Page 11 of Wild Desire

"Isn't it?" Oliver asked seriously.

"Are you offering to help because of my mom?" Maybe some misplaced sense of responsibility to my family?

Eli shook his head. "Our business dealings with you have nothing to do with your mom. Our guests love your donuts. We know the value of a good thing when we see it, and it's alwaysbetter to pay for exclusivity. When you're ready to discuss it, schedule a time to meet with me. I'm sure you'll be pleased with our offer."

My neck stiffened. "How can you be so confident?"

"Like I said, we know a good thing when we see it, and we don't let it get away." Eli's gaze shifted from me to Killian.

"I'll think about it." My mind was racing with the possibilities. Was this the right move?

Marcus stopped by my chair. "It would be easier to cook the donuts in an industrial kitchen."

"I don't need it—" There was no way I'd ask for special favors.

Marcus inclined his head. "Where are you cooking now? Your tiny studio apartment stove? That must take forever to cook all those donuts."

My face heated, and everyone's gaze flicked to me.

"You can use whatever you need," Eli said simply.

After I finished eating, I said goodbye to everyone and then ducked into the kitchen to have a word with Marcus. He looked up from the dish he was plating, grinning to find me standing there.

"Thanks for selling me out," I grumbled to him.

"I hardly think it's selling out when you're negotiating a good deal. It only makes sense that you use this beautiful kitchen." He gestured at the shining stainless steel dream kitchen that I'd love to work in.

But I screwed up my face and pointed a finger in his direction. "No more donuts for you."

The loud guffaw followed me out to the dining room.

4

KILLIAN

Iwas glad I went down for breakfast after Eli strongly suggested I meet the family downstairs. I learned more about Noelle during my meal than I did when I asked her point-blank questions.

She made donuts. I remembered her loving sweets and making them for the ski team. But I didn't know that she'd turned that into a business. I packed up a box of donuts and asked Oliver to help me back to my room.

Noelle had disappeared into the kitchen, and I wanted to take pain meds and a shower before I saw her again.

In my condo, Joey ran inside ahead of us, racing around the place, probably looking to see if there were any toys for him to play with. There weren't.

Oliver set the box on the counter. "Carolina is waiting for us downstairs."

"Don't let me keep you," I grumbled as I fell to the sofa and carefully placed the crutches to my right. My knee was throbbing.

Oliver must have noticed, because he grabbed a water bottle and the pain pills, placing them on the coffee table in front of me.

"Thanks," I said as I twisted open the cap, grabbed pills, and washed them down with water. I leaned back and closed my eyes, hoping the pain would dissipate.

Oliver lowered his voice. "You're not being an ass to Noelle, are you?"

I laughed despite the pain coursing through my leg. "Why did you say that?"

"You're grouchy."

"I'm in pain." I gritted my teeth, wondering when the pills would kick in.

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