Page 212 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
Lennox’s expression shifts, like he’s finally figured out what I’m up to. He tilts his head to the side, shifting the box just enough for him to read the upside-down label scrawled across the side.
He smirks. “You afraid I’ll see your granny panties, Tatum?”
I scoff. “Wouldn’t you like to know what kind of panties I wear.” I wrench the box away from him, the force of the movement jostling the box enough that the top pops open, and (can you SEE where this is going?) my underwear go flyingeverywhere.
I stare stupidly for five solid seconds before I move, but Lennox isn’t moving either.
Which, maybe that’s understandable. He’s the one who has a lacy black thong on his shoulder.
And—oh geez—is that my bra draped over the azalea bush right next to the truck?
This.Is. Not. Happening.
The goat chase through the kitchen wasn’t enough? The universe needs to humiliate me by tossing my underwear around too?
Lennox clears his throat, startling me out of my stupor, and I jolt into action, grabbing the thong from his shoulder and the bra from the bush before turning my attention to the ground around us.
Oh my word.They are everywhere. Like tiny, lacy flags of humiliation.
Look.I have to wear the same thing to work every single day. It’s a small thing, but having fancy underwear is one way that I can feel pretty when my work wardrobe is so lame. I wear them for me, but I’m still more than a little satisfied that the underwear Lennox is seeing are definitelynotgranny panties.
He’s holding the top of the box open for me when I return with the last armful of underwear.
“Like what you see?” I say saucily as I close the box and take it from him. He lets it go easily this time, and I head toward the stairs.
“Careful, Tatum,” he says as he comes up behind me, the heavier box in his hands. “You’re sounding a little flirty.”
“I’msounding flirty? You’re the one who—”
Perry appears in the open doorway ahead of us, and my words immediately stall in my throat.
My eyes dart to Lennox. Olivia gave me an overview of the farm’s management structure during the interview process andmade it clear she’d be the one overseeing my employment. But Perry is CFO to her CEO. They work together. Impressing him isjustas important as impressing Olivia.
And I’ve been bickering with his brother like I’m a middle schooler with an ancient bone to pick and an impulse control problem. And now we’re talking about myunderwear?
“Is everything okay?” Perry asks, his gaze shifting from me to Lennox.
“Perfect!” I say a little too quickly. “We’re just, um . . . talking about cookbooks. I collect them.”
Lennox chuckles as he moves past me and starts up the stairs. “Sexiest cookbooksI’veever seen,” he mumbles under his breath.
“Seriously, Lennox?” I say to his back.
I turn to see Perry studying me closely. Did he hear Lennox? Do I need to explain?
“Perry, I’m—Lennox was just saying—and I—”
Perry holds up his hands, cutting me off. “Nope. Don’t say anything. I’m not your boss today. Just a guy unloading some boxes.” He pauses before moving toward the truck. “Besides, I know how Lennox can be. It’s kinda fun to see him up against someone who knows how to handle him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lennox yells down the stairs. “How can I be?”
Perry shoots me a knowing expression, like Lennox has proven his point by even opening his mouth, then goes to grab another box.
The thought ofhandlingany part ofLennox sends another wave of heat to my cheeks, and I hurry up the stairs, willing the color to fade before I have to turn around and face him, or either of his brothers, again.
I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m a professional. Here to work.
Less than five hours on site, and Lennox is already messing with my focus enough that other people—including my boss—are noticing. No matter what reassurance Perry just gave me, this isn’t the first impression I wanted to make.
