Page 60 of The Thing About My Secret Billionaire
I look down at the truck and house keys in my hand. “Well, it feels very generous to me.”
He steps closer, so close his feet come into my line of sight. His boots aren’t so shiny anymore.
I snatch in a breath at the unexpected touch of his hand on my arm, and my eyes shoot up to meet his. And there goes that rocket to my heart and my center again.
“Does that mean I get to come for meals too?” he asks.
“Of course.” I chuckle.
But I need to stop these feelings. And I need to stop them now. If I don’t seize this moment for the Band-Aid ripping, I’ll never do it.
My heart notches up another gear. “Look, I’m sorry about everything that happened yesterday. I was emotional, and it was all probably a mis?—”
“Miller!” We both jump at the sharpcall of his name. Miller’s arm springs from mine as we turn to see Luke peering around the back corner of the barn. “Bring the band saw around back, will you?”
He salutes his brother. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.” Then he turns to me and winks. “See you later for a shower and dinner.”
And every one of my internal organs turns into a warm puddle of melted jelly.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
MILLER
“Whoa, so you forgot to mention the part about how hot she is,” Luke says as I put the band saw on the workbench behind the barn. “Bet you’ve been working with a whole different kind of wood since you’ve been here.”
“For fuck’s sake, Luke,” I hiss. “Keep your fucking voice down.”
“She’s definitely attractive,” Ethan adds.
Oh, Jesus. Do I really have to contend with the carpentry Casanovas on top of everything else? “Look, if either of you so much as think about it, I’ll fucking kill you.”
“Ah-ha.” Luke sucks on his teeth and nods. “I knew it as soon as I saw you look at her.”
“You know nothing,” I tell him.
He pats me on the shoulder. “I know when my big brother’s gone all mushy for someone. When was the last time you asked us to repair a building that really should be torn down? Oh, I know. Never.”
“That’s true,” Ethan adds.
“Will both of you stop it?”
“Sure, yeah. Sure, fixing up her barn has nothing to do with her level of hotness.” Luke’s voice drips with sarcasm.
“I’ve told you this is about me buying this land. All I’m asking is that you stick to my story. I have no time for a girlfriend, and if I did, choosing someone who’s standing in the way of me getting back at Skinner would be the worst idea I could possibly have.”
“Maybe it’s time to let that go,” Dad says quietly behind me.
I ignore him and continue addressing my brothers. “I just need this barn repaired so she doesn’t make a snap decision to sell to Skinner because he’s threatened her.”
“And presumably to make her like you,” Ethan says. “Even though she doesn’t know you’re you.”
I put my hands on my hips and sigh. Do I even know who I am anymore?
It was definitely the real me who kissed her yesterday, who held her soft, warm breast in my hand.
“His last name is McSweeney, remember,” Dad says. “And no mention of building condos. Just ‘investments.’ Don’t slip up.”
“Exactly,” I agree. “Don’t slip up.”
