Read Online Ruby Ink (Clairmont Series Novel Book 1) by L.J. Wilson - Free Book Online
Authors: L.J. Wilson
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thanks to Stefan, is in the process of signing Honor’s Guests to handle the food for the new inn. And…”
“And…?” he said warily.
“And we do have a separate deal going. One where Stefan would personally invest in Honor’s Guests. I won’t lie—it would be a huge boost for me. The kind of investment a small business like mine dreams about.”
“Okay, so I’m still not hearing the part where this Stefan owes you a favor. What else?”
“Well, lunches, they have gotten more… social . And I admit, he’s charming… good looking. But Stefan’s also very professional.”
“Does that mean you’re only screwing around when you’re both off the clock?”
“I…” She stopped, the blue of her eyes darkening as they narrowed. “I don’t see how any of that is your concern.”
“If I were your average brother, someone who didn’t have to report to his parole officer, you might be right. But think about it, Honor. You got something going with this guy—whatever it is. For you, I hope it matches the smile on your face when I saw you talking to him. If he’s what you want, if this Stefan treats you good… Fine. But if it all went south tomorrow… Well, your shiny Euro-suit might not think twice about throwin’ my ass under the bus for his trouble. Could be I’m paranoid. But if not, if I get fingered for some wrongdoing at a job… That kind of parole breach, it’s five years, automatic.”
She was quiet for moment. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. What can I tell you? Serious time being publically out of reach will make you look before you leap.”
“But Stefan wouldn’t do that. I know him well enough to know that.”
“Do you?”
She hesitated again. “Look, I didn’t start this conversation with the intention of discussing my sex life with my brother…” They looked anywhere but at each other. “But if it makes you keep that appointment tomorrow, I haven’t slept with Stefan.”
“But you’re thinking about it.”
“I’m thinking getting you a good job is my number-one priority.”
“More so than any romantic interest you have in this guy?”
“Enough so that I don’t mind promising if you keep the meeting, take the job, my relationship with Stefan will stay strictly business. This is too important to me.”
That was Honor, always putting herself second to whatever any brother needed. It pissed Aaron off that circumstances had proven he needed the most. He sighed. “What’s the job? Construction… plumbing… grounds work, I can handle any of it.”
“Not exactly.” Her brow crinkled. “Stefan’s looking for an assistant manager to oversee the last of the building projects for Abstract Enchantment. Then he needs somebody he can transition into helping run the place.”
“You’re kidding?” Aaron said, fully expecting a bottom rung on any job ladder.
“I’m not. And I did a damn good job of convincing him you’re the right guy. So will you meet with him?”
“If you tell me the truth about one thing.”
She nodded.
“How do you really feel about him? Would you be passing up the great love of your life so your jailbird brother gets a shot at redemption? Because if that’s the case,” Aaron said, his arms grazing empty air, “…Pass.”
“The truth, huh?” She sat back down on the bar stool. “Fair enough. The truth is that Stefan is an interesting man. Compared to the usual fare in Nickel Springs… Well, he’s more intriguing than Marty who owns the NASCAR memorabilia shop and smarter than Trevor Dotson… maybe I mentioned him?”
“The adjunct professor at the university. You dated him years three and four,” Aaron said, tracking time the only way he could on the inside. “Didn’t work out?”
“Nice guy. Not the right guy.”
“Okay, then let’s get to the real question. How does Stefan stack up to Rowen?” At the mention of Rowen Pratt’s name, Honor’s eyes grew teary. Fuck. He hadn’t
“And…?” he said warily.
“And we do have a separate deal going. One where Stefan would personally invest in Honor’s Guests. I won’t lie—it would be a huge boost for me. The kind of investment a small business like mine dreams about.”
“Okay, so I’m still not hearing the part where this Stefan owes you a favor. What else?”
“Well, lunches, they have gotten more… social . And I admit, he’s charming… good looking. But Stefan’s also very professional.”
“Does that mean you’re only screwing around when you’re both off the clock?”
“I…” She stopped, the blue of her eyes darkening as they narrowed. “I don’t see how any of that is your concern.”
“If I were your average brother, someone who didn’t have to report to his parole officer, you might be right. But think about it, Honor. You got something going with this guy—whatever it is. For you, I hope it matches the smile on your face when I saw you talking to him. If he’s what you want, if this Stefan treats you good… Fine. But if it all went south tomorrow… Well, your shiny Euro-suit might not think twice about throwin’ my ass under the bus for his trouble. Could be I’m paranoid. But if not, if I get fingered for some wrongdoing at a job… That kind of parole breach, it’s five years, automatic.”
She was quiet for moment. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. What can I tell you? Serious time being publically out of reach will make you look before you leap.”
“But Stefan wouldn’t do that. I know him well enough to know that.”
“Do you?”
She hesitated again. “Look, I didn’t start this conversation with the intention of discussing my sex life with my brother…” They looked anywhere but at each other. “But if it makes you keep that appointment tomorrow, I haven’t slept with Stefan.”
“But you’re thinking about it.”
“I’m thinking getting you a good job is my number-one priority.”
“More so than any romantic interest you have in this guy?”
“Enough so that I don’t mind promising if you keep the meeting, take the job, my relationship with Stefan will stay strictly business. This is too important to me.”
That was Honor, always putting herself second to whatever any brother needed. It pissed Aaron off that circumstances had proven he needed the most. He sighed. “What’s the job? Construction… plumbing… grounds work, I can handle any of it.”
“Not exactly.” Her brow crinkled. “Stefan’s looking for an assistant manager to oversee the last of the building projects for Abstract Enchantment. Then he needs somebody he can transition into helping run the place.”
“You’re kidding?” Aaron said, fully expecting a bottom rung on any job ladder.
“I’m not. And I did a damn good job of convincing him you’re the right guy. So will you meet with him?”
“If you tell me the truth about one thing.”
She nodded.
“How do you really feel about him? Would you be passing up the great love of your life so your jailbird brother gets a shot at redemption? Because if that’s the case,” Aaron said, his arms grazing empty air, “…Pass.”
“The truth, huh?” She sat back down on the bar stool. “Fair enough. The truth is that Stefan is an interesting man. Compared to the usual fare in Nickel Springs… Well, he’s more intriguing than Marty who owns the NASCAR memorabilia shop and smarter than Trevor Dotson… maybe I mentioned him?”
“The adjunct professor at the university. You dated him years three and four,” Aaron said, tracking time the only way he could on the inside. “Didn’t work out?”
“Nice guy. Not the right guy.”
“Okay, then let’s get to the real question. How does Stefan stack up to Rowen?” At the mention of Rowen Pratt’s name, Honor’s eyes grew teary. Fuck. He hadn’t
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