Page 4 of Wham, Bam, Marry Me, Ma’am (The Billings Brothers Trilogy #1)

Rachel

My job is worth more than one night.

My job is worth more than one night.

My job is worth —

"Rachel?"

I startle out of the mantra running on repeat over the past two days, shaking my head. "Sorry, I'm...sorry. Hi, Stacey."

Even as Stacey starts talking, I rudely glance at the closed door in front of me for the millionth time today.

Vaughn—and yes, after the elevator moment, I've decided we're on a first name basis—worked from home yesterday.

For the first time since I've been here, and I'm guessing also in the history of the company considering the number of people who were shocked about his whereabouts when I told them.

I'm trying not to freak out about what he must be thinking, but I can't concentrate.

Today is the first time seeing him since the incident, but he hasn't come out of his office yet. I know he's here because he scheduled a meeting with his brothers, and I received one of his regular check-in emails.

Biting my lip, I touch my stomach, remembering his fingertips leaving little heated trails when he wrapped his arm around me.

No.

I told him no. In a moment of sanity during an otherwise freaking fantastic out-of-body experience, I realized taking what I wanted in that moment would cost me my job. Whatever he was feeling, the proof of which was firmly pressed against my backside, would be fleeting.

What if he was trying to find a way to fire me?

I shake my head, the thought too painful to fully process.

He made it clear in my interview that I was not his first choice.

I can't imagine my controlling, work-obsessed boss wanting to be around someone he hooked up with in a moment of frenzied passion.

But I also can't imagine the man I've fallen for would find a way to use that to get me fired.

There has not been one moment of impulsive thoughtless action on his part since I started here.

Regardless, my heart can't take a one-night stand.

I love him. Damn it. I do. I'm hopelessly in love with my sexy grumpy boss who I dream about touching me like that every night. Which is why I declined a kiss.

Maybe he loves me too.

Good lord, girl. I scoff at my own delusion. He didn't say he loved me . He just asked for a kiss.

"You okay?" Stacey asks, and I startle again. I completely forgot she was here. I'm losing my mind. And I'm an asshole.

"Yes," I say, because I can't say sorry again, and then I realize she's holding out the shoes I loaned her. "Oh, thank you."

"No, thank you. I brought a backup pair to keep in my office, so it won't happen again." She smiles at me gratefully. "I can't tell you how many times I've left something in the diaper bag as I rush to get here from drop-off each day."

"I can't imagine getting another person ready before work each morning. I barely remember everything I need most days." I give her a sympathetic grimace, and Stacey laughs.

"It's not that bad. A lot of running around.

It was harder when I was pumping because I couldn't get to her daycare and back on my lunch break.

" She shrugs. "But I enjoy my job, and Polly loves her teachers.

She's social, so I like that she's around so many people every day.

I'll be glad, though, when I'm not having to pay for daycare in the city anymore.

It's insane. City living, right?" Stacey gives me a little wave and heads to the elevator.

It is expensive living in the city. Billings Corp. pays well, but when you add up rent, transportation, utilities, and general living expenses, I'm barely making it, and I don't have a child to support.

West saunters down the hall, giving me a flirty wink before he knocks quickly on his brother's office door.

"Vaughn, it's time for the meeting. You're gonna be late, late, late.

" He lets himself in without waiting for a response, and I can hear Vaughn's irritated protest about knowing how clocks work as he compares his brother to the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland .

I stand quickly and smooth down my dress.

I chose a light blue shirt dress today with buttons up the front and a belted waist to emphasize my curves.

Paired with wedge loafers, it's the most comfortable outfit in my closet, but also makes my boobs look amazing while still being professional.

Because as much as my mouth said no, my body is furious with me for denying Vaughn, and a part of me desperately wishes he had ignored my wishes and carried me off to my sexy fate.

Except, I didn't intend to see him today while also in the company of West. I can't handle dealing with the awkwardness in front of his brother too. In my rush to get to the conference room before them, I knock over a cup of pens sitting too close to the edge of my desk.

"Damn it," I mutter. I lower myself to the floor to gather them into the cup. As I'm reaching for the last one, I notice a man's shoe in my periphery and look up, locking eyes with Vaughn. My breath catches, and I swallow hard.

His face is impassive, but he shakes the pen gently and I take it.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He clears his throat and continues down the hallway. West holds out his hand to help me up, and I thank him. He takes my things, walking me to the meeting with his hand on the crook of my elbow.

"You don't need to carry my computer," I say. "It's not heavy."

"Nonsense. My mother raised me right. Well, her and the nannies and governesses all did a bang up-job.

" He chuckles, giving me a side eye. "I promise I won't ask you to go steady.

" West wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I burst out laughing.

