Page 63 of Conquering Oz

“You did.”

Elodie spun around, sending him a seething glare. “Then how’d you get in?”

He dug his hand into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys.Goddammit.She’d forgotten she gave Julian the spare keys. At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. He’d loaned her the money and was acting as an ally in her keeping the store.Just call me a sucker!

“Elle.” She sidestepped again, putting as much space between them as possible. Julian held up his hands. “I just want to talk.”

“I have nothing to say!”

“This got all fucked up.”

She snorted. “Yeah, because you got butt hurt I wouldn’t sleep with you.”

“No.”

She hardened her stare and folded her arms. He could deny it all he wanted, but it was the truth. And sadly, she hadn’t seen it coming. He’d stood by her side when her mom got sick and rallied her out of her depression the year after. He was a good guy. Or so she’d thought. When her store had fallen on hard times, he’d stepped up, offering her a loan. Then he’d changed the terms and showed his true colors.

“We can work this out without the court.”

Elodie scoffed. “No, we can’t, because I’m notfuckingyou!”

His gaze darkened, and she felt a chill race down her spine. They were alone in her store after hours. Aside from her apartment upstairs, it wasn’t a residential area.Fuck!

As if she’d called for a lifeline, the bell over the door jingled, andhewalked in. Tall, muscular through his expensive suit, with a neatly trimmed salt and pepper beard and his eyes glaring at Julian across the room.

Oz.

“Am I interrupting?”

She darted her gaze across the showroom. Julian stood silent, staring back at Oz. They weren’t evenly matched. Even ona bad day, Oz would destroy him. She peeked over, and he hadn’t taken his eyes off Julian.

“I believe the store is closed,” Oz stated.

Elodie watched as Julian walked slowly to the door. She expected Oz to move, allowing a clear passage, but he remained in his spot, scowling at Julian. He shimmied to the side and opened the door just as the thought hit her.

“Wait,” she blurted and weaved through the displays, stopping directly in front of Oz and facing Julian. She held out her hand. “The keys.”

Julian’s nostrils flared, and his jaw squared. Oz cleared his throat, and Julian instantly jerked his gaze over her head. She had no idea what silent message Oz was sending but Julian’s face paled, and he shoved his hand in his pocket, pulling out her keys and dropping them in her hand. Seconds later, he was out the door and halfway down the street.That was amazing!

Oz leaned toward the door, his chest brushing against her back as he flipped the lock.

If ever there was a moment for hero worship…this might be it.My panties are drenched.

Elodie spun around. “That was perfect timing.”

He ignored her comment and glanced out the window. “Why was he here?”

“I was ignoring his calls. I guess he thought if he showed up, I’d be forced to talk to him.”

Oz glanced down, his gaze hardening. “Why did he have a set of keys?”

The last thing she wanted to do was rehash her history with Julian. She carelessly waved her hand and walked toward the center of her shop. “It’s a long story.”

“Tell me.”

“Oz, I don’t want to…”

He narrowed his gaze. “Elodie.”

---