Page 46 of Taming the CEO

"No. I’m here to build a new hotel.”

"Oh." Recognition flickered in her eyes, and she gave me a wink.

I will never live down my outburst during our first dinner. The whole town was aware of it, I was sure. Serves me right, I guess.

"Hi, Maddox," I said.

He glanced at my pumpkins, and his eyes bulged. "You've bought all these?"

"Hey, don't judge me," I said as Ms. Hendricks went to the next stall to get some change for me.

"I wasn't. I'm just surprised."

"Some are for home and some for the park. And yes, I might have overdone it slightly."

He started to laugh. "How are you getting those in your car?"

"I’ll carry them myself."

"I'll help,” he said. “And if you want, I can come to the park as well and unload them."

My eyes widened. "Wow. Thank you. But there's no need to come to the park. My employees can take care of that. You’ll crumple up your suit.”

"I can handle that."

He bent down and picked up the biggest pumpkin. After Ms. Hendricks gave me the change, I put several of the small pumpkins in a bag and carried them, purposefully walking a step behind him so I could see that gorgeous body move. He put the heavy pumpkin in my trunk before going back for another one. I got a whiff of his cologne and instantly remembered our kiss.

It took five minutes to bring all the pumpkins to the car. I talked his ear off about all the places I intended to put them.

After I closed my trunk, I turned to face him. "Thanks for the help, Maddox."

"You're welcome." He looked down at me, a smile playing on his lips.

"What?" I asked.

"I don't think I've ever heard anyone sound so excited about pumpkins."

I smiled sheepishly. "I love the splash of color they bring. I’m a fan of autumn, and this one is even colder and moodier than usual. So, you know, the more pumpkins, the merrier."

"You’re something."

"I think they bring luck." I had an idea. I opened the trunk and took out one of the smaller pumpkins, handing it to him. "This is for you. To bring you luck with your new venture.”

He grinned. "I can just buy a pumpkin."

"I know, but it's luckier if someone gives it to you. At least, that's what my mom always said."

His eyes went soft. "Thanks. You know what else they say brings luck?"

"What?"

"A kiss."

I sucked in a breath, looking straight at his mouth. That was tempting. So, so tempting.

Cami, why would you complicate everything?

But then Dad's voice broke through the moment. "Cami! Maddox, you're here too. Oh, I see my daughter is already drawing you into her pumpkin craze."

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