Page 37 of The Cocky Neighbor

I gulped, feeling like a kid again. Lucas grew up learning how to become the next head of the family, and he definitely got thescrutinizing death stare down pat.

My silence was very telling. Lucas sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Of all the stupid things you could do, you decided to sleep with an employee. Do you know how much trouble we could get in for this, how muchpaperworkwe'd have to file?" he grumbled the last part. Paperwork wasn't his favorite thing.

"Chill out, babe. It's not like he's coercing the man. They're both consenting adults, and it isn't affecting their work. Didn't you tell me that Liam has done a wonderful job with the hotel project? And that he's basically done with his part at this point?" Noah said, and I silently thanked him for taking my side.

"Still, this could have jeopardized the entire acquisition. If the man had bad intentions, he could accuse you of using your position to force him to sleep with you. He could blackmail you for this," Lucas said with a sigh.

I knew that doing anything with Eric might cause some problems, and that was why I was so resistant to it at first. We all knew how that turned out. I couldn't fight my attraction to the man, and I took the chance because I knew what kind of character he had.

"Eric wouldn't do that. He's the kind of man who would stand up against me for his friends, and has no problem calling me out on my bullshit. He's a man filled with honor and has the biggest heart I know. He's not afraid to show his emotions, and he would never do something so underhanded like you're suggesting," I argued, huffing by the time I was finished. I knew Lucas was only trying to protect me and the company, but I didn't like hearing anyone speak bad about Eric.

The two were staring at me with shock. Lucas quickly shook out of it and said, "Oh, wow. I don't think I've ever heard you defend someone outside our family so strongly."

I nodded and lowered my gaze to my lap. Maybe it was a bit silly of me to react like that, and I may have overreacted just a tiny bit.

"We trust your judgment, Liam. If you think so highly of him, then we believe that he has to be a good person," Noah added before turning to my brother. "Isn't that right, babe?"

Lucas looked conflicted as he studied me before nodding. "I trust you," he said, and a huge load lifted from my shoulders. Lucas and I may fight and annoy the hell out of each other most of the time, but I cared about his opinion. He was my brother, and I wanted him on my side. "If you really like this guy, then that's all that matters."

"I'm sorry for complicating things with the hotel. I really didn't mean for it to happen, but Eric is just so…" I paused, unsure how to describe him. Eric was a lot of things.Maddening, infuriating, anenigmathat I wanted to figure out, and the light that I couldn't stay awayfrom.

Lucas must have seen something in my expression, because he suddenly spoke up, "You really like the dude, huh?"

"Yeah, I do." I sighed and leaned into the couch. I liked him a littletoomuch, and that was entirely the problem.

"So tell me what happened. Did he forgive you after you apologized?" Noah said.

"Wait, why did you need to apologize? Did something happen?" Lucas interrupted, going on alert.

"Not now, babe," Noah said before turning to me. "Go on."

"He did. Like I said, he has a big heart."

"Then what's the issue?" Noah asked. Both of them were looking at me with curious eyes, waiting for an answer. I came here to sort out my thoughts, to get advice on how I was currently feeling, but was I ready to lay my emotions on the table? I already knew the answer to that.

"I-I’m falling for him," I admitted out loud for the first time. It felt so good to finally be able to say it.

"That's so exciting!" Noah squeaked as he jumped from Lucas's lap and bent over to give me a hug. "So you asked him out? We should totally go on double dates!"

I winced, and Noah frowned. "Uh-oh, that's not the expression of someone who's happy with their boyfriend."

"That's 'cuz he's not my boyfriend. Eric, uh, he doesn't want to date me."

"Now that's crazy," Noah said with a wave of his hand. "Who wouldn't want to date you? You're the most eligible bachelor in Corio City. You got the money, the looks, the family name. The entire package."

"Hey, I'm right here, remember," Lucas grumbled as he pulled Noah back onto his lap.

"Yes, yes. No need to get jealous over your brother. He may have the entire package but you're myeverything," Noah said, giving Lucas a peck on the cheek.

"I love you, Mouse," Lucas said and proceeded to capture his lips for a kiss. I groaned and flopped back on the couch with my head raised to the ceiling.

"Please, for the love of god, stop. Think about your little brother's innocence," I complained and Lucas chuckled.

"You were never innocent to begin with, and you know it," he said with a snicker.

Noah, at least, had the decency to look bashful. He coughed and turned back to me. "So why doesn't he want to date you? Have you asked?"

"Well, no, but he's told me multiple times that it was just sex and nothing more." If that didn't scream his unwillingness to be in a relationship, then I didn't know what would. "It's just, I feel like he's sending me mixed signals, and my heart is running away with the interpretation that it wants."

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