These Words

By Tressie Lockwood

This title was previously published in an anthology.

When billionaire Easton Tremaine shows up in Kenzie's Boston sandwich shop, she's more than a little intrigued. Then he shares the news that his grandfather's will stipulates he can only gain control of his inheritance if he is married and has a child within one year. She wishes him luck with that and figures the sexy man shouldn't have a problem.

Easton will do whatever it takes to meet the terms of the will, including asking the beautiful businesswoman with a gift for words for her help. In fact, he figures Kenzie will make as good a wife as any other. He is shocked when she turns him down flat and refuses any assistance.

Easton will not give up, but Kenzie's convinced he has no real charm other than his money and looks. When sparks fly, Kenzie debates bedding the man and helping him find a woman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Oct 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536599602

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kenzie sniffed , and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She gave the letter one more read through and then folded it to place back in the drawer where she’d taken to keeping it. Glancing over at the portrait on the wall, she let out a shaky breath, and the waterworks threatened to begin again. No, I am not starting my day off like this. She rolled her shoulders and stood straighter. With a kiss to her fingers, she pressed them to the glass covering her dad’s face.

I love you, Dad. She cleared her throat. Okay, let’s get this show on the road, huh?

Yes, ma’am! Lisa, one of her workers and right-hand woman, had just stepped through the front door, having used her key. Kenzie thanked the good man above that she’d gotten rid of all evidence of her emotional state.

Hey, girl. Kenzie held up the sign displaying the herbal turkey melt special. Ready for more of the crazy?

Please, you start half of it.

Kenzie laughed. I do not.

Uh-huh, okay, whatever you say, boss lady.

The day opened smoothly enough despite Lisa accusing her of starting mess. Kenzie loved her little shop where she specialized in good coffee and great sandwiches. These Words was her baby, and she’d dreamed of it for years, sweating and slaving away for others in order to make the shop a reality. Each cup and sandwich wrapper was decorated in little encouraging sayings that Kenzie had written herself. To keep it fresh, she sometimes handwrote a new message to someone who appeared to need it and left it on a receipt, a napkin, or even a sticky note. Not a day went by without someone telling her how the notes helped them when they needed it most. Nothing gave Kenzie more gratification.

Order up, Lisa called out, and Kenzie stuck a pen behind her ear and dashed to grab the grilled chicken club. She checked the slip and turned toward the crowd, people occupying every table. Her steps faltered when she met the interested blue gaze of a man she would have remembered had he ever set foot in her shop before.

Doing her best not to stare, she found the customer who’d ordered the chicken and returned to the counter.

Damn, he must like what he sees, Lisa commented.

Kenzie pinned her friend with a stern glare. Watch the language, and I’m not looking.

Lisa smirked. You’re a woman. We’re all looking.

Kenzie laughed and shook her head. Lisa was always trying to get her to work less and go out more. The problem Kenzie often ran into was, men were predictable. They liked and hated her independence at the same time, which made it hard to move past. The moment she broke a date because of some crazy project, things got complicated. She’d been on a break lately, but a woman did have needs. Sexual desires, unfortunately, did not understand her decision for abstinence.

The day passed, and she expected Blue Eyes to leave, but he sat where he was, unmoving. His attention didn’t stray far from her except the times he answered his cell phone. She had to give it to the man. He sat right there in the chair nearest the window overlooking the street.

Lisa drew up beside her as she bussed a table. He hasn’t moved.

I think he went to the bathroom a couple times.

Think he’s a freak?

Kenzie grinned. That wouldn’t be my first time either.

Lisa rolled her eyes. I know that’s the truth!

At day’s end, she wandered over near him. The coffee he’d ordered earlier appeared untouched, and so did the sandwich. Kenzie’s hackles rose, but she swallowed the attitude.

We’re closing now. You didn’t like the food? He shouldn’t have an opinion. He didn’t touch them.

They were tasty, he lied.

She waited for the friendly, ingratiating smile, but it didn’t come. What she did notice was how the broad shoulders shifted in his suit jacket as if he were uncomfortable. Unless she missed her guess, he’d had his clothing tailor-made, so it must be what he intended to say that made him feel this way. Couldn’t be little old me intimidating him. She smiled in an effort to relax the man. That’s what she did, after all.

I don’t think I’ve seen you here before, but welcome to These Words. We’re always glad to have new additions to the our little family.

Are you Kenzie Bridges?

She hesitated, again surveying the ice-blue eyes, the strong jaw, the midnight hair, and muscular build. He fit his suit in a way that made her speculate on the man beneath, but the arrogant air turned her off. He wasn’t her type—aside from the physical, of course.

