His Desire (14 page)

Kyle did her best not to show her reaction. She squeezed her hands tight to keep her knees from knocking even more. Welcome to the big leagues indeed. She’d just scored a home run. “But wouldn’t that go against your company’s wholesome image. I mean, 'Your Every Desire', while it is just a cookie, it certainly implies…other things.”

That was probably not the reaction Douglas Brady was expecting. He looked slightly taken aback. Kylie searched her memory. Was Grandma Brady still alive? Would she approve of such an offer?

“Well, yes. But we have plans to start a branch of the business under another name that would include more sophisticated products such as your cookie.”

Sophisticated products? It was a cookie for crying out loud. They weren’t talking about sex toys.

“Really, that sounds intriguing.” Kylie couldn’t breathe. This was it. This was really happening. She, little Kylie Monroe from Trinity, Oklahoma, was negotiating with one of the biggest moguls in the business.

“Oh it will be. We are very excited about this. That’s why we have put together a package for you.” He handed both Kylie and Sarah a thick black binder.

They opened it. It was filled with charts and profit and loss margins for her cookie.

“We’ve taken the liberty of forecasting your growth record for the next three years. As you can see, it looks good, but with our help, it can be out of this world,” Douglas said with another little smile that was meant to win her over.

“And if you would just flip to the last page in the binder you will see that we are prepared to offer you a very generous amount of money as well as a nice offer to buy the cookie recipe outright.”

Kylie flipped to the back page and almost shrieked. The offer was unbelievable. Her knees began to knock even louder. Sarah drew a sharp breath and reached for her hand under the desk. She squeezed it hard.

“We would of course have sole ownership of the cookie, but we would, in addition to the generous financial offer, be employing both you and Miss Evans as our spokespersons for the new line. We plan on opening stores all over the country starting in the bigger cities first of course. We have plans for New York first in February. For Valentines Day. And of course we would keep the store here in Austin—with a few changes of course and you can keep your staff employed here as well.”

“What about the other cookies?” Kylie asked him when she couldn’t think of anything to say. She should be asking all sorts of questions. She just couldn’t think what they should be.

Clearly, this wasn’t what Douglas was expecting either. “Well, of course we’ll use your recipes. In fact, we will be buying out the company, lock stock and, well cookie but our main interest is 'Your Every Desire'.”

“I see. What about the catering part of the business?”

“Well, we really don’t do that sort of thing. I’m afraid we wouldn’t be interested in that part of the business at all. But as you can see, you and Miss Evans will be receiving a very generous salary for your work. You two will have free reign for the most part on what happens in each store once the initial details are hammered out.”

Douglas stopped and looked at her in anticipation. No doubt, he was expecting her to sign on the dotted line without question. After all, this was a great offer. And a promising future for her and Sarah. This was what she’d worked for, for years. So why was she hesitating now.

“So, we would be traveling a lot?” she asked and clearly confused him.

“Well, yes, but then you are both young and unattached according to my records. This is an excellent opportunity for you both.” He eyed them each in turn, as though trying to read their reaction.

Kylie knew what Sarah was thinking. Why was she hesitating? Why wasn’t she jumping at this chance? Kylie couldn’t even begin to understand her reaction right now. This was a dream come true but all she could think about was Aaron.

“Mr. Brady, this is a wonderful opportunity as you’ve said, but I really need to think about it. Discuss it with my attorney. I’ll need some time.”

“I see.” Clearly he didn’t. He’d come there today expecting to leave with her signature. Signed, sealed and cookie delivered. “Well, of course. I understand. But I should tell you that we are exploring other options as well.

I would need to know something very soon.”

“I’m sure you are,” Kylie said, getting to her feet and surprising everyone in the room. Douglas and his entourage stood as well. Taking her cue that the meeting was over.

“I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve made a decision, Mr. Brady.” Kylie shook his hand and then each of the assistants and waited while Sarah escorted the group to the door.

The second Sarah returned she closed the door and turned to Kylie. “Are you crazy? This is a dream offer. This is what most people only pray will happen to them. This is what you’ve been dreaming about forever. What’s the matter with you?”

