Page 34 of Consumed By You

I shrug awkwardly, suddenly nervous.

“Damn, Ben is lucky he found you first.”

“Yes, I am.”

We both turn at that sultry, oh-so-familiar rasp that only one person can pull off, oozing authority. Benjamin is standing with two drinks and there’s a sour look on his face as he regards his adopted brother.

“Ben, I was just telling Darcy you’re lucky you got her first. I bet I’d be a much nicer boss than this old man. Maybe you should just come work for me, huh?” He nudges my arm, grinning, and Benjamin shakes his head, handing me a martini. I keep my head down low, wishing I could bring up that I’m looking for employment.

“That’s not happening, Alex, and if I recall correctly, Idobelieve you’re older than me by two years.”

“She’s too nice to work for you, Ben.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Benjamin raises his scotch glass to his lips, offering a scorching glare in Alex’s direction. It even intimidates me, but I guess it’s different between brothers because Alexander doesn’t even bat an eyelash.

“Darcy, would you like to dance?” he asks, offering his hand as a wonderful ’50s Sinatra song starts playing.

Wanting to let Benjamin know that I’m a free woman with no strings to hold me down whatsoever, I grab Alex’s hand and beam up at Benjamin sweetly.

“Could you hold my drink, Mr. Scott?”

Although the glare he is giving me is lethal, surprisingly, he takes the glass from my hands. “Of course.”

Alex whisks me onto the polished floor with a spin, and I can’t help but giggle as I try to keep up with him. He’s delightfully good at dancing, whereas I am not.

He grins. “So it’s not just me that pisses him off.”

“He’s bossy as hell.”

“Thathe is. He’s used to getting his way.”

“I guess that’s also why he’s so successful too.” I glance over to where we were standing before, but Benjamin is no longer there. He’s probably already found some perfect six-foot model to spend the night with.

“You look really gorgeous tonight, Darcy. No man here can take their eyes off of you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You don’t even realize it. Just another thing that makes you so appealing. Honestly, there’s nothing better than a woman who has no idea how beautiful she is.”

I blink at him. “That’s really so nice of you to say, Alex.”

His lips curve warmly. “Listen, I have tickets to the symphony for next week. Would you maybe—”

“Alex.”

I’m dumbstruck, knowing exactly who’s behind me.

Alex frowns. “Benjamin, the song’s not even over. You can chill out.”

“Then maybe you could stop feeling up my assistant and go entertain your date. She’s waiting over there for you.” He points to the lanky—not to mention, beautiful—woman glaring icily in our direction.

Shit. He’s here with someone?

“I’ll go once the song is finished.”

I’m staring between them, stupefied. What is going on? Did Benjamin really go find his date so he could break up the dance?

“No, you’ll go now.”