The Boss Deal

“Papaya,” she says. “And yes—”

Nick swallows his bite, holding up a hand and cutting her off. “Papaya. . .” His gaze shifts, falling over me. “Sweet and delicious, just how I like it.”

Scrubbing my forehead, I look away. I can’t take it. My body is defying me. His voice is giving me chills. His eyes are making my heart stampede and my skin bristle with need.

Vanessa cups her hands, taking a step closer to him. She glances at me, and I nod for her to say what she wants.

Nick stands, quickly taking his phone from his pocket. He looks at the screen, then holds it to his ear. “I’m sorry, hold that thought. I really need to take this.”

Vanessa nods as Nick walks outside. “Can you believe how fucking hot he is?” Vanessa asks as her eyes trace his every move. “If I ask him out, would that be wrong? I mean, I shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, but hot damn, how do I not when it comes like that?”

I’m quiet for a second, not sure how to really answer her. She likes him, and she’s my best friend. Besides, it was just a one night stand, that’s it. I never planned to see him again, so who am I to get in the way if she likes the guy?

“You won’t know unless you try, right?” I watch him as he runs a hand over his jaw and looks up at the sky. “If you like him, go for it.”

I can keep away from him. It’s not like he’s mine. One night of unbridled lust doesn’t equal a stake on the man. Vanessa doesn’t even know my one night stand is him. I feel like I owe her the chance to see if it goes anywhere.

Nick paces back and forth in front of the big picture window, talking on the phone, oblivious to the fact he’s being watched. And we just stand here staring at him for different reasons.

Steph looks intimidated. She’s Vanessa’s head baker, but she’s easily affected by a person in power. It took her ages to get comfortable with me, and I have no real power here at all.

Vanessa looks flirty, and mesmerized. I can see her attraction all over her face. Her eyes are wide, her mouth is slightly open, and she keeps softly touching her bottom lip.

And me, well, I’m remembering the way his tongue felt as it dragged across my clit, and how the orgasm left me dizzy. I can see his firm chest in my mind, his tattoos, his thick cock right before it disappeared inside me.

Forcing myself to walk away, I turn to Vanessa, and walk to the sample platter Steph put out. “Just be careful, Vanessa. A guy like that is probably just a playboy. I bet he’s never been with someone who wasn’t plastic and can think for themselves.”

“Ahem.” He clears his throat.

I freeze in place, knowing he just heard every word I said. “Nick,” I say, twisting to look at him over my shoulder. “Is everything all right? It looked like a serious phone call.”

“Everything’s fine.” His voice is colder, cruel, sharp as a razor. He moves with long, sweeping strides across the bakery, and stops just before crashing into me. He’s glaring down at me, every muscle in his face stiff, and stern. “Let’s get down to business now, shall we,” he says, tilting his head, and continuing past me as if I’m not here.

His arm bumps into my shoulder, causing me to sway on my feet. It’s like he’s pretending I don’t exist. His eyes are down as he takes a seat, staring at his hands. Reaching into his blazer, he pulls out a small bundle of folded papers. “It’s time to make this official, Vanessa.”

She giggles nervously, plucking a pen from her hair. “Got a pen right here.” She grins playfully as she holds out the pen like it has some magical powers.

Nick doesn’t laugh, he doesn’t crack a smile or even pretend to be amused. He flicks his eyes up to me, his mouth taut as he smooths the papers out on the table.

Vanessa doesn’t seem to notice anything that’s happening around her. She doesn’t feel the tension. She doesn’t sense the desire and lust, and the remnants of a wild night dangling between us.

I feel so fucking stupid right now. I didn’t mean to upset him. I’m just trying to avoid any questions from Vanessa. It’s a show, an act, just telling her what I thought would help her and draw any attention away from the energy between us.

Because I’m not going to get in the way of my best friend and the possibility of her finding the right guy. Maybe the right guy is Nick. Maybe he’s the one she’s been looking for all these years?