Nordic Heroes: In the Market and a Wholesale Arrangement by Day Leclaire Read Free Book Online

confession seemed the poorest and most ludicrous choice of all.
    Maybe she could beg.
    “Would you care to tell me what you want before you leave?” She almost sighed aloud. She never was much good at begging.
    He smiled then, his ruthless, Viking I’m-going-to-win-no-matter-what smile. “I don’t want much,” he said gently. “Just your store.”

Chapter 3

    R ainer reached out, his finger nearly brushing her cheek. “Your eyes have gone from blue to gray,” he commented conversationally. “Does that mean something?”
    Jordan jerked her head back. “Consider it a storm warning and stand clear.”
    “Really?” He cocked an eyebrow. “It’s typhoons I need to watch for, not volcanoes?”
    “What the hell does the weather have to do with this discussion?” She reacted like a tigress defending her young. “Are you crazy or something? You come into my store, bother my customers, rearrange our displays, throw out blatant threats and warnings, and then have the unmitigated gall to say you want my store?”
    “Your uncle’s,” he interrupted softly.
    “What?”
    “Your uncle’s store,” he repeated.
    He took a step closer and she fell back. How ridiculous to feel such instinctive fear when people hemmed them in on all sides. Yet she did. Something about his determined gaze and purposeful stride reminded her of a stalking predator. He cornered her against a huge bin of watermelons.
    “What are you doing?” she gasped.
    “Clarifying a few things. For your information, I did not bother your customers, I showed you the appropriate way to handle a troublemaker.”
    “Gee, thanks. I’ll try romancing Mrs. Swenson next time she comes in, though I doubt I’ll get the same results.”
    He grinned. “I’d worry if you did. Moving right along, if I rearranged any displays, put it down to an irresistible compulsion to touch things I like. There’s a lot in this store I feel an irresistible compulsion to touch.” His gaze swept over her. “But lucky for you I’ve limited myself to the produce.”
    “Congratulations. Have a raspberry.”
    His look hinted at retribution. “Next point. I never make threats or warnings, blatant or otherwise. I make promises. And I always keep my promises.”
    “Like you always get what you want?” she taunted. What had gotten into her? Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? She must have some fatalistic death wish that caused her to spout words guaranteed to bring a fast end to a short life.
    He moved even closer, edging her up against the bin. “I’m so glad we understand each other.”
    She wiggled away from him in the only direction available, up and onto the watermelons. Not only did she feel ridiculous, she undoubtedly looked ridiculous, too. The crowning glory would be for him to say so.
    “Comfy?” he inquired in a polite voice.
    She gritted her teeth. “Exceedingly.”
    “Good. Final point. Correct me if I’m wrong. I understand this store belongs to one Cletus Roberts, not a Ms. Jordan Roberts. Are my sources mistaken?”
    Alarm flared through her. “How do you know that?”
    “Was it a secret?”
    She shook her head. “Of course not, but—”
    “That means any business discussions I have regarding Cornucopia Produce should be with him, not some overly protective wisecracking, impertinent employee.”
    Overly protective? Of course, she was overly protective! Family tended to make a person that way. Fury took hold. She placed the palms of her hands square on his chest and shoved with all her might. He didn’t budge. She stared at him, both surprised and dismayed. Good grief. This man was built like a rock, with the stubborn immobility to match. Well, stone could be chiseled. She might not be Michelangelo, but she’d be delighted to give it her best whack.
    “Look, Mr. Thorsen. This store is a family business. Any decisions made about this store are family decisions. So whether you like the idea or not, you’re stuck dealing with me. Those