“I don’t know!” Kylie said and covered her face with her hands. “You’re right.

This is great. This is an unbelievable offer. This will make us both very successful. I don’t know what came over me but it just felt as if the world were closing in around me,” she said, finding it hard to breathe again.

“Okay, okay. Slow down. Take it easy,” Sarah said and plopped down into the chair Douglas had just left. “Is this about Aaron?” she asked quietly.

“What?” Kylie glanced up, saw her friend’s concern, and considered that for the moment. “I don’t know. Maybe it is. This is terrible,” she added, her voice rising in panic. “This is just terrible. I can’t be basing my future on Aaron. No, no, no. This is terrible.”

“Kylie,” Sarah said with a little laugh. “Calm down. You’re hyperventilating.

Just relax for a second.” Sarah left the room and returned with bottled water. “Drink this.”

Kylie took a sip and forced herself to relax.

“Are you in love with Aaron?” Sarah asked the question that she couldn’t bring herself to consider.

“What? No. No, I’m not.” But even to her, the answer didn’t ring true.

“I think you are,” Sarah told her. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“Do about it? Nothing. There’s nothing to do.”

“Look, Kylie, maybe you need to talk to Aaron about your feelings? You know, just lay it on the line for him. Tell him that you love him.”

Kylie pictured Aaron’s reaction to hearing those things from her and shuddered. “No, that’s not going to happen. That would be the worse possible mistake.”

“Are you so sure about that? I mean, I think the guy is crazy about you as well.”

“Aaron isn’t crazy about me or any woman. He’s crazy about his career. He enjoys having sex with me. Trust me. That’s it.”

“And I think you’re selling him and yourself short.”

“Oh, God. Sarah, what am I going to do. You heard Douggie. They won’t wait forever for an answer. I owe this to you and to me. But how can I leave Aaron when…”

“When you love him?” Sarah supplied and Kylie couldn’t hide the truth.

“Okay, listen to me. You know, I’m good with staying here in Austin forever.

Heck, I love this town. So if you want to tell Douggie and his little posse to stick it, do it. I’ll stand behind you no matter what. You know what I say, live for the moment. Don’t count on the future.” Sarah grinned before adding, “Do what you can live with, babe. Don’t do what others expect. And that goes for Mr. Perfect as well. He doesn’t know what a good thing he has with you. Don’t settle, Kylie. You’re too important for that.”

Aaron stood at the front door of his house and couldn’t go in. What was the matter with him? He’d waited over two weeks for this—to see Kylie again.

Why was he standing outside his own house, afraid to go inside?

Maybe it was because of what she’d said to him before he left work. Kylie had something important to talk to him about. But there was something in her voice that told him it wasn’t something he wanted to hear. Was she going to end it? He’d been expecting the end from the beginning. Not exactly the best way to live a relationship.

“Just go inside, you idiot. She’s waiting for you,” he told himself before unlocking the door. The house was warm and inviting. He could smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen.

“Kylie?” he called out as he dropped his overnight bag by the door and headed toward the kitchen.

“In here,” she answered. She wasn’t coming to meet him. What did that mean? Her voice sounded strained.

When he stepped into the kitchen, he stopped. She was standing close to the table. She had been lighting candles when he called out to her. She looked beautiful. Dressed in jeans and a filmy blouse, she took his breath away.

He smiled. She returned that smile. Then he took her in his arms and showed her just how much he’d missed her.

“Something smells wonderful,” he said when they could bring themselves to break apart.

“I’m experimenting with a new chicken recipe. It’s something spicy. I hope you like it.”

“Does this mean things are starting to level off at the shop at last? If you’re working on new recipes for the catering business, things must be more manageable. This is wonderful,” Aaron told her.

“Thanks. And hiring the extra help had been a big relief.” She wasn’t meeting his glance. Her voice sounded too perky. Something was definitely wrong.

But Aaron was patient. He waited until they were seated in front of the fireplace drinking wine before asking her what he’d wanted to know since he’d walked into the house.

