Chapter 9
9
NOELLE
T he next morning, I swayed on my feet as I watched the donuts fry in the pan. I'd stayed way too late at Killian's apartment last night, reveling in being close to him. He'd nodded off fairly quickly, but I didn't feel great about leaving him on the couch.
He'd be more comfortable in bed, but I couldn't move him. When it became apparent he wasn't going to wake up, I covered him with a blanket and then left. But not before I kissed him on his forehead.
He'd looked so peaceful while sleeping. His skin wasn't creased in pain, and every muscle was relaxed. I wanted to touch the planes of his muscles and feel the heat emanating off his body. The only way to create distance between us was to leave.
Things had gotten way too intimate while I was sitting on the snowmobile between his legs. He'd leaned close, whispering in my ear. It felt like I was his girl, which was ridiculous. Killian went for the flashy blondes who looked perfect on his arm. Not the dark-haired girl from his youth.
He saw me as a family friend he wanted to help. He probably felt badly that he was so successful while I stayed home to care for my family. He wanted to release that guilt by helping Christopher and Winnie. I was going to let him because they'd benefit from that assistance. But he didn't want me. Not as anything more than friends.
I had to keep reminding myself of that. I was his employee, his friend, but nothing more.
My phone buzzed at six a.m. when I was almost done with the donuts. I needed to pack them and drive them to Cal's and then the resort to start my day with Killian.
Killian: Thanks for tucking me in.
Warmth spread through my chest.
Noelle: Did you sleep okay? I felt bad leaving you on the couch.
Killian: Great actually.
Was he aware that I kissed him? I couldn't resist. He looked so sweet sleeping.
Killian: When will you be here?
I snapped a picture of a tray of chocolate donuts.
Noelle: I have to deliver these donuts. Do you need me to come sooner?
Killian: Can you bring me one of those?
Noelle: I don't think those are on your approved diet.
Killian: I can indulge in one.
I rubbed my legs together. Would he indulge in me? I squeezed my eyes shut. When would I remember that Killian hadn't ever wanted me? This crush was one-sided.
Noelle: On my way.
Killian: Hurry.
I shook my head, taking a few minutes to jump into the shower and change into clean clothes. Then I loaded up my beater car with trays and headed to Cal's. I set up the donuts in the display cases and left the rest of the filled trays in the kitchen.
Thankfully, Cal was busy with customers, and I was able to duck out without him nagging me about my prices. We had an agreement, but I wouldn't put it past him to change it. If he reduced the prices, I would be the one taking the cut, not him. And I was the one who paid for the ingredients and fried them.
I hadn't given Eli's proposal that much thought, but maybe I should. It would be nice to deliver to one place every morning, especially when I could use the resort's industrial kitchen.
At the lodge, I set out the donuts. It took a little longer since I had to transfer each donut from the tray to the display case individually with tongs. I sensed when Killian came into the room. He leaned over my shoulder. "Did you save me one?"
"I did." I nudged the small box in his direction.
Killian nodded toward the other box. "Who gets the big box?"
"Marcus."
He leaned a hip against the table, angling himself toward me. "What do I have to do to get more?"
I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. "Marcus isn't training to be a world-class snowboarder. He doesn't have to watch what he eats."
He cocked a brow. "I'm not training right now either. I'm healing. There's a difference."
"You should eat healthy. I would feel bad if I hampered your recovery. I'm supposed to be making sure you stay on track, remember?" I said, enjoying our light banter.
Something flashed across his face, and I wondered if he didn't like the reminder that his time here would come to an end when he was better. Was he enjoying being home? Or was he just teasing me?
"Right."
I didn't like the uneasy look on his face.
"Donut girl, bring them over here," Xander called out to me.
"Show some respect," Killian chided him.
I grinned. "I don't mind. He was just teasing."
"You're so much more than a donut girl," Killian grumbled.
"My donuts are pretty incredible."
Killian's lips twitched as he removed his donut from the box and took a bite. "Amazing, as always."
Pleasure floated through me, making me feel like I could fly. I finished putting the donuts in the case, then joined the Wildes at their table.
"Did you get food?" Eli asked me.
"I don't need to." I didn't feel right, taking from them without paying.
"You already ate?" Killian asked as he eased into the seat at the end of the table.
I thought back over my morning. I drank coffee, but I couldn't remember eating. "I'm not hungry when I get up, and then I'm running. I don't usually have time."
"All the more reason to eat. Can you grab a plate for me and one for yourself?" Killian asked.
"Sure thing, boss," I said as I jumped up to get him a plate. He manipulated me into getting one for myself, and I'd let him do it, because my stomach was rumbling now that I could smell the bacon and eggs.
