Page 11 of A Kiss at Midnight

We gaze out at Mt. Rainier as the sun drops behind the horizon, painting the sky in oranges, purples, and every color in between, each of us holding a crystal glass in our hand, amber liquid sitting on ice. We’re kicked back in our chairs, and far enough away from the busy traffic that’s always rolling through the streets below; we almost feel alone in a world that never stops moving.

“I want that mall to be the center of our project,” Tyler says.

“We could build our own, not using Sheppard Malls, then we’d get to keep all of the profits for ourselves,” Byron points out.

I sigh. “You know all of us are stubborn once we settle on something we want. We’re done staying local. This project, when it’s finished, will take us nationwide. We’ll have other states begging us to build in their area. We need to stay with Sheppard Malls so we can take this all through the country, and even into Canada, maybe beyond. We’ll have a waiting list that stretches for miles. We can change the entire industry and how it’s done with this one project, especially with the patents that have just been approved,” I tell them.

“Okay, then who’s going to be the sacrificial lamb and find a wife?” Byron asks. The funny thing about his words is that he’s deadly serious. If this is what has to be done to get what we want, he’ll find a way to make it happen. For some reason the words make me laugh.

“I don’t think one of us has toactuallyget married. He just wants to see that we can commit to a woman for more than a night,” I say after a long moment.

“I don’t like some man, even a business partner, telling me what I have to do in my personal life,” Tyler says.

I again laugh. “Yeah, I don’t do too well with that either. But he’s not exactlytellingus we have to be committed, he’s just made it more than clear that he prefers working with men in... um... healthy relationships,” I say.

“I heard the Palazzos and Corisis are feeling him out, thinking of something too damn similar to our idea for me to be comfortable,” Tyler says, frustration clearly evident in his tone.

“We got to this first. Our plans aren’t out there for anyone to get their hands on,” Byron says, looking horrified at the thought that someone might have a spy in our company. “With the Copyrights and patents there’s nothing they can do... right?”

“They don’t know about our project, they only know we’ve met with him, and it’s making their wheels spin. We’ve been planning this for two solid years and managed to keep it away from the world. We knew we’d have to move fast once we got the patents, once we were ready to break ground,” I tell my brothers.

“So, what do we do?” Tyler asks.

I drain my glass, then go to my built-in bar, and refill. I bring the bottle back with me, knowing my brothers will want more of their own. We don’t often drink, but when we do, we do it with purpose. I sit and sip on my drink, not allowing myself to drain it this time.

“We prove he needs to partner with us. The money doesn’t seem to matter to him. Hell, all of us are richer than we need to be. It has to be about pride in having something new, in having a project that blows the rest of the world out of the water, and makes it impossible for anyone to catch up to us for at least the next century,” I say.

“Then I’ll ask again, who in the hell is going to get married so this guy will do business with us?” Byron asks.

I run my fingers through my hair as I look at my brothers. I then close my eyes, and a vision of Jewel flashes before my closed lids. I haven’t gone near the woman since that first glance that shook me up over a month earlier. I’ve proven to myself I’m in control of my own body, and certainly in control of my actions.

The craziest part of all of this though is that I’ve looked at her one too many times through our security system. There are cameras all over this building, and I hate that I caved and followed her as she walked through the halls just to sate my desire to see her. I must be showing something in my face or body language because both of my brothers sit up a little straighter as they focus on me.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Tyler demands.

“I’m not even close to agreeing to marriage... however, there’s a woman I’ve been intrigued by for over a month now. I might be willing to come up with a mutually agreeable contract with her that could convince Stanley I’m in a committed relationship.” I hate the words as soon as they come out of my mouth.

“Who?” Tyler and Byron demand in unison.

“Just an employee,” I say, not wanting to give out her name. They’ll immediately search for her in the company data. For some reason I don’t want them to see her. It’s not like I’ve put a claim on her. If one of them wants to take my place... that should be fine. Right? If so, then I’m not sure why the idea fills me with rage.

“Come on, spill,” Tyler demands.

I sigh. “She’s new, been working here a bit over a month. I find her... very attractive,” I concede.

“Have you spoken to her... or possibly... done something more?” Byron asks. This is highly unusual. None of us have ever dated... or doneanythingwith one of our employees, not in all of the years we’ve owned this company. It’s not a policy, just a standard we’ve always lived by... until this woman shows up and knocks me off-kilter. Even then I’ve managed to restrain myself.

“No, we’ve only spoken a few words one time. I’ve stayed away ever since,” I say.

“Then how do you know she’d be interested?” Tyler asks.

Byron laughs. “Hell, Ty, you aren’t so foolish as to believeanywoman couldpossiblyturn away our brother’s attention if he focused all of his charm on her, are you?”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up, Byron.” His words are filled with too much sarcasm to be a compliment. “If I went after her, there’s no way she’d turn me down.” They chuckle at my words, but I have no doubt I could have her if I want.

“This could work,” Tyler says. “Stanley’s a family man. If we want to lock this in, he needs to see we’re more than forever bachelors. Put this woman on your arm, have her play along. Pay her a lot, screw her brains out, then find her new employment once the contract is signed.” He shrugs as if this is no big deal.

I flinch the slightest bit at his words. It’s not that I disagree with his line of thinking, it just sounds so damn cold as he says the words aloud. I shake my head after a minute. Are we really this cold, this removed from the real world? Maybe.

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