Worth the Risk

by Karen Erickson

  “They make the best margaritas ever,” Rhett assured them after she left with their drink order.

  “Are you trying to get me drunk?” Gracie teased, her gaze skittering to Hunter’s briefly before she looked away.

  Memories swarmed him of the last time he was with her after a few drinks—naked and tangled in the sheets. Just like that, a faint sweat broke out on his forehead.

  “If I knew I had a chance with you, hell yes. But I think you only have eyes for my brother. Why, I’m not so sure, but I’m not going to step on what he considers his.” Rhett laughed and clapped Hunter on the back.

  Gracie reared back, her eyes going wide. She wouldn’t look his way, and he wondered at that. Was she surprised by Rhett’s statement? It was a pretty obvious observation, at least to him—and to his brother.

  He and Gracie, they belonged together. They fit. He could see it. Rhett could see it. Why couldn’t she?

  She ignored him when the waitress returned with their drinks. She took hers with a big smile and immediately sipped from the straw, smacking her lips in satisfaction after she finished. Rhett laughed and encouraged her to drink up, shooting Hunter a knowing smile when Gracie looked away.

  What, was his brother purposely trying to get her drunk for his benefit? He didn’t know whether to thank him or tell him to leave her alone.

  They continued to chat, Gracie and Rhett. They were closer in age, seemed to have a lot in common, and Hunter glowered, watching his brother charm and flirt with her. White-hot jealousy speared through him, despite his constant self-reassurances that he was being an idiot. She didn’t like Rhett, she liked him.

  Well. She liked him enough to have sex with him a couple of times. Share a few intimate secrets with him too, but that was it.

  And damn it, he wanted more. He wanted the entire package. A committed relationship, the works.

  Swallowing hard, he grabbed the margarita glass in front of him and took a huge gulp, the tequila settling in his belly and setting it on fire. He should watch it. Too much tequila had a way of making him do really stupid things.

  Like maybe tell a woman he was halfway in love with that he never wanted to let her go.

  They munched on chips and salsa and sipped their margaritas, enjoying the gentle, warm breeze that was the complete opposite of the freezing cold they’d just left behind in New York. Not a single cloud marred the velvety twilight sky and the city lights reflected on it, giving it an orangey-pink glow.

  Gracie had showered and changed when they arrived at the hotel and was dressed casually in a white gauzy shirt with bright stitched flowers embroidered around the neck and a pair of cropped dark rinse jeans. The black sandals on her feet exposed the vibrant red polish on her toenails. She fit right in with the California climate.

  She fit right in hanging out with him and his brother too. He wondered if she even noticed.

  “How long have you worked at Worth, Gracie?” Rhett asked.

  “Just a little over a year.”

  “And why haven’t I ever noticed you before? I notice all the pretty women who work at Worth.”

  “Maybe because you were too busy clubbing it up to pay much attention,” Hunter interjected after he’d rolled his eyes.

  Gracie shot him a chastising look, but he ignored it. He saw the way Rhett’s gaze flickered with embarrassment and, complete ass that he was, he liked it.

  The kid needed to be reminded of his past mistakes. They weren’t that long ago.

  Rhett didn’t acknowledge Hunter’s remark. “Have you always worked in marketing at Worth?”

  She nodded. “I’ve always been in marketing, period. Being at Worth Luxury is like a dream job come true. I’ve always wanted to work for a fashion house.”

  “Really? Why’s that?”

  Yeah, why was that? He should’ve been the one asking, but he’d let his brother do the talking instead. For now.

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged, her cheeks coloring a rosy pink. “I’ve always liked fashion. I used to pore over old copies of Vogue I found at the library.”

  “Didn’t buy any on your own?”

  Her lips thinned and she reached for her drink, took a sip before she answered. “I couldn’t afford to buy magazines growing up.”

