Page 27 of Ms. Fortune

“Actually, you've told me several times. And I have thanked you each time. Are you fishing for me to compliment you back? Because that's not going to happen. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how attractive you are. You probably pay people to do that for you.” I cringe a little at my words, but it's been said, and I can't take it back. Is that what I wanted to say?

He pretends to act offended, and the gesture only makes him more attractive as it shows how playful he can be when he wants to. And it seems like he can be very playful.

“You know, just because I offered you money once to date me doesn't mean I pay everybody off. There are a few people in the world who like me for me, believe it or not.”

“I don't think immediate family counts or your employees. As a matter of fact, I think employees should be specifically excluded since they fall under the ‘paid for’ category.”

“OK, then you're right. Outside of immediate family, there aren't many people.” A shadow covers his eyes as he says this, even though he’s smiling, and I think I glimpsed a vulnerability of his. Who would have thought the great Brandon Carmichael had vulnerabilities? But I think about his words, and I'm overcome with sadness for him. It must be lonely in his position. So disconnected from the world, from people. Never knowing if the people in your world are there because they want to be or because you have money. That's got to be the loneliest feeling, and it occurs to me that his offer to pay me for the date may not have been so strange to him. He most likely equates money with emotions, either friendship or love. I can't imagine living like that. It's got to be so isolating for him.

That thing inside of me that melted a little while ago when he talked to the performers melts a little more, and I can't help but feel a wave of attraction for him. A wave so strong I can't stop myself from leaning over and kissing his cheek lightly.

He's shocked by my actions as much as I am. I couldn't say what came over me. Concern for him and how hard his life must be. People probably think he couldn't be unhappy because he has so much money, but I've seen unhappiness in his eyes. He covers it up but not completely. Not to me, anyway.

“What was that for?” He leans back, studying me, the surprise still lingering in his eyes.

I shrug, unsure what to say and how to explain myself without sounding like a weirdo.

“That was for whatever your donation was because I'm sure it was above and beyond. I could tell your bid for the hockey stick put the night’s donation goal way over the top.”

He hasn't stopped staring at me. His eyes are dancing and bright, with a confident amusement.

“Well, if that's what I get for buying a hockey stick, I'm curious what I need to do for something more.” Again, with the challenges. His smile is devious, and I can't stop myself from smiling back. I wonder if everything is a game to him.

“Well, you'll need to keep wondering because that was a one-time-only experience and will not be repeated.”

His eyes narrow so seductively as though he knows better; that was not a one-time thing. I have to squirm a little. If he can turn me on by a look like that, then I am in major trouble. Because he is correct, and that will absolutely be repeated, built upon, and left in the desert dust of Vegas.

“So, is that how you became a billionaire? By challenging everything and everyone?” I'm honestly curious if he's always been like this. It doesn't seem like a personality trait you would grow into. It's one you would have been born with.

He cocks his head at me slightly; his eyes are suddenly curious yet still intense. But then he turns serious.

“I suppose it had something to do with how I got where I am. But, so many factors that went into me getting where I am today have nothing to do with me; it's hard to say I deserve any of it.”

“What do you mean? Aren't you a self-made billionaire? You didn't inherit anything, right?”

He takes my hand into his and starts rubbing my knuckles again, but this time I ignore how it's making me feel. He wants to divulge something to me that’s important to him.

“While I admittedly did work my ass off to get where I am today, I didn't do it alone. I had a fantastic team who are still around me today. I've had great mentors from other industries advising me along the way. And I've had a hell of a lot of luck. Anyone who thinks luck isn't a factor in success doesn't understand how the universe works. You need to be in the right place at the right time, no matter your situation. That’s what happened to me. I was in the right place at the right time, in the right market, and with the right people. And, here I am today sitting with you in the back of this limousine because I was lucky enough to know your father, be at his funeral, and meet you.”

The ice around my heart melts. Completely. And as he puts a hand around the back of my neck and pulls me to him, I go willingly. When his lips meet mine, I savor the sensation as a tingling starts where his hand is on my neck and travels down the length of my spine, causing me to arch into him. My hand automatically reaches for his neck and pulls him to me in an echo of his movements. The kiss is sweet but passionate. A promise of something more lacing its edges. When we pull away, each of us trying to catch our breath, I know if I let it, my life will never be the same after this kiss.

We stare at each other for an inordinate amount of time. Not saying a word. Feeling the rolling of the road beneath the tires.

“Would you like to come to my house for a drink?” There is more to this question than his words, and I can see it in his eyes. Again, I'm left debating my intentions in this relationship, not just because the attraction to him is growing beyond physical. I need to consider the long-term repercussions of anything I do with him. After the gala, he'll be gone. He'll go back to his life in New York, and that will be the end of that. This is a fun little game for him while he's in town for his company’s meeting. I’m a convenient tool to use in his public relations resurrection, and probably just another distraction for the billionaire who can have anything and anyone. LC Consolidated’s stock is on the rise now that he’s done the public flirting thing with me his business needed. I'm a toy or another number in a long line of women. I'm the next Eve Cromwell. But so much of me craves to accept his invitation. To ignore any barrier between us, throw caution out the limo window and release this incredible sexual tension between us. It could be worth the heartache, or it could be devastating. Most likely the latter.

“No, thank you. I think I’ll just go home.” I inch away from him and stare out the window at the casino lights that are garishly happy, contrasting with my darkening mood. That's the thing about Vegas, it is a bright and shiny mask covering some of the most tragic and sad people, and I am now one of them. I can feel Brandon's eyes on me, so I turn to him, put on my own mask, and smile.

Chapter 19

YOUR TOUCH

BRANDON

I knew it. I knew she would be the one to instigate our first kiss. I just had no idea how absolutely fucking amazing that kiss would be. And it was fucking amazing. I can still taste her lips on my ride home. Her demeanor after the kiss, though, is bothering me. I could tell she was upset, but I knew better than to ask her about it. She doesn't trust me enough to talk to me yet, which is fine. This is new to both of us. I can't expect instant affection or mutual understanding so early. While the physical side of things is definitely there, the intellectual side will need patience, something I've not been known to have much of. But I'll have to work on that if I want this to be more than just a fling. And I think I do want that because I want all of Normandy, not just her body. And the thought scares the shit out of me.

I haven't been this captivated by someone since Eve, which is the cause of most of my hesitation. Knowing what Eve has done, not only to herself but to my company and my reputation, all in the name of her fucking greed, puts me off from attempting anything substantial now with anyone until I met Normandy. And I still have reservations, although I’m starting to not care about them so much. Is that fair to her? No, it's not, but life isn't fair, and people have baggage. I don't know what Normandy's baggage is or how heavy it might be. Taylor’s documentation on her previous boyfriends is sparse. There were boyfriends in college, but nothing of consequence since. This makes me wonder how I will ever get through to her if no one in her past ever has. There's got to be a reason for her avoiding a significant relationship; I need to figure out what it is. I am dying to know how someone as spectacular as her hasn’t already been snatched up by someone.

Over the next few days, Taylor discovers more information about Victor’s autopsy and the cause of death, and unfortunately, we were right; the Medical Examiner now suspects foul play. Victor’s latest toxicology screen appears to display a common heart medication that, at toxic levels, induces severe bradycardia and sudden death. The amount in his bloodstream was four times the normal level and was not one that was prescribed to him. And while I’m not crazy about it, Taylor convinced the M.E. to keep the results quiet while we coordinate with local law enforcement and not tell the Blake sisters until there is something definitive.

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