Are you a lawyer? She dropped into a seat across from him and put her feet up. Let him take what he wanted from that. Her clock had ended a minute and a half ago. Okay, she was still offended over the food.

No, I’m Easton Tremaine.

Her eyebrows went up. Really?

He frowned. You know me?

No, but you said it like I should. She couldn’t help chuckling. The average person would have reddened in embarrassment, but Mr. Easton Tremaine compressed very kissable lips into a straight line of annoyance. She’d caught him standing earlier and guessed he reached over six feet. Nice. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.

I’m here for you. I—

She laid a hand on his arm and leaned forward, offering her most seductive smile. I’m flattered, but I like my men to move a bit more slowly.

They stared at one another for a good minute. Kenzie didn’t know why she gave Easton such a hard time. Maybe because he was so fine and because she hadn’t gotten any for a long time, his sexiness threw her off.

At last Easton broke eye contact, but she didn’t feel like she’d won a stare-down contest. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out an envelope, which he offered to her. Read it.

For a second, she drew back, thinking he’d served her papers. That is, until she recalled she had no disgruntled exes who might want to sue her, and as far as she knew, she hadn’t pissed off anyone else to that point.

She took the letter. What’s this?

To her surprise, this time, Easton did redden, and he cast the magnetic gaze toward the window. His engrossment with passing traffic on the narrow street wasn’t convincing.

She scanned the contents and then stopped to lay the letter on the table. Your grandfather is something else.

Easton blinked at her. Did you see…?

Oh, I saw.

And?

She retrieved the missive. In light of my will’s directives, which are to be followed to the letter, and because I know you, Easton, I am requesting that you visit Kenzie Bridges. She’s the owner of a sandwich shop on Washington Street. She will help you find a suitable wife.

Yes. Easton nodded, as if that settled everything. Money had addled his wits if she had anything to say about it.

She handed the letter back, and he put it away. No, thanks.

Pardon?

She stood up and pushed the chair under the table, hoping it would clue him in that it was time to leave. When he didn’t move, she walked to the wall and turned off the lights in the serving area. That dimmed the restaurant considerably, but still Easton didn’t budge.

What do you want from me?

He stood and strode over to her. His face cast in shadows was no less handsome, but his build and bearing caused her to catch her breath. She’d taken several self-defense classes, so if he tried anything, she could probably hand him his golden ass.

I want your help in finding a wife.

She stared up at him. You don’t strike me as the kind of man who would march to your grandfather’s drum.

No, I don’t, he admitted. However, I do want my inheritance.

And the wife?

To put it simply, in order to gain control of my inheritance, my grandfather has stipulated that I be married and have a child within one year of the reading of his will.

Whoa.

Exactly.

And that brings you to me?

Yes, for your help. He stepped closer, and she found the air escaping the room, leaving little for her to take in. My grandfather was an astute man, brilliant in business, obviously.

Obviously. She just kept from rolling her eyes.

I think if he suggested you, he had a reason. I’m willing to take every step he named, even if I do think it’s pointless. I’m only interested in the businesses.

Kenzie moved around him and walked to the counter. Sounds to me like any woman will do for you.

Right. He spoke from just behind her. She squeezed the counter to keep from jumping at his warm breath. The hand on her arm insisted she face him, and she did so, raising her chin. Again, the blue eyes captured her. He gave off such an air of superiority and boredom, they might as well be discussing the weather. In fact, what about you?

Her eyebrows rose. Excuse me?

You. He grabbed her hand and turned it palm down, then tapped the spot on her finger, which should have held a wedding band but didn’t. You’re not married, right? You’ll do.

She laughed and tugged her hand from his grasp. "One day when I get married—and I will marry—it won’t be to someone who oh so romantically declares, ‘You’ll do,’ but thanks for the offer. I’m gonna have to decline."

He frowned, no doubt taken aback from her refusal. You’re serious?

Oh yes. She pointed to the door. Now, if you don’t mind, I closed almost half an hour ago. I’ve had a long day, and I’d like you to leave. I don’t expect I’ll see you again, as my food isn’t good enough for you to even soil your mouth with it. Good night, Mr. Tremaine.

Kenzie—

"Good night," she said with more force.

He seemed about to say something more, but changed his mind and walked out the door. Kenzie twisted the lock and crossed to the window to lower the blinds. She watched him step out onto the street, and as if on cue, a sleek black limo pulled up. The uniformed driver leaped from the car and opened the door for him, and Easton folded his long form into the interior. As the taillights brightened just down the street and then disappeared, she sighed. She’d liked teasing him despite his attitude, and he was definitely eye candy. Oh well, he was gone, and