Page 14 of Meet Jon, the Billionaire

“Of course, things don’t always go just the way I want, but… I don’t see failure as a reason for disappointment, but for improvement, refinement of my game.” I squeezed her hand and released it so we could both breathe.

“So, you’re not a man who gives up easily, huh?” She spread one of the scallions with her fork and brought it to her mouth. “I can respect that.”

I respected that she could still look cute as a button while talking with her mouth full. I longed to taste those sensuous lips, to sweep my hand down the nape of her neck and feel her shining silky soft hair…

“When I’m stalking my prey, giving up isn’t even on the table.”

“Stalking your prey?” Her brows came low over her eyes. “Wait, what is it you do for a living again? Don’t tell me you’re a bounty hunter.”

“A bounty hunter?” I laughed. “No, it’s kind of silly, but people call me the Ti—”

“Well I’ll be, there are our opponents!”

I looked up to see the face of Chad Maddox. I was about to stand up and start schmoozing him, but little Amelia leaped to her feet first and started pumping his hand.

“Mr. Maddox, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Amelia, and this is Jonathon. Jonathon is a bounty hunter and I’m currently managing the Breadcetera bakery. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”

“I’m not a—”

The words died in my throat. Breadcetera…

Amy was my competition for the corner lot… and she had beat me to the punch with Maddox.

What a revolting development…

Chapter Eight

Amelia

“Breadcetera?” Tiffany Maddox stepped up to me, her eyes wide with delight. “Oh, I love Breadcetera! What are those long donut sticks with the cinnamon filling—”

“Churros, dear,” Chad replied.

“Yes, the Churros. I just adore churros. I’d stop by more often, but quite frankly you have to wait in line at least ten minutes…”

“That’s been a problem,” I admitted, seizing the opportunity. “We don’t have the room for a second cash register, but we’re looking to expand into the adjacent lot.”

“Why, that’s a wonderful idea.” Tiffany turned to her husband and batted her Tammy Baker-esque fake eyelashes. “Isn’t it dear?”

“It would be nice to see a legacy institution like Breadcetera grow with the city,” Chad said. I danced with glee on the inside.

“Excuse me, Mr. Maddox,” Jonathon said, smoothly interjecting himself into the conversation. He gripped Chad’s hand in a firm handshake. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.”

“Oh, right, the Bounty Hunter.”

“I’m actually not—”

The loudspeaker interrupted them, listing out the names of the participants of the upcoming matches. Maddox grinned. “That’s us! See you on the court.”

“So,” Jonathon said as the Maddoxes shuffled off toward the courts “You’re the manager of Breadcetera?”

His tone was casual as could be, but there was an underlying intensity behind his big blue eyes that belied it.

“Sort of—My aunt actually owns the joint. I’m just stepping in to help out while she recovers from surgery.”

“Surgery?” His eyes widened slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that. What kind of surgery?”

“Her knee joints were completely shot, to the point where they hurt whether she stayed off her feet or not. She has new knees, and between recovery and physical therapy she really doesn’t have the time or ability to manage the bakery.”

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