Saxon's Soul (Haven, Texas 5)

“Why?”

“Because if it’s shit you need to know now, before you waste your time making any more.”

“Everyone who has tried my pies likes them.”

“That so? Well, we’ll see. Come with me.” She gaped after him as he turned away and walked down the path.

“I’m not going to tell you twice, girlie,” he called back without turning around. “Get that cute little ass moving. Now.”

Really? She didn’t need this. She should just walk away, get in her car, and take the pie home with her. She didn’t need this jerk telling her whether her baking was any good. She didn’t even know who the hell he was. She was exhausted. She just wanted to go home, kiss her babies, and get some rest.

Despite all those rational reasons to turn away and go home, she found herself following him.

She stepped through the hole in the hedge to see him enter a large, two-story house with scaffolding around it. She’d never seen this building before. Not that she had much reason to come over to this side of town. And the huge hedge that surrounded the property hid the house from the road.

She moved closer, curious despite herself, and followed him inside. She was surprised to find herself in a huge commercial kitchen. Awe filled her as she took in the state-of-the-art appliances, and stainless-steel counter tops.

“What is this place?”

“This is Saxon’s.”

“What?” She turned to Mr. Renard, who had grabbed a sharp-looking knife from the butcher’s block. She swallowed. Coming in here alone with him probably hadn’t been her brightest idea.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” he told her brusquely. “I’m not going to use this on you. It’s for the pie. Put the box down.”

“This is Saxon’s place?”

“Yeah. He’s opening a restaurant. Obviously still under construction. Didn’t you know?”

No. She hadn’t.

“Guess he doesn’t do a lot of talking in the sack, huh?” He chortled, and she glared at him.

“That’s none of your business,” she told him haughtily. Not that she had any idea whether Saxon talked while in bed. But damned if she wouldn’t like to know.

Okay, thoughts like those were just going to get her into trouble. Well, more trouble.

“Women! You’re all so sensitive about every little thing.”

Really? He thought she was being overly sensitive about his crude references to her and Saxon having sex?

“You know, I think I’ll just leave.” She picked up the box she’d set on the counter and took a step back.

“Now, no need to get your panties in a twist. Set the box down. Let’s see what you’ve got. I’m talking about the pie, in case you’re wondering. Not you personally.”

“Glad we got that cleared up.”

“This day and age you never know when someone’s going to misconstrue what you say and scream sexual harassment.”

“Right, because, of everything you’ve said to me, that’s what I would take offense to?”

“Hey, I’ve been downright polite and gentlemanly. Haven’t once raised my voice, have I?”

She just stared at him. Was he for real?

“I’m surprised you haven’t already been fired for sexual harassment.”

“Which is why I don’t work with women no more.”