Eloise

Jake waits until the end of the week before coming to see me. He doesn't look good when he's nervous. Not even when our eyes meet and his mouth twitches into this weird half-smile. Early in the morning, I doubt there are many employees here at this hour. Looking like a fresh baked good is the last thing he wants, I know the moment has come.

It's time to talk about what happened at the club. About the way I haven't been able to stop thinking about the way his fingers stroked me in a way I needed. In a way I can't even do myself.

After trying to copy the same motions the night before, I can admit I can't do the same thing.

Charity makes this little snort, obviously enjoying the way I straighten up and almost drop a hot pan of muffins.

"He knows he has the power to come back here, doesn't he?" She lowers her voice. "Or, do you not want to see him? I can go tell him to buzz off if you want. Politely, of course."

Offering her a smile for being willing to look out for me while secretly encouraging me to make this man mine, I take my time plucking each muffin out of the pan to cool on the rack. Trying to figure out what in the world I'm going to say to him, the words don't come easy. Will I even be able to look him in the eye without getting flushed all over the place?

By the time I'm making my way over, my heart is sailing like I've run a marathon. Pounding away harder and harder, I make it to the counter and offer up one of the best smiles I can.

"I should've stopped by Monday," leaning against the counter, his smile falls slightly. "Figured you might need a little space since you ran off before."

With a lack of noise inside, I know our words are going to carry to the back of the bakery. As supportive as my friend is, I don't want her to hear the fine details and everything embarrassing that comes with it.

"Why don't we take a walk? I'm going to need some fresh air to survive this conversation." Admitting the truth, I untie my apron and set it down.

He tags along, letting me take the lead. Not wanting to make this a long trip, I leave the building, shivering when the crisp air hits my skin. Passing the security guard at the door, he gives us both a look before sending a nod in Jake's direction.

Debating where a good spot can be, he takes me by the elbow and eases me along the length of the building. With limited lighting, we don't have to go too far to be by ourselves. Despite the poor lighting, I can see the concern etched on his expression.

"We shouldn't have danced at the club," I start up as soon as I get a lungful of fresh air. "I shouldn't have done what I did."

Morning traffic gathers on the streets, and lines of red back lights glow. The sun has barely lifted above the horizon, painting the sky with the prettiest shades of yellow and orange. There's a distant sound of a horn as someone gets impatient at the sight of a green light.

"There are plenty of things we shouldn't do in life." I feel the heat from his fingertips against my cheek as he pushes a loose strand behind my ear. "I'm not someone who typically lets those moments hold me back. What I want to know is if I'm supposed to pretend we didn't enjoy ourselves. I'm not a good actor, Eloise. If I'm going to be honest–"

"Don't," I interrupt with the start of a frown. Now is not the time to be honest. Honesty is dangerous. Wanting him that night is what made me reckless, and I was really honest with myself at that time.

"I want you, Eloise." Ignoring me, the truth rolls out of him. "I know you have a past with Nic, a complicated one. I know you have your options, but I need you to know, I want you."

As someone who always talks with an amused tone, there's something nerve-wracking about hearing him talk so seriously.

"You don't seem like the type to settle down," I half-joke, forcing my eyes away. I can't talk and look at him at the same time. Not unless I want him to see the way my emotions are all over the place. "I'm not the type of woman who just wants to have a round of fun and move on."

Grabbing my face, I've got no choice but to look into the deep pool of his eyes.

"I've never felt this craving before. You're special and it's driving me nuts." His thumb grazes my bottom lip and his eyes lower. "It was hell trying to give you space. So please, put me down if you can. Tell me you're not interested so I can move on."

A few words, that's all he wants. I can end these frustrated feelings with one sentence. Parting my lips, I try to put together an answer he wants. One we both want. Instead, my shoulders slump. "I can't. I don't know. I mean, I'm not sure–"

Jake grunts in frustration before I feel his mouth against my own. Too many days of separation and I can feel the frustration from the way his tongue hungrily slides against my own.

Aching for this man, I melt like a puddle. Before I can meet him halfway and completely forget about our setting, he pulls away.

