Page 54 of By His Rule

My lips part to ask what he means when a door opens and an older man with salt and pepper hair and deep frown lines across his forehead steps into the room, immediately apologizing for his lateness.

Kingston takes off toward the room the man emerged from, and I step forward to follow.

“Are you sure about this, Kian?” Micheal says behind me. It’s a whisper, but not one that’s designed not to be overheard.

My teeth grind as I wait for Kian’s reply.

“Are you questioning my decisions?” he growls quietly.

“You’re like me, Son. Your head is easily turned by a pretty face and a hot body.”

Asshole.

“Be very careful mixing business with pleasure. There is a reason why we keep those kinds of activities outside the office.”

“I’m more than capable of controlling myself,” Kian snaps before marching forward. “Shall we?” he asks before resting his hand on the small of my back and ushering me forward.

“Just don’t let me have to say the words, Kian,” Micheal warns as we all file into the room.

I glance at Kian as he pulls a chair out and gestures for me to take it.

“What was that all about?” I whisper.

“Nothing,” he snaps. “Are you sitting or what?”

Shaking my head, I accept the chair and pull my iPad and Apple pen out, ready to take notes.

Kian lowers himself beside me, and I’ve no idea if it’s me being hyper-aware of everything right now, or if he does actually sit a little too close to be professional.

The heat of his arm only an inch from mine means that I have to fight to keep my focus on what’s being said and not lose myself in his warmth, his scent.

Keep your head, Lorelei.

The meeting is short. No more than thirty minutes later, Micheal is thanking the lawyer and seeing himself out of the room.

The second the door closes behind him, the atmosphere in the room instantly dissipates.

“He’s not happy with this,” Kian points out once the lawyer has also said his goodbyes.

“I don’t really give a shit,” Kingston says simply.

“He kinda has a point though, don’t you think?”

The two brothers glare at each other in a silent battle of wills.

“It’s a good investment,” Kingston finally states.

“It’s a money pit and a huge risk,” Kian counters.

“With huge potential if it works.”

“If,” Kian points out.

“We don’t fail, Kian. I thought you knew that.”

Kian opens and closes his mouth, but he quickly realizes that he doesn’t have a comeback to that.

“Just look at The Retreat,” Kingston says, mentioning his health and wellbeing project up in Kohler, Wisconsin.

---