by Cat Johnson
Chapter 4
Early Saturday evening, Bran rang the doorbell at Jen’s apartment to pick her up for the big weekend. He’d dropped her off here last night after dinner and left with nothing more than a quick peck on the cheek. His mind had been reeling, trying to gauge the next best step based on impressions gleaned from Jen’s first exposure to his grandparents and their reaction to her. Although, he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit to wanting much more from her than a chaste kiss.
All in good time.
The door handle jiggled and drew his thoughts away from the sexual fantasies starring Jen as the door swung open. Bran expected Jen to open the door, just as she had last night when he’d picked her up for dinner. Instead, he came face to face with a linebacker.
“You must be him.”
Bran hadn’t been sure the bruiser was capable of speech, but indeed, he proved he was. “Yes, I must be. And whom are you?” Bran asked.
“Jen’s roommate…and her friend.”
“Ah, yes. She told me she had a roommate. I just didn’t expect you to be quite so…large.” Or male, truth be told. “Um, is Jen at home?”
“She’s grabbing her bag.” The roommate folded his arms across his brick wall of a chest and leaned against the doorframe. It seemed Bran was destined to wait outside.
“Sorry. I’m coming. I swear.” Jen’s raised voice filtered past the bulk of the man in the doorway. “Tim, you didn’t invite Bran inside?”
Scowling, Tim moved to one side and Bran finally got to see Jen. Looking rushed but beautiful in her dress, she held her coat in one hand and pulled the rolling leather suitcase they’d bought together with the other. She smiled when she saw Bran. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Bran took the coat and held it open for her. “It’s chilly. You’ll need this. Do you have the gloves I bought you?”
She slid her arms inside the sleeves. “Yes. In the pocket.”
“Good.” Bran enjoyed rubbing in her roommate’s face all the things he had bought for her, and all the more he could buy. Grabbing the handle of the suitcase, Bran glanced back over his shoulder. “I’ll have her back to you by Sunday night. If she wants to come back, that is.”
Tim’s eyes narrowed. “Jen. You make sure you call if you need me. For anything.”
“I will. Bye.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed the brute on the cheek, forcing Bran to reevaluate the extent of the roommates’ closeness.
“Bye.” Tim tore his gaze from Jen and shot Bran one more glare, before he slammed the door.
In his car parked outside along the curb, Jen glanced at Bran. “Sorry about Tim. He’s a little overprotective of me.”
“Quite all right. But that does bring up a question. What is your relationship?”
“Tim and I?” She shrugged. “He’s my best friend. We’ve lived together since college.”
“Is that the extent of it?” Bran was having trouble keeping his eyes on the road ahead when he wanted to watch Jen as she answered him.
“Yes. Why?”
“Just wondering. That level of animosity toward a new beau usually comes from a deeper relationship. It would be understandable if you have now, or had in the past, a physical relationship with him. Have you?” Bran waited for the answer, wondering what he would do with the information once he had it.
Of all the things they’d discussed in regard to their arrangement, he’d never thought to ask if she had a boyfriend—or an overprotective live-in lover. He’d just assumed since she’d agreed that she didn’t. That’s what Bran got for assuming—two-hundred-plus pounds of scowling roommate blocking his way to Jen, literally.
“No, Bran. I’ve never had sex with Tim.” Her tone was sharp.
He’d offended her with the question.
Relieved she wasn’t sleeping with the brute, Bran could afford to be gracious. “I apologize. It was rude of me to ask. Thank you for answering. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate that you did.”
“No problem.” She stared out the side window as streets whizzed past.
“You’re upset with me. Jen, I don’t want this to set the tone for this weekend. If you need me to pull over so we can talk—”
“No. It’s fine. Really. I’m just nervous.” She dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand.
“Don’t be. I have complete faith in you. You’ll be perfect.”
She glanced sideways at him. “I hope so.”
“I know so.” He reached out and covered her gloved hand. “Think of it this way. Once we get through this weekend, we’re home free. There are no more major holidays or family events between now and my thirtieth birthday.”
