My Bossy Protector: A Best Friend’s Brother Romance

by Charlize Starr

  “Uh huh. Haven’t you slept with colleagues before?” Of course, I had. But Shane wouldn’t understand that Vivian was special. He didn’t know the meaning of the word.

  He told me about his latest conquest, who was a waitress at a local bar. She was in an estranged marriage. I warned him not to get involved, but Shane was tunnel minded when it came to women. He wouldn’t listen when I told him that one of these days, some jealous man was going to kick his ass. I asked him to give me a call when that happened so that I could make popcorn and watch the scene.

  I ended the call with the excuse that I needed to get to sleep and dropped the phone onto the floor. I didn’t want to see it again tonight. The alarm for the next morning was already set.

  I settled comfortably in the pillows and watched an interview with a new singer. I was feeling tired and drifted off to sleep, only to continue my fantasy in my head.

  I needed to work her out of my system. I needed to act professionally during the trip and get the deal done.

  I slept fitfully until the alarm went off in the morning. I rolled over to grab the phone and hit snooze. I made coffee and showered before dressing in jeans and a button up shirt. I wanted to be comfortable and casual before the suits needed to come out. Ned was going to pick me up and then we’d get Vivian. I was looking forward to seeing her again and tossed some toiletries into the suitcase as I hummed a song that was playing through my head.

  Oddly enough, it was a song that played at my high school hockey games and it reminded me a great deal of Vivian. It was stuck in my head and I allowed myself a moment to think back in time.

  I mentally kicked myself for not treating her better in high school. I thought back to the other girls and cringed, realizing how hurt she must have been. I could only chalk it up to being young and stupid, and I wondered whether she’d give me a second chance.

  What if this was more than a bet?

  I locked the door to my apartment before I rolled the luggage to the elevator. I approached the limo with my bag and greeted Ned as he stepped out to load it for me.

  Vivian’s son came to mind again and I wondered why he looked so familiar. There had been an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach since I saw him. I assumed that Vivian was raising him alone. How hard must that be? She was doing it all on her own and I hated the guy who abandoned her for a second. No wonder she was so scared of losing everything by making one wrong move. I was going to assure her that nothing like that would happen. Through all my seduction efforts, I noticed that she was a good PA and did her job well. Worst case scenario, she could transfer within my huge company or seek employment elsewhere with a glowing recommendation.

  I slumped in the seat at the thought of her not being a part of my life and vowed to make her mine this weekend. We pulled away from the curb and I reached for the radio controls to get the fucking song out of my mind, settling for some easy jazz to soothe my soul. I didn’t like where my mind was taking me and I tried to shake it off. I never worried about women leaving me. I worried about them staying and wanting things that I couldn’t give them.

  This time, though, it seemed like I wanted a woman to stay and I wondered what was happening to me.

  Chapter 11 - Vivian

  I rolled my suitcase out of my bedroom and tried to dispel the worries that were growing larger in my head by the moment. This trip was going to be a huge mistake, especially with the fake fiancée lie that Carter wanted me to play along with. I wondered if it was just a ploy on his part to draw me further into his web. He seemed like the kind of man to do that in the name of the business and the idea made me sad.

  If that was the case, he hadn’t changed at all.

  I jumped when I heard a knock at the door. Holy shit. This was really happening. I was going to LA as Carter’s fiancée.

  Carter took my luggage to the elevator, remarking that he was surprised that it was only one. I laughed and said that I was a simple, but prepared girl. In truth, I didn’t have a lot to pack. I was going to add some clothes to my wardrobe after I got my first paycheck and for now, I was merely being as creative as possible with what I had.

  “You’re hardly simple, Vivian. From what I remember, you never were.” I looked at him as he left the elevator ahead of me, wondering what that meant. We made our way to the limo as people stopped to watch, making me blush.

  He got the bag into the trunk and we slipped into the seats. I felt my cheeks grow even warmer, remembering what happened last time we were in here. I crossed my legs and placed my hands in my lap. I stared out of the window, watching as the car pulled away from the curb.

  “You’re thinking about it, too?” Carter asked. I turned my eyes to his gorgeous face.

  “What?”