"Do me a favor and figure out what you want. I'll be here, waiting. My office is right at the top. You know where to find me." His breath is uneven, a hunger radiating behind his stare. "I'll wait for as long as I have to for an answer. Though, I'll apologize in advance. I may pull you aside like this if the wait becomes too much."

Jake's the one who has to initiate us to move. I'm standing on wobbly legs, heat coursing through my veins. With a clouded brain, I have to work extra hard not to confess something by accident. With the added warmth of his hand pressed to my back, all I can do is nod as we head back into the building.

Despite Charity giving me multiple chances to reveal what happened with all of her curious glances pointed in my direction throughout the morning, my lips remain sealed. Once Claire pops up and is ready to take on the forming line, we're simply too busy to talk about anything. It's a good feeling, keeping my hands busy. I don't have enough time to think about Jake or Nicolas.

My feet ache running back and forth as I make sure the display remains full. Two different directors have orders for their meetings that still need to be boxed up. I need to look into hiring another helping hand to help manage the front. My tasks are piling up here.

"I met someone," Charity starts up once she's accepted a lack of drama on my part. Filling a mixer with three cups of powdered sugar, the air smells sweet as she carefully starts to mix her concoction. "At the club."

Yes. I'll happily take news from her.

"What's his name? Tell me about him." Plucking off cookies from the cooling rack, I stand rows of six in a pan. Heading to the front to replace the old pan, I return with more questions.

"Don't know." She shrugs as her mouth curves higher. "One night stand."

"Oh?" Surprised by her words, I cut across the small room to reach the bare white boxes to start planting muffins inside. "Must've been pretty good if you're still thinking about him almost a week later."

With her problems with stalking in the past, she's never fooled around enough to gossip like this. Feels good to know she's feeling safe enough to not worry.

Lighting up like a beacon, she floods me with information about the mystery man. Seems she is in a similar boat when it comes to looking for a distraction. Without me to complain about my problems, I've now opened up the floodgates.

By the time the spur of lunch rush is done, the three of us need a break.

Letting them both enjoy a breath of fresh air outside to relax for a bit, I keep things running by myself. With a smile on my lips, I wait patiently for my turn to slip away.

Coffee sounds nice. Nothing too sweet. The bitterness is exactly what I need to give my body the fuel it needs to end this week with a bang.

Today will drag, feeling neverending simply because of my arrangement with Nicolas. He insists on that cup of coffee. Secretly, I'm looking forward to seeing him.

Despite the complications with Jake, there's this need to see Nicolas. To talk to him in a way we used to.

We have so much catching up to do.

Dazing off in my thoughts, I suddenly get this prickling sensation. The hairs on the back of my neck lift and I straighten up.

Someone is watching me. I'm sure of it. Not in the typical I want a cupcake sort of stare either. They're watching me.

Taking in the lobby, people come and go as usual. Some of those who are running late from their lunch skitter across the carpet with worried expressions etched onto their face. They're all far too distracted to put any of their attention in my direction.

A few are standing around, some with phones pressed to their ears as a conversation plays out on the other side. Some seats are taken up by those waiting to see someone further up in the building. Now those are the sort of people who'd rather give the display shelves their attention than on me.

Continuing to scan my surroundings, I land on a familiar cold blue that makes my breath catch.

Rhett Landersan is in the lobby. He's talking to someone, but his eyes are pointed in my direction. With the twist of his chin, he's purposely watching. With that warped frown, I can only imagine what has displeased him this time around.

Ever since our first conversation, he hasn't approached me. However, I have caught him lingering on the floor. He's watching me, I know it. Waiting for a moment to catch me slipping. For whatever reason, he doesn't like me.

In all truth, I don't think I like him either. I don't like the feeling of being threatened for not doing anything.

Jutting my chin, I cross my arms over my chest and stand tall. All to prove I'm not to be messed around with, that I'm not afraid of one man.

Rhett does the strangest thing. His mouth twitches. Before I can see his mouth curve into a smile, he turns his attention to the person he's talking to. Relieving me of his heavy stare, he turns now that he's been caught in the act.

