The kid needed a swift kick in the ass, Marcus thought as he loped down G Street toward the metro station. And was Renee raising him alone or something? She was barely older than him. Surely she wasn't his guardian? She seemed far too put together to have had absentee parents, so where were they now that junior was a lazy, disrespectful teen?

He swiped his plastic card through the gate to the train, distracted by thoughts of Renee and the look on her face when her brother had exited the car. Embarrassed, exasperated, worried. He wanted to erase all of it from her beautiful eyes. Without thinking, he slid into a spot at the back of the train and pressed Derek's number on his phone.

"You only left four hours ago," Derek barked. "What the hell do you need now?"

Marcus knew not to take his brother's temper seriously. Derek hadn't become a multi-millionaire and the nation's most sought after political consultant by spreading sunshine everywhere he went. He was a hard-as-nails businessman and a genius at political strategy, having managed the campaigns of half the sitting congressional representatives and senators in the capital building.

"Nice to hear your voice too," Marcus deadpanned.

"Sorry," Derek answered, the weariness leaking through in his tone. "It's been a bad afternoon and I just got a phone call I didn't want. What's up, you forget where your new apartment was?"

Marcus laughed as he looked above the train windows at the Metro map. "No, and I'm even on the right line. But I had a question for you."

"Shoot."

"What's the deal with Renee and her brother? I mean, is she raising him or what?"

There was a lengthy pause on the other end of the call. "How do you even know she has a brother?"

Marcus scratched his head sensing this wasn't going the way he might like.

"I ran into her while she was waiting for him to pick her up outside your office."

"You left my office at two o'clock, Renee didn’t leave until six."

Marcus rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Yeah, he hadn't thought this one through. At all.

"I came back by your building because I thought I'd left my sunglasses. But as I was walking in I found them in the inside pocket of my jacket so I went back out without ever coming upstairs."

"Mmhmm," Derek rumbled. "And the fact that she's attractive and I told you specifically to stay away from her didn't play into you hanging around my office building at closing time?"

Shit. Marcus really hated how well his brother knew him sometimes. "Hey, you told me hands off, so it's hands off, although I can't understand what the big deal is. I only wanted to have a drink with the girl, not marry her."

"I'd be better off if you wanted to marry her. It's not the dating part that's the problem, it's the part where you don't call her back the next day and she gets bent out of shape about it, then decides that she can't take the constant reminder of her poor broken heart so she quits. And I'm left without an assistant—again."

"I wouldn't—"

"You would. You always do. You left a trail of one-night stands from one end of Pennsylvania to the other. The Dean at the university told me that while she'd really enjoyed having you in the program she was relieved you were graduating so she could work on getting some female students back in the major. They'd all quit after you dumped them."

Marcus's chest burned a little at the exaggeration. Sure, he'd been a bit of a player during college and grad school, but he wasn't an asshole. He always made sure the girls knew the rules up front. It wasn't that he was opposed to settling with one woman—in theory—it's just that there were so many. Blondes, brunettes, redheads. Tall women, short women, women with big breasts and tiny waists. Women who all seemed very enthusiastic about hitting the sack with him, so why the hell not?

"You're a dick," he told Derek.

"Really? Name one woman you've gone out with more than twice since you started college."

Marcus could feel Derek's smirk through the phone waves. Bastard.

"There was that one during junior year. The psych major—what was her name? I went out with her all of first semester."

"Yet, you can't remember her name, and I'm sorry bud, but having study group with her every week then screwing her once to celebrate finals does not count as dating."

This was getting them nowhere, and Marcus still needed to know about Renee's family. He wasn't sure why, but he'd been willing to risk Derek's censure to find out, so there was no reason to stop now.

"Think whatever you want, but I wasn't intending anything with Renee other than a drink. I'm new to town, I need to make some friends, you know? Just tell me about her family. I’m curious about my new friend."

Derek snorted. "No way. You'll have to look for your friends somewhere other than my office, champ. In the meantime, what are you doing for dinner tomorrow night? I was thinking we could go to Pastille's and I'll introduce you to some of the regulars, start getting you connected so you'll be sure to get the best leads on stories."

Derek. Always thinking of how to get the inside track, one up on the competition. Marcus shook his head. As gruff and domineering as his brother could be, he was also always looking out for Marcus's best interests. Derek didn't love often, but when he did, he loved hard, and Marcus had been the lucky recipient of that love his whole life.

"Yeah, sounds good. Tell me what time and I'll meet you there."

"Okay, I'll call you before I leave the office. And hey—"

Marcus closed his eyes and listened to his brother's voice with his whole self.

"—You're going to do great here, and you'll meet people. Lots of people. By this time next year you'll own D.C. Trust me."

He did, he trusted Derek, he only wished Derek trusted him in return. "Sure man. See you tomorrow."

---

Renee had been working for Derek for two weeks and she’d yet to see the man get tired. He was a boundless package of energy, charisma, and alpha bossiness that had her exhausted by the end of every day. But he was also fair, considerate, and about the best boss she’d ever had, so she knew by week two that this was a job she not only needed, but wanted as well.