A tiny smile lifted the corners of her mouth—forced, but the effort was there. “Then once you’re thirty, that’s when you can safely tell Granddaddy to stuff it?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
The strange part was, on some level Bran wasn’t all that eager for that time to come any longer. That day would also mark the end of their agreement. He’d wanted Jen the moment he’d laid eyes on her. Now, it seemed it was more than sexual attraction. Bran wouldn’t mind having her around for longer than the agreed upon months.
Bran dismissed that as stemming from the fact he hadn’t had her yet. She was that ripe piece of untested fruit. Once he’d tasted and gotten his fill of her, he’d have no problem saying good-bye when the time came. Then again, he might just want to keep her.
They drove in silence. He felt her tension, but he gave her peace and quiet so she could deal with it on her own. When they got there, he’d take control and get her over it, if need be.
Soon, he steered the car into the driveway between the soaring wrought iron gates of the familial estate. They were early. The valets hadn’t arrived to park the guests’ cars yet. Bran pulled his off to the side, in front of the carriage house that had long ago been converted into a garage. He pocketed the keys and stepped out into the brisk air, moving to the passenger side to open the door for Jen. He handed her out of the car.
They crossed the driveway and headed on a path toward the front door. Every light was lit on the first floor, illuminating the windows and giving the massive stone structure a warm glow. The house looked ready for the influx of guests for his grandparents’ annual bash. The question was, was Jen ready? Maybe the combined chaos of his family and all the guests would keep Jen so occupied she wouldn’t have time to panic.
Bran could only hope, because right now, he could feel her hand trembling in his. “Stop being nervous. If you don’t relax, I’m going to be forced to kiss you again to knock you out of it.”
Jen tugged on his hand, bringing them to a stop. “Okay.”
Bran turned, surprised. He’d offered in jest, but who was he to deny a woman what she wanted? Right there on the cobblestone driveway in front of his grandparents’ home, with both him and Jen bundled in winter coats and gloves, Bran drew Jen to him and covered her lips with his. He took her mouth with all of the desire he wanted to unleash upon her body.
Kissing Jen was easy. Stopping was hard, but made easier when he heard the front door of the house open.
“Bran, are you going to come inside or spend the night making out in the driveway?”
He brushed a gloved hand over Jen’s cheek. “That is my nosy sister. Come on. Let’s get in.” Turning toward the door, he said, “Yes, Caroline. We’re coming.”
Bran was anxious to get this part over with. Step by step, they’d work their way through the first encounter with all the relations. After that, things should get easier.
“Hello, dear brother.” Caroline air-kissed his cheek and then turned to Jen. “And who might you be?”
“Oh, come now, Caroline. Don’t tell me that Jen and I haven’t been the topic of discussion since the moment you arrived.”
Caroline harrumphed, and then extended a hand to Jen. “Pleasure to meet any woman who thinks she can handle my brother.”
Jen’s brow rose a fraction. “Thanks.”
T
hat could have gone worse. So far, so good. Bran caught the eye of one of the staff in the front hall and drew the car keys out of his coat pocket. “Our bags are in the car. Can someone bring them up to our room, please?”
“Of course, sir.”
The houseman took their coats, as well as the keys and Bran had no more excuse to avoid the inevitable. “Mom and Dad here yet?”
“Nope.” Caroline grinned wide.
“No?” Maybe Bran hadn’t been the topic of conversation after all. His parents’ absence might just have taken the spotlight.
“Don’t get excited, brother dear. They’ll be here shortly. Apparently a train derailed on the line they were taking. They were stuck waiting at a station halfway between here and the city for service to resume.”
“Shouldn’t you have sent a car for them?”
“Assuming they wanted to be here, yes, that would have been a good idea. They called a little bit ago to say that the trains are up and running again and they shouldn’t be too much longer. They sounded content to wait so…” Caroline shrugged and turned her attention back to Jen. “So, Jen, is it? Come with me and tell me everything about you and my brother. I’m very interested to hear.”
