“I doubt that girl. He’s right, you would look good, because you’re the hottest bitch I know. You know the way men are always staring at you. But then as soon as he got to know how smart and amazing you are, he’d be stupid to let you go.”
She burst out laughing. “Quinn they’re looking at you. Not me for god sakes.”
El had had pretty low self-esteem since ever since Baxter had cheated on her. I think she thought she wasn’t enough for him in the end, that maybe she wasn’t pretty enough, or skinny enough. But I knew for a fact that wasn’t the case. She was stunning. On so many occasions I couldn’t even count, I’d watched men check her out and look to make a move but then notice her wedding band. I don’t think she had even realized how often it had happened. There was no wedding band now though, and she was going to be fighting them off.
El had actually been out on a couple of dates since we moved here. Evan, the guy who had shown us around the office space had eventually worn her down and she’d agreed to going for a drink with him after work. She’d gone out with him once more after that – for dinner. Apparently he was the most boring human being that she had ever met. They’d had absolutely nothing in common, and no spark either.
I had laughed my ass off when she’d told me about the look on his face after she’d explained to him that she wasn’t interested in seeing him again. It sounded fucking hilarious. He seemed to think that everything was going great, and that there was the possibility of a future between them.
Delusional male.
El was ranting about the elevator guy again. I knew she was attracted to this guy. Like, really attracted to him. And that was why she was still simmering away about the things he had said to her. I was trying not to laugh about the way she was currently trying to describe this guy. I really hoped for his sake that he didn’t get in her way again.
“And then I told him that I had my own office and he was welcome to sit outside it any time he liked.”
I busted out laughing yet again. El had a backbone. It had disappeared for a while there, but it seemed this guy had got my girl back. I’d have to thank him if I ever ran into him. “Now that I would like to see. Maybe he could be my PA. God knows I could use a good looking guy to get me through my work load.” I joked. “Maybe I should ask Lawson who this guy is. We could all go for a drink. See if he can get under your skin a little more.”
El’s mouth dropped open again. “You wouldn’t. I’m serious Q. Don’t you dare.”
I held my hands up in mock surrender. “I’m joking. I promise I’ll leave the douche bag to bother someone else.”
If this guy has even half a brain he’ll find a way to run into her again anyway.
7. Ellerslie
It was Saturday afternoon and I had decided to head into the office to catch up on an hour or two of work. I worked well in the peace and quiet and I had got nearly everything done when my phone rang. I checked the screen.
“Hey Q.”
“El!”
Wow, she was excited about something.
“Lawson called, he’s just got back and wants to take us to dinner tonight, I want to invite Reeve too but I haven’t called him yet.”
“That sounds perfect. I really need to have a relaxing night and maybe even a few drinks. We could make a night of it and catch a cab back later?”
“Read my mind girl. You call Reeve and make a plan with him okay? Lawson wants to pick me up and show me where he lives beforehand, so can I just text you where you should meet us?”
“That sounds good, have fun with your brother Q.”
“I will. Love ya, byeee!”
Holy shit, she was pumped about seeing her brother. I couldn’t blame her, I loved spending time with my siblings whenever I could too.
I finished the last of my paperwork, called Reeve, who was keen for the night out, packed up and left the office.
I couldn’t help myself from picturing him when I got into the elevator. His cocky grin, handsome face and smoking hot body.
So arrogant.
But so sexy.
***
Quinn had already left by the time I got back to the apartment. I was looking frantically through my wardrobe for something to wear when I heard a text come through.
“Hey girl, meet us at The Heights Bar and Restaurant, 7pm? Can’t wait for you to meet Law. P.S. he doesn’t know who Mr. Hot & arrogant is. And before you lose your shit, I didn’t tell him anything about your little run in! cya soon! x”
Fucking Quinn! If that bitch has sold me out to her brother I swear to god I’ll kill her!
I sent her back a quick message telling her that we would meet them there, and added on a threat for her life if she brought up that man to Lawson again.
“HAHA. You worry too much. Ps. wear something hot. We’re going clubbing!”
Something hot?
I was already having a hard time trying to find something to wear and now I was supposed to look ‘hot’.
Just freaking great.
I eventually decided on a little black dress.
You can never go wrong with a little black dress.
It wasn’t too short – just a few inches above my knees, it had a high neckline, capped sleeves and cut outs in the sides revealing the skin covering my ribs. It made my waist, the only part of me that I would refer to as small, look even smaller. It also clung to my curves in a way that I was learning to love. I accessorized with a pair of bronze studs and a thick, heavy bronze cuff. I put on an edgy pair of black heels and threw a small black bag down on my bed. I was going to completely freeze if we spent too much time outside.