Derek knew exactly why Renee was working for him instead of finishing college like she wished, but that didn’t stop him from expecting the best from her, nor did he make her feel like a charity case. If anything, he acted as though she was doing him the favor, complimenting her on the work she did, and saying how grateful he was to have finally found a good assistant. She would never have imagined that she’d feel proud of the work she did as someone’s secretary, but she was coming to realize that being good at a job, no matter what the job was, mattered.

Because she cared, and because this job mattered, in so many ways, when she came into work a couple of days after she’d met Marcus, and Derek asked to see her in a different tone of voice than he normally used, she worried. And after he’d spoken with her, she worried more.

“Have a seat,” he told her as she entered his office. She took one of the armchairs he gestured to and faced him across his massive wood desk. Derek didn’t do anything small from what Renee could tell, and all of the office furniture was big, stylish, and expensive, like the man who used it.

“Thanks for the coffee.” He lifted the cup she’d brought him a few minutes earlier. “How are things with your mom?” he asked as he took a sip. While he was normally multitasking two or three things at one time, he focused all of his attention on her now. It was a little unnerving.

“She’s doing well. We’re very hopeful.”

Derek nodded. “Good, that’s all good. And you’ll make sure to tell me if there’s something you need?”

She swallowed, thinking again how grateful she was that Derek had taken her on.

“Yes. I appreciate it,” she told Derek, her voice cracking. “More than you can imagine.”

Derek cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable before charging ahead.

“I needed to talk to you about my brother.”

Shit.

“Oh! O-kaaay.” Her heart pumped double-time and not in a good way.

Derek scratched his head awkwardly. “I’m not sure how to put this—my brother is a great kid. I’ve been something between a brother and a parent to him most of his life since our age difference is so great.” He paused, finally looking her in the eyes. “I’m very proud of everything he’s accomplished with his career. But he’s not the kind of guy who has serious relationships.”

Renee felt like a rock had dropped from her chest to her gut. She knew she was blushing and she had a very uncomfortable mixture of fear, disappointment, and embarrassment brewing.

“I swear I didn’t…I mean I’m not…Um…”

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t start all of that the other day. That’s one hundred percent Marcus’s style. He sees a pretty girl and turns on the charm full-force.” Derek chuckled, shaking his head.

Renee took in a sharp breath and felt the disappointment winning out over the rest of the emotions. He’d made her feel special when he flirted with her. Obviously she wasn’t.

“Here’s the thing,” Derek continued. “As much as I love Marcus, there are plenty of women he can date. You’re dealing with a lot of difficult stuff right now, and working for me is no walk in the park. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Someday Marcus will find the perfect woman and be a great boyfriend, but he’s not there yet. Does that make sense?” He focused those laser eyes on her, blue ice that seemed to search inside her skull.

“Yes. I understand. And really, it’s fine. He was charming, but you’re right, I have enough to deal with these days without throwing men into the mix. I’m not going to date your brother.” She tried to sound breezy, but suspected it came off as a little desperate.

Derek let out a breath in obvious relief. “Good. That’s what I needed to hear. I’ve warned him to stay away from you, but I wanted to make sure you knew where I stood on the whole thing. Marcus is not good for you or this office, so let’s keep it all separate. Sound okay?”

Renee stood, giving him a tight smile. “Sure thing. Is there anything else?”

Derek had already moved on to the next task, clicking through a document on his monitor while he swore under his breath.

“Nope, that’s all. I’ll see you in a bit for the meeting with the Rodriguez people, right?”

“Yes, sir.” Renee gave a mock salute, Derek chuckled, and she left his office, closing the door behind her.

When she reached her desk, Renee sat down hard. She took a deep breath, working to control the stinging behind her eyes. She wasn’t sure what upset her more—the humiliation that came from her boss thinking he had to tell her not to chase after his younger brother, or the cold splash of reality that Marcus Ambrose was a womanizing commitment-phobe. Either way, it was the worst start to a day she’d had in a while. Given Renee’s days, that was saying something.

After getting her emotions under control, she switched on her computer and looked at the to-do list. While she did, she glanced up at the photo of her with her mother and brother taken in front of the Lincoln Memorial two years prior. She gently touched the frame, remembering better days. Taking a deep breath, she gave herself a mental shake. Remember what matters, she told herself. Remember why you’re here. Marcus Ambrose might make her heart flutter, but her family was her world—her allegiance was to them, her work was for them. Renee was the only one who could take care of them, and that needed to be her life.

---

Marcus’s first day of work was hell. He spent three long hours in HR filling out paperwork, and then another two being shown the complex. It was a huge organization and he doubted he’d be able to remember things like where the equipment room was, or the I.T. guy’s name. He hated not being in the know. Hence the career in Journalism.

By two o’clock he’d been told to show up to the three o’clock meeting that would get the late shift up to speed, and then abandoned at his desk. He leaned back in his chair and took it all in—the hum of activity as the day shift started to stream in from the field, filing reports and finishing up video editing. The late shift reporters were also wandering in, sipping lattes and chatting with their beleaguered day shift counterparts.

