had no choice but to accept the fervent handshake. “And you are?”
“Chase Drayson,” the tall man answered. “Part owner of Lillian’s.”
Everett caught the word part and looked the siren whom he’d fancied from across the room directly in the eye. Except now, standing so close to her, he found she was even more striking. “And you, would you be a part owner, as well?”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Yes, but how could you tell?”
Everett inclined his head toward the door. “You were outside taking photos earlier, and I couldn’t help but notice you.”
His observation caused her to blush and she lowered her eyes, but that didn’t stop the tall man from continuing the conversation, even though Everett wished he would go away and give them some privacy so he could get to know her better.
“We’re all part owners,” Chase offered. “Mariah, myself and our brother, Jackson, over there,” He motioned to a man across the room surrounded by a group of young female customers sampling pastries from a platter he held.
“Mariah...” Everett let her name dangle on his lips. “It’s nice to meet you.” He offered her his hand.
Something shifted in the air between them. Something Everett hadn’t felt in a long time. Awareness. Sexual awareness of another person, but not just any person. Her. It was several moments before she finally accepted his hand with a smile. “Pleasure to meet you.”
A current of electricity passed between them at the slight touch, but then, as if Everett had imagined it, it was gone.
“What brings you by our little establishment?” Chase inquired.
Everett breathed in deeply. Clearly, her brother wasn’t getting the hint that he wanted to be alone with his sister, so he needed to be blunt. “Perhaps I can explain to Mariah?” he asked, holding out his arm. “As she gives me a tour?”
Chase glanced at his sister and then back at Everett, and understanding finally dawned. “Oh, of course, I’ll go mingle with the other guests. Have fun, sis.” He gave her wink as he strode away.
Everett sighed. Thankfully, they were alone. “So—” he grasped her delicate hand and slid it in the crook of his arm “—Mariah Drayson, what’s your role here at Lillian’s?” he asked, as she led him around the bakery.
When she glanced up at him with those brilliant brown eyes, Everett’s stomach flip-flopped.
“I’m not only part owner, but head baker, as well.” Mariah walked over to one of the tables holding a spread of pastries, muffins and scones. She reached for a petite orange scone and offered it to him.
“Really?” He arched an eyebrow as he accepted it. When he took a bite it was so moist and delicious, he couldn’t help but groan out loud.
She blushed at his near-sexual response. “Does that surprise you?”
His brow furrowed. “Hmm. I guess so. You don’t strike me as the domesticated type.”
“That’s because you don’t know me,” Mariah responded.
“I’d like to remedy that,” Everett replied smoothly as he drew closer to her. “How about sharing a meal with me sometime?” Had he really just asked her out, with no preamble or finesse? He hoped she would say yes.
Mariah coughed audibly. Had she heard him correctly? Had this impossibly gorgeous man with sexy dimples just asked her out? Her chest expanded as she responded to his close proximity. She could feel the heady attraction between them as her heart thumped loudly in her chest. It was as if he was magnetically pulling her toward him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Everett said with a smile, as he reached for another piece of heaven on that platter. He popped it in his mouth and chewed as he watched her intently. He was clearly waiting on an answer.
“I—I can’t,” she finally answered. Awareness of him prickled across her skin and made her uncomfortable.
“Why not?”
“Are you always this persistent?”
“When someone is trying to avoid me, I am.”
“And I’m trying to avoid you?”
He smiled. “You know you are. And there’s no need. I don’t bite.”
Mariah wasn’t so sure about that. Everett Myers looked like just the sort of man she should steer clear of. He radiated a sexual magnetism so potent that she shifted, restless on her feet.
“I’m waiting,” he said, folding his arms across his amazingly broad chest. His voice was slow and seductive.
Mariah couldn’t help but notice how defined he was. With his football player physique, he looked as if he spent a great amount of time at the gym, pumping iron. Everett Myers was sinfully sexy and he smelled equally divine. His cologne, spicy and woodsy, was tantalizing her senses, so much so that she had to step away.
“I’ve only been divorced a short time and I’m not ready to jump back into the dating pool.”
His eyes followed her every movement. “That’s too bad, but perhaps you’ll change your mind.”
“I doubt that.”
“If you can’t tell, I’m pretty persistent,” Everett replied.
“I’ve noticed. You ran my poor brother off with that look you gave him.”
Everett grinned unabashedly. “Did I? I just wanted some time alone with you.”
“I’m sorry to have wasted your time, since I’m not on the market. But my pastries are,” Mariah replied, “and you seem to like the scones. Can I get a variety box for you to take home? We have orange, lemon, triple berry and blueberry. Or perhaps something chocolate? Like an éclair?”
“Ah, the lady is changing the subject,” Everett said, as she moved away from him toward the register.
She gave him her friendliest smile. “I’m starting a new business, Mr. Myers, and my focus has to be on making it a success.”
He nodded. “I can appreciate that.”
She frowned.
“No, I can,” he declared. “Ensuring that my family’s legacy continues is important to me, since my father left running the hotels to me.”
“Omigod!” Mariah clapped her hand to her mouth. “You’re Everett Myers.”
He adjusted his tie and smiled with his eyes as she realized exactly who he was. “That’s right.”
“Of Myers Hotels,” Mariah finished, as understanding dawned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize...”
“Would
