supply of coal.

Coffee growing cold, I inhale it before it's past the point of saving. Standing, I notice the trash can only a few feet away. While I could trash my cup and end whatever this is I'm doing with my time, I choose to make things a little more complicated. I stroll toward the small bakery, my attention glued to the can next to the counter.

Paper wrappers fill the bag with different colors of frosting clinging to the clear plastic.

The air smells far sweeter here. One inhale too deep and I'll have to schedule a dentist appointment.

"Mr. Landersan?" Her voice matches the smell, a sweet tone that makes my fingers curl tighter around my cup.

I could toss my cup down in the wrapper-riddled can and leave without a word. Instead, I catch what few drops are left and take in this woman up close.

Eloise Tanner, the woman with forest green eyes. Well, up close, I can see the specks of brown scattered across her irises. Her smile reaches her eyes, despite how long she's kept it on her face.

"Have you come for a muffin?" Her fingers tangle in front of the stained apron around her waist. She's nervous, as she should be.

Despite Jake going behind my back to orchestrate all of this, all I'd have to do is say the word and this business would be shut down as quickly as it opened. Is she aware of how one bad first impression could affect the success of this business of hers?

"I'm not fond of sweets," I explain as I take in the display counter. She has plenty of appetizing options, from muffins to cookies to cupcakes.

There's a little menu on the counter, her handwriting all curves and loops. She's drawn little images of chocolate chips in the corners. My nose scrunches.

"Then why are you here?" Leaning against the counter, she stares at me with those wide eyes.

"I've come to see what makes you so special." Not the type to beat around the bush, I watch the way she blinks in confusion. "You've garnered quite the attention with this business of yours. Almost to the point where I can call this a distraction."

The blonde straightens up at my words. "What are you getting at?"

I watch the nerves melt away from her body language. From the way her thumb taps against the counter, I'm sure of it. This woman is now annoyed. I'll hand it to her, she's good at keeping that smile on her lips.

Makes me want to find out what it'll take to make it disappear.

"Don't bother humoring Jake. He's the sort to move on rather quickly," I explain as I pitch my cup. "Honestly, he typically doesn't talk to the same woman for longer than a couple days if he can't get what he wants."

I shouldn't be throwing my friend under the bus here, but the words keep coming. I don't like that she's continuously looking at me, watching without a hint of fear.

"And when it comes to Nicolas, I'm quite well aware of your past and what you've done. For whatever reason, he can't seem to understand why he should stay far away from you. Eloise, you are not a good investment, so don't get comfortable. The moment you become a problem, I will happily send you back to whatever town you ran off to."

Her cheeks flood with color as she stills. As my warning soaks in, I wait for her to shrink back and hell, apologize like it'll change my mind.

Instead, she squares her shoulders.

"You're scaring away my customers with that angry face of yours." Her mouth twitches. It might be my imagination, but it looks like her smile is growing. "I'm sure you're a busy man. Please, don't let me keep you. If you don't plan on buying anything, then allowing you to stay is quite a bad investment on my part. Wouldn't you agree?"

Interesting. I've never been so told politely to go fuck off. Not even a threat is enough to startle her?

I chuckle without meaning to. Hell, it sounds foreign even to me. Glancing behind me, I notice a lack of bodies lingering. Hell, not even the coffee shop has a line.

"Mr. Landersan, please don't take any offense to this, but I've already had to start over once. In all honesty, while I feel very lucky to have come across this opportunity, I am not scared of having to start again."

The fire in her eyes hits me right in the gut. It's a familiar heat, like one I knew in the past.

"While we're at it, when it comes to Jake and Nicolas, please direct your concerns to them. They are grown men and I'm sure they can handle the criticism. I, on the other hand, do not appreciate you believing I need to humor either of them to run my business successfully. Now, if you'll excuse me, it seems I don't have the luxury of standing around and chatting. I have work to do."

Eloise turns, her frown clear as day as she looks for something she qualifies as more worthwhile than continuing this conversation with me.

Implying that I don't have much work on my plate, my frown grows. Realizing that this woman will meet me halfway when it comes to starting an argument, I stride away.

Rather than running away, I'm easily avoiding making a scene. People talk far too much and I have standards high enough to stop myself from stooping that low.

Striding right back to the same elevator I stepped out not too long ago, I jab the button while silently demanding the doors slide open. Unfortunately, luck is not completely on my side here.

When a hand comes down on my shoulder and Jake's smile meets my frown, I brush his touch away with my fingers.

"Too early for this." The doors slide open and once the elevator clears, we fill the small box. No one tries to join us.

"Despite saying that, you don't look as grumpy as normal. Tell me, did you get enough sleep this morning?" He leans against the metal bar pressing against the glass. "Or, was it that conversation with that cute baker?"

I grunt, choosing not to answer.

"I was going to snag myself a muffin, but you two seemed to be in a deep enough conversation. Didn't want to interrupt." Jake keeps talking, sighing out his frustrations for a missed breakfast.

Lifting my gaze, I watch the numbers crawl up. Only halfway up, a sigh rolls out of me.

"She's interesting, that baker."

Jake pauses, stopping midway through his sentence. Tilting his head, he moves to my side. "Oh? Does that mean–"

"I'm curious to see how long she will survive, that's all." My mouth twitches. "I give it two months before she packs up and leaves again."

He groans and shakes his head. "Tell me you didn't threaten her. Rhett. All you have to do is show your face and that's normally enough. Did you actually have a conversation? Wait, did she mention me? Something happened and I'm not going to lie, it might complicate some things–"

Thankful when the doors slide open, I move in the direction of my office. "Do something that isn't on the lobby floor. Work for once. Seriously. You're driving me nuts."

Ignoring whatever else Jake thinks he has to say, I get my peace and quiet once I slip into my office.

Two months is being kind. Once Jake stops this game of his and Nic realizes he's wasting his time as well, she won't have any safety nets. She'll pack up and go somewhere easier. I'm sure of it. Then I won't have to worry about her being a distraction anymore.

Not just to Jake and Nic, but now to me as well.

I won't let myself think about how she had no issue facing me. I won't linger on the fact. Instead, I'll wait for the inevitable to happen.