Page 80 of Challenged By You
“The strongest woman I know.” My voice has more than a touch of pride in it.
“And you said she’s determined.”
“Very.”
“I think you’re screwed.”
I deflate like a balloon. “What do you mean?” I whisper.
“I think you’d better figure out a way to get her friends and family on your side, brother. Otherwise, there’s no way a woman who’s been hurt that badly is going to give you the opportunity to let you in enough again.” I gape at my brother when he merely shrugs. “I wish I had better advice for you.”
“You have better advice for the baggage handler from JFK who cheated on his wife,” I retort bitterly.
“This woman needs to know she’s going to get everything from you, Jonas. That includes trust and respect. Now, how are you going to go about showing her you’re ready to give her those?” he demands.
And like a flash, the words come. But not for a text.
For the article I’m supposed to type about the woman I’m falling for who has to bake for me in less than seven days.
“Get out,” I order hoarsely. “I have a few people to touch base with, and then I have work to do.”
“Did you figure it out?”
“Maybe.” Without hesitation, I pull my brother in close. “Love you.”
There’s a warm chuckle next to my ear. “I can’t wait to find out when you say those words to her for the first time. She’s a lucky woman.” Pulling back, he laughs when I growl in his face. Backing away, Julian holds up his hands. “I’ll just let myself out.”
“While you’re still breathing,” I retort, but even as I say that, I’m making my way to the bedroom to hit the shower.
I need to be clean and armored when I head to the Seduction kitchen.
* * *
“Are you crazy?”Elle screeches at me. “Do you really think I’d do diddly dick to help you? You…you…yellow-belly louse?”
I grin. I can’t help it. Trina’s best friend is nothing short of priceless. Whomever ends up with this woman is going to be kept on his toes the rest of his life. “Elle, please listen.”
“I should go find a paddle to whack you upside the head before I do. Better yet, maybe I’ll go grab my sharpest knife,” she declares loyally. Her violet eyes shoot daggers at me before she leans forward to hiss, “You hurt her, Jonas. Give me one good reason why I should listen to your sorry excuses?”
“Because of the apples,” I say calmly, even though I’m anything but.
Elle rears back as if I’m insane. “Excuse me?”
While I realize Trina hasn’t shared anything about my avarice toward apples, either the professional challenge or the personal knowledge she shares, it makes my task that much harder. Pulling out an envelope, I slide it across the table. “Read and sign this. Then I can tell you everything.”
Slipping the nondisclosure agreement from the envelope, she hurls it back at me before declaring, “I’m not signing shit.”
Calmly, I stack the papers together before placing them, with a pen, back in front of Elle. “Read the damn document, Eleanor,” I recommend. Her eyes widen when I use her full name as Trina’s never used it in front of me.
Snatching the papers up, the pen rolls harmlessly toward the center of the table. I wait for the moment when Elle realizes the NDA isn’t between me and her, but, “It’s a special NDA between me and the Seduction Restaurant Group? Why?” Her voice is laced with confusion.
“I can’t tell you without you signing, Elle.”
“Where is the damn pen?” Quickly scrawling her name, she refolds the papers and slaps them down between us. “Now, what information is so secretive that I’m about to find out about the tasting menu for the night you’re reviewing the restaurant. Something I presume you already know, judging by the look on your face.” Just as I’m about to answer her, Elle aims true with her next words. “Furthermore, what the hell does this have to do with the fact Trina’s been crying herself to sleep every night since the accident?”
Taking a deep breath, I simply say, “Because I’m the reason behind the idea for all of it.”
Sitting back, she crosses her arms across her chest, glares at me, and barks, “Explain.”
