Page 52 of Play With Me

“Mary doesn’t get upset about inconsequential things.”

“Given the business she runs, call me a skeptic. I’m sorry, that was rude.”

He laughed. “It was a fair statement. You’re straight to the point – I like that. Mary’s material, yes, but she gives more than she keeps for herself.”

“Is that where Brook gets his generous nature from?”

“You like my son.”

“What’s not to like?”

“You remind me of someone.” He smiled.

“Who’s that?”

“Just someone I really liked. I can see why Brook is so smitten with you.”

I felt my cheeks flush with heat. Wanting to shift our conversation away from me and Brook, I asked, “How did Mary start her business?”

“She was tired of the constant threats from bounty hunting. It was my fault she left our family. I didn’t know what I had until it was too late, but she’s given me another chance now. As far as her business is concerned, she caters to women where men can’t. She’s built an empire on the concept. Manservants is her life’s work. I couldn’t have been more proud of her.”

“I’m sorry that you didn’t get your heart that night the warehouse blew up.”

“No harm done, I guess. I’ve got a new ticker working for me now. How’s yours going?”

“Mine?”

He nodded. “You’ve worked for Emma since Sebastian Mills passed away, haven’t you?”

How did he know? Wait, he couldn’t; Emma wouldn’t have said anything.

“Don’t worry. Emma didn’t say anything and Brook… He’s been traumatized in the past, Lola. I’m worried about him and as broken as you feel about the accident, I think you two need each other more than you realized. Take it from an old man and don’t wait until your youthful years pass by.” He looked out into the distant ocean as if re-thinking our conversation, watching the leaves lift with the wind, turn, and then fall down again with every cool breeze. Sophie lifted her arms up in the air, twirling with her head tilted to the sky, a wide smile stretching on her face. After a longer moment, Mr. Madden turned my way, saying, “This lead Brook’s been working on is a good one. You think you can handle it?”

I didn’t want our conversation to end, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure how to keep it going. With the exception of Emma, I’d never talked to anyone about the accident and opening my mouth right now seemed like an impossible task and so I decided to simply answer Mr. Madden’s question.

“I want this case like I’d never wanted anything in my life.”

I felt Brook grasp me from behind. My ass snuggled right into his crotch, and I held my breath as he buried his nose in the crook of my neck.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable and unprofessional, I pulled away, asking,

“What are you doing?”

“Holding my woman.”

“Don’t stop on my account. You don’t get enough of these moments in life and now that I’m getting sappy, that’s my cue to leave.” Mr. Madden nodded toward Mary, who seemed to be looking around for her husband, and then strolled her way.

“He’s been like that ever since he got back with mother.” Brook never let go of me when I tried to create more distance in front of his father. Being in his hold right now though, I was glad that he didn’t.

“I think it’s cute.”

“You’re the one that’s cute.” Brook spun me around and brought me close to his body, guiding us across the deck until we were out of earshot. His lips left a heated trail on my cheek and then hovered near my ear. “You want to know why I’m looking forward to this job?”

I had a pretty good guess, but at the moment I’d rather he told me. He licked the outer cartilage of my ear, and those delectable shivers spread from there all through my body, reminding me that it had been too long since I’d felt his touch.

“Is this how you’re going to be when we go away to look for Kate’s father tomorrow?” I asked.

“Most of the time.”

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