I had decided to leave my hair loose tonight, I’d tried to rein in some of my curls with some product, and I was pretty happy with the overall look. I applied my makeup a little heavier than I usually did for a night out. I loved doing my makeup, it just wasn’t something I got around to very often. I created a smoky eye, and brought in bronze tones to tie in with my accessories. I used a nude tone on my plump lips and highlighted my cheekbones with a natural blush.
Ready.
I threw some of my makeup, my phone, wallet and ID into the small bag and grabbed my black leather jacket off its hanger before I headed out to call Reeve down to my apartment. I walked into the living area and jumped at the figure sitting on my couch.
“Jesus Reeve, you scared the shit out of me.” I practically screamed at him. “How hard is it to ring the fucking bell when you come in?”
“Sorry El, shit… I forgot about the bell. I didn’t mean to scare you sweetheart.”
I was working on returning my heart rate and breathing back to normal. “Don’t worry, I just got a fright. Sorry I cussed you out.”
Reeve chuckled. “I’ve heard worse come out of that mouth of yours honey.”
I looked my brother over – he looked handsome. He was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans, light brown suede shoes and an open collared light blue shirt. He had a black jacket thrown over the back of my couch. I couldn’t figure out how he didn’t have a woman in his life. He was hardworking, mature, funny, handsome, kind and generous.
“I ordered a cab for 6.30pm, so we had better head down. Are you ready to go?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We headed down to catch our cab, which was already there waiting for us. I decided to text Quinn my vibe.
“The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling.”
I was really excited for tonight. I hadn’t let my hair down in a long time, getting to spend time with my brother and best friend together was a rare treat – then finally meeting Lawson was just icing on the cake.
***
When we arrived at the restaurant Reeve’s eyes lit up, he had been here a couple of times before and assured me that it was delicious and had a great atmosphere.
This place is huge.
It was already pretty busy with some people having dinner, and others drinking in the bar. I gave the young girl at the front desk the name Pierce and
she informed us that the rest of our party was already seated in one of the large booths at the back of the restaurant. I thanked her and told her we could find them without her assistance.
Reeve and I walked through the dining space, and I smiled as I caught sight of Quinn sitting in the booth, she looked relaxed and so happy. I nudged Reeve and pointed out the direction of where we were heading. I took two quick steps forward towards the table before my gaze caught sight of who was sitting and laughing alongside Quinn.
I saw red.
Son of a bitch! I’m going to kill her. I’m actually going to kill her.
Sitting next to Quinn, looking right at home, was Mr. Hot and arrogant. I couldn’t fucking believe Quinn had done this. She must have lied when she said Lawson didn’t know who the guy was.
Not only did she lie, but then she invited him here with us.
She was topping my shit list right now.
I must have completely stopped in my moment of shock, because Reeve walked straight into the back of me.
“Ow shit! El, what the hell are you doing?” Reeve demanded – very loudly.
I didn’t even answer him. I was too angry for talking. I looked back up and caught Quinn’s eye. She must have heard Reeve’s outburst. Rage surged through me and I could feel a shit fit coming on. I stalked over to the table and pulled Quinn towards me by the arm.
“What the fuck Quinn, why would you do this? You promised not to mention him again” I hissed at her.
Quinn looked confused as all get out. I flicked my eyes over to the man next to her and saw that he was looking pretty shocked. Whether he was shocked at my outburst, or at seeing me here I wasn’t sure.
And I don’t care either.
I noticed it was just the two of them at the table.
Where the hell is Lawson?
“El what the hell has gotten in to you?” I heard Reeve ask behind me. I hadn’t even realized that he had followed me over here.
Quinn was looking at me like I’d completely lost the plot.
I knew I looked like a crazy person standing here like this. I looked quickly backwards and forwards between the two people sitting at the table.
No.
The resemblance hit me.
Dark hair. Olive skin. Tall. Southern twang. Green eyes.
Oh sweet Jesus.
My legs just about went out from under me.
“Ah El.” Quinn gave me an evil eye and pulled her arm from my grip. “Meet my brother Lawson.”
Fuck. My. Life.
8. Lawson
I couldn’t fucking believe it.
What the hell is this girl doing here?
I was sitting in a booth with Quinn at The Heights Bar and Restaurant.
My bar and restaurant.
