Page 19 of The Flirt

"Right. And you still insist that this is purely for business?"

"Can I have one by Monday morning?" I asked, ignoring his question.

"Sure. I'll make a few phone calls and make it happen."

"Thank you, Beckett."

"Hey, you owe me one," he said.

"I sure do. I appreciate it."

I could vividly imagine Scarlett’s expression when she saw the king cake. It was going to be priceless.

***

Beckett kept his word. On Monday morning, my assistant, Shauna, came into my office and said, "This just came from the bakery for you."

"Thank you."

"Should I leave it here?"

"Yes, please."

She put it on my desk.

"Is anyone in the meeting room yet?” Scarlett and I were meeting the marketing team in half an hour.

She shook her head. “Not yet.”

“All right, thanks.”

She left my office, and I immediately texted Scarlett.

Chad: Good morning, Scarlett. I'd like you to come up to the meeting room 15 minutes earlier, please. I'm waiting for you inside.

She answered a few minutes later.

Scarlett: Sure. I was actually just fretting about, waiting around here for it.

Was she nervous about the meeting? There was no reason for that.

I’ll just have to double my efforts so she feels at ease.

I picked up the box Beckett sent, realizing it was a small cake, just enough for two people. I stopped by the coffee station and grabbed a plate and fork before going into the meeting room. It was empty. Perfect! I wanted Scarlett just to myself for a few minutes before everyone arrived.

I’d barely managed to sit down when she came inside. I rose to my feet again and noted she wasn't in her chef's uniform. Instead, she was wearing jeans and a sweater with a V-neckline.

How could this woman be so beautiful? It didn't even matter what she wore, she was just stunning. Her legs were endless. I almost couldn’t take my eyes off them—and when I did, my gaze moved to her neck. It was damn sexy and seductive, and I couldn’t understand why it beckoned to me so much.

"Morning," she said. "No one else is here yet?"

"No. I have a surprise for you."

Her eyes widened infinitesimally. "Okay."

I nodded toward the chair I’d vacated. "Sit here."

I pulled the chair back from the table to give her space. As she sat on it, I pushed it under her.

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