  “Last time we were in here.” I nodded and tried to choke down the weird giggle that was forming in my throat. “That was one of the hottest nights I’ve ever experienced, Vivian.” He tilted his head at me. “You got a call about your son that night, didn’t you?”

  “He had a fever,” I said, hoping that he wouldn’t say anything more.

  “Why didn’t you tell me that you had a son?” Carter asked as ice filled my veins.

  “Oh, you know. I didn’t want to be one of those moms that make it all about her kid. I can work as well as anyone else,” I said.

  “I know that, but he’s something to be proud of.”

  I smiled, wishing for a fleeting second that this was about him being Mason’s father. But I gave that dream up a long time ago.

  Carter moved on to how I liked it here in the city and we even talked about Vermont a bit. He admitted to missing the small-town atmosphere sometimes. “It appears that I own the world here or some shit like that, but I sleep with my television on because I miss the sound of crickets and frogs,” he said with a shy smile.

  We both laughed. “Well, it’s loud here at night. I love Brooklyn, though.” I smiled as I thought about my new home and he stared at me across the car before moving closer to me.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I know that I didn’t appreciate you like I should have before.” I stared at Carter in shock. “I was young and only thinking of moving here, Vivian. I didn’t think that I’d miss any of that.”

  “You miss it?” I asked as he smiled wryly.

  “As much as I do the frogs and the crickets,” Carter said, sounding sincere. “I don’t visit home as often as I should. But I bring my parents out here sometimes. Mom loves it at Christmas. How are your parents doing?”

  “They’re good. They miss me but understand that the move would be good for me. I expect they’ll visit soon to check out my new place.” I smiled and looked down at the floor, feeling tears behind in my eyes. They used to help me so much with Mason and I missed them greatly.

  “They enjoy having a grandson?” Carter pressed and I nodded. “They must miss him.”

  “Of course, but I needed a change,” I said.

  “I understand. There’s more opportunity here to grow.” Carter chuckled. “Maybe we’ll retire there when we’re older.”

  “It is a beautiful town,” I said as I leaned back. “How many people here know about your life back in Vermont?” Carter stared thoughtfully past me.

  “Very few. They all want to know the new Carter that has the money. Not the small-town boy.” He shrugged.

  “I’m proud of you for doing so well. I did a little research before the interview. You did a great job building up such an amazing company.” I smiled at him as he beamed at me.

  “Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.”

  He threw me another intense look and I tried to change the subject. “How long is the flight?”

  “Five hours, no layover. We’ll check into the hotel room and freshen up for dinner. It’s going to be a fast-paced weekend. Are you okay with that?” I nodded. He reached into his pocket, withdrew something from his wallet and handed it to me. “Here’s a company credit card. It’s got a high limit and you can use it for anything busi
ness related that you need.” He put his hand in his pocket again. “Oh, and here’s the ring that will show people you’re my fiancée.”

  “Oh. Okay.” He put the ring on my hand and I felt discomfort wash over me. I had to remind myself that this was for business and nothing else.

  I looked out of the window as we sped to the airport. We talked about the holidays in New York. He claimed they were beautiful and I believed him, having seen the pictures that Lainie sent me last year. It was only August now though, so I’d have to wait a couple of months to experience them myself.

  We got to the airport and checked in our luggage before making our way to the gate. I was surprised when we entered the airplane and found out that we sat in first class. I stretched out my legs and smiled. Mason and I had flown to New York in coach and there was barely enough room for us.

  We got coffee from the flight attendant and sat back as preparations for takeoff began. I felt that Carter wanted to ask me things but he held back and observed me quietly. I admired the way he leaned back, confidence oozing from every pore. Carter was a sexy man and he made me want to throw all caution to the wind. But I had Mason to worry about.

  The flight was uneventful, but we watched the view and enjoyed some great food. I soaked up the luxury as I dreamed of the day I could fly my son in first class to some exotic location. I’d love to take him to LA and Disneyland.

  Someday.

  We left the plane and collected our luggage before going to yet another limo. I shook my head as we got inside, looking at the bright sun and palm trees with a smile. The hotel was even more luxurious than I’d ever imagined. The massive lobby was beautiful, with plants and leather couches everywhere. Carter told the three gorgeous women at the front desk his name and they scrambled to help him as I watched with amusement. He didn’t pay them any more attention than needed. They ordered another staff member to bring our luggage upstairs and told Carter that the elevator on the far left would take him to the penthouse. My mouth fell open.