He’d bet she was. “At least you are. Last night, I’m lucky Grandmother let us stay for dinner.”
“Ah, yes. Well, you know, you put quite the kabosh on her plans for you.”
“Did I? How so?”
“Remember her bestie from college?”
Bran thought for a second. "Yeah, I think so."
Caroline dismissed his uncertainty with a wave of one hand. “Doesn’t matter. The point is, her granddaughter is apparently back from Europe and Grams was hoping to play matchmaker between you two.”
He realized he’d dodged yet another bullet by hiring Jen. Jon truly was a genius. Bran would have to make sure to thank him. Meanwhile Jen, who had watched his and Caroline’s conversation with raised brows and great interest, was now being pulled down the hall by his ever-helpful sister.
Bran followed close behind, not about to leave Jen alone with Caroline at this stage of the game.
This truly was a game he played, and a high stakes one at that. On the table was a one billion dollar trust fund. Even Bran, who’d been raised with a wealth of riches, could appreciate the magnitude of what hung in the balance. A hefty portion of the responsibility of whether they succeeded or failed sat on Jen’s shoulders. A hell of a lot of trust to place in someone who days ago had been a complete stranger to him.
Yet he did trust her. Strange. Bran didn’t trust easily. Only a small handful of people had ever earned his confidence, Jon being one of them. It was frightening as well as odd. Of all the many women Bran had known in his life, he’d never trusted one of them until Jen—an over-educated waitress he’d hired to pretend to be his fiancée.
What the hell did that mean for their future after the next few months?
Following Caroline and Jen, Bran entered the living room to find his grandfather planted in his favorite chair by the fire, sipping his whisky during the last few moments of peace before the crowd arrived.
He shot Bran a scowl that swept to encompass Jen. “At least you decided to show up.”
“Mom and Dad will be here shortly.” Caroline fielded that shot, and Bran was happy to let her do it. He’d been subjected to his grandfather a mere twenty-four hours ago. Twice in two days was more than any person should be required to bear.
“Grandfather, you’ve met Jen, no?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, we’ve met.”
Bran had already had enough of the thinly veiled animosity. He could only imagine how Jen felt. He put his arm around Jen’s shoulders. “Give me back my girlfriend, Caroline. You two can bond later. Right now, Jen and I could both use a drink.”
Caroline let out an indelicate snort that would be sure to earn her a censure if their grandmother had been in the room to hear it. “Couldn’t we all.”
Bran couldn’t help but smile at that as he signaled for the servant. “What wine are you pouring tonight?”
The man rattled off a list of wines, not as good as was served when it was only family for dinner, but definitely all decent selections.
“Jen?” Bran glanced down at her. “What do you prefer?”
Her mouth opened. “Uh…”
Bran had gotten Jen fashions befitting his girlfriend. Now he realized the next step was a lesson in wine, because anyone who knew him knew his love of a fine bottle. “Want me to select for us both?”
“Yes, please.” Her relief was so clear, he smiled.
He turned to the server. “Two glasses of the Malbec.”
“Yes, sir. Very good.” The servant left to retrieve their much needed alcohol, while noise from the front hall filtered into the room.
“I do believe my parents have arrived.” Bran leaned low, his mouth close to Jen’s ear. “Brace yourself.”
Her gaze cut sideways to meet his as the tension radiated off her. Bran brought his hand up to cup her face and pressed a kiss to her mouth. Perfectly chaste, but it still elicited a huff from his grandfather.
Caroline leaned in. “Hey, you two. Get a room.”
“Got one right upstairs, thanks.” And Bran wouldn’t mind going there now. But alas, there was a long night ahead of them.
His sister grinned and walked past him, presumably to go and meet their parents in the hallway, just as the servant slipped in with two glasses of wine. Caroline could be the welcoming committee for both of them. Bran stayed right where he was with Jen and his Malbec.
