Page 34 of All We Need

After a minute, the smirk on his face expands, then he takes a step toward me. “Quitbeing stubborn.”

Admitting defeat, my hand hangs limply against my ear, andImeet his amused gaze. “PatricksaidIcould use the office.”

Booth’s murmured “Fucker” is barely audible, and his hands fist at his side. “Willyou be long?Ihave actual work to do.”

“AndIdon’t?”Ithrow back.

He crosses his arms. “Iimagine your work comprises steamrolling over small businesses and making babies cry.”

I forget my arm is attached to my hair, andIjerk my hand at him in frustration. “Skatá.”

Tutting, he ambles over. “Stoptugging or you’ll make it worse.Here.”

His large hand grips my elbow, while the other works its way into my mess of curls.Mybody goes rigid at his proximity.Hissmoky scent hits me.Thistime,Ipick up notes of paprika, black pepper, and saffron.Istop breathing.

My eyes remain glued to the center of his chest as he works on freeing me.

“I’ve never seen a woman with so much hair.”He’sexasperated,andIsuspect it has nothing to do with my locks. “You’vegot yourself in a mess here.”

You can say that again.

“What language did you use before?”

Peering up,Ifind him staring down at me curiously.SincemeetingBooth,I’veonly witnessed him flirting or pissed.Now, he seems meditative.Chocolatestrands fall over his brow as his eyes dance around my face.

I finally exhale.

“Greek.”Myvoice is hushed.

“You’reGreek?”

“My mother is.”

“I’ve never been toGreece.OrEurope.Haveyou?”Histhumb brushes my jaw, causing me to jump.Whichreminds me of where and who we are.

“Small talk?Don’ttell me you’re trying to butter me up now.”

His head shakes, frustration marring his features, before he steps back. “There.”

All the blood rushes back to my fingers as my arm falls to my side. “Thankyou.”

He drags a hand down his face, scrubbing at the hint of stubble decorating his jaw. “Iwant to apologize.”

“Well, color me surprised.Though,I’dmuch rather have your cooperation.”

Frowning, his head rears back. “No.Iwon’t be sorry for fighting for my family’s business.I’msorryIpursued you so hard.It’sclear now why you turned me down.Imisread the signs.Itwon’t happen again.”

I ignore the need to tell him he didn’t misread any signs and concentrate on what he’s not saying.

“So you won’t cooperate?Yourwords tell me you care, but your actions constantly jeopardize any alliance we could have.Whyare you so dead set on making my time here difficult?”

“Jeopardize?”Hespins around, hands clasped behind his head as he laughs.Despitethe humor in his voice, his limbs are rigid.Whenhe faces me again, he stares at me in disbelief. “Doyou want me to be thankful for you saving this place?AsifIdidn’t try for an entire year, only to be shot down and fail.Weall tried, hoping to all that is mighty we wouldn’t end up being ripped apart and turned into a chain restaurant.Thenyou show up, sniffing around for weeks, and rather than introduce yourself, get to know us, and what we’re about, you fire me on the spot.Youmight see it as jeopardy, butIsee it as clinging to the last shreds we have left of the man who built this restaurant from the ground up.”

Blinking at him,Igive him the space to slow his breathing.Hisoutburst is unexpected, and while he’s angry, there’s passion and authenticity in his words.Ifhis tirade hadn’t been aimed at me,I’dbe impressed.

“Do you even know the history of the restaurant?Thetown?”Hisarms drop.

“Why does that matter?”Irun my palms down the front of my pants, resisting the urge to clench my fists.Idon’t enjoy being the stupidest person in the room, and if he quizzes me on who founded the town, that’s whatI’llbecome.

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