Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1096

Juniper didn't reply immediately. She just stared at him, her expression a mix of amusement and conflict.

Well, true. It would be a massive tragedy to mess up a face like his.

"I see you're fully aware of your best assets, Mr. Schwartz." Juniper leaned forward slightly, her bright eyes locking onto his features with keen interest. "I do really like this face. Rest assured, I won't leave a scratch on it."

"Actually, my face isn't my only advantage..." Shanley's hands gripped her waist, a wicked, meaningful smirk playing on his lips as he leaned in to whisper right against her ear. "I'll let you test out my other advantages later."

It took a second for Juniper's brain to process the implication. Her eyes widened incrementally.

"Sure." Refusing to back down, Juniper narrowed her eyes in a challenge. "Let's test them out, then."

"Little fox." Shanley pressed a soft kiss to the tip of her nose, the absolute adoration in his eyes practically melting the air around them.

"Wrong." Juniper held up a single finger, shaking her head with utter seriousness. "I'm a predator. The kind that eats people whole and doesn't even spit out the bones."

"I don't care about the bones, as long as I'm the one you're eating," Shanley shot back.

Juniper was like, "Huh?"

Okay, there was no winning this conversation.

Whatever.

"Let's go." Juniper grabbed her backpack, shoved it into Shanley's chest, and started walking out on her long legs. "Harold is back. He wants to see me."

"Dr. Houston is back?" Shanley easily kept pace with her, slipping an arm naturally around her waist.

The two of them rode the private elevator down to the lobby.

"Mr. Schwartz. Mrs. Schwartz."

The employees at the Schwartz Group weren't fools. They had long since figured out the exact dynamic between these two.

More importantly, they knew that their CEO—who was a ruthless, terrifying shark in the boardroom—was entirely whipped at home. As long as they kept the Boss Lady happy, the actual Boss would...

Well, the Boss wouldn't matter.

"You're here." Harold immediately snapped out of his daze, pasting on a warm smile. "Long time no see. Did you miss me, Juniper?"

"A bit." Juniper wasn't one to lie. Her eyes immediately darted toward the table setting behind him. "Did you order the golden broth fish with pickled greens? I want fish!"

"Order whatever you want." Harold was totally accustomed to her aloof, food-motivated personality and just chuckled. "I brought you a gift."

Juniper opened the small box. Inside was a solid brass figurine of a puppy. It looked adorably goofy and round. She loved dogs. It was a thoughtful gift.

"Thanks, Harold." Juniper sat down. As she did, her gaze casually swept over Harold's phone resting on the table.

The lock screen wallpaper was a photo of a sleeping woman. The woman was facing away from the camera, revealing only half of her peaceful, beautiful face.

The angle... It totally looked like a secret snapshot taken without her knowing.

"Who is that?" Juniper's eyes widened. She leaned across the table to get a better look. "Is that your wife?"

Harold realized his screen was still lit up. A flash of discomfort crossed his face, and he hastily flipped the phone face-down.