“So, what’s this big news?” he asked causally, even though his fingers were trembling around the wine glass.

She didn’t say a word for a while. But she looked even more nervous. “Wait here.” Kylie came back carrying a thick, black binder, which she handed to him.

“What’s this?” he managed while holding her gaze.

“You’ve heard of Grandma Brady’s Wholesome Best, right? she asked and he nodded.

“Sure, who hasn’t? They’re famous.”

“They want to buy my cookie?” she blurted out, her eyes searching his expectantly.

“They want to…what?”

She dropped down beside him on the floor. “They’ve heard about ‘Your Every Desire,’ and they want to buy the rights to it. Actually, they want to buy my store, lock, stock, and cookie, and turn it into a franchise. With Sarah and I basically running that end of the business. We would have free reign to make it just about anything we want.” She rushed through the details before adding, “We’d be traveling to the different stores and staying there for extended periods of time. The first would be in New York in February.”

She looked at him expecting some response. For the life of him, Aaron couldn’t give her one. It felt as if someone had just punched him in the gut.

Hard.

What was she hoping for him to say? Aaron knew how hard Kylie had worked for this moment. But traveling for extended periods didn’t sound anything like the future he was hoping for with her. Still, he tried to be supportive. He couldn’t keep her from her dreams.

“This sounds, fantastic. This is what you’ve been working for, for a long time. Congratulations.” He forced the words out.

“So you think that I should take the offer?” Her voice caught over the words.

Her eyes broke from his. What was she thinking?

“I think you have to do what you want to do here, Kylie. This is an amazing opportunity for you. I wouldn’t want you to pass it up.”

“I see,” she said as she stumbled to her feet and turned away. Was she crying? Aaron got to his feet and went after her, step by shaky step.

“Kylie, what do you want me to say? I can’t make this decision for you.”

“I wasn’t expecting you to. I was hoping for a little more input though. Just forget it.” She headed for the door when he caught her.

“Where are you going?” he added as his anger grew. They were arguing. He felt like begging her to refuse the offer. He couldn’t. She didn’t deserve that.

They were arguing and he didn’t know why she was upset.

“I’m leaving. Thanks for your help, Aaron.” She tried to pull away. He didn’t let her. “Dammit, Aaron. Let me go.”

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me why you’re crying? And why are we fighting?”

He brought her closer, felt her body strain away from his. But her eyes couldn’t hide the truth. Sultry. She was just as turned on as he was.

Aaron lifted her in his arms and went back to the fireplace. He laid her down in front of the fire, and undressed her. She was angry. She was crying. He didn’t understand either of those reactions.

“Answer the damn question, Kylie,” he told her as his lips moved over her body. Their anger brought an edge to their lovemaking that hadn’t been there before. It came quick. Hard. And in a rush of passion. It was over before he realized she still hadn’t answered his question.

Aaron leaned over her. Saw her tears and felt his anger wash away.

“Baby, what is it?”

She only shook her head. Before she could answer, he heard the front doorbell chime. It sounded as if someone were resting their hand against it.

She shook her head again. He wasn’t going to find out the answer now unless he pushed it. Aaron brushed away her tears and reached for her chin forcing her to look at him.

“What is it?”

The chime continued unceasing. She shook her head again. “They’re not going away.”

“Screw them.”

“Aaron, I know you’re in there.”

“Shit.” His eyes closed for a moment, then locked with Kylie’s. “Ally.”

“Who’s Ally?” she asked.

“My sister.”

For a moment, neither moved. Aaron looked into her eyes and wished Ally away. But he knew his sister too well. She wasn’t going anywhere. She knew he was there. She’d stand on that doorbell all night if necessary.

“Shit. You’re right. She won’t go away. She knows I’m here.” He tried to understand Kylie’s expression. “I’m sorry, baby. Don’t leave. We can talk about this. Besides she’s here to meet you anyway.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. But I think we’d better get dressed before Ally calls the cops.”

He watched Kylie gather her clothes and run to the bedroom. Then he dressed as quickly as possible with hands that shook. Damn, damn, damn.