Unwanted Heat

At least half of Ginny’s business is probably catering for the local businesses in the area. Although the chain places offer delivery to the offices, most of the customers are loyal to Ginny because they love certain items we make. Whether it’s the handmade donuts, the warm croissants, the personalized breads or the flavorful muffins, it seems everyone has their favorite that keeps them coming back. PFS, for example, probably places an order with us at least two to three times a week. I can put money on it that, because while certain parts of the order will change, there will always be an apple cinnamon muffin in the order. Clearly, whoever does the ordering for them, loves that type of muffin; I assume the order changes either based on meetings they are having or who in the office want to order from us. “Order for PFS?” I call as I walk into the front of the store.

“Over here,” a deep voice calls me.

I stop in my tracks when I turn around and recognize the man who answered me-it is no other than the man who drove into the puddle that drenched me a few weeks ago when I was on my dinner break from the department store.

“Ms… it’s nice to see you again,” he greets me.

“And you,” I place the box down on the counter. “I wanted to thank you and the man you were with again for replacing my clothes that day. It was too much-”

“I’m sure whatever you were given was not just meant to replace your clothes but also for the inconvenience of having to spend the remainder of your break shopping instead of taking time for yourself.”

“Had I known how much was there I never would have accepted it! It was far too much money-”

“As I recall, you didn’t accept the money. I believe my boss gave it to you and had to walk away when you tried to give it back repeatedly,” he smirks.

“Well… yeah I guess I did,” I laugh.

“What were you doing on break so far from this place anyway?”

“Oh, I wasn’t on break from here. I work another job… I was only a block or so away from there when you…”

“Ruined your outfit?”

“It wasn’t ruined, just wet and dirty,” I point out. “Really it’s fine. It all came out in the wash so it wasn’t a big deal at all. Please thank your boss again for me, I appreciate that you both stopped and didn’t keep driving like most people would have.”

“Speaking of, I should get going. He has a big meeting this morning where these are needed for. It was nice seeing you again Ms…?”

“Kenzie… Kenzie Rose.”

“Take care Ms. Rose-”

“Wait… do I get to know your name?”

“Carter,” he replies over his shoulder while walking away.

It was very unexpected to see Carter here today, but I can’t help but wish it was his boss who came in for the catering order. I don’t know what it is but ever since that day I haven’t been able to get the other man who was with Carter off my mind. Of course he was absolutely gorgeous, but there was something else about him that has kept me from forgetting him. I have no idea who he is but even if I did, I know I would be way out of his league. The car he rode in easily cost more than I pay in yearly rent.

Plus he had a driver… only people with incredible amounts of money pay for someone to drive them around in their personal car. People like that never give someone like me a second glance; the only time I talk to people with that much money is when I’m dressing them at the department store. It wasn’t that long ago when I shared drinks and meals with those types of people… I cringe at the memory that I allowed to slip into my mind; memories that I’ve tried so hard to keep buried. Besides even if by some miracle he decided to even give me the time of day, I don’t think I could ever trust someone again. If you can’t trust someone completely, what type of relationship can you ever hope to have? I’ve learned what relationships are like without trust and I’d rather spend my life alone then to experience that again.

“Kenzie, we need more glazed donuts,” Ginny thankfully pulls me from my pity party to remind me that I’m here to work.

“Coming right up!”

The rest of the morning is thankfully very busy which doesn’t give me any time to take another unwanted trip down memory lane. Once everything is prepared for the lunch rush, I grab a cup of coffee to go and clock out. Surprisingly I’m not as exhausted as I expected to be by now, so I

decide to do a little window shopping before I catch my bus home. I can’t afford very much in this area of high end shops, but I still enjoy window shopping…

Ring Ring

“Hello?” I answer my phone nervously as the number on the screen is not one that I recognize. There are only a few people who know my phone number which is how I like to keep it. Since it’s a prepaid cell phone my name isn’t tied to this phone number anywhere that someone can find it. While that should reassure me, I still get very nervous when a number calls that I don’t recognize.

“Kenzie? This is Bridget,” the voice on the other end says.

“Bridget? Oh… hi.”

“Look, I’m sorry to call you but I need to speak with you and was hoping you could meet me later today?”

“Oh, I’m sorry Bridget but I’m not scheduled to work. I’m sure if you call the store-”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I need to speak with you outside the store actually.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Can you meet me around four today?”

“Ummm… I don’t know.”

“I have a business proposition I want to discuss with you. Meet me for dinner, listen to my offer and if you’re not interested, then no harm done. I promise you that whether or not you accept my offer will have no impact on my account at your store. If you don’t accept my offer, I won’t pull my account or ask for someone else to be assigned to my account if that’s what you’re worried about. You have my word, Kenzie.”

“Okay… thank you. I suppose I can meet you today, I’m not working this evening.”

“There’s a Brazilian steakhouse on 7th and Main, do you know it?”

“I’m familiar with the area, so I’m sure I can find it.”

“Great, I’ll meet you there at four today. The reservation is in my name.”

“I’ll see you then.” Nicholas:

“Mr. Parker?”

“What?” I snap.

I’m desperately trying to focus on responding to this arrogant ass who has been dicking me around on a decision for the last month. If I don’t concentrate on my response, I’m likely to tell him that he has his head up his ass if he thinks the shares in his company won’t plummet with the announcement of the merger next month.

“She works there.”

“Who? Who works there? What are you talking about Carter?”

Now he’s just pissing me off too. If you’re going to interrupt me at least make it something worth my while; otherwise wait until I’m not fucking busy.

“Ms. Kenzie Rose.”

“Carter… seriously what the fuck? What are you fucking talking about? Who the fuck is Kenzie Rose?”

“The woman from outside the coffee shop… the one we inadvertently drenched during the rain storm.”

“She… she works at the bakery?” I’m shocked, I never thought we would find her again. I even had Carter and Asher check security cameras in the area but none were able to give us a clear picture of the mystery woman who has haunted my thoughts ever since.

“Yes, she had prepared the order for today’s meeting. We’re running early if you want to go in-” “No, just drive to the office.” “Sir?

“PFS, Carter.”

I can’t help but glance out the window at the bakery as Carter pulls away. Part of me wants tell him to stop the car so I can go in and meet this Ms. Rose properly. But then her image is in the front of my mind once again and I’m reminded that there’s no way that I could ever be what she wants or needs. I’m reminded that she isn’t the type of woman who is just going to want to fuck me, that she isn’t the type of a woman for a one night stand. I’m not the type of guy who can do anything more than a one night stand or a quick fuck… not again.