Page 4 of For the Promise (The Raider Brothers #2)

“This is not the solution I asked for.” ~ Jaxon

Jaxon

I slowly pour the whiskey into the glass and set the rest of the whiskey to the side before picking up the next whiskey I’ve selected for this blend based on its flavor profile. I’m trying to create a slightly smokier flavor for this blended whiskey.

I carefully measure the amount of whiskey I want to add before pouring it into the glass. I swirl the mixture together and—

Whack!

I nearly drop the glass at the unexpected sound. I check the time. It’s barely eight a.m. There’s no way Kai has arrived at the distillery yet.

I frown as I set the glass down. I hate disruptions, but I’d better check what’s going on.

I step outside my office into the distillery and scowl when I notice the garage doors are open and materials are piled high in the empty space we were planning to use for expanding production. Eli stands to the side with his arms crossed over his chest.

“What’s going on?” I ask when I reach him.

“I’m solving your problem.”

I blink. What is he talking about? “My problem?”

“You’re worried about people running around your distillery.”

I remove my glasses to massage the bridge of my nose. “There are currently several people running around my distillery. I don’t understand how this is solving my problem.” I narrow my gaze at him. “This isn’t some kind of exposure therapy, is it?”

“Exposure therapy?”

“Don’t act innocent with me. You made Kai jump off the cliffs at Mermaid Mystical Gardens to ‘cure’ him of his fear of heights.”

Eli snorts. “Kai wasn’t afraid of heights. He didn’t want to jump from the diving board because he had an irrational fear of losing his swimming trunks in front of the girls in his class.”

“He did lose his swimming trunks when he jumped off the cliffs.”

He shrugs. “And now he knows there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Except Zane and Miles stole his clothes and he had to hitchhike home naked.”

“If I recall, he wasn’t afraid. In fact, didn’t he end up dating the woman who picked him up? ”

I scowl. “We’re getting off track here. Why are there people in my distillery? And why are they unloading building supplies?”

“They’re building a wall to separate the distillery from the brewery.”

“You’re building a wall in my distillery and didn’t tell me?”

Eli grunts. “It’s not your distillery.”

I lift an eyebrow. Not my distillery? He must be joking. I’m the master distiller of Buccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery. If it weren’t for me, there wouldn’t be any whiskey.

He squeezes my shoulder. “I know you’re the distiller and this is your work area, but the distillery belongs to all of the Raider brothers. We work together to make Buccaneer’s Whiskey a success.”

“Which is why the operations manager is here this morning to oversee this project.”

“The construction isn’t Kai’s responsibility. It’s mine.”

“It should be his. He’s in charge of logistics and supplies.”

Eli holds up a hand. “I’m not having this argument with you again. I’m handling the construction. We’ll be finished in a day.”

Because tomorrow Paisley arrives to set up the Five Fathoms brewing facilities.

“I expect you to be nice to her.”

My brow furrows. “I’m not a mean person.”

He chuckles. “You weren’t exactly welcoming when she and her assistant were here last week. ”

“You didn’t warn me they were coming. You told me they were here and rushed off to greet them. I don’t enjoy being surprised.”

He studies me for a moment before giving in. “You’re right. I should have kept you informed.”

Someone hollers his name and he rushes off. I contemplate the situation for a moment. I don’t want the brewery here. I don’t want people I don’t know running around the distillery. It’s why I don’t give tours.

But I’m not stupid. I’m well aware there’s no way I can change Eli’s mind. He’s determined to help Paisley even though she obviously hates him. Those two are on a collision course. They better not collide near any of my precious whiskey.

