Page 13 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)

BEAU

Jake padded into the kitchen, barefoot and bleary-eyed, his hair sticking up in every direction like he’d wrestled with his pillow and lost. He hadn’t put on his glasses yet, which gave him a softer look—unguarded, almost boyish.

He rubbed a hand over his face and yawned as he made a slow beeline toward the coffee.

“Good morning,” he mumbled, voice still thick with sleep.

“Morning,” I said, trying not to smile too obviously. “I’m making scrambled eggs. Coffee’s fresh. And—” I nodded toward the counter, “—there’s a little something for you next to the toaster.”

"Thanks, I need it. Wait, what?" Jake looked over after pouring some coffee into a mug and taking a sip, spotting the silver laptop sitting on the counter. "Why?" he choked out, coughing as some coffee goes down the wrong way. "Why did you get me a laptop?" He continued coughing. "When...?"

"I picked it up last night at Best Buy with the trail cameras. After you went to bed, I got it set up with some high-end photo editing software. I can't have my photos looking anything less than professional for the business," I explained.

Jake's face showed a mix of amazement and discomfort. I realized it wasn’t just the lack of morning coffee that was making it hard for him to think straight.

His scent was off, tinged with fear. "Hey, I'm sorry.

I wasn't trying to push you. I genuinely thought you would like to have the tools for your photography.

I'm serious—I need some new advertising photos for my seriously outdated website.

" I moved in closer for a quick side hug, hoping to provide some comfort without pushing him away.

"No, thank you. Thank you, really. I haven't had someone be as nice to me as you have without asking for something in return. You haven't even tried to push me for answers. You've only admitted to having the hots for me," Jake said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"I do have the hots for you, and your story is yours to tell or not.

In the end, I just want to make you happy.

I really don't feel like you're taking advantage of me.

Just the opposite, you've been clear that there's no need for any of this.

This isn't an attempt to control you; it's an attempt to make you happy. "

I noticed a tear welling up in Jake's eye.

"I also have a proposition for you," I continued.

"Okay," he responded, but there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"I'd like to officially hire you as an employee of the farm.

That way, you won't feel like you're taking advantage of me, and you can earn a paycheck.

You're still welcome to stay here in my house and eat any food in the kitchen.

But Dick's comment last night made me think: I can give you an official job, and then there's no gray area with license enforcement. "

"What would I be doing?" Jake asked, intrigued.

"Well, there's always something to do in the greenhouse, not to mention harvest time for the plants is always busy for Will and me. But I could also really use some good pictures and updates for my website if you're up for it."

"Where does that leave us?"

"Interesting question. You know I'm drawn to you, and I have a strong interest in you.

There's a possibility that I might play favorites with you over the other employees.

A very high possibility. Given that it's just me, you, and Will as official employees, I'm guessing it'll be okay with Will.

Besides, a little workplace romance, if it comes to that, might be exciting.

I hope HR doesn't find out..." I trailed off, smirking.

Jake’s mouth dropped open. "Wait, it's only you and Will running this place?".

"Yes, although we bring in a seasonal crew to help with the Christmas tree harvest in early November for a few weeks. Other than that, it's just us. We grow and harvest the cannabis and outsource the production."

"That seems like a lot of work for two people."

I grinned. "Well, I'm hoping for three people."

"Okay, when do you want me to start?" Jake asked .

"How about tomorrow? Today, you can mess around with the computer, load your photos, play with the software.

Take it easy. That'll give me time to break the news to Will that you're now my favorite employee," I added, winking at him.

His scent returned to normal, perhaps with a hint of arousal, and that arousal mirrored my own as a boss and subordinate scenario played out in my head.

Jake eyed me suspiciously. "Why are you grinning?"

"Um, you might not want to know," I replied, my grin widening.

He chuckled. "Maybe not," he agreed, turning to his computer and opening it up without yet turning it on, examining it.

His scent spiked momentarily, causing me to get lost in my fantasies. Suddenly, I remembered breakfast. "Shoot, the eggs will be cold by now," I exclaimed, walking back to the stove. "Sorry, I'll make us some new ones."

"Beau, thank you for everything. Just so you know, I find myself having the hots for you, too. I hope you'll still feel the same way when my brain finally catches up," Jake confessed.

I grinned to myself as I cracked open two more eggs. "I don't plan on going anywhere.”