We’d had a great time together this afternoon. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her company. I’d shown her around my home earlier and I couldn’t wait to see where she was living with her best friend and co-worker Ellerslie.
I had heard about Ellerslie Rush for the last damn five years. Every phone call I had with Quinn, she had gone on and on about the woman. I’d never met her but I felt like I already knew her. I knew that she had recently split from her husband and that he had moved on with one of their best friends soon after they had parted ways.
What a douche.
I knew Quinn loved Ellerslie like a sister and that meant that I respected her already. We were meeting her here tonight for dinner, and Quinn had already talked me into going clubbing with them later on.
I had heard someone yell and I thought I heard the name El. I looked up and found myself staring directly into a pair of baby blue eyes… the exact same eyes that had been invading my mind since the evening before.
Shit. Please don’t be a stalker, please don’t be a stalker. I chanted internally.
She must be here for dinner with the guy that had just walked straight into the back of her. The pang of jealously that was brought on with the thought was completely unwelcome.
Clumsy bastard, doesn’t even know how to handle himself around a beautiful woman.
And shit she was beautiful.
Actually beautiful wasn’t the right word. She was mind blowing. She was tall, curvy and blonde. She oozed sex appeal and I’d had to adjust myself just from looking at her. But it wasn’t only that – I would have thought it was impossible, but she had become even more attractive when she’d spoken to me the way she did.
I’d walked into the elevator last night and nearly tripped over my own jaw when I’d caught site of the stunning woman leaning up against the wall. She was engrossed in her phone and thankfully didn’t notice me staring at her like a bloody horny teenager. I’d never seen her before and I knew for a fact that she wasn’t a member of my staff – which meant that she worked for Rush Communications.
She had been wearing a tight fitting dark blue sweater that showed off her breasts perfectly.
Shit she was blessed in that area.
She had a tiny waist, long legs and curvy hips and ass. Her fitted black pants had showed off all of those assets. I had moved to the back of the elevator so I could watch her without being in her line of sight. She had all of a sudden seemed to realize she wasn’t alone anymore. I could see that she was making small talk with Phillip’s P.A., Karen. But I didn’t hear a word either of them said, I was too focused on the way her lips were moving, and wondering how they would taste.
She’d smiled at Karen and I’d just about lost it.
God she was gorgeous when she smiled.
I wasn’t sure why I’d acted the way I did after that. I knew I’d come across as cocky and arrogant. But I just couldn’t seem to help myself. She’d turned me on beyond belief when she had so openly checked me out. I’d felt a connection between us just from the few moments that our eyes had met – it had completely put the shits up me. I hadn’t felt a real connection with a woman since…
Don’t even fucking go there.
Since… ‘her’.
I’d never had a shortage of women in my life, and I’d even liked a few of them. But I’d never felt like I needed them in my life, like I needed to know more about them.
I had gone into self-preservation mode from that moment on. I’d tried to hide the burning desire within me to find out who this woman was, and how to make her mine. It definitely hadn’t helped that she had stood up for herself and put me in my place without hesitation.
Shit… who am I kidding?
That’s what did it for me. I think I might have been able to chalk her up as stunning, but forget about her until she’d opened her mouth and given it to me.
So fucking sexy.
The way it had affected me when she’d moved into my space was unreal, she’d smelt like French vanilla ice cream. I hadn’t been able to do anything other than stand there and watch her take me down a peg or two.
It was refreshing.
I didn’t think I’d ever see her again, I’d been considering trying to track her down and see if I’d imagined the whole thing.
But no need… here she was. What were the chances?
It was at that moment that I’d snapped out of my thoughts and noticed her eyes weren’t focused on me anymore. She was throwing daggers at my sister.
Shit. How does she know Q? Oh God this is not good. Please don’t be her new P.A.
She stormed across the restaurant towards our table.
Oh hell. This girl has some serious balls.
She grabbed Quinn by the arm and starting yelling at her. “What the hell Quinn, why would you do this? You promised not to even mention him again” She was giving both Quinn and I the evil eye as she spoke.
What the hell is she talking about? Has she talked to Quinn about me? Does she think we’re here together?
I wanted to yell at this girl that I was Quinn’s brother, not her date.
Shit, why do I even care if she thinks I’m here with Q?
I looked between her blue eyes, laced with a
nger, and my sister’s green eyes that were looking confused as hell.
I saw the moment that a realization hit the crazy blondie. She looked backwards and forwards between Quinn and I, and a look of pure horror crossed her face.
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