“He’s so pretty.” I bend down to pet him. He licks my face, making me laugh. “I’ll get you some water, Bear,” I tell him. “You hold down my fort.” He gives a bark as if he understands what I’m talking about.

  “What’s your name?” I ask, turning back to the man whose slacks I’ve ruined.

  “Jackson, but call me Jax. Everyone does.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Jax.” I reach out my hand. “I’m Bailey and everyone calls me BB.” He takes my hand but doesn’t let it go. We continue to walk to the coffee shop while he holds my hand in his. Those goosebumps come back and I can’t help but notice how his big hand engulfs mine.

  When I step into Millie’s her eyes go a little round when she sees I’m holding a man’s hand.

  “Black?” I ask. That’s what his coffee looked like when I smacked it out of his hand. “Can you get Jax a black coffee and a couple of my cake pops you’ve hidden away?”

  “Sure.” She gives me a quizzical look before doing as I ask. She comes back a moment later with the coffee and cake pops.

  “I made them,” I tell him. He bites into one of the cake pops and a small sound comes from him. A humming feeling floats over my skin at the sound.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Roberts.” Millie’s words break me from being momentarily lost in Jax.

  “You know him?” I look to Millie.

  “BB. He owns Brewed Awakening.”

  “What!” I shout. I grab the other cake pop from his hand.

  “Hey. That was mine.” He goes to take it back from me but I shove it into my mouth.

  “I would take the coffee too but maybe you’ll learn what good coffee is by having it,” I say around my mouthful of cake. He laughs. Actually freaking laughs. “It’s not funny!” I point at him before turning and stomping off back toward my post.

  When I step outside I see Bear has my sign in his mouth. He’s got it by the wood handle walking back and forth with it like it’s a stick.

  I turn around to tell Jax his dog is on my side but I run right into him. This time I don’t go flying back. Two hands grab me, keeping me close so I don’t fall to the ground again. My knees still hurt a little from that tumble.

  “Look, Jackson. Bear is even on my side,” I blurt out as I try not to focus on his hard body that’s pressed into mine.

  “Jax,” he corrects.

  “Nope, we’re not friends. It’s Jackson.” I give a firm nod of my chin. I should push away from him but gosh he feels good. Too good. He even smells good too. Like cinnamon and something woodsy.

  “All right, my little protester. Call me whatever you like.” I narrow my eyes at him. “You can’t stop me.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  I step back from his hold. He doesn’t let go of me at first.

  “You forgot your coffee,” Millie says, having followed us out. His hands drop away.

  “Sorry about that. I’ve heard it’s the best.” He takes the cup from her and sips. I watch him drink it down. “It is good.” He gives Millie a half smile before he looks back to me. “Those cake pops though. They were something else.”

  He licks his lips as he says it. The small act sends my body back into a buzz. He is going to be a problem on so many different levels. I need to keep my distance from Jackson. I take a few more steps back, dropping down into the chair he got me. He stands there watching me as Bear keeps on walking around with my sign.

  “I’m not paying for the dry cleaning.” I fold my arms over my chest. It’s the only act of defiance I can think of.

  Jackson smiles as if he doesn’t give a shit about his pants. I don’t want to know how much they cost.

  “Oh Bear!” I hop up from my seat. “I forgot your water.” I grab the sign from his mouth, handing it to Jackson, who takes it.

  “We’ll be right back,” I tell him as Bear and I make our way back into Millie’s coffee shop, leaving Jackson to hold the sign. I peek back over my shoulder to see he actually holds it but the whole time he’s watching me as I get Bear water. He’s not bothered in the least that he’s now kind of protesting in front of his own store. I almost smile but then it hits me. He probably doesn’t care because he knows this is a lost cause. There is no stopping them from moving in.

  “He’s handsome,” Millie says, pulling me from my depressing thoughts.

  He is but I don’t let her know I think so too. “Don’t get any ideas,” I tell her. “He’s the enemy,” I remind her. Of course the sexiest man I’ve ever seen has to turn out to be our competitor. That’s the way the cookie always seems to crumble for me.

  “You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” My body heats at her suggestion, liking it a little too much.

  6

  Jax

  “She’s ignoring me.” Andrea laughs into the phone at my response. Three days and the woman still won't give me the time of day. She is nice to all the construction workers. She is basically kind to everyone besides me. She looks straight through me like I’m made of glass. She started doing that when she realized I was enjoying the banter between us. Most of her little jabs were at me and my business so I’m not sure why she’s the one that’s offended. I really didn't care how many of those insults she threw my way as long as she was talking.

  “This is wonderful. I think I love her.” I’m glad someone is laughing about it. I don’t think I’m in love with her. I know I am. That ship has sailed. “Is it weird to not have a woman fall all over you?” she says through her laughter. I roll my eyes.

  “I don’t like that shit,” I remind her. My sister had a few friends growing up that would attach themselves to her to get close to me. They only saw dollar signs. It would piss her off as much as it did me. I hated the attention but I’d do anything to have it from my little protestor right now.