It probably would have been easier if I'd fallen for someone less grumpy.

I've often wondered why West's attention doesn't give me butterflies.

He's flirty and fun, but since day one he has given me older brother vibes.

Not a single sexy tingle in any part of my body.

On the other hand, his brother handing me a pen has my panties wet and my heart beating so fast I was afraid I might take flight. Attraction is strange.

Sitting in my usual seat, my eyes jump to Vaughn, who glares at West as he hands me my things.

West throws himself into the seat next to me and cracks a joke at Barrett's expense, completely oblivious to Vaughn's reaction.

Vaughn turns his gaze on me, and the hunger in his eyes takes my breath away.

His eyes lock me in place. I shake my head slightly to let him know I wasn't flirting with West, silently trying to communicate that there is nothing going on there.

He clenches his jaw and looks away, breaking our connection. Flustered, I open my computer as Barrett starts the meeting.

"Ludlow, Price, & Warner are working on a few new projects for us.

Hunter is coming in a few weeks for an information gathering session.

Rachel, let's set up a couple focus groups within the company, and then see if we can get an external group made up of people from the client's customer demographic. "

"On it." I take the necessary notes. "My friend Naomi would be perfect for Hunter," I muse out loud and then flush as all three men turn to focus on me. "Well, that wasn't very professional. Sorry." I grimace and try to laugh it off, while Barrett and West grin at me.

"Why is that?" Vaughn grits out in a commanding tone.

"What?" I'm startled to find his dark eyes trained on me, and even more surprised to see that he seems angry. My thighs squeeze together involuntarily.

"Why is he perfect for Naomi?" he asks again.

I lick my lips nervously before responding. Vaughn's eyes narrow slightly as he tracks my movements. He shifts in his chair, leaning forward. Although he seems mad, it's more than that. Is he jealous?

"She's..." I begin and then smile, thinking of my carefree friend, "...a free spirit. Hunter seems fun." I shrug and shake my head. "Never mind. I shouldn't be playing matchmaker."

"You can be my matchmaker." West nudges me, and I laugh.

"That would have to be a very special person, West." I smile fondly at the man next to me who gives off massive golden retriever book boyfriend energy.

A growl comes from across the table, and I turn quickly to Vaughn who begins coughing loudly.

"You okay, brother?" West asks.

Barrett rolls Vaughn a water bottle before turning to me. "I don't think Naomi is an option for Hunter."

"Oh yeah?" I ask, a little irritated that my friend would be so easily dismissed. "He has a specific type? Because Naomi is gorgeous."

"I'm sure she is. But yes, he has specific tastes." Barrett amends carefully.

West turns to him curiously. "What does that mean?"

"Uh..." Barrett shrugs and glances at me uncomfortably. "I think Paul and Mark would be part of the picture too."

West cocks his head to the side in confusion, but I clap my hands excitedly.

"Oooh, like a reverse harem? Or, what do they say now?

Why choose? Are the guys together too, or do they all share the girl?

" My cheeks heat as I look around the room, and I realize I just asked about the sexual activity of one of our biggest vendors.

Technically, three of our biggest vendors.

Vaughn's dark eyes are trained on me, and I flush deeper wondering what's going through his head.

Both Barrett and West's eyebrows shoot up.

They turn to stare at me, West resting his face on his hands comically like he's asking for more information.

I laugh and then shrug. "I'm sorry. I read a lot of romance. "

"You little minx, Rachel." West grins at me.

"I don't know what the dynamic is." Barrett chuckles. "And, I request that you not ask Hunter when he's here in a few weeks."

"Okay, we're done for the day." Vaughn slaps his hand on the table making everyone jump.

"Done?" Barrett's confused face quickly turns to anger. "The hell we are, Vaughn. I don't know what is going on with you, but you need to get your head in the game. We have an agenda to get through." He riffles the papers in front of him.

Vaughn stands abruptly. "You work it out." And then he strides from the room. The ding of the elevator doors opening tell us he's not coming back to the meeting.

Barrett lets out a frustrated sigh and stacks his papers, mumbling about crazy assholes.

"I'll reschedule you guys for tomorrow morning, Barrett," I call after him as he stalks to the door. He pauses, giving me a brief nod before storming out.

"So, Rachel, serious question," West begins, and he turns to me with a grave expression. I eye him warily. "What does Hunter have that I don't?"

I burst out laughing, relieved he didn't ask me anything about Vaughn.

"Apparently, he has two extra sets of hands when it counts.

" I wink as West's deep laugh vibrates off the walls.

"Besides, I see you with a black cat type, West." I can't help but giggle as he stares at me in confusion.

"I'm going to bring you some books to read. "

Even through the laughter, a dark set of eyes penetrates my every thought.

My job is worth more than one night.