“Well, who do we have here?” A sultry voice broke him out of his tangled thoughts.

Marcus looked into the perfectly made up face of WNN’s favorite morning show reporter, Trish Anders.

Her blonde hair was perfectly coiffed, the ends flipped up ever so slightly, the bangs sideswept at the perfect length to accentuate her high cheekbones, but not so long that they obstructed her large crystalline blue eyes.

Marcus stood as his gaze traveled down the length of her navy blue business suit, white silk blouse and cleavage showcased by the tight jacket that nipped in at the waist before it flared over round hips. When he reached the pearl pink toenails at the end of the journey he worked his way back up leisurely, meeting with a feline smile when he finally lit on her face.

“See anything you like?” she purred. Yep, definitely feline.

“I’m Marcus,” he said, putting out his hand.

“Trish,” she answered, shaking his hand decisively. “And no need to introduce yourself, hot stuff. If you hadn’t already been hailed as the second coming by management your resemblance to your brother would have tipped me off instantly.”

Marcus chuckled, but didn’t miss the bite in her words. It must be hard not to be the new shiny one anymore.

“Yeah, I tried to take that up with my mother, but she gave me some song and dance about DNA, so it looks like I’m stuck with Derek’s face, minus the blue eyes.”

“That’s a good thing. The one time I interviewed him I thought he’d freeze me to death with those suckers. Ice cold.” She shivered to illustrate her point and managed to jiggle her breasts at the same time. He could see by the look on her face that it wasn’t too accidental.

Marcus cleared his throat and tried not to smirk. As much as he loved women, the highly aggressive, obvious ones had never been his type.

“Eh, Derek’s mostly bark. Unless you’re a candidate from the opposing party, then all bets are off.”

“So, your first day?” she asked as she stepped closer and ran a fingernail down the lapel of his jacket.

“Yes.” He checked his watch. “And I’d better get to the three o’clock meeting. I still don’t know where everything is, it might take me a while.”

“You’re on nights?” she asked, perfect pout in place instantly.

“Mostly, although I’ll be fill-in on days for a while. New guy torture.”

Her expression brightened. “Oh good, we’ll see each other some then. Make sure to stop by the morning show set and say hi.”

Marcus carefully moved around her, trying not to give her a chance to grab him with those brightly painted talons that he was certain had snared many a poor unsuspecting man. “I’ll do that. Nice to meet you, Trish.”

“Mmhmm, it certainly was,” she purred again.

Marcus made his way down the hall shaking his head. So much effort—he wanted to tell her not to waste her time so she could move on to the next victim, but it was never a good idea to alienate your peers first thing at a new job. He couldn’t help but think about Renee. No matter how much makeup Trish put on, no matter how perfectly sprayed her hair was or how large her silicone chest got, she’d never be a match for a woman like Renee.

Renee was everything real and genuine, from her wavy honey blonde hair to the tips of her plump little toes—yes, he’d even noticed her pudgy toes, and they were adorable. How someone with legs that long and svelte could have toes that stubby was beyond him, but he thought they were darling.

He detoured through the lobby, stepping outside into a small courtyard that served as the only outdoor space for the large office tower, then pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial.

“Ambrose and Associates,” the sweet, crystalline voice answered.

“Renee,” Marcus said.

“Yes? May I help you?”

“I’m hurt. You don’t remember my voice,” he said, a smile breaking out across his face.

“Hello, Marcus,” she answered, and he could feel the answering smile in her voice.

“Did you miss me?”

“Terribly. Do you need to speak to your brother?”

“No. In fact, you can just neglect to tell him that I called at all. It’s you I called to talk to…about that drink.”

She sighed, the sound carrying and traveling through him, landing firmly in his groin. He’d never had a girl turn him on with a simple sigh, but he’d already realized that Renee was different from any girl he’d pursued before.

“Marcus,” she said quietly. “You know I can’t do this with you.”

He grit his teeth. Damn Derek and his bullshit rules. He really liked this woman.

“We’re not doing anything,” he said, trying to sound light even though he felt anything but.

“I can’t socialize with you. I can’t have secret phone calls with you and drinks out and whatever else you’ve been planning. I need this job.”

“Derek won’t fire you for having a drink with me,” he said, wishing he felt more confident about that. He knew he held a lot of sway with his brother, but he wasn’t sure anyone held sway with Derek when it came to business.

“The other line’s ringing. I have to go.” She paused. “I really am sorry,” she whispered.

“No worries gorgeous. You go do your job. I’ll be thinking about you and a nice tumbler of scotch.”

She laughed softly and then the line went dead along with the tickling sensation in his chest.

Fuck.

He shoved the phone back in his pocket, noting that he only had ten minutes to get to the meeting. He couldn’t solve this right now, but he steeled himself and resolved that he was going to get Derek to let him see Renee no matter what it took. He might be the younger brother, but he’d learned tenacity and commitment from the master, and he was going to win this one. With a prize like Renee on the line, he couldn’t afford to lose.