  “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “What part of she’s ignoring me did you not hear?” I sigh into the phone from my position across the street where I’m watching her. Bear has taken up residence with her. He too ignores me until she goes home for the night. He’s a traitor and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m jealous of my own dog. He spends all day with her while I watch and she’s always fussing over him.

  “You’re a Roberts. We always get what we’re after,” she reminds me. This is true. We are a relentless bunch. My little protestor isn’t going to go down without a fight though. I want her to rest in the chair I’ve provided for her. She looks exhausted. How could she not be? She cooked all night into the morning hours. Then she only slept a few hours so she could be back protesting and talking to people. She has fight in her. I’ve only gone across the street because I noticed the closer I was the more she passed back and forth with her sign. I’m hoping she’ll sit if I am out of sight.

  “Was there something you needed?” I ask, wondering why she called. Normally I am the bored one bothering her. “Miss me?” I tease. I haven't been around to bother her.

  “I think you should fire that Brent.” I mentally remind myself to give him another raise.

  “Couldn't get what you wanted out of him?” She’s dying to know where I am. I haven't told her because she might get a wild hair and come down here. It is close enough for her to drive and I’m not taking the chance. I’m sure she’s been pressing him for information on my little protestor. If she gets a few pieces of information she could go digging herself. Brent is under strict orders not to indulge her.

  “I’m your sister. I think I should be able to ask your assistant where you are and have him tell me.” I fight a smile at her tone. It's the same one she used when she would tell on me when we were kids.

  “Maybe you should ask Jason,” I toss out.

  “Jason?” she says slowly.

  “Yes, Jason.” She can play coy all she wants but I am onto them. I don’t know what they are but they’re something. Jason is a good guy so I am leaving it be. I enjoy putting my sister off kilter too. It is a rare event so I am going to enjoy it. The only person Andrea is fooling about her relationship with Jason is herself.

  “I have to go. Marco just walked into my office with contracts.”

  “Contracts for what?” I don’t actually care. I feel like ruffling her feathers a little since she was just grilling me two seconds ago. I know she is lying about being handed paperwork.

  “You don’t tell me stuff and I won’t tell you either,” she smarts. “Love you, bye.” She ends the call on me. I had that coming. I pocket my phone and go back to watching my girl. Tension leaves my body as I watch her finally sit down for a moment. It is too hot out here even under the shade. She should be inside lying on a soft bed moaning my name in the air conditioning as I eat her pussy. I have no doubt the treat between her thighs is more delicious than the ones she bakes. That’s saying a lot because those are perfection.

  I would probably tell my sister who Bailey is if I wasn’t already feeling guilty over having her past dug up for myself. It isn’t that there is anything to hide. It is just more sadness than she should have ever had to feel. She’s lost so much in her life. No wonder she’s such a fighter. Her past has things in it that I should have heard from her own lips. I shouldn’t have read them over an email that Brent sent me.

  I watch as her hand reaches down to pet Bear gently, making me envy him more. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I reluctantly take it out. I want to keep watching her but I need a distraction. I see it’s Jason and I wonder if my sister did in fact press him into telling her something. She was probably using all the sweetness she could muster up to wiggle the information of my whereabouts from Jason. I know he’s smart enough to see right through her tactics.

  “Hey,” I say as I answer.

  “You still in Smithville?”

  “You know I am.” I’m sure Jason’s crew would have told him that. If not they should be fired. They work for him, not me, technically.

  “Just say I can tell her.”

  I fight a small laugh. “You and my sister eh?” I don’t know why I didn't see that coming. They are both so work driven. What do I know though? If you had told me a week ago what I’d be doing right now I would have laughed in your face.

  “She asked me not to say anything. I would have talked to you about it but she asked me not to.”

  Again, a week ago I would have told him that didn't fucking matter but I get it. If Bailey asked me to go get her the moon I’d be on the phone with NASA trying to figure out how to make it happen.

  “I respect you’ll do right by her. She should come first.” That is the truth at the end of the day if they are really going to be something. For all I know it’s a fling but I don’t think Jason is a temporary kind of man. Everything is always serious.

  “Thanks, man.” He lets out a long breath, clearly relieved. “I wanted to mention something. Charlie called and said someone is messing with their equipment. Nothing has been taken but someone is going in there when they aren't there.” I smirk, knowing exactly who our culprit is. I’m actually a bit surprised that my little protestor is breaking and entering. She looks so sweet and innocent that one would never suspect her.

  “Understood. I’ll take care of it. Tell the men to leave everything as usual when they leave tonight.” Jason agrees and says he’ll pass the word down to the others. I, on the other hand, begin to form a plan to catch my little protestor red-handed.

  After I hang up with Jason, I have a renewed sense of purpose. I smile when I look across at her handing out flyers. She looks beautiful as she basically tries to run my shop out of town. I should be mad that she’s breaking into my place at night but the only emotion I feel is happy. I’m excited to catch her tonight in more ways than one.

  The only question left is: How far will she go for me not to call the sheriff?

