A Sweet Mess Page 6

  “I don’t walk away from my mistakes. I’ll set things right.”

  “You own up to your mistakes. Just not publicly.” Aubrey’s brows furrowed in thought, and then a ghost of a smile touched her lips. “But I do appreciate you coming here today. You didn’t turn your back on my predicament. At least, not for too long. You might not be a complete bastard after all.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” He grinned, her almost-friendly tone putting him at ease.

  “Maybe you’re right.” She surveyed her nails as though considering where he belonged on the bastard scale. “Are you planning to apologize for accusing me of selling my body to get ahead in the world?”

  Landon cringed as her acerbic words bit into him. That had not been his intent. He knew in his gut they had met by chance and neither of them had a clue about the other’s profession. But he needed to be certain she hadn’t slept with him to bolster her business, knowing who he was. He couldn’t entwine their lives further until she denied it with her own lips.

  “Well?” Aubrey sat, tapping her foot with increasing speed.

  “I was an idiot to believe for even a second that you’d faked your … enthusiasm.”

  “Yes, you were.” She blushed a fiery red, but her expression remained placid. “I never doubted yours. Although you sounded so pained when you said I was killing you. I actually worried for a second.”

  Landon choked on air and coughed until his eyes bulged.

  “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 about further 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 but professional. 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 brewery that he hadn’t apologized. He’d admitted his mistake and called himself an idiot but had never said the magic words. It was as though sorry wasn’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 words I’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, imagining Little House on the Prairie.

  He awarded her with a smile. The one where his eyes crinkled in the corners and his dimple burrowed deep into his cheek. The Smile. 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 his business offer. 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.

  “I was standing here the whole time.” Tara crossed her arms. “You just didn’t notice because you were too busy ogling Landon Kim—who, by the way, was trying to burn your clothes off with his laser vision.”

  Aubrey burst out laughing with an undeniable note of hysteria. His review had nearly destroyed her dream—it still might—but she couldn’t stop lusting after him. There was even a term for it. Sleeping with the enemy. Was it an actual thing? It must happen often for there to be a coined term for it. It was all wrong, but she felt helpless against the attraction. No, I am not helpless against anything. She was off balance because her enemy unexpectedly replaced her devastation with hope. Her wild emotions would settle after she had some time to absorb what happened.

  “There won’t be any burning of clothing.” Aubrey heard the wistful longing in her voice and bit her cheek. “We’re here to discuss business.”

  “
Business? What business? Does it involve lost kittens?”

  “What? No.” She squinted, wondering what she’d missed. “What lost kittens?”

  “Then why do you look so troubled?”

  “Because I slept with a stranger who wrote a restaurant review that took Comfort Zone to the brink of extinction. Now he’s back to help fix things, and I don’t have any better options, so I have to swallow my pride and accept his olive branch.”

  “Deep breaths.” Tara put her arm around Aubrey’s shoulders. “So how does he plan to fix things?”

  “He wants me to guest star on Aria Santini’s new show. I’ll be ‘well compensated’ enough to continue with the move and the renovations.”

  “Holy guacamole. And Aria freaking Santini?”

  “I know. Right?” Aubrey pushed her palms into her eyes. A mean headache was gathering behind them.

  “You’re really going to do it?” Her friend filled four mugs using expert flicks and taps to create the perfect creamy head.

  “I have to do it. You know I have to pay the contractors, and complete the renovations in the next couple of months. Or else I won’t be able to open the shop in time, but I’ll still have to pay the monthly rent per the lease agreement,” Aubrey’s panicked words spilled out of her mouth until she ran out of breath. She shrugged helplessly. “Tara, Comfort Zone will go bankrupt before it reopens its doors. I’d be crazy to say no.”

  “If that’s your final decision, then I have your back, but sometimes ‘crazy’ could be the right answer.”

  “I don’t know. The last thing I want is another wealthy, egocentric man in my life, but Landon said this was strictly business.”

  Tara stared bug-eyed at her, mouth agape. Minutes seemed to pass that way, and Aubrey fidgeted and scratched her neck. She broke under the stare attack. “I doubt I’ll see him around much.”

  “You’re my best friend and I love you, so I’m duty bound to smack you on the head if you believe the crap spewing from your mouth.” Aubrey opened said mouth to protest, but Tara held up her palm—to silence her or to smack her, Aubrey didn’t know. “If you’re doing this, I want you to go into it with your eyes wide open.”

  “Doing what? Shooting a couple of episodes of a cooking show?”

  “Quiet, child. Neither of you will be able to stay away from each other. The sexual tension is visible like a glowing crimson aura.” Tara circled her palms around Aubrey like a fortune teller. “So by this, I mean having a relationship with Landon Kim.”

  Aubrey didn’t have anything dumb left to say, so she asked the question expected of her. “And what would I see with my wide-open eyes?”

  “Fireworks and enough heat to generate electricity.”

  “No, please, no. I’m going to rip my clothes off before this is over, aren’t I?” She covered her face with her hands. “No, wait. Do you love me?”

  “Hell yeah. I love you like mad. Why do you ask?”

  “You have to kill me. If you sense that I’m about to go to the Horny Side, you must kill me. If you love me, then you will do this for me. Sleeping with him again will be the ultimate humiliation, and it could ruin our reputations and careers. It could ruin everything forever.”

  “Shut up and act cool,” Tara whispered. “Darth Sexy approaching.”

  “Hello, Tara. It’s good to see you again.” His lips hooked to one side, hinting at his dimple. Aubrey wanted to trace the indentation with her tongue. “But I’m guessing I’m your least favorite customer tonight.”

  “Back for more of my spectacular brew?”

  “How could I resist?” Landon chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. The Smile. Please, no. Not the Smile. If Tara had taken her seriously, Aubrey would already have a lightsaber sticking out of her chest.

