Page 24 of Anything To Be With You

She finds my gaze and holds it, all while smiling. I strengthen myself against her siren call. I will not fall victim to it. It happened with Sarah, and I will not allow it to happen again.

"Damn girl, remind me not to piss you off," Gabe says, taking her hand and kissing it.

"You’re the charmer of the family, aren’t you?" Dani says and pulls her hand back as Gabe grins at her. My gut twists with jealousy at the way Gabe touches Dani. I press my teeth together to stop from saying something stupid.

"I learned from the best," he says, thumbing in my direction.

Dani snorts and starts laughing. "Archer has as much charm as a wet rag," she barks out. "Now, if you boys will excuse me, I have a lunch date with a cute brunette."

Dani turns with one last glance my way and walks out. Gabe shuts the door and turns to me; brows raised. I shove another fork full of fish in my mouth.

"What?" I ask.

"She is not a fan of you at all," Gabe says, finishing his burger and starting in on his poutine.

"She is not." I reply.

A wicked grin crosses Gabe’s lips as he cracks open a craft beer. "You’ve got a hard on for her." Gabe says in a matter-of-fact tone, taking a healthy swallow of his beer.

I roll my neck, cracking it to avoid Gabe’s question but there’s no denying it. I put my fork down and wipe my mouth with one of the many Subway napkins Dani had shoved into the bag.

"There is something about her I can’t put my finger on. She has burrowed under my skin and made camp there. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since the interview yesterday," I say.

"Nothing to be ashamed about. Dani is a stunning creature, all those curves. Those legs were built to be wrapped around a man’s waist. Or his head." Gabe whistles as he finishes off his beer and grabs another.

"And that cute little tummy she tries to hide," Gabe growls. "Fucking sexy as fuck."

I raise a brow at my brother.

"What?" Gabe asks.

"You’re not going to ask her out?" I question.

"Oh, I’m going to ask. But I won’t push if she says no," he answers.

I look at my brother suspiciously. Gabe doesn’t give up after the first no. He’ll never force himself on a woman, but he’ll keep asking until he gets a yes. Which usually happens on the second try. Gabe can be very persuasive and charming.

"What do you know?" I ask, leaning forward.

He holds his hands up in front of his chest. "Nothing. Other than Carrie saying she’s pretty damn sure that Dani has the hots for you."

I start laughing. "Carrie is mistaken."

Gabe points his beer at me. "There’s a tension between you two that even I can feel," he says. "Go for it."

I wave him off. "I’m her boss and it is inappropriate. Plus, I'm not going to let what Sarah did to me happen again."

"I don’t think Dani is capable of doing something that fucking shitty."

"I didn’t think Sarah was capable of it either and neither did you. Drop it." I growl.

"Fine. I’ll drop it." Gabe snarls. He finishes off his food and stands, stretching and changing the subject. "Drinks Saturday? We can invite the girls." Gabe nods in the direction of Carrie’s desk.

"Sure. But leave the girls out of it."

Gabe pouts around a smile. "Oh fine. I’ll meet you at the usual spot," he swings open the door and swaggers his way over to Dani. "Dani, my love. It was a pleasure," Gabe says, taking her hand again.

"I’m sure you say that to all the ladies," Dani replies.

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