Page 29 of Forget Me Not

Okay, the list keeps going, but you get the drift.

I start with the wood pile because once it’s out of the way, it’ll give me free reign to make this the supply room. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. I have no idea how much this will cost, but I do have the internet and a really hard head, so I may be able to figure it out.

I hope.

Halfway through my wood stacking, a scent so egregious hits me in the face that I actually cough.

I know that cologne.

And I don’t like it.

“What are you doing here, Higgins?” I drop the piece of wood I’m holding and turn to face him where he’s eyeing me from the door. He’s dressed up in another fancy suit, looking at me with a nasty glint in his eye. “I’m not selling.”

“I just came to check in. Relax.”

The audacity . . .

“Well, I’m fine.” I know he’s not here to check on me. He’s here to whittle me down so they can turn the inn, and subsequently all of Port Nova, a little getaway for the rich. “You shouldn’t be up here. This is for employees only.”

“Well, Beth let me up. I figured we’d get more privacy up here.”

Privacy is exactly what I don’t want where Higgins is concerned.

He looks around, his beady little eyeballs surveying the room around us. “Things are looking mighty rough up here. You got some water damage in the corner. Going to cost a fortune to fix.”

“I will handle it.”

“You know,” he says, setting his shiny leather briefcase down on the ground. “I think we got off on the wrong foot and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come at you so strong before.”

“No. I still won’t sell, though.”

He chuckles, shoving his hands in his pockets. Honestly, with that grin and the body hiding underneath his suit, he could be hot. It’s everything else that makes him unattractive. Like that smirk when he steps closer to me.

Too close.

“Why don’t you let me take you out to dinner? My treat. We can just talk. Get to know each other.”

“No, thank you,” I respond, hoping my voice is as cold as it sounds. “I already ate.”

“You sure? I’m sure we can find something in this little town. It’s only four.”

Shit.

“I have things to do.”

“But you work so hard.” Higgins takes a step forward. I take a step back. He takes another step forward. My ass hits the wall and I’m effectively stuck with him shielding the only exit I have.

Double Shit.

He backs me into the old, yellowed wallpaper, his body a mere foot away from mine. His scent . . . it’s all wrong. Like expensive, businessman cologne and not the rough smell of the sea that’s come to make my mouth water. Slowly, he reaches up, tugging one of my curls and watching it spring back into place.

“Come on, Nova. What would it hurt?”

My stomach recoils at the thought of letting this man touch me, but with the way he’s cornered me, I’m not sure there’s a choice in the matter. Especially not when his fingers slide down my arm, leaving me acutely aware of just how much sweat has gathered on his palm.

“I said no. You need to leave.”

“And—”

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