Page 25 of Bargains with Benefits
He shot me a smirk. “Quite. At least I used it to get Skye a job. She wants to design clothing and open her own boutique, but she couldn’t gain an apprenticeship without experience.”
“And you got her the experience.”
“Well, she’s getting the experience herself, but I may have pushed her foot through the door with Kristin.”
“So, this isn’t your first time bargaining with your column?”
He ran his hand through his hair, pushing back the strands I’d been eyeing. “Unfortunately, no. Although it’s the first time I’ve done it so blatantly. With Kristin, I…wanted to get something from her when I realized she was using me.” He cleared his throat seemingly unnecessarily as if to distract from how honest that was. “I always stand behind the products or services I recommend, though. That can’t be faked.”
“And you think the inn is worth standing behind?” I asked. This felt too raw. I needed to remind us both that our interaction was transactional. This was a bargain from which we were both benefiting.
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “The property is beautiful. I still need to explore it further, but it’s exactly the kind of place I’d want to recommend. It’s kind of like this drink.” He lifted his glass. “We used a spirit that was already available, but we put a new spin on it.”
“I understand what you’re doing, Vincent. This is what I asked of you. You don’t need to worry about whether I can handle your plan. No matter the spin you want to put on me orthe inn, I’ll be fine with it. I want my inn to succeed, and I’ve read enough of your pieces to know you can help.”
“How many pieces, exactly?” he asked, and that wicked smile was back. One that I was sure had charmed many females into his bed.
I laughed a little stiltedly. Anything not to focus on him directly. “You can hardly expect me to admit to being your column’s number one fan.”
Our gazes locked. A moment of intensity flared between us. It reminded me of the night we met, the intimacy we’d had before I got called back inside. What could have happened if Seraphina hadn’t interrupted us? I found myself wanting to know.
The moment was interrupted by Markus returning. “Another round?” he asked, leaning against the bar.
My drink was nearing empty, but I needed to return to the inn. I had more work to do cleaning and refreshing it. “I’m good.” I glanced at Vincent.
“Me, too.” Vincent offered Markus coin for the drink.
Markus waved him off, focusing on me as he leaned against the bar. “So, how do you know our friend Vincent?”
I wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to that.
Vincent jumped in. “I’m helping her with her inn.”
Markus gave him asure you arelook, and I tried to hide my smile. He returned his focus to me in an intense evaluation. “Which inn?”
“Cliff House.”
His eyes widened. “Oh, that one is stunning. The cliffs out there are beautiful. We hike out that way every weekend.”
“I completely agree.” Although I laughed a little at his reference to the cliffs instead of the sea—it showed his Suden nature, to be sure—I also bristled, realizing my draw to the water showed my Norden nature, even if I didn’t truly have one.
We quickly slipped into an easy conversation about thehiking trails in the area. Markus glanced at Vincent once or twice. He appeared to be actively listening but not participating.
“Vincent.” Markus called for his attention. He seemed lost in thought. “Vincent.”
“What? Yes, sorry.”
“Luna and I were saying you should check out the hiking trails.”
He nodded, but I wasn’t sure he understood what Markus was saying. I wondered where his thoughts had been.
“Maybe the angle here can be more than an inn. It’s a quiet respite from the busy city life,” I said.
Vincent’s eyes finally brightened in recognition. He glanced out the window. “Maybe it’s time you gave me a tour of the property.”
12
Luna
