Page 15 of A Sweet Mess

“You all right there?”

“Yes. Completely fine,” he wheezed when he could drag in a breath without coughing.

Her words taunted him, but boldly affirmed her passion had been real. Ridiculous pride surged through his veins. He wasn’t sure what aroused him more, her sexy retort or the memory it awakened in him.

God, you’re killing me.Her small, curious hands had explored his body until raging desire threatened to consume him. When their bodies joined, he’d felt pleasure so intense it had bordered on pain.

The silence stretched on, and tension, thick and hot, stirred the air between them. Landon’s throat worked to swallow, and Aubrey’s triumphant smile revealed she knew just how turned on he was. He shifted on his feet and forced his body to relax.

Lesson learned.Do not engage in sexual banter with Aubrey. Ever.It was a foolish thing to do in the first place. He’d come back to rectify a wrong, not to create more problems. Their one-night stand had passed notice, but they couldn’t take any further risks.

He dragged his hands through his hair. Why was he even thinking aboutfurther risks?She was the owner of a restaurant he’d reviewed, and she was about to appear on a show he was coproducing. Their relationship couldn’t be anything butprofessional. Breaking eye contact first, he stuffed his hands deep in his pockets and cleared his throat.

“Let’s go get a drink.” He desperately needed one. “We should discuss the details of your deal.”

“Weldon Brewery okay with you?”

“Sure. I’m game for anything.”

And thus, he thought,begins the greatest gamble of my life.

5

Tara was in a foul mood, dealing with the crowd four hands short—her twin older brothers, Jack and Alex, were attending a beer festival—but when she saw Aubrey walk in with Landon, her expression shifted from frazzled to thunderous. Her unspoken question rang loud and clear:What the hell is he doing here?Aubrey rolled her eyes and shrugged, hoping it said,Still figuring it out. Don’t kill him—yet.Her friend had murder in her eyes after she’d read the review. Aubrey had had to sit on her to keep her from storming Landon’s office. Once she calmed down, Tara settled for writing a scathing email.

He led her toward the back of the bar, placing his hand lightly on her back. She should’ve shaken him off, but she was too busy peeking over her shoulder to see if there was a trail of steam behind her. Her skin sizzled like butter on a hot pan where he touched her. She mentally slapped herself, annoyed as hell at her body’s reaction to him. He was the bringer of destruction. The pusher of her rage buttons.

She didn’t realize until they were walking to the brewerythat he hadn’t apologized. He’d admitted his mistake and called himself an idiot but had never said the magic words. It was as thoughsorrywasn’t in his vocabulary. His intent was plain. He’d come to own his mistake and to make amends, but after all that, he couldn’t utter the wordsI’m sorry.

What a strange, arrogant man.

Aubrey released her breath when he broke contact to pull out her chair. His manners remained impeccable even after obliterating Comfort Zone in “The Pitfalls of Brilliance.” The table wasn’t much larger than a round stool, so his long legs rested on either side of her knees, radiating bone-melting, masculine heat. Not that she noticed. But the brewery really needed some bigger tables.

“I think you’ll like the location. They’re renovating a hundred-year-old schoolhouse for the filming. It’s run-down, but it has unbelievable potential.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned toward her. His open expression was a far cry from the tense, cold mask he’d worn earlier. “The surroundings, the view, everything is amazing.”

Aubrey nodded, reminded of the charming stranger with the beautiful smile. He sounded like a kid showing off his favorite LEGO set. This Landon was adorable.Full stop.She forced her brows low into a brooding frown. In the last hour, she’d gone from hating him, to realizing she still wanted him, then to kind of accepting his non-apology. Her head spun, and she needed to get a grip.

“Most of the original structure was salvaged—Douglas fir flooring, board-and-batten walls, and even the chalkboards.”

“That sounds lovely,” she said, imaginingLittle House on the Prairie.

He awarded her with a smile. The one where his eyescrinkled in the corners and his dimple burrowed deep into his cheek.TheSmile. Her heart struggled against her ribs like a magician trying to escape from a straitjacket.

Hold it right there, Aubrey Choi. He suspected you of sleeping with him to get a good review. He obviously has major trust issues there. No. Sex. Allowed. Sex could ruin your professional reputation forever. Sex is bad. Don’t even think about heavy petting.

They were discussing the details of hisbusinessoffer.Look serious. Not horny. Serious.She adjusted her features into a somber mask and willed herself to concentrate, but Landon shifted in his seat, and his legs accidentally brushed against hers.

“Excuse me for a minute,” Aubrey squeaked, bolting out of her chair. “I’m going to grab some beer. Would you like some?”

“Sure. I’ll go—” Landon stood as if to accompany her.

“No.” She cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “I can get us free beer. Just wait here.”

“Sure.” Confusion crossed his face, but he sat back down. “Thank you.”

Aubrey dashed for the bar and ducked under it, grabbing two mugs from the freezer. She almost dropped them when Tara blocked her path.

“Sweet heavens, ninja woman. You came out of nowhere.” Not trusting her shaky hands, Aubrey placed the mugs on the counter.

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