Page 25 of Crushing On My Brothers BFF

She glances at me quickly, biting her lip in that intoxicating way she has. That quick look is worth more than anything that any other woman has ever done for me. Maybe that means I’ve led a sad, lonely life, but I don’t think it’s that. It’s Sophie. She’sthatspecial.

“Have you had any trouble over it?” I ask.

“No, not yet. I don’t think anybody knows my name.”

“If this PR crap sweeps you up in it, I won’t forgive myself.” I’m getting too passionate, my voice too husky.

She looks at me sharply, her wide, young, not-so-naïve eyes clear with meaning. “I’m a big girl. Don’t worry. I can handle it. I chose to take that phone out of her hand, and I’d do it again. I’ll stand by that no matter what comes my way.”

“That’s impressive,” I tell her. “It took me longer than nineteen years to get that sort of resolve.”

“Maybe I’m a prodigy, huh?” She raises an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face.

It’s good the divider is between us. It would be impossibly tempting to sweep her into my arms, hold her right up against me, kiss her on the cheek first, then get closer and closer to her lips, telling her how perfect she is.

“I think you might be,” I reply.

She finishes the coffee, carrying them into the living room.

“So, what are your intentions for the video?” she asks as she sits on the chair as far from me as possible.

She doesn’t seem disgusted or put off. She’s all smiles, that enticing flush in her cheeks, but she’s purposefully keeping her distance. That’s smart. We can silently agree to stay as far from each other as possible. There is less danger of losing control that way.

“I want to make a documentary about Paul,” I say.

“That’s very vague,” she replies.

I smirk. “Why do you think I came to the expert? I need help.”

“And you think this will save the business?” she says with an edge to her voice.

“The truth is, I was going to come here either way,” I snap. I can’t let her think I’m only in this for the PR angle. “But I needed an excuse, something to tell the board. Now that I’m here, I think it could be a good idea after all.”

“But you would’ve been here anyway?”

I lean forward, looking into her eyes, not where I want to look, which is at her body. The pink fabric of her bra visible beneath the material of her top attracts me, making me so damn hungry I almost leap right over the coffee table and pull her into my arms. “Yes, without a doubt.”

She nods as though that is important to her. She needs to believe I’m not some cold, calculating billionaire.

“I can get footage of Paul’s journey,” she says. “I can help edit, but I think it would be good to get your perspective, too.”

“My assistant agrees,” I tell her. “I tried filming last night, but I felt like an ass talking into the camera.”

“Would it be easier talking to me?” she says. “You could forget the camera’s there. I could interview you. I was even thinking we could do it while walking on the beach. The imagery would be moving and fit the theme. Or do you think it would be too manipulative?”

“In what way?” I ask.

“The beach, the scenery… It might be like we’re trying to make the audience feel a certain way.”

I consider this for a moment. “What do your instincts tell you?”

“I’mnot the billionaire CEO.”

“A man doesn’t get to my position by always forcing his opinion through,” I tell her. “A man gets here by listening to the smart people around him and, occasionally, being a complete stubborn ass.”

When she laughs, I almost break, walk around the table, pull her to her feet, wrap my arms around her, and own her.

“We could give it a try, anyway,” she says. “I guess the only issue is if you’re recognized.”

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