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Michael
“I t’s official,” Derek says from the chair on the other side of my desk.
Behind me in my office, there’s a bank of windows that gives me a view of the entire city. It’s spectacular up here, and makes me forget all too often that I’m actually at work. But then, lately work doesn’t seem so much like work either. I’ve been thinking too much about Brianna and it’s distracting me.
“What’s official?” I ask.
Derek tosses a newspaper on the surface of the desk. I peek at it, but don’t bother to read the headlines.
“You mean the engagement?”
Derek nods. “Trust your mom to get the word out ASAP.”
“That was the point of telling my parents, right? Aside from the obvious.” After all, I couldn’t keep it from them. They deserve to know I’m engaged.
But my gut twinges with guilt. My mom was so happy. I’m pretty sure she wants to marry Brianna herself. It’s not going to be easy when the fake engagement is broken off after a year. I don’t like the idea of that, but I keep the thought to myself.
I still barely know Brianna and this is just a business deal. She seems to be content keeping herself from me. I think she’s making it more business than I am, and I’m starting to really hate that. I actually want to know her.
I keep telling myself she’s just guarded because of her ex-fiancé, but part of me is impatient to move things along.
“How are things working out with her so far?” Derek asks, lifting his eyebrows.
“Seriously? I saw how you looked at her when she signed the contract. She’s not available.”
Derek rolls his eyes. “Well, sure, not now. She’s engaged to you. But that’s not real. And it’ll be over before you know it.”
Jealousy and possessiveness hit me. Brianna is mine. What the hell is Derek thinking? And then I realize, he’s probably thinking the same thing I’d be thinking if I were in his position.
Brianna is a beautiful, smart woman who seems to charm people wherever she goes.
“That’s not going to happen,” I tell Derek in a firm tone.
“Damn. You serious about her already?”
I stand and turn to the window, staring out across the city. “Her ex didn’t seem to treat her very well and he ended it even worse. The asshole didn’t even pay his share of the wedding bills. She doesn’t need more guys in her life trying to get into her pants.”
“Who said anything about getting into her pants?” Derek asks.
No one. But damn it, I can’t think about her without getting worked up. Without wanting to get to know her better. Without wanting something more than a business arrangement. And it’s only been a week.
I’ve never had a woman charm me so fully in that short of a time. Or maybe ever.
“I just want things to go smoothly,” I say, though that’s not entirely true.
But right now, that’s all Derek needs to know. Brianna is still settling in at my place—we’re both still getting used to the situation.
After that, the novelty’ll probably wear off for me, too. Then we’ll be roommates and we’ll both get through the next several months doing our end of the bargain and we’ll be fine.
As much as I’m trying to convince myself of that, however, I’m doing a terrible job.
“Richman’s charity ball is this weekend,” Derek reminds me, getting back to business. “That’ll be your first big appearance, so you’ll have to be on your game.”
I turn around and sit back down. “No problem. I already told Brianna. She’ll be stunning, we’ll get the obligatory pictures, and it’ll be even more official. Then all we have to do is coast.”
Derek nods. “Should be as simple as that, right?”
“Should be.”
My intercom buzzes and my secretary’s voice comes over the speaker. “Miss Stevens is here to see you.”
I straighten, and then press the button. “Send her in.”
Derek grins but I shake my head. “Out.”
“But—”
“No. She’s not here to see you. Out.”
Derek frowns, but his expression changes when he sees Brianna at the door. “Nice to see you again, Miss Stevens. You’ve been well, I hope.”
He takes her hand, kisses it, and I don’t miss her blush. Jealousy rears up again. I walk to Brianna and take her arm, guiding her away from Derek and effectively dismissing him.
“He’s really nice,” Brianna says as Derek vanishes.
I make a noise of reluctant approval. Sure Derek’s nice. And smart. And handsome—if you believe the ladies. But he’s also as horny as they come. Not Brianna’s type.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
She glances around, taking in my office. My intercom buzzes again and my secretary says, “Your next appointment is here.”
