“Whatever happened between us—”
“Nothing.” Ellie’s eyebrow lifted as she stared Joe down. “Nothing happened between us. Ever.”
Joe shook his head. “Ellie, it’s okay. It’s done.”
“Not really.” Derrick hated this guy now. “She’s still waiting on your apology.”
For the first time Joe’s mouth fell into a flat line. “What?”
“I don’t like when people make up stories about my woman.”
Ellie made a humming noise. “My woman? Do we like that phrase?”
“Too much?” Derrick asked, seeing in Ellie’s eyes that she was enjoying Joe’s public takedown. Derrick looked at Joe again, who didn’t appear as smug now. “Then ignore the word choice, but the result is the same. One more false word about her coming on to you—which we both know is complete bullshit—and you get to fight me.”
Joe let out a pathetic strangled laugh and did a quick glance around. “Are you threatening me, Derrick?”
“I’m actually threatening your business. I thought that was obvious.” He glanced at Ellie. “No?”
She put her hand over his. “I thought you were very clear.”
“Thank you, dear.” Derrick winked at Ellie then turned to Joe again. “Clean up the misunderstanding about her firing and then keep your mouth shut, and we’re good. Maybe she’ll even decide not to sue you.”
She shrugged. “I can’t promise that.”
Joe glared at Derrick. “You can’t be serious.”
“We’re done here.” Derrick slid his hand out from under Ellie’s and picked up his menu again. “You hungry? I am.”
Joe closed in on Ellie. “Tell him the truth.”
She didn’t even flinch. “Your wife went out of town, you came on to me, I kicked you and then I got fired.”
“That’s not—”
“Illegal?” More than one table of restaurant patrons was watching now. The manager even made a move toward the table, but Derrick gave a small shake of his head to keep him back. He had this handled. “Yes, Joe. I think it is.”
She shrugged. “My lawyer says it is.”
Fury flashed in Joe’s eyes. “You can’t outlast me and you know it.”
Ellie deserved better and this show. Even though they kept it respectable, Derrick knew the gossip would make the rounds. They’d proved their point. Now it was time for Joe to get the message and slink away. “For us, it’s a date. For you? This is a chance to move without increasing your liability. I’d take it.”
Joe gave them one last stare then turned and walked off. He was smart enough to not cause a bigger scene or to storm away. He slipped through the tables with a smile on his face as if they’d been having a nice dinner talk.
The second after he was gone the restaurant’s noise level rose again. People seated nearby returned to eating and servers ran around getting food and drinks to the crowded tables.
When Derrick finally glanced across the table again he saw Ellie staring at him. A smile played on her lips. A sexy smile that jolted through him.
“That was thoroughly satisfying,” she said.
“Now that’s the sort of thing I like to hear from a date.”
* * *
The rest of the dinner consisted of talking and some verbal sparring, but the fun kind. Ellie finished her meal in a satisfied haze. She enjoyed letting her guard down and ignoring all the stress for an hour.
After her parents died she’d juggled college and Noah. She’d waded through their mess of an estate. All those failed ventures her father had started and driven into bankruptcy. All the debts that had to be paid and the questions people had looked to her to answer.
She’d handled all of it. Put her personal life on hold, limited dating to brief flings and friendships to a minimum. She’d worked hard, kept her head down and never expected anything from anyone. That’s why her friendship with Vanessa meant so much.
Vanessa was the kind of best friend you could call in the middle of the night and she’d come running. She was smart and supportive. They could sit in silence for hours and watch movies. Gossip. Ellie was comfortable around Vanessa when Ellie wasn’t all that comfortable with most people. Not on a deep level. Not enough to trust.
It’s why Derrick’s near automatic defense took Ellie by surprise. For the first time in ages, she had someone other than Vanessa looking out for her. Willing to stand up to someone else and protect her from the fallout. Willing to take care of her. It was a heady and humbling feeling.
That was the only explanation she had for why she stood in the middle of his kitchen at after nine that night instead of in her apartment. That and the fact she wanted to be there. Wanted to spend time with him. Wanted to know more about the man who fought so hard against his father.
She’d seen the stark ache in Derrick’s eyes at dinner as he talked about the business. He tried to joke about finances, but she’d heard the roughness in his voice. She tried to imagine what it was like to be the oldest son of a man who enjoyed demeaning people, including his own children.
They’d walked in from the garage with the lights clicking on as they’d moved through the high-ceilinged, expertly-carved-moldings, man-this-is-expensive Georgetown house. Even in the dark she had seen rows of impeccably kept brick town houses as they’d driven through the tree-lined streets. The whole area dripped with wealth.
By the time they’d pulled off a narrow street and into Derrick’s garage—a thing she didn’t really think existed in this part of town outside of huge mansions—she’d confirmed she was way out of her league.
Now she looked around the pristine kitchen with the gray cabinets and swirling white-and-gray-marble countertops that looked like they should be on the cover of some fancy home magazine. Not a pot out of place. Not a glass in the sink.