I returned with two plates.
"Have you thought anymore about selling your donuts here exclusively?" Eli asked.
"I'd have to see the contract and what you're offering."
"Come up to my office after you're done eating," Eli said as he stood and took his plate to the kitchen.
"I like the idea of us selling your donuts exclusively. We'll become famous." Xander grinned at me.
"I don't think your resort will be known just for my donuts. I think it's the famous snowboarder you produced." I nudged Killian's elbow.
"Do you have a business name?" Oliver asked.
"I don't."
"You should come up with something catchy. Like Noelle's Donuts," Xander said.
"I don't think that's very catchy. I didn't really need a name to sell them at Cal's," I said, thinking about the various options. "And everyone knows they're my donuts."
"Do they?" Oliver asked. "You don't think Cal is saying it's his recipe?"
My stomach dropped. I wouldn't put it past him. "I didn't think about that."
"You want to build a reputation based on your work, not have it absorbed by someone else," Killian said.
"I should have thought about this before. I just wanted to get the business up and running as quickly as possible."
"You'll think of something," Killian said.
"I think we need to do it quick. Cal has been pushing me to lower the donut prices. He's threatening to do it without my approval."
"I don't like how he's treating you," Killian said, and I didn't argue with him.
I didn't like the pressure either. "After breakfast, I'll talk to Eli about his offer and see if that would be a better option for me."
We ate, and talk turned to events at the resort. The winter festival was winding down, and they went through various options for spring.
I cleared Killian's plate along with mine, then stopped by to see Marcus in the kitchen.
He raised a brow when I approached. "You got my donuts?"
"You know it." I placed the box on the counter.
"You think any more about baking here?" Marcus asked.
"I'm meeting with Eli to talk about it."
"Good girl. I'm looking forward to working with you every morning."
"This will be a nicer view than my current kitchen. Speaking of which, my lease is up soon. I need to decide if I should stay or not. Do you know of any good apartments for rent?" Marcus was social and usually knew everything that was going on around town.
Killian leaned a shoulder on the door jam. "Why don't you talk to Eli about moving into the condo next to mine or, heck, even into my place? If you're going to be making donuts here and helping me all the time, it makes more sense. Then you're not wasting money on rent for an apartment you're only using to sleep."
My forehead wrinkled. "Are you sure?"
Killian shrugged. "I don't know what Eli will say. Let's go up and talk to him about it."
I said my goodbyes to Marcus and walked with Killian to the elevator and then to the floor with the offices. I had to admit, it was a great idea. But I didn't want to get used to living in such a nice place. It wouldn't be mine forever. When Killian's time here was up, he'd be gone, and I'd have to hunt for a new place or move back in with my mom.
At the door to Eli's office, Killian knocked.
"Come in." Eli turned his attention from his computer screen to us. "You want to talk about your donut business."
I sat in one of the chairs, and Killian sat next to me.
"There's something else we wanted to talk to you about first," Killian said.
For the first time, nerves fluttered in my stomach. What if Eli said no? "It's okay, Killian. I'm fine where I am."
"It's not fine. This arrangement makes more sense," Killian said, his jaw tight.
Eli frowned. "What are you two talking about?"
"Marcus thought it would make more sense for her to bake her donuts here so she doesn't have to transport them."
Eli nodded. "That's a great idea. I'd love to have everything in-house."
"Her lease for her apartment is up, and since she'll be here early to bake and with me most of the time, it makes more sense for her to live here."
I held up my hands. "But I'm totally fine keeping my apartment or even moving back in with my mom. I don't want to put anyone out."
"We're renting the rest of the condos out over the next weeks for a few weddings, so I don't have an open condo."
"Why can't she stay with me? There's another bedroom with its own bathroom. It will be perfect, and that way you'll be nearby to help me whenever I need you."
I narrowed my eyes on him. "I didn't think you wanted a babysitter."
"It's been helpful to have you around. You're keeping me on my pain medication schedule, and you feed me."
"You're enjoying your nurse?" Eli asked with a smirk.
Killian leaned back in his chair, letting his knees fall open in a masculine sprawl. "Actually, I am. It's been nice to reconnect and have company. Being laid up like this sucks."
Eli threw up his hands. "I'm fine with it if you are. It's your condo."
Killian grinned as he stood, leaning his arms on the crutch. Then he held one hand out to me to shake. "Welcome home, roomie."
I shook my head at his teasing. He sounded happier. I couldn't help but smile in return. "I'll be up after I talk to Eli."
" Y ou know he's not as grumpy as he was," Eli said after Killian left. "It was a good decision to hire you."
