Their Sweet Desire (Power Surge: The Billionaire Club 3)

“Hey!” he exclaimed and jumped out of the way.

“I know you like what you see. And so does your brother,” Tina told him then picked up an order of mini éclairs and walked out of the kitchen. Farah and Toni chuckled, and then Toni began to gather some of the other orders to take with her to the coffee bar.

“Guess who’s back to see you, Toni,” Farah stated.

“Who?”

“The sexy hunk in the suit. He asked for the barista with the gorgeous smile and the big brown eyes.”

“No way.”

Tina entered next.

“Holy hunk of one sexy male is out there looking for you. I told you that he would be back. If he asks you out, go for it.”

“I don’t even know the guy. And he probably just wants to try some other dessert or something.”

“He wants your cream, not the éclair’s,” Tina teased, and Toni gasped then gave her friend a quick smack.

“Hey, you cut that dirty talk out or you’re going to answer to me,” Charlie stated firmly, and Tina gave him a wink. “Promises, promises.”

Toni took a deep breath before she headed out to the coffee bar.

She delivered the platters of goodies to a few patrons on her way, and hoped that Tina and Farah hadn’t mentioned her name or that she was the owner of Bliss. That was all she needed. She didn’t trust men in general, and since there had been some threats lately, she was always on guard, no matter how good-looking a man was. As she approached, she caught sight of him immediately. He was dressed in a more casual suit, less expensive in appearance than the one from last week.

But the man was so fine that he would look good in anything.

“Hey, there’s my barista now.” He gave her body the once-over.

His barista? God, he’s too cute. Guard yourself, Toni. He could be a charmer.

“The businessman who liked my raspberry brownie bites.” She smiled.

“I sure did, and so did my good friend I share an office with.”

“Great. Has he been here before?”

“Nope, I came in to try something else. If I like it, and things go as planned, then he’ll come with me the next time.”

“Sounds like a challenge.”

He leaned forward in his chair and held her gaze. She locked gazes with him, and those incredible eyes of his. He reached his hand out.

“My name is Emerson. I didn’t introduce myself the last time I was here.” She reached for his hand and shook it. The moment their hands touched, she felt something. Whatever it was, it had her pulling away fast and trying to pull off nonchalance at his flirty style.

Emerson just smiled in acknowledgment. God, this man unnerves me.

“Well, Emerson, the name is Antoinette. And you wouldn’t have introduced yourself the last time because it was your first time here and there was no need for formalities.”

“Ah, formalities, is it? Perhaps I came back for more than just your bite-sized little treats of pleasure. Or should I say ‘Bliss’?” he teased her and winked.

“What else would you be interested in?” she asked as she wiped down the counter. He held her gaze and just stared at her a moment. She felt a bit off kilter from his perusal, yet completely sexy at the same time to have snagged this eye candy’s attention.

She was having fun flirting with him. The man was sexy, but she didn’t want to come off too easy.

“How about a cup of my favorite coffee, and you and I can talk?”

“I’ll grab the coffee, Emerson, but the talk will cost ya,” she said then turned around and walked to the coffee station a few steps away. She couldn’t believe how brazen she was being. His underlying questions and statements should be causing her to feel unsure and suspicious. Yet, here she was making his café au lait with the espresso as silly butterflies fluttered in her gut.