For the fourth time since they’d left the restaurant, confusion crashed into her. She’d been riding this emotional roller coaster for most of her life but with Derrick the ride turned wild. She flipped between interest and frustration. One minute she wanted to kiss him. The next, punch him.
They were supposed to be in a business arrangement and nothing more. But those kisses and the way he touched her, looked at her...how her heart thundered in her ears when he smiled. How she wanted to peel away the layers and peek beneath to see the real man.
Her attraction to him in more than an objective “oh, he’s good-looking” way was unexpected and kind of unwanted. It clouded everything. They were from different worlds and using each other. But the glimpses she’d seen weren’t of a thoughtless playboy who liked to throw money around. He was deeper than that. Far too likeable. Very tempting.
She sat on the stool at the massive kitchen island then stood again. “I feel like we’re inviting trouble being here alone.”
“You’re going to be moving in here soon.” Derrick took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. Next he reached for one of the big double doors to the refrigerator and brought out two bottles of water. “You should get used to the place.”
“Not that soon.”
He set the bottles next to her on the countertop. “I’m thinking within days.”
“I’m saying within weeks.” She tried to mentally slam the brakes on all of this. The move, the engagement, the agreement. If the attraction she felt for him was real, should she really mix in the parts that weren’t? She really didn’t know anymore.
Life whizzed by her so quickly since she’d met him. Her brain rushed to keep up, but when that failed, her emotions took over. Her wants and needs won out. She wanted him to touch her again. To give in and take something for herself for a change.
“You really do thrive on being difficult,” he said.
She thought they were well matched on that score, but she didn’t bother to argue since that would only prove his point. “Maybe, but I’m still
grateful.”
He put his hands on the counter on either side of her, trapping her there in a warm cocoon. “For what?”
Tension spun up inside her. She knew she could break out of his hold but the problem was she didn’t want to. That’s how little it took. He moved in, close enough for her to smell the soap on his skin, and her heartbeat took off in an all-out race. She wanted to run her fingers over the light stubble on his chin. Feel his mouth on hers.
She fought for breath as she pretended to stare at the white farmhouse sink behind him. “Look at this kitchen. My entire apartment would fit in here.”
His gaze searched hers until she looked at him again. “For what, Ellie?”
“What you said to Joe. How you stuck up for me without making me prove my side of the story.” She gave in to the need to touch him then. Let her fingers trail over his tie, follow it to the end and hang there. “For the nice dinner.”
“I don’t want your gratitude.”
Her stomach took off on a frenzy of somersaults. “What do you want?”
“You.”
The deep voice, having that laser-like focus trained on her, the combination pushed the fight out of her. She’d been running and making excuses and coming up with arguments. But there, staring up at him, seeing the intensity in those eyes, she gave in.
She tugged on his tie and brought him in even closer. The air between them burned with a new energy. His mouth met hers and the rest of the world blinked out.
Heat roared through her as his lips crossed hers. Firm kisses. The sweep of his tongue over hers. One minute she stood there and the next he lifted her onto the counter. Her tight skirt bunched high on her thighs as he pushed them apart to stand between them.
His hands roamed over her back then to her neck. Fingers slid through her hair. His touch managed to be soothing and demanding at the same time. Heat radiated off him as she unknotted his tie. And when his mouth moved to her cheek then to her ear, a shiver stole her balance. She fell hard against him as his tongue traced a line down her neck.
They both made hungry, growling sounds and she ached for more. Her heels closed around his thighs, tightening his body against hers.
“Ellie?”
“Yes. Green light.” She caught his mouth again. The kiss seared through her, destroying her worries.
His hands skimmed around her body, over her breasts. She almost sighed in relief when she felt his fingers on her shirt buttons. The voice inside her head screamed for him to hurry, but a part of her wanted to savor every minute. Every lingering touch.
“Oh, damn. Sorry!”
The deep male voice rang out in the kitchen. Ellie heard it but it took her another few seconds to realize what was happening.
Someone was there, in the house. As soon as that thought registered in her brain, she shoved against Derrick’s chest. Their legs tangled together and his hand got caught in her shirt. When he stepped to the side, turned around and stood in front of her like a human shield, he almost ripped her silk blouse.
Derrick’s shoulders went from stiff to relaxed as he looked at the intruder. “Spence?”
She didn’t have the same reaction as she worked in double time to line up her shirt buttons and get them closed again.
The other man held up a hand but he didn’t try to hide his smile. “I can leave.”
“Of course not.” Derrick glanced at her over his shoulder. His gaze bounced to her shirt and he nodded before stepping to the side and helping her from the counter. “Ellie Gold, this is one of my brothers, Spencer.”
She grabbed for her skirt and tugged it down before she gave his brother an unexpected show. “Right.”
Heat flamed in her cheeks. She could only imagine the force of her blush, but she pushed through and gave him eye contact. She should have done that first because she would have known the two men were related.