  That little statement alone blew him away. Even though he’d just learned about her circumstances, he still couldn’t get over it. Hunter didn’t know what it was like, not being able to afford anything he wanted. He couldn’t comprehend not being able to buy a magazine for a few dollars, let alone being shoved around from place to place as a child. With no real family, no parents to care or look after you, never really feeling like you belonged.

  That was Gracie’s reality. And it was so far from his, he couldn’t begin to imagine it.

  “Were you poor?”

  “Jesus, Rhett.” Hunter kicked him under the table.

  “Ow.” Rhett glared at him. “I was just asking.” He sounded like a sulking little kid.

  “I was definitely poor.” She took another sip from her glass, almost draining it before she set it back down on the table. “I was just about as poor as someone can be.”

  “That’s tough.” Rhett sounded completely blown away. Spoiled little bastard probably was. “I can’t imagine.”

  “I’m sure you can’t,” Hunter said with a snort.

  Rhett gave him the finger. “Like you can, jackass. You grew up same as me.”

  Hunter repressed the urge to give him the finger in return. Arguing with Rhett always made him revert to immature ways. “Yeah, but I know what it’s like to work hard for what I have.”

  The two men stared each other down silently until Gracie cleared her throat to break the tension. “Okay, you two. Let’s get along now. I don’t want a fight to ruin my dinner.”

  Rhett cracked a smile first, shooting it straight in Gracie’s direction. “Fine, I can get along with him for one night.” He studied her appreciatively. “What are you anyway? The Brother Whisperer?”

  “I don’t think I could work that kind of magic on the two of you this fast.” She glanced in Hunter’s direction, offering him a sweet little smile and the sight of it sent a zing straight to his heart.

  He had it bad. So bad.

  “I don’t know about that.” Hunter stirred the frothy drink with his straw. “Having you around means we have to keep it together and not yell at each other. You’re like our personal peace officer.”

  “True, he’s right. Stick around, Gracie. We need you,” Rhett added.

  Hunter did need Gracie. More than he cared to admit.

  “Do you really need me, Hunter?” Her voice was soft, the glow in her eyes solemn. Rhett coughed, as if suddenly uncomfortable, and Hunter parted his lips. Ready to give her the answer she most likely wasn’t prepared to hear.

  “Here you go!” Their server magically appeared at the table, carrying a large tray with their dinner orders on it. She placed each plate in front of them, all three of them mute as she chattered on about how hot the plates were and that she hoped they’d enjoy their meals.

  Hunter’s mind raced. He didn’t know if he was relieved he didn’t have to make the confession or disappointed he didn’t get to let it all out. He stared at the plate before him, the food literally steaming it was so hot, and his appetite left him.

  How could he eat after what had almost happened? Would she retreat? Pull away from him after everything got serious? Yeah, it had been brief but still. He saw the look in her eyes, the way she seemed to hold her breath as she waited for his response.

  Damn Rhett for saying the crap that he did. It would’ve never happened like this if Rhett hadn’t been there. He put thoughts in Hunter’s head. Ideas that he wasn’t sure he could cope with—more like ideas and realizations that Gracie probably couldn’t cope with.

  He didn’t want to fuck this up. And he was afraid it might be too late.

  Gracie pushed the food around on her plate with her fork, her appetite long gone desp
ite how delicious everything looked and smelled. She’d taken a few token bites, but it all had tasted like cardboard in her mouth.

  Hunter didn’t appear much better. His plate was still mostly full, though his margarita glass had been drained and he’d requested a new one. Only Rhett was oblivious, eating with gusto, still munching on chips he dipped in his beans before he popped them in his mouth.

  She envied his oblivion. And she also realized that she really, really liked him. He was much more carefree than Hunter and Alex. She couldn’t even use the word carefree to describe Alex, he was so far from it. And Hunter, though more easygoing than the oldest Worth brother, was still nowhere near as laid back as Rhett.

  He was easy to talk to, easy to laugh with. Not bad on the eyes, either. He had the classic handsome Worth face and dark hair, though he wore his a little longer and it curled around the back of his neck. She was sure the overgrown hair, the sparkling blue eyes and compelling smile drove the women he encountered absolutely crazy.

