Page 30 of Taming the CEO

I pulled a chair back and sat down as Cami watched my brother leave. Then she turned her gaze to me, licking her lips. I had to stop obsessing over her mouth.

"What in the world was that about?" she asked.

"That was my brother's attempt at helping," I said in a neutral tone, trying not to laugh. Leo’s antics were funny, but some people didn’t take them that way.

"Mmm," she said noncommittally, glancing at the menu. "We should order before that group there"—she pointed at the other end of the room—"or we’ll wait forever for our food."

"Sure, what's good here?" I asked.

"The house burger is a hit. As well as the beans as a side dish."

I glanced down at the menu. I didn't like beans, but I found fries, which I enjoyed.

Cami waved at someone, and a waiter joined us.

"Hi, Cami. What can I get you?" He looked at me and then at Cami.

"Bart, this is Maddox Whitley."

The guy narrowed his eyes infinitesimally

"You're the one who wants to build that fancy-ass distillery and hotel."

"Yeah, that's me," I said. "Pleased to meet you."

He just grunted.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

"What can I get you?" he asked again.

"I'll have the house burger and beans," Cami said.

"I’d like a Coke, the house burger, and fries," I added.

"Very good. Be right back with your orders." He turned on his heel and headed toward the kitchen.

"So, what brings you here?" she asked once we were alone.

I leaned back in my chair. "My brothers and I met with the architect. We’ve finalized the plans for the hotel but not those of the other lot. He’d already drawn up the initial plans, the ones we sent your Dad, but—"

I stopped because her shoulders stiffened. She licked her lips, pushing a strand of her red hair behind her ear. I found myself wondering if she liked to go out with wet hair in the morning after her shower.

"Listen, I've asked the architect if he can alter the plans so the hotel's garden would include the trees—your forest—as is. We would not develop that area. He said it's possible."

Cami blinked. "But... you already paid for a set of plans."

I looked at her intently. Her eyes had widened slightly, and I could see she was pleased. "Nothing's set in stone. Even after we get the property—"

"If you get it."

I smiled. "You’re right. If we get it, it still needs to get approved by the local council and so on. At any rate, I've instructed the architect to prepare another plan. Would that idea make you more eager to sell?"

She raised a brow. "Why would you even go through that trouble? It must be costing you a fortune.”

"Because it's important to me for this deal to go through," I said. Even as I spoke, I knew it went deeper than that. But I didn't want to explore those reasons.

The waiter brought our food and the drinks at the same time.

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