“Okay. No pictures.” With a shrug, she opened her hands. “Let’s talk about where you’d like to see Blake Glassware in the next five years.”
“We’re known for our stemware, but I want to produce more than glasses. Crafting items like pitchers, vases, and bowls will appeal to our current customers and attract new ones. I spelled out my thoughts in the report I wrote for my father.”
“May I read your report? I’d like to keep your vision in mind when I have lunch with Nick.”
“I can email you a copy.”
“Great. Use this address.” She handed him a business card listing her name, cell number, and email address. “Thanks for letting me crash at your house last night. Today, I’ll find another place to stay.”
He tucked her card into the back pocket of his jeans. “I hate to be a killjoy, Miss Davis, but you won’t find one.”
Her lips pressed together. “There’s got to be something available.”
“We’re wedged between the Allegheny National Forest and the Appalachian Mountains. Around here, there’s more wildlife than people. Shinglehouse is too small to have a hotel. The only accommodations you’ll find are in Coudersport or Olean, and they’re booked for hunting season.” He scanned her white blouse, classy skirt, and shiny black heels. “A city girl like you may have a ton of street savvy, but that won’t help you find a vacancy in these back woods.”
“Wanna bet?”
A slow, sexy smile appeared on her extraordinary mouth. The lit firework in his belly exploded, embedding shards of carnal excitement into every vital organ. “Hell, yeah. Name your terms.”
“If I find a hotel room, you have to stop calling me a consultant.”
“And what do I get when you don’t find a hotel room?” He smirked. “Besides a roommate for the month.”
Jaye’s winsome eyes narrowed. “If I lose the bet, I’ll cook dinner tonight.”
“For just one night?” He shook his head. Fully caffeinated, his mind came up with a brilliant alternative. “Providing one meal isn’t much of a sacrifice, considering you’ll be living in my house for the next four weeks. Fix me a few meals, at least.”
“Fine. I’ll cook dinner three nights a week, but I’ll take off Tuesdays to play poker with Sarah and Veronica. I won’t be around on weekends, so I can’t cook then. Fair enough?”
“Deal.” He extended his hand.
Her slender palm slid into his with a firm grasp.
The soft feel of her skin beneath his fingers sent a jolt of satisfaction deep into his bones. “By the way, I’d like beef tonight.”
Shaking her head, she laughed. “I can’t wait to watch you eat your words.”
If eating his words meant she’d stay in his house, he’d wolf down every syllable.
Chapter Four
“I’m losing this stupid bet.” Jaye lifted her hands off her laptop and rubbed her temples. The time was past four o’clock and she still hadn’t found a hotel room.
Jaye’s cell phone buzzed on her desk. She glanced at the text.
“Where are you? What the hell is going on?”
This message was different from the chatty ones David had been sending. Jaye wondered if he had realized she wasn’t coming back. With a tap on the screen, she deleted the text.
Within a few seconds, another appeared.
“Talk to me, Jaye.”
“I’m done talking,” she muttered. For the past five weeks, their conversations had widened the puddle of sadness at the base of her soul. Wasn’t talking to your boyfriend supposed to make you happy?
“You and I belong together. Who else understands you like I do?”
He was right. David was the only one who understood the stifling expectations of her birthright. No one else could relate to her situation better.
“Don’t run away. I know I hurt you, but I hurt every time you said no.”
A knot tightened in her midsection. She never should have given into the temptation to say yes to David. Had she not fallen prey to his charm, she might have believed their breakup was his fault, not hers.
“I’m determined to get better. I won’t let this sickness ruin our chances for happiness...”
With a hasty swipe, Jaye shoved the phone into her briefcase.
Approaching footsteps thudded down the hallway. A pair of smudged tan work boots stopped at her door.
Mitch held up a key. “You’ll need this in an hour.”
She tapped her fingers against the keyboard. “Will that key open a hotel room?”
“No, but it’ll get you into my house.” He slid the shiny key beside her laptop, his close-cropped hair glinting gold in the late afternoon light pouring in from the window. “Sarah said she volunteered to drive you home. Feel free to use whatever pots and pans you need to cook dinner. Want directions to the nearest grocery store?”
“Don’t think so.” She leaned back in her chair and folded her hands across her abdomen. “I’m planning on swimming in a hotel pool tonight.”
He braced his hands on the edge of her desk. “In case you’re stuck in my house, I like to eat dinner at six.”
“Enjoy your meal. I’ll be ordering room service. We city girls like to eat at seven.”
“Country boys can compromise. I’ll come home for dinner at six-thirty.” He winked and turned toward the door.
Jaye frowned at the impressive slope of his shoulders. Country boys oozed raw masculinity. For her peace of mind, she’d have to stop looking at this one. “Be prepared to eat alone.”
“I’m used to that.” He raised one hand and walked away.
His flat response sliced through her. Beneath Mitchell Blake’s tough exterior, was he lonely? Grabbing her mouse, she closed the list of hotels she’d generated.
Jaye drained a big pot of noodles into Mitch’s sink, turning her face from the cloud of steam. Behind her, the back door squeaked open. The clock hanging above the stove pointed to six-thirty, right on the nose.
“I thought you’d be in your hotel room by now,” Mitch observed.
“Turns out,
