Page 64 of Conquering Oz

Julian was the last topic of conversation she wanted to discuss with Oz. Clearly, from everything she’d seen at the club and his lifestyle, he managed his business well. Her? Not so much.

“Elodie?”

She jerked her gaze across the room. Oz stood with his hands in his front pockets.God, he’s sexy.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“God, you’re bossy.” She laughed, driving her hand through her hair. “Julian’s harmless.”

His jaw squared. “A grown man who shows up at night, cornering a woman who is alone, is not harmless.”

Elodie hadn’t looked at it that way.

“He knew you’d be alone and preyed on that.”

She swallowed the knot in her throat and darted her eyes to the glass window. She’d never been concerned about her safety when working late, but Oz was giving her a new outlook.

Elodie sighed, resting her hip on the counter. “Julian is” —she caught herself— “wasa friend of mine for years. When the store took a hit, and I was at risk of losing it, Julian offered to loan me the money. It’s proven to be one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.”

“Why?”

“Oz, I really don’t want to…”

“Why?” He growled.

She exhaled and shook her head. “Because when I turned down his advances for anything more than friendship, he demanded I repay the loan, in full, immediately.”

He furrowed his brows. “What were the terms of your contract?”

Oh, dear God, this is humiliating.

“I don’t have one.”

He narrowed his gaze, and his scowled deepened. Elodie immediately held up her hands, lifting her shoulders to her ears. “I know, I know. It was stupid. Trust me, I’ve heard it from plenty of people.”

When he didn’t say anything, she muttered, “I trusted the wrong person.”

Oz’s disapproval was evident and had her feeling ridiculously inadequate as a business owner. Everyone made mistakes, missteps, and misjudgments. There was always room for growth and experiences to learn from. But this was by far the most expensive lesson she’d learned.

Oz looked over his shoulder toward the window then stalked forward, stopping a foot away from her.

“He is not permitted in the store or near you. Do you understand?”

Elodie snorted. “It’s not like he was invited, Oz.”

“If it happens again, you call me. And I’ll deal with him.”

Elodie was capable of handling herself, but she wasn’t opposed to Oz alleviating some of her stress.

“Deal. Can we go upstairs now?” She rested her back on the counter. “I made dinner for us.”

“I’ve made reservations.”

For Christ’s sake, Oz.

Elodie laughed, shaking her head. “Does everything have to be a chess move with you?”

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