“Drink up, love.” Bran raised his glass and sipped at the deep, rich flavor. With one hand resting on Jen’s lower back, he steered her to the settee. “Sit.”
She did, and looked a bit less shaky doing so than when she’d been standing. She glanced at him. “You haven’t told me anything about your parents.”
“Nothing to tell.” And that was because Bran’s parents both did his grandfather’s bidding. He said jump, Bran’s father asked how high. Meanwhile, his mother basically kept herself so medicated on prescription drugs she just sat and watched the world go by. They were both so afraid of the old man’s control over the family business and holdings, they’d do anything to keep him happy.
Growing up with this kind of wealth was as much a blessing as a curse. The fear of losing the lifestyle could be paralyzing for men like Bran’s father. Or, it could be the inspiration that forced a person to get creative, as it had done for Bran. The result was sitting next to him with a nearly empty glass in her hand.
Bran raised a brow. “More wine?”
“No. Not until I eat something.”
“Lightweight, are you?”
“Pretty much.” She smiled, a warm genuine smile. Whether it was the wine or the question that brought it on, Bran didn’t care. He just liked seeing it.
“I’ll remember that.” He brushed his lips against her cheek and paused close to her ear. “In case I want to take advantage of you later.”
He saw her react. She looked as tempted as she did fearful, which had him getting hard. A reluctant girl who needed a bit of cajoling to get into his bed, rather than the ones who leapt into it, always had held extra appeal for Bran. He’d enjoy easing Jen of any reluctance she had about their sharing a room.
He’d assured her that their room was a suite as large as the apartment she shared, and that there was a daybed in the sitting area that he’d sleep on if she didn’t feel comfortable sharing the king-size bed with him. What he hadn’t told her was he had no intention of sleeping separately. In fact, if he had his way, there’d be no sleeping at all.
Down and dirty sex under his grandparents’ roof—the idea was enough to make him itch to stroke his cock right there. Yes, there’d been a few quickies in this house when Bran was much younger. Home from prep school for the holidays, he had snuck off with a pretty maid for some fun. But he’d never had the pleasure of a full night. He was definitely looking forward to it.
His erotic fantasies had to be put on hold as his parents entered the room. They’d just cleared the doorway when both of them zeroed in on Jen. He and Jen were clutched close, his arm around her, her thigh pressed to his. It was obvious this was no casual date. Perfect. Just as he’d planned.
“Bran.” His father nodded.
“Mother. Father. This is Jen.” Bran stood
Jen followed suit. “Nice to meet you.”
He suspected she’d be tired of saying that by the end of the evening, because there were still many more people to meet. Old family friends. Business associates. Even a member of congress was on the guest list. As his grandmother slipped into the room, exclaiming feigned delight in seeing his mother, Bran knew that not one of those on the guest list, not even the most wealthy or powerful, would be as intimidating as the people in the room right now. He moved his hand to Jen’s back. She leaned into him.
His parents’ gaze followed the action, as did Caroline’s as she wore an amused expression, as if she were enjoying the show. Bran smiled. He and Jen were going to be fine. Everyone was shocked, yes, but also convinced that he’d gone and fallen head over heels with a woman whose parents had never, and never would be, in Forbes Magazine’s top one hundred, or even top one thousand wealthiest Americans. That was one of the things he liked most about Jen.
Bran pressed a kiss to Jen’s cheek and then turned back to his parents. Raising his glass, he said, “Mother. You should try the Malbec. It’s very good.”
Chapter 5
“I think it’s time I subject Bran’s girlfriend to the family photo archives. What do you say? You ready for a good laugh?” Caroline asked.
Jen glanced at Bran. She was interested in a peek, but he was involved in a conversation with someone who had a long name she couldn’t remember.
“Go on. I’ll meet you in there.” With a pat on her rear, Bran dismissed her and went back to his discussion.
“Okay. I’d love to see them.”
“Follow me.” Caroline led the way down a hall. She opened a closed door and swept one arm toward the seating area inside.