“Thank you, Ms. Brown.”
Brianna clasps her hands together in front of her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come—”
“It’s fine. They’re early. I thought you were at work.”
“So…” She sits on the couch in the corner and crosses her legs. She’s wearing her simple skinny jeans and a blouse today, but she looks as good to me as when I first saw her. Maybe more so. “I was at work. But then this guy from the newspaper came in—and one from a magazine. And—and there were people with cameras—”
“Shit.” I sit on the arm of the couch. “I didn’t think they’d come at you so fast. That was my fault. I should have sent security with you. And talked with your boss. It won’t be a problem next time.”
She swallows and her face falls. “I don’t think there’s going to be a next time.”
I sit next to her on the couch, keeping my hands from her even though I want to touch her. To comfort. Something’s clearly wrong.
Ms. Brown buzzes in. “Phone call from Linus Everly.”
Brianna moves as if to stand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”
I reach out and grip her arm, keeping her from moving. With a quiet snap in my voice, I tell Ms. Brown, “Take a message. And hold my calls for the next ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Brianna’s eyes widen. “I’m so sorry. This was a bad idea—”
“Stop. You’re welcome to come here whenever you need to.”
She shakes her head. “Michael…you don’t have to do this. You’re being so nice. It’s not your responsibility—”
“You’re my fiancée.”
“It’s not real.” She sighs. “I mean, I’m taking this seriously, don’t get me wrong. But we barely know each other. We’re not engaged.”
My jaw clenches. How do I explain this to her? We may be almost strangers, but she’s helping me as much as I’m helping her. And I’m a good judge of character—Brianna’s one of the good ones. She’d help anyone she could, she’s loyal, and she’s trying to do the best with the hand life dealt her. All of that, and the unexpected feelings that are blooming inside, make me want to be there for her. Protect her. Fix things for her.
“For the next year,” I say calmly, “you’re mine. I’ll help take care of you, I’ll be there for you whenever you need it, and I sure as hell will make sure no one is screwing you over. Does that make sense?”
“I’m yours?” she says, amusement flitting across her face.
“We signed a contract. I’m yours, you’re mine. Plain and simple.”
She drops her chin, then nods. “You’re right. I want to be here for you, too.”
“Then tell me. What happened with your job?”
“With all those people there, my boss suggested I might want to take some time off. Indefinitely.”
“He fired you?” I bite out, standing.
“Not really—”
“Motherfucker.”
“Michael.” Brianna stands as well, holding her hands up like she’s talking to a wild animal. “It wasn’t that bad, but I just…I really shouldn’t have come here.”
I face her again, trying to control my temper. “I’ll go down there right now. He’ll lose his job—no question. And if you want your job back—no, even better. You can be the new boss. And—”
“Oh, God, no,” she says stepping in front of me. “Don’t do that. Don’t go down there.”
“He has it coming. Firing you for something that isn’t your fault. Asshole.”
“Wait.” She sets her hands on my chest, and the motion stops me cold. Banishes my anger and turns it into something else. Heat. Need. Longing. “I was thinking…”
I hold completely still, afraid she’ll pull away. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking maybe I could take you up on your offer. Stop working at the coffee shop—or—or anywhere else and focus on graphic design. Building my company. If that’s still okay.”
I reach up and grab both her hands, holding them to my chest. “That’s still okay. I want you to follow your dream.”
Her eyes locked on mine. “This is the first time anyone has even cared.”
“Like I said, you’re mine. We’re in this together.”
Her lips part. There’s not just gratitude in her eyes. There’s lust. Amazement. Heat. My eyes drop to her mouth.
My intercom buzzes. “Sorry, Mr. Parsons. It’s time for your appointment.”
Her words break the moment. Brianna steps back so we’re neutral again. Just a man and a woman. And I find that now more than ever, I don’t just want this to be about business.
I want Brianna. Plain and simple.