  7

  Bailey

  I finish putting away the last of the treats I’ve made for the morning before wiping everything down. I am worn out. I lean up against the counter knowing my night isn’t anywhere near being over. I still need to sneak next door and unplug everything. It really isn’t slowing them down over there. I know I need to somehow steal the paint too. What I don’t know is how the heck I’m going to get it out of there without anyone seeing me do it.

  I don’t know why stealing it feels so much worse than having ruined it by dumping all the glitter inside of the cans. I sealed them all back up nice and tight so no one would suspect anything. At least this way there will be less of a mess for them. Either way the paint needs to be replaced. I’m going to leave a small envelope of cash in hopes that it’s enough to cover the cost of new paint. I did some research online looking up what gallons of paint cost and this is going to hurt my bank account. I made a rash decision at the time and I know it’s my responsibility to try to fix it. I sigh, knowing that I’ll need every penny in that account if I’m going to be out of a job soon.

  I pull my apron off, hanging it on the hook before fishing out the keys to the place next door. My mind drifts to Jax. I don’t know what he’s doing. He stands outside every day and watches me. Doesn't he have a whole coffee empire to be running? I Googled him. The man is richer than God. Not only that but I had no idea that Jax was a Roberts. I’ve recently starting putting all the pieces together and now I understand that they are all connected. Why is he here in Smithville watching me protest one of thousands of coffee shops he owns? He shouldn't care. I am a gnat in his world but he’s acting as if this is the most important thing he has going on. He doesn’t even care that I’m protesting. He continues to let me do it every day no matter how ridiculous I get.

  I try and ignore him but he’s so damn handsome. It doesn't help that Millie keeps on reminding me of that fact. She is filling my head with her nonsense. Telling me he’s only staying around because he enjoys watching me. That he’s into me. I roll my eyes at that as I step out into the back of the building. It’s only a few steps over before I’m slipping in next door with my stolen key. I am out of time. I overheard Charlie say they were going to paint next.

  I flick on the back light, looking around the place. When I Googled Jax I got a look at all of his shops. They are all very similar but with different artistic accents based on where they are located. The simple brown gray and soft yellow branding is very well known. Most of their shops have the same layouts too. This one doesn’t look anything like their others. Maybe it’s because it’s not painted yet. It actually kind of has the same feel as Millie’s place but the kitchen is giant. Which baffles me because Brewed Awakening doesn't sell any food that isn’t prepackaged. It isn’t fresh baked on site each day like ours.

  My shoulders drop. They really are pushing to take our spot. I know the regulars will stay with us but tourists are going to go to what they know. They are a big chunk of Millie’s business. With Brewed Awakening next door and them selling fresh food I don’t think we have a chance at all now. Even if the customers are split between us we will only be able to maintain that for a short time.

  I freeze when I think I hear a sound. I reach up, flicking the light back off. Someone is in the building. Why would someone be here at two in the morning? The light turns back on. I let out a scream when I see a man standing there. It takes me a moment to realize it’s Jax. He’s wearing the biggest shit-eating grin that he can as he walks toward me. Neither of us say a word to one another. I stand there like a deer in headlights. I contemplate making a run for it but know that won’t work.

  “What are you doing in here at this time? You scared the bejesus out of me.” His eyebrow arches high up onto his forehead. I lift my chin, trying not to show my fear and hope he doesn’t call the sheriff. Mike will not be able to get me out of this one.

  “Shouldn’t I be the one asking the questions here? It is my building that you’ve broken into,” he says as he walks closer to where I’m standing. “So why don’t you start giving me some answers or I’ll have to call the cops.”

  “I didn’t break in,” I point out. Nothing is broken.

  “That’s odd since you’re standing here in my building and no one willingly let you in,” he says with a small smirk. He thinks he’s so smart.

  “Like I said, I didn’t break in.” Before he can say another word I reach into my pocket and grab the keys out. I dangle them in his face. “These let me in. It’s not breaking and entering if you have the keys.” I’m so smug about it even though I know I’m the one in the wrong.

  “Stolen key?” I think he’s going to snatch the keys from me but he doesn't. I was baiting him. I need them taken from me or I’ll never stop.

  “I ruined the paint too,” I blurt out. Oh God. Something is wrong with me. “I’m the worst at being a criminal,” I mumble. My shoulders drop along with my hand that is holding up the key. If I go to jail at least I can get some sleep. I’ll never hear the end of it from Mike though. Could they get in trouble because of me too?

  “Millie doesn't know about this. Please don’t get them into trouble because of me.” When I look up I see he’s moved. He’s so close we’re almost touching.

  “I think we can strike a deal.” He smirks as he says it.

  “I’m not having sex with you.” I throw my hand over my mouth. I should stop talking altogether maybe. I obviously have no control over my mouth or actions when he’s around.

  “I’m not that much of a bastard.”

  “Much.” I repeat the key word there.

  “I want dates.”

  I start to talk but he stops me. He puts his hand over my mouth. He smells of chocolate and honey and I know he must have just eaten one of my brownies. He eats all of my treats. He’s in and out of Millie’s more than anyone. She should start charging him rent. “Not sex.” I want to peek my tongue out and taste his hand but luckily, before I can embarrass myself by doing that, he drops it away.

  “I don’t have time for dates.”

 

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