Spencer was a slightly stockier version of Derrick. They both towered over her and were blessed with that’s-almost-unfair good looks. The Jameson family had a heck of an impressive gene pool. Their father might be a jerk but he churned out dark-haired hotties without trouble.
Spencer’s smile reached his eyes, which made her think he did it more than his brother. That might also explain the lightness about him. Derrick walked around as if he carried the responsibility for the world on his shoulders. Spencer didn’t give off that vibe.
“I’m Spence.” He held out his hand. “The middle Jameson brother.”
Derrick snorted as they shook hands. “The one with the shitty timing.”
“I didn’t know... See, Derrick never really brings... Okay then.” Spence made a hissing sound. “I’ll stand here and not talk.”
His stumbling eased her discomfort at having been caught like a naughty teen on prom night. “What were you trying not to say?”
“He’s pointing out that I’m not in the habit of bringing women to my house,” Derrick said.
Spence nodded. “Yeah, that.”
“Ellie is different.” Derrick picked up one of the water bottles off the counter and offered it to her. “She’s moving in.”
Spence’s eyes grew even wider. “Really?”
She waited for Derrick to explain about the agreement and Noah and all the trouble they were trying to fix. When Derrick didn’t say anything, she glanced over at him. “And?”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We’re still fighting over the date.”
Her mind jumbled again. “Wait...”
“Ah, now I get it,” Spence said.
That made one of them. She was still lost. “Want to explain it to me?”
Derrick moved then. He put down the water and reached for his suit jacket. His keys jangled in his hand a second later. “Let me run Ellie home then we’ll catch up.”
Spence frowned. “She’s the one who should stay.”
She wanted some air...and an explanation. “No, it’s fine.” She glanced at Derrick, sending him a we-need-to-talk glare. “You ready?”
If she knew her way around the house she would have taken off without him. Instead she followed him along a hallway and a set of stairs to the bottom level of the grand three-story home.
Her head was pounding too hard for her to concentrate but as soon as they were in the garage with the door shut behind them, she spun around to confront Derrick. “Your brother doesn’t know.”
He had the nerve to stare at his keys and not her. “About what?”
She put her hand over his. “That this is a fake arrangement, Derrick.”
“It didn’t feel fake a second ago.” He hit her with intense eye contact. The kind that made her breath catch in her throat.
“I refuse to regret that.”
“I hope not since I’m planning on finishing it very soon.” He blew out a long breath. “Look, if you can’t tell your brother, I can’t tell mine. That seemed fair to me.”
He said it as if the logic made perfect sense. She didn’t buy it. Jackson knew. She had every intention of telling Vanessa when they met for lunch tomorrow as planned. She had no idea how she held it in this long, except that Vanessa had gone away on a work trip for four days.
No way did Derrick’s brother need to be kept in the dark about something this big. He should know he wasn’t really about to get a sister-in-law. “I hate when you sound reasonable because it convinces me you’re hiding something.”
“I think our agreement makes it clear we both are.”
It was hard to argue with that. “Okay, but when it comes to this agreement and what we both get out of it, we’ll be honest with each other, right? We need each other, and I’m not talking about the kissing.”
“I’m happy to talk about the kissing.”
Her stomach did a little tumble. “I’m not kidding, Derrick.”
“Trust me.”
&
nbsp; He made it sound so easy, but he had no idea. Her father used to say that, too. We’ll be fine, Ellie. This time the plan will work. You won’t have to switch schools. Then he broke the promises almost as quickly as he made them.
“You’ve been in charge and getting your way for too long.” She’d thought that from the first minute she’d met him and she still believed that was true.
“I have a feeling that’s about to change.”
Sounds as if he was finally getting it. “Count on it.”
Eight
The DC Insider: There is a lot happening in the Jameson household these days. Middle brother and perennial black sheep, Spencer, has returned to the nest. Does that mean baby brother Carter is on his way? Bigger question: if the family is coming into town, do Derrick and Ellie have big news to share?
Derrick couldn’t fight off the very strong feeling he’d screwed things up tonight. He didn’t regret kissing Ellie, touching her. Hell, he’d been five seconds away from slipping her underwear off and carrying her upstairs when Spence showed up.
Them in bed. Sex. All that was going to happen. When he’d first met her, he’d thought he could keep the attraction separate, but since it sparked both ways, why fight it? They could enjoy each other, help each other with their family issues and have a good time. Win, win.
The only problem, as usual, came from his father. Those damn requirements of his. The ones that stood between Derrick and the business he’d always wanted.
In Derrick’s head it made sense to hide from Ellie the fact that he could lose the business. Why give her that much power over him? It also made sense to hide the fake engagement part from Spence and Carter, because they would never agree with his decision to make that choice.
But all the half-truths, the partial information, meant lying to the people around him. He’d never out-and-out deceived his brothers before. Sure, when they were younger, he’d downplayed their father’s crappy actions and how poorly he’d treated their mom before she died. What kind of man went to his wife’s deathbed and asked for a divorce so he could marry his mistress sooner?
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