  “May I suggest some of our seasonal specials?” Tara said in an overly courteous voice. Crap. Aubrey recognized the killer gleam in her best friend’s eyes. “Buzz Off is a personal favorite—so sharp and bitter—it might bite you on the way down. The Witch’s Brew is a close second. Don’t be fooled by the smooth, rich porter. The brew is hexed to make unfeeling jerks permanently impotent.”

  “I have our beers right here,” Aubrey said in a rush, picking up their mugs. “Let’s go back to our table.”

  “Always a pleasure.” Landon tapped two fingers to his brow in a playful salute to Tara and then tucked a couple of twenties in the tip jar. Turning away, he took the mugs from Aubrey’s hands and lowered his head to speak to her. His warm breath tickled her neck, and her toes curled in her shoes. “Your friend wanted to give me the boot, not free beer. I was worried you two got into a brawl.”

  “Ha ha,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

  Enough heat to generate electricity. She could probably power the Vegas strip with her restless energy. Back at their table, she took a sip of beer before peeking at him through her lashes.

  “As good as I remember,” Landon said, setting his mug down.

  “Mm-hmm. Tara’s amazing.”

  He settled back into his seat and stretched out one of his legs. His calf pressed into hers, and an electric jolt shot up to her head. Zing. His eyes glazed over for an interminable second before he snatched his leg away. Aubrey angled hers away as well, but they were still within inches of each other under the tiny table.

  Her nerve endings were zinging across her skin like sparklers on New Year’s Eve. The double barrier provided by his slacks and her jeans weren’t thick enough, and the only business she could think about had the word monkey in it—monkey business, monkeying around, hot monkey sex …

  “I want you to create two dessert recipes featuring wine from Bosque Verde. Your portion of the filming shouldn’t take more than a week, but you’ll need an additional two weeks in the front end of your trip to sample the local wines to use in your recipes. There are more than two hundred wineries to choose from, and I doubt you would want to rush things.”

  She stared at him, her face as blank as her mind. Ooh ooh ah ah?

  * * *

  “Aubrey?”

  She was understandably impatient for their meeting to end, but her blank expression nettled him. It took superhuman strength for him to concentrate—being so close to her that he could smell the vanilla and spice off her skin—but he’d promised to help her. To do that, she had to commit 100 percent to the show.

  “Are you still worried about closing the bakery during the filming?” Landon frowned at her stubborn silence and then shook off his frustration. He’d fucked up royally, and he was lucky to have her on board at all. “I’ll take a look at the show’s budget and see if we could compensate you for any lost revenue.”

  “Comfort Zone is already running at a loss, so don’t worry about that.” Aubrey straightened in her seat, emerging from whatever fog she’d been in. “And I already said I’m in. I’m not questioning your logic. A few weeks in exchange for a chance at a promising future, right? I get that.”

  “But you shut down as soon as I brought up the three weeks.”

  “It wasn’t … That’s not…” Aubrey blushed and fidgeted in her seat. He studied her closely, cocking his head to the side. He couldn’t figure out what was going on in her head. “Comfort Zone isn’t just a business to me. It’s my dream. I can’t imagine going away for so long, but that doesn’t mean I’ll half-ass my way through the show to finish early.”

  “I can understand that.” Relief washed through him in waves of giddiness. Huh. Setting things right for Aubrey meant even more to him than he’d thought. “And you wouldn’t be at the peak of your craft if you hadn’t given it your all. I doubt you’re capable of half-assing anything.”

  “Thanks. Okay.” Splashes of pink bloomed on her cheeks. She was lovely. “So where will I stay? I’m going to need a full kitchen to work on my recipes.”

  “I’ve arranged for a villa, and I’ll make sure you have everything else you need.”

  “Everything? You’ll make sure?” Aubrey’s eyebro
ws climbed to her forehead. “You got me the guest star opportunity through Aria, right? Your job is done. Shouldn’t the show take care of everything else?”

  “Aria came up with the idea of inviting you on her show. I’d like to take care of everything else for you as the show’s executive producer.”

  “The executive producer?” She sank down in her seat when heads turned at her raised voice. “You didn’t tell me that. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I’m telling you now.” He scanned her pale face. There was panic in her wide, darting eyes. “It’s a minor detail to our business arrangement, and it won’t affect your work. Other than hiring you, my duties won’t intersect with yours in any way. I’ve been on plenty of food shows as a judge, but this is my first time producing one, so my involvement in the show isn’t widely known. Aria is my coexecutive producer, and she’s the face of the show, not me.”

  “But does this mean you’re going to be in Bosque Verde, too?”

  “On and off,” he hedged as he analyzed her reaction.

  Then the puzzle pieces slid into place. She hadn’t realized she would be spending time with him. She looked terrified at the idea. Landon couldn’t blame her—he had been an asshole—but her reaction stung. Which went to show he was out of his mind.

  If she found out he would be in Bosque Verde for the duration of her stay, she would bolt out the door. He couldn’t let that happen. The show was the only way he could help her. To fix what he’d inadvertently stolen and nearly broken.

  But he couldn’t stay away from the filming. Some might think him neurotic, but he wasn’t ready to relinquish control until he decided the production was running smoothly. He planned to monitor the construction and stay until the first few episodes were shot. They were filming in a brand-new kitchen, which was no more than a blueprint and some tile samples at this point. With all the variables, he’d be shocked if nothing went wrong.

  “How much on and how much off?” Aubrey seemed to be holding her breath, waiting for his answer.

  “Which would you prefer? More on or more off?” He grinned wolfishly before he caught himself. Flirting with her was the dumbest move he could make, but he’d forgotten himself for a moment. She was distractingly beautiful.