Page 30 of Broken Brothers

I mean, I guess it would be nice to have dangerous and thrilling sex like that semi-regularly…

But…

Well, fuck, I was starting to develop feelings for her. That cursed word that I had put aside for so long, even as I liked girls, was starting to come back. This wasn’t like Tracy or Christine or even Sarah—this was very, very different.

And that said nothing about the stakes of our business relationship either.

I watched her get dressed, noticing that, not surprisingly, she was refusing to make eye contact. It made no sense. I’d made her come so hard she had to gag herself to avoid screaming so loud. I knew she had enjoyed it—I hadfelther enjoy it as much as I had heard her enjoy it.

What the hell was up with her?

“Why do you do this?” I asked, no longer willing to keep the thoughts in my head.

“Do what?” she said.

Somehow, she seemed even more tense. Her back had turned to me now, and though her face had turned, she still wasn’t looking at me. She had only just begun to put her bra back on, and she looked every bit the part of someone who regretted where she was.

In perhaps a futile attempt to put her at ease, I helped her get her bra on, lifting the straps and helping her get it hooked.

“Thanks,” she said.

Maybe it wasn’t so futile after all.

“It’s just… this is all so weird, let’s be honest,” she said. I wanted to laugh, but the serious look on her face told me that would be the worst thing I could do. “Obviously, by what just happened, I’m extraordinarily attracted to you, Chance. I have had to fight very hard not to indulge in you, but I get carried away. I shouldn’t be doing this with out business.”

“Well, I shouldn’t be either, but I don’t seem to mind.”

Layla finally looked me in the eyes, her expression saying, “really?” but at least with a smile attached to it.

“I take my role at the family business seriously, Chance,” she continued. “I don’t want to screw it up. I knew because you’re attractive we would probably end up flirting to some degree. But…”

“But the charm took over, huh?” I said.

She rolled her eyes, and now I allowed myself to laugh. Thankfully, it was no longer the worst thing I could have done.

“Listen, truth be told…”

Well, if there’s going to be someone who makes me who I was before Sarah Hill, this is it.

“I had no intentions of developing feelings either. I don’t like to get involved with women for a variety of reasons. But there’ssomething about you, Layla Taylor, that has me drawn to you like a starving bee to a newly discovered mound of honey.”

I put my hands on her shoulders. She fought to avoid leaning into me but eventually gave in.

“I really can’t stop thinking about you. Stupid, maybe. Probably, considering this could impact our business deal. But who puts a price tag on romance?”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous and charming, Chance.”

“Why? Because it’ll make it harder for you to say no?”

Her lack of an answer confirmed what I thought.

“Look, we don’t even know each other that well. Let’s meet up for dinner. Tonight. I’ll pay. I’ll show you that just because I’m not making any money here doesn’t mean I can’t handle myself. What say you?”

She folded her arms after putting all but her shirt on. Its tear was, unfortunately, a bit obvious, but at least she could leave the building quickly.

“I say fine,” she said. “But pick somewhere far away from our offices. I don’t need us drawing suspicious gazes.”

I heard her, but I took that as her saying she wanted to flirt with me at dinner. She wanted to relish in the opportunity to touch me again. Who knew? If I found a private enough room, maybe she would put her hand down there again.