  But Rhett didn’t drive her crazy, not like that. She hated to admit it, but she only had eyes for Hunter.

  And right now he would hardly look at her.

  What had transpired between them earlier before their waitress had appeared with dinner? She still couldn’t believe she’d said to him.

  Do you really need me, Hunter?

  Unbelievable. The balls she had to even bring something like that up. She didn’t know if it was pure bravery or absolute stupidity on her part.

  More likely the latter, she thought with a barely suppressed sigh.

  “What the hell is wrong with you two? You hardly ate.” Rhett pushed his empty plate away from him and waved at the waitress when she looked their way. “Don’t tell me you’re not feeling well.”

  Gracie shrugged, leery of what he might suggest. “I’m tired. I think it might be jet lag.”

  “Definitely jet lag,” Hunter added.

  “I was hoping I could take you two out to a few clubs I like to hang out at,” Rhett suggested just before the waitress stopped at their table and began to clear it.

  The immediate tension radiating from Hunter was palpable. Any mention of a party or a good time on Rhett’s behalf and Hunter was ready to think the worst. “No offense, but that sounds like the last thing I want to do tonight. I’m beat. How about you, Gracie?”

  She was surprised by his kind words. At least he hadn’t blown up at his brother. The two seemed to fight over every little thing. It was kind of ridiculous. “Sorry, Rhett, but I’m awfully tired too.” She felt bad, but she couldn’t imagine going out to a club, hanging out in a crush of people with loud music pounding in her veins.

  Rhett shrugged, a little smile curling his lips. He had a nice mouth, very similar to Hunter’s. Their features were remarkably similar. “It’s all good. Maybe tomorrow. You are staying tomorrow night as well, right?”

  “Yeah.” Hunter slid a quick look her way. “We are. But we’ll be working most of the day.”

  “Same here, of course.” Rhett flashed the big grin. “Right in the trenches with the both of you.”

  He was awfully hard to take seriously. No wonder he had the spoiled party boy reputation. He lived up to it completely.

  She had a feeling though, that Rhett was just misunderstood.

  Hunter paid for the meal—a business expense, he called it—and they left the restaurant. They parted ways, Rhett driving home in his latest model Porsche that probably cost a small fortune and Hunter escorting Gracie into the backseat of the hired car that would take them back to their hotel. She collapsed in the soft leather seat, leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes.

  She wanted—needed—sleep. Needed to clear her head and forget about how wonderful it had been, hanging out with Hunter and his brother. Like they’d both really wanted her there, not because she worked for Worth, but because they actually liked her. Wanted to spend time with her and include her as a part of their life.

  Their family.

  Gracie blinked her eyes open. She was being ridiculous. They didn’t give a crap about her beyond her working for Worth, and they definitely didn’t think of her as family. She was merely deluding herself.

  “Did you enjoy your dinner? You didn’t eat much.” Hunter’s soft, deep voice washed over her and she kept her gaze locked on the window, watching the city lights pass by.

  “I guess I wasn’t that hungry. But yes, I had a good time. Your brother is fun.”

  “You really think so?” He sounded shocked.

  “I do.” She turned to look at him briefly and she realized her mistake the moment her gaze met his.

  He looked too good sitting there in his black T-shirt and jeans. A dressed-up Hunter was a sight to behold. A dressed-down Hunter? Even more so.

  “You’re too hard on him,” she murmured when he hadn’t said anything in reply. “I think he just wants your approval.”

  “When he puts in a few years of time at Worth actually working, then he’ll get my approval.”

  She shook her head and looked away from him, keeping her head averted. He wasn’t listening, so he wouldn’t get it. Rhett just wanted to belong. Wanted both of his brothers’ genuine approval and was struggling to get it.

  Gracie could relate. She’d always wanted to belong. To have that easy acceptance others had and took for granted.

