Kane’s mind raced. This was bigger than being outpriced out of her rent. This was a complete demolishment to cater to the unending tourists and their lust for bigger, better experiences.
And he was the one who had to lead the charge.
Kane popped up from his chair and began to pace. His gut twisted as he tried desperately to figure out his next step.
What were the literal odds on this shitshow? This one deal was the gateway to his old life. He’d have a job, money, and be able to rebuild his reputation. There were a million properties out there but no—he was specifically guided to target Sierra’s store, the one she’d built from her own sweat and tears. Flirt, the store she’d named in memory of him. Flirt, her pride and joy and the only thing she loved.
The universe had a hard-on for him.
He was used to doing difficult deals. He’d become cold to owners’ pleas; owners with big dreams and no funds to buy out the big, bad corporations gobbling up all the mom-and-pop stores.
But this was different than anything else he’d faced.
He’d be deliberately hurting the one woman he wanted. The one woman he believed was his soulmate. The one woman he had to convince he was worthy of.
He was so fucked.
You could walk away…
The voice rose inside him and offered up a solution. Kane knew there was always a choice.
Find a solution.
The same mantra rose up and repeated in his head. There must be a way to figure this out. Because there was no way Sierra could forgive him if he did this. He’d be the enemy. But if he didn’t, he could kiss this job and his future career goodbye. Stealth wasn’t stupid. They probably knew about his jail time, but were using his experience to their benefit. If he walked and refused, Duncan would fire him, and Stealth could get mean and choose to dredge up his murky past.
Start at the beginning.
Dragging in a breath, he went back to his laptop. He needed a meeting ASAP with Benny to gather more information. He’d also do another analysis of the first three properties to see if he could persuade Stealth in that direction. Maybe if he got the deal of a lifetime, they’d be willing to let Sierra’s property go.
In the meantime, he wouldn’t say anything to Sierra. They were finally moving in the right direction and had a date. For now, Kane would keep the two worlds separate and find a way out.
He had no other choice.
Sierra glanced around the crowded restaurant and sighed. “We couldn’t have started out with a quiet place two towns over?” she asked.
He flashed that trademark, lopsided smile that made her tummy flip. The crooked tooth was key to keeping him from looking too perfect. It was like having a mole on a supermodel’s face. It should’ve balanced out the unfairness, but instead made them even more gorgeous. “Ashamed to be seen with me?” he asked, voice teasing.
Sierra rolled her eyes. “Hardly. But it seems we’ll be eating in a fishbowl.” The restaurant held some tourists, but there was also a ton of people she easily recognized—from staff to the crowds lounging at the bar. They murmured together and glanced over with a mix of curiosity and delight. There was nothing everyone loved more than an exciting new hookup.
“Good. Maybe your friends will stop trying to match you with blind dates.”
“I never tagged you the possessive type,” she said, quickly perusing the menu.
He waited until she lifted her gaze to meet his. “I never cared this much before.” His stark words made her still. Things were changing between them fast. It was as if Kane decided not only to pursue her, but also smash down barriers.
Sierra had expected some initial games. Some attack and retreat, with flirting and a bit of foreplay. She hadn’t counted on being thrown right into the deep end, where Kane seemed unafraid to say how he felt. As if the time apart had spurred the need to move quickly rather than slow down.
Her head spun but she tried to be open to this new chapter. She’d tried to forget him. Tried to ignore him. Tried to pretend their one night was a fantasy that couldn’t become real.
She’d failed in every category, and Kane wasn’t allowing her the safety of retreat. It was time she gave this a fair chance, even though she was scared of getting hurt.
Sierra decided to be just as honest. “I’m trying not to freak out.”
Delight flickered across his face. “Who’s afraid of little ol’ me?”
She sighed and gave her response. “I should be. Thought Brick was the Taylor Swift fan.”
“He is. Always blasting that song in the car when I ride with him. Got in my head.”
