A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee Page 0,21

stirred the air between them. Landon’s throat worked to swallow, and Aubrey’s triumphant smile revealed she knew just how turned on he was. He shifted on his feet and forced his body to relax.

Lesson learned. Do not engage in sexual banter with Aubrey. Ever. It was a foolish thing to do in the first place. He’d come back to rectify a wrong, not to create more problems. Their one-night stand had passed notice, but they couldn’t take any further risks.

He dragged his hands through his hair. Why was he even thinking about further risks? She was the owner of a restaurant he’d reviewed, and she was about to appear on a show he was coproducing. Their relationship couldn’t be anything but professional. Breaking eye contact first, he stuffed his hands deep in his pockets and cleared his throat.

“Let’s go get a drink.” He desperately needed one. “We should discuss the details of your deal.”

“Weldon Brewery okay with you?”

“Sure. I’m game for anything.”

And thus, he thought, begins the greatest gamble of my life.

5

Tara was in a foul mood, dealing with the crowd four hands short—her twin older brothers, Jack and Alex, were attending a beer festival—but when she saw Aubrey walk in with Landon, her expression shifted from frazzled to thunderous. Her unspoken question rang loud and clear: What the hell is he doing here? Aubrey rolled her eyes and shrugged, hoping it said, Still figuring it out. Don’t kill him—yet. Her friend had murder in her eyes after she’d read the review. Aubrey had had to sit on her to keep her from storming Landon’s office. Once she calmed down, Tara settled for writing a scathing email.

He led her toward the back of the bar, placing his hand lightly on her back. She should’ve shaken him off, but she was too busy peeking over her shoulder to see if there was a trail of steam behind her. Her skin sizzled like butter on a hot pan where he touched her. She mentally slapped herself, annoyed as hell at her body’s reaction to him. He was the bringer of destruction. The pusher of her rage buttons.

She didn’t realize until they were walking to the brewery that he hadn’t apologized. He’d admitted his mistake and called himself an idiot but had never said the magic words. It was as though sorry wasn’t in his vocabulary. His intent was plain. He’d come to own his mistake and to make amends, but after all that, he couldn’t utter the words I’m sorry.

What a strange, arrogant man.

Aubrey released her breath when he broke contact to pull out her chair. His manners remained impeccable even after obliterating Comfort Zone in “The Pitfalls of Brilliance.” The table wasn’t much larger than a round stool, so his long legs rested on either side of her knees, radiating bone-melting, masculine heat. Not that she noticed. But the brewery really needed some bigger tables.

“I think you’ll like the location. They’re renovating a hundred-year-old schoolhouse for the filming. It’s run-down, but it has unbelievable potential.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned toward her. His open expression was a far cry from the tense, cold mask he’d worn earlier. “The surroundings, the view, everything is amazing.”

Aubrey nodded, reminded of the charming stranger with the beautiful smile. He sounded like a kid showing off his favorite LEGO set. This Landon was adorable. Full stop. She forced her brows low into a brooding frown. In the last hour, she’d gone from hating him, to realizing she still wanted him, then to kind of accepting his non-apology. Her head spun, and she needed to get a grip.

“Most of the original structure was salvaged—Douglas fir flooring, board-and-batten walls, and even the chalkboards.”

“That sounds lovely,” she said, imagining Little House on the Prairie.

He awarded her with a smile. The one where his eyes crinkled in the corners and his dimple burrowed deep into his cheek. The Smile. Her heart struggled against her ribs like a magician trying to escape from a straitjacket.

Hold it right there, Aubrey Choi. He suspected you of sleeping with him to get a good review. He obviously has major trust issues there. No. Sex. Allowed. Sex could ruin your professional reputation forever. Sex is bad. Don’t even think about heavy petting.

They were discussing the details of his business offer. Look serious. Not horny. Serious. She adjusted her features into a somber mask and willed herself to concentrate, but Landon shifted in his seat, and his legs accidentally brushed against hers.

“Excuse