  “Rhett’s charming. It’s what he does. He laughs and jokes and drinks himself into oblivion. He likes to spend money and look good and always have the best-looking woman on his arm. Everything is about flash and appearance for him and nothing else,” Hunter said bitterly.

  She turned on him once more, anger coursing through her blood and making her brave. “He didn’t seem that way to me. Yeah, he might be a bit immature for his age, but since he’s the baby of the family, I’m guessing there was a lot of babying on everyone’s part when it came to Rhett. Am I right?”

  Hunter gave her a short nod in answer, his lips grim, his eyes dark.

  “Well, then I’m going to assume no one has ever really cut the apron strings and forced him out on his own. He needs to learn a little independence, do some growing up. I think he’s doing that right now, out here in California where he doesn’t really have you both to rely on. It’s good for him.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “He doesn’t want to fight with you, Hunter.”

  “I know.” Hunter sighed, the sound harsh in the quiet confines of the car. “I think it’s more that I want to fight with him.”

  “But why?” She was incredulous. Why would he want to continue the animosity between them?

  “You really want to know why?”

  She turned to look at him once more, saw all the anger blazing in his eyes, the frustration tensing his jaw. “Yes, I really want to know.”

  “Damn it, it’s because I’m—I’m jealous.” Hunter thrust his head back against the headrest hard and closed his eyes. “Yep, I said it. I’m jealous of my brother, the slacker. He doesn’t do shit but have a good time and Alex is still wanting to bail him out. Help him out, forgive him and forget it, whatever, Alex always does it. I work my ass off and yeah, Alex appreciates me, I know he does, but he always goes that extra step with Rhett. An extra step that he never takes with me, he never has.”

  Gracie felt like she’d made a breakthrough. Had he ever confessed that to another person? “Because Alex knows he doesn’t have to. You can do it all on your own.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to be the dependable one. Maybe I want to fuck off and have a good time. Get drunk and party and make out with some chick whose name I can’t remember in the middle of a crowded nightclub.”

  Jealousy crept her ugly hands all over Gracie’s heart, and she tried to ignore it. But it was so hard. “Do you really want to do stuff like that?”

  Hunter shrugged, rubbed a hand over his face. “Hell no. Not really. It just feels good to want it, even briefly, you know?”

  She did know. She knew all about unwanted responsibility b
eing thrust upon her at too young an age. She didn’t like to think of how scared she’d been to get an apartment on her own and work the job she’d had and go to school. That seemed like a lifetime ago. Two lifetimes ago.

  “I thought you liked your work.”

  “I do, I love it. But I’m not as obsessed with Worth as Alex is. He’s a workaholic. He lives and breathes Worth, and it finally took the love of a good woman to get him to relax once in a while.” Hunter shook his head with a rueful smile. “I bet that bastard dreams about Worth every night. He’s ridiculous.”

  “And ridiculously good at what he does.”

  “Exactly. It takes that sort of effort to maintain the success that Alex has. I work my ass off and I secretly think I don’t want to do it anymore. Isn’t there something more to life than working? Can’t I take a vacation for once and relax?”

  “Why don’t you? I know Alex would never begrudge you vacation time. We all get it.”

  “I can never make the time. I’m caught up in the hamster wheel almost as bad as Alex is. Every once in a while, I just realize I want to stop. Not permanently. I just…need a break.”

  The car pulled up in front of the hotel, and the conversation ceased completely when the driver opened the door for them to exit. She entered the lobby, Hunter just behind her and she strode toward the bank of elevators, turning toward him when they arrived. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The air became charged as they stood staring at each other. She didn’t know what to say, what to do and when the elevator dinged its arrival, she hurried into it, Hunter following her inside.

  The doors slid shut, and it was just the two of them headed up to their hotel rooms, which were right next to each other. How convenient.

  How dangerous.

  “Early morning tomorrow, right?” she finally asked to break the weird tension.

  “Yeah, has to be extra early if we want to beat the traffic, what with the drive.”

  She nodded, nibbling on her lower lip. “I’ll be up already, considering I’m on East Coast time.”