Page 37 of Ruthless Mr. Ricco

“He’s more likely to takeyouaway frommethan me away from you,” she says.

I pause, run through the probabilities, and glance at Mr.Brunswick before unraveling the first roll.

“If he were interested in me, he would have made a move a long time ago.”

They both scoff.

“I did,” he says.

When Brook swings surprised eyes at him, I realize they scoffed for different reasons.The folly of my words hits me like a ton of bricks.

It took me over ten years to make a move on Brook.

“He didn’t understand it then either,” Mr.Brunswick says, breaking my train of thought.

“Wait, you propositioned me?”I ask.

“Yes, about a year after you recruited me.At first, I thought you were ignoring my cues because you didn’t want to deal with it, but then I realized… that’s just who you are.”

“Who I am,” I deadpan.

He answers as though I asked a question when I most certainly did not.

“Yes.You’re goal oriented and success driven.”

Brook gives a tiny shake of her head and scoffs, “You mean you didn’t want to spend your life with a perfectionist and workaholic.”

He shrugs.

“I’m a workaholic now too, but I’m also in a stable, happy relationship, so it’s possible.”

Brook gives him a lopsided smirk.

“I’m happy for you, but don’t project your success onto us.We won’t work,” she says.

With her taste lingering on my tongue, I long to argue, but move the bandage roll to her lap and lift her wrist instead.

She huffs and tries to pull away.

“That’s overkill.I don’t need—”

Itskand prop her hand on my shoulder so her arm is in easy reach.

“Don’t try and stop me, little rabbit.I’m goal oriented and success driven, remember?”

She sighs and rolls her eyes.

“You are the most overbearing asshole I’ve ever met,” she mumbles.

“And you’re the most infuriatingly stubborn woman I’ve ever met,” I murmur.

Mr.Brunswick chuckles as he unrolls the second bandage.

“Well, there goes my peaceful future.”

“Hey, that’s not—”

“The office was getting boring anyway,” Liam interrupts her argument.“Don’t hold back on my account.I have two legs and know how to leave a room.”