I can't tell if he's fucking with me or not. Maybe he doesn't want my business here, but there are other ways of telling me so. He could shut down all of this with the flick of his wrist. Even if he doesn't have a reason, he could do it simply because he wanted.

Sure, I don't actually want to restart this business. I thought if I sounded confident, he'd back off a bit. Now every time he's near, I feel like I'm walking on glass. What in the hell did I do to make him not like me? Maybe if I convinced him to taste something, to see that I do have a talent here, he'll leave me alone.

Leaning over the counter, a sigh slips out. For all of two seconds, my smile slips away. Long enough for Rhett to sense because he shakes the hand of the man who's hardly kept his attention before he walks in my direction.

Okay, I'm not wanting to see this man up close. After acting a bit rude during our conversation, I don't see this one ending much better.

"Eloise Tanner." There's the same sharpness to his tone, my name coming out too stiff. His stare leaves goosebumps prickling up my arms. The coolness behind those blue eyes can make anyone feel unsettled.

I'm stirring up trouble by refusing to break eye contact.

"Eloise is fine." Clearing my throat, I straighten my shoulders. "Are you here to order something, or is this another attempt to scare me off?"

It's not working. Though, I'll admit, the way a jolt crawls up my spine from the way his eyes light up at my question is a bit unsettling.

He leans in and I get a rush of his expensive cologne. It probably costs more than what I earn here in a day. One sharp inhale is enough to make me woozy. Not wanting to look weak in front of this man, I keep my feet flat against the ground and grip the counter to avoid any swooning.

"What do they see in you?" His question is soft enough to be meant for only my ears. Confusion crawls in, but it immediately sizzles up into something warmer when those cool eyes take me in.

"The customers?" The words sound dumb coming out and I don't recognize my voice. The way his eyes crinkle, we both know he's not talking about them.

He's talking about the men at his side. Both Jake and Nicolas have given me plenty of their attention in the last few weeks I've come to Seattle. Enough to make my life complicated.

"I don't know," I murmur when he doesn't speak. All he does is stare and boy, it's a powerful tactic. It's hard to hate this guy when I'm feeling foreign sensations. Ones I can't wrap my mind around.

Needing to look elsewhere, I notice some people looking our way. Rather than at me, they're eyeing Rhett. Stopping in their tracks, most of them decide against coming our way.

"You're scaring my customers away again, Mr. Landersan." My fingers curl against the counter. "If you want to ask your questions at a better time, I close my shop at six."

This man has better use of his time than to bully a baker.

"Though, I don't have time for an interrogation today. I'm meeting Nicolas later." My savior without knowing. "We can pick this up on Monday."

With the rustle of Claire returning from her break first, Rhett straightens up. Rather than giving the other woman any attention, his eyes are set.

"Monday," he repeats, setting the day in stone. His frown lessens and I swear I'm the only one who gets to see the rarity of a smile, even if it's barely the start of one.

Without another word, he peels his eyes away and walks off. People avoid his path to the row of elevators and I watch the entire way. He shoots me one more look as well.

Another tingling. A bad, unnecessary tingling. One I feel in the pit of my stomach. Slithering between my thighs, the pulse is undeniable.

Jake and Nic are both one thing, but Rhett? The guy who made it clear from the start that he wanted nothing to do with this bakery or with me?

I can't go throwing in another man in the mix of confusion. Today, I'm supposed to worry about untangling my feelings about Nicolas.

I want Jake. Even if he's a bit charismatic with everyone who crosses his path, all the attention he gives me is doing nothing but make me want him even more.

Am I a terrible person for making everything complicated by wanting Nicolas as well? One coffee isn't going to be enough to patch up our past, but it has to be a step in the right direction.

With Rhett, I don't even know where to start when it comes to figuring out why I'm reacting the way I am. I have the weekend to figure that out. Probably shouldn't even think about humoring the idea of wanting him.

For now, I have the rest of today to try to untangle some of these feelings. I need to come to some sort of solution to my problems.

After all, I can only have one of them. Not two or three men.

Sarcastically thanking Charity for putting the idea in my head, I wait for her return so I can go out for a much-needed breath of fresh air. Right now, I desperately need it.