"Thank you. I'm glad I could make a difference."
"You definitely have. Now, about the donut business. I'm very motivated to get you over here full-time. I'm wondering if you're open to more specialty flavors."
"Cal tended to just want the basics."
"I want to be known for your donuts. I want something different."
"I have so many ideas." We spent the next fifteen minutes going over every flavor idea I'd ever had. I even sketched out how I'd decorate them with icing, sprinkles, and in some cases, cereal.
"This deal comes down to money. I want you to feel like you're being properly compensated, and we'd want exclusivity. So you'd need to sign a new contract every year. I don't want you to feel like you're stuck making donuts forever. It's possible the assistant job takes off, and you have less time."
"I was thinking of hiring employees if that happens."
"You have a good business mind. I think you're going to be successful in whatever you decide to pursue."
"Thanks, Eli." His praise meant a lot to me. He'd done an amazing job of running the resort with his brothers. He was expanding and increasing the offerings all the time.
"This is what I was thinking." He pushed a piece of paper in my direction. "You're welcome to take your time with it and even get a lawyer to review it. But I think it's more than generous."
My gaze traveled down the page until I found the number on the bottom. "I don't understand. Cal pays me per donut, and if something doesn't sell, I don't get reimbursed." I looked up and saw a glower on Eli's face. "I always sell out, so it's never been an issue."
"You're producing a product for us, yes, but I want to pay you for your time, ingredients, everything. It takes time and effort to come up with these ideas." He gestured toward my sketches. "Paying per donut isn't enough."
I considered myself a savvy businessperson, but I wasn't sure what to expect in a contract to sell donuts. I assumed the vendor would pay per product sold, but Eli's offer exceeded my expectations.
"Can I have time to take a look at this?" I didn't want to say yes on the spot, but that was my first inclination. I wanted to get my hands on that industrial kitchen. It was a dream come true.
"Of course." Eli picked up his phone and showed me the screen where there was now an option for personal assistant on the resort's app. "We've added your personal assistant business to the app. Now guests can request items they forgot or will need. Are you ready for it to be activated?"
I didn't have any new events on the schedule, and I could use the money. "I'll fit it in around Killian's schedule, and if it's too much, I'll hire another employee."
"I'm excited to see how this goes. I hope guests find it useful and convenient."
"Me too."
"Let me know about the donuts."
I stood and made my way to the door. "I will. Thank you."
I headed to the elevator in a daze. I swiped my card that allowed me to go to the top floor, and when I opened Killian's door, I realized that this would be my new home, at least temporarily.
Killian called out from his room. "How'd it go?"
I followed the sound of his voice, pausing in the doorway because he stood with a towel cinched at his waist, his impressive chest on display. "Good."
He raised a brow as he looked over at me. "That's it? Just good?"
I swallowed hard. His skin was still glistening from the shower, and I wanted to lick the stray drops. "Your brother's offer was more than I expected. It was very generous."
"That's good then, right?" Killian turned his attention to pulling clothes out of his drawers.
I wondered if he was going to get dressed in front of me and how that would work. Was he going to drop the towel entirely? My heart rate picked up at the thought. "Yes."
"You're going to take the offer then?"
"I just need to read over the contract and make sure I'm not missing anything."
"Are you going to have a lawyer look it over?"
"Mmm." I didn't have an attorney on retainer, nor could I afford one. "I'm sure it's fine. I trust Eli."
Killian raised a brow. "Like you trust Cal?"
"I don't trust him at all. I thought my agreement with him was fair, but I suppose it's not, now that I've seen Eli's offer."
"It will be easier for you to live and work here. The kitchen's just downstairs, and when the personal assistant service starts, you'll be close by."
"Are you sure you want me to move in? I would think you'd want your privacy."
"It makes more sense if you're going to be working here that you'd be close. It should save you some time and allow you to get more sleep. You can check out the bedroom. It's the first one on the right." Killian waved a hand down the hallway.
"I should probably see it before I move in," I said as I headed in the direction of the bedroom. It was a good size, fully furnished with a bed and dressers. There was even a connected bathroom. It was nicer than my current apartment.
When I returned to the bedroom, Killian was dressed in a T-shirt and sweats. "What do you want for rent?"
Killian waved a hand dismissing me. "Don't worry about it. Consider it part of your compensation package, and before you argue with me about it, I was the one who said it would be better for you to live with me."
"I guess you have a new roomie." I just hoped this wasn't a big mistake. It would be hard to ignore my attraction to him if I was living with him. But my room and the bathroom were separate from his. There'd be no reason to run into each other half naked. Yet somehow, we managed to do that anyway.