Page 8 of Baby For My Ex's Brother

Chris always had a way of getting under my skin, his holier-than-thou attitude grating on my last nerve. And now here she is, Shiloh, an unexpected pawn in our lifelong game of one-upmanship.

"Good," Shiloh's voice slices through the tension, a hint of steel beneath the softness, "because Chris and I broke up two months ago."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut—the sudden rush of heat, the undeniable pull towards her. The image of her, soft and wanting beneath me, flashes unbidden across my mind. I push it back… force it down. This is dangerous territory, a line we can't uncross.

But part of me wants to—to claim her in ways I've only allowed myself to fantasize about in the darkest corners of the night.

"Is that so?" My voice is rough with barely concealed hunger, the beast within straining against the chains of decorum and decency. I want her, have wanted her since the first time I laid eyes on her, but she was always Chris's.

Until now.

Shiloh nods, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her face before she schools her features into composed neutrality. "Yes, it's over."

I lean back in my chair, trying to regain some semblance of control. I can't do this—not now, not with her watching me with those wide, knowing eyes. There's too much at stake, too much to lose if I give in to the temptation she presents.

"I wasn't aware of that," I manage to say.

"So, does that mean you’ll be able to tolerate my presence?" Her question is direct, eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that leaves no room for evasion. “Because I really need this job.”

It ruffles my feathers, this straight-shooting side of her that seems to pierce through my defenses. I'm not used to being on the back foot, especially not in my own domain.

But Shiloh Sanders has a way of upending my world.

"Consider this a trial period," I tell her, my tone clipped, trying to reinstate the distance between us, the professional barrierthat should exist. "We'll have to wait for our first trip to see if we're copasetic.”

"Wow, nice SAT word," she mutters—then her eyes go wide like she’s forgotten I’m her boss, like the taunt slipped out unintended. She averts her gaze as I stare at her, cocking my head.

"Go back to Jackie," I say abruptly. "She’ll give you a rundown of what I need from you this week."

Shiloh stands up, her movements graceful and deliberate. As she turns to leave, I can't help myself—I watch her, taking in the sway of her hips, the subtle curves that her professional attire does little to hide. My gaze zeroes in on her ass, and I'm struck by an unwelcome surge of desire.

Shiloh Sanders is my new assistant.

And I’m in big trouble.

Chapter four

Shiloh

It’s been a longday at work, and now it’s back to the hell of my ex’s apartment.

I push the door open and am greeted by the ambient glow of the television flickering across Chris's face. He's sunk into the couch, thumbs mashing on the game controller like it's his lifeline.

The room is scattered with poli-sci textbooks, their spines cracked and pages dog-eared, symbols of a future he's chasing—a future I once thought would be mine, too. My heart squeezes tight, mourning my deferred dreams of grad school.

I tell myself I’ll get in next year. There’s still time…

… as long as I don’t get trapped in my job as an assistant.

"Hey," I say, but he doesn't glance up, lost in his virtual world.

I take a step closer, and the sight of him there—so absorbed, so distant—strikes a nerve in me. A memory flashes, unbidden: us, entwined, hands exploring the terrain of each other's bodies. I feel a jolt of something like disgust, wondering how I could have ever craved his touch.

How did I ever convince myself that this was what I wanted?

And why can’t I get his older brother out of my head?

I shake the thoughts away, needing something to take the edge off. I walk behind the couch, my presence barely registering in his consciousness.

---