Since there’s nothing I can do here, I return to my office.

~~~

When I walk into the breakroom the next day, practically every surface is covered with food. I scowl.

This breakroom is not the one in the offices, which anyone at the distillery can use.

It doesn’t have Baccarat crystal or a refrigerator full of the fancy water Eli prefers.

This is supposed to be the breakroom for the people who are working in the distillery every day – the two distillery assistants, the cellar worker, the cleaning and maintenance person, and the packing and bottling team.

The door flies open behind me and the smell of cherries hits me before Blossom comes into view. Her blonde hair is piled up on top of her head but a few strands have escaped and are clinging to her forehead. I can’t help but wonder how her hair would feel if I sifted a hand through it.

The collar of her t-shirt falls off her shoulder, revealing a pink bra strap. She’s wearing a pair of shorts showcasing her long, tan legs. I bet those legs would feel fantastic wrapped around my waist while I pound into her.

I frown. I don’t wonder how soft a woman’s hair is. My cock doesn’t twitch at the sight of a woman’s long tan legs.

“What’s wrong, nerd boy?”

I scowl at her. “Nerd boy?”

She indicates my t-shirt with a flick of her hand. “If you don’t want to be called nerd boy, you probably shouldn’t wear a t-shirt declaring you’re a proud nerd.”

I glance down at my t-shirt. I’d forgotten I’d worn this one today. “Oh.”

She giggles and happiness lights up her face while her light brown eyes sparkle. Add in her high cheekbones and there’s no denying Blossom is beautiful.

“And?” She drums her fingers over the table.

“Why are you scowling at the food? Do you believe workers shouldn’t be fed?

Are you one of those weirdos who follows a longevity diet and sticks to 600 calories a day?

” She grimaces. “No, thanks. I’d rather die early with the taste of chocolate on my lips. ”

“I do not follow a longevity diet. And I have no problem with workers being fed.”

“Is it the food itself you have an issue with? Do you avoid cheese? I’m sorry to say this but I don’t think we can be friends if you don’t eat cheese. Cheese is nearly as heavenly as chocolate. ”

“I eat cheese.”

She throws her arms in the air. “I give up! Why are you scowling at the food?”

I purse my lips. “I wasn’t scowling at the food.”

She points to my face. “You’re still doing it now. What did the food do to you?”

Zane and Miles rush into the room.

“I heard there was food.” Miles grabs a plate and piles it high with sandwiches.

Blossom snatches the plate from him. “The food is for the people helping with setting up the brewery. Your hair is wet, and you’re wearing board shorts. You haven’t been helping.”

“He’s been surfing,” Zane says as he grabs a plate.

“And where have you been?” Blossom asks him.

Zane winks at her. “I’m the marketing guru.”

Miles waggles his eyebrows. “And I’m the sales guru.”

My stomach sours as they flirt with her. Women always fall at the feet of my younger brothers. I shut down those thoughts. Why do I care if this particular woman falls at their feet? Blossom means nothing to me.

Yes, she’s beautiful and sexy. But she’s nothing to me. I have no reason to be jealous.

Blossom starts a slow clap at my brothers. “Wow. You must be very proud of yourselves.” She nabs the plate from Zane’s hands before steering him and Miles toward the door. “This food is not for office workers.”

“But—” Miles protests but she continues on as if he didn’t speak .

“I have carefully calculated the amount of food based upon the number of people helping. We don’t have extra.”

She shuts the door behind them. “Men,” she mutters.

I hold up my hands. “I promise not to eat any of this food.”

“You’re fine. I included all of the distillery workers in my calculations.”

“And I’m supposed to be the nerd.”

She barks out a laugh. “Did you make a joke? All I need to do is prove I don’t have cooties and we can be friends.”

“Cooties don’t exist.”

She narrows her eyes on me. “Are you certain?”

“Yes, I…” I trail off when I notice the gleam in her eyes. She’s making fun of me.

“I’m teasing you.” Her phone beeps with a message and she digs it out of her back pocket. She reads the message and sighs. “No time for lunch for me.”

She starts for the door, but I have the weirdest urge to feed her. To take care of her. Before I can question myself, I grab a protein bar and water.

“Here.” I shove the items in her hands. “The sound of your stomach rumbling is distracting me.”

She smiles and those light brown eyes snare me. I want to step closer to her. I want to watch those eyes flare with passion as I suck on her lips. My cock twitches in agreement.

I step back before I listen to my body and reach for her. Office romances are a bad idea. As evidenced by Eli and Paisley, as well as Rhett and Dakota. None of those couples have gotten together yet, but their mating rituals are causing disruption .

A large object falls to the floor outside the breakroom. Entirely too much disruption.