  “Expense accounts and a great accountant,” he told me softly as we made our way to the elevator. I leaned my head back as it moved up. I had some idea what to expect but when we got to the penthouse, the large living room with its wall of windows took my breath away. I walked over to look over LA through the glass.

  “Like it?” Carter asked as I turned and smiled.

  “It’s beautiful. Different than New York “

  “I like both places. This has perks that New York doesn’t and a lot of great beaches.” Carter told me that he was going to take a shower before dinner and disappeared to the bathroom. I looked out the windows again to see the city until I had my fill. I turned around and set out to explore the rest of the penthouse. It had a kitchen as well. Amazing. The hotel rooms I’d ever been to had just one room.

  I went into the next room and gulped. It featured a massive king-sized bed with a fireplace and a big screen television taking up most of the opposite wall. I turned around to find the other bedroom, but couldn’t. This was the only one. We were a couple after all. A fake couple.

  I heard the bathroom door open and dread filled me as I caught Carter’s reflection in the mirror. He was naked. He walked into the room, toweling off his hair. Every muscle on his body was sculpted like that of a Greek god. I stared at him, letting my eyes rest on his flaccid cock. He pretended that he didn’t notice my gaze but his cocky smile told me otherwise.

  Good game, Carter. I knew that he wasn’t going to win.

  Chapter 12 - Carter

  Vivian was visibly flustered from my display and wouldn’t look at me as she secured her hair into a low ponytail. Her dress was a soft pink and clung to her curves, the kind that came from having a child and had to be some of the sexiest parts of a woman that I’d ever seen. Here in LA, everyone went to extremes to lose all their weight and look perfect, but I didn’t like that. Not in a woman that I wanted to spend any real time with.

  Dinner was at a well-known steakhouse in the city and we arrived to be led to a room in the back. It was an open bar and Vivian widened her eyes as I asked her what she wanted. “Just one glass of wine. I need to focus.” She smiled grimly at me and I vowed to get some more into her so she’d loosen up. I liked Vivian with a little wine in her system and remembered the night back in New York as my cock hardened underneath my suit.

  We made our way around the room of fellow investors and I introduced her as my fiancée and assistant. Vivian shone like a star compared to the other fake-looking women and handled everyone with a grace that most women didn’t have. She was interested and witty as she laughed and talked to them and I felt my heart pounding in my chest.

  This was more of a mingle dinner just to get to know one another. I chatted lightly as I watched Vivian move around. She was stunning and rage filled me when I saw the other men eye her and nudge one another.

  We enjoyed shrimp and steak for dinner along with a few other courses as Vivian kept charming the room. She was making me horny as fuck and I shifted in my seat. A blonde woman came to sit down beside me. “Carter, it’s been a while. We met last year at this event.” I took a closer look to see that I did know her. Since I was here with my married assistant last year, I worked the room and ended up going to this woman’s room after dinner. The sex wasn’t memorable though. I nodded at her. “How are you?”

  “I’m doing well. How are you?” I asked politely as she blushed.

  “It’s Brittany and I’m fine. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later tonight.” Her hazel eyes were filled with hope but the thought almost made my cock soften.

  “I have plans. Thank you,” I said. Britanny nodded with a stricken expression on her face, murmured something and got up to walk away. I moved my eyes back to Vivian.

  Dinner dragged on and I watched her sipping another glass of wine. She was obviously trying to avoid me, spending a lot of time at other tables. But I wasn’t going to let her forget about what she had seen in our hotel room. I wanted her now more than ever before.

  There was a brief rundown of the following two days and we all called it a night. There was going to be an early start to the day tomorrow and I stood gratefully, wanting some alone time with Vivian. We took a cab back to the hotel as she leaned back with a yawn.

  “You were a natural out there,” I complimented her and she smiled at me. There was the look of more wine than she had planned on and I licked my lips.

  “They were nice, you know? It’s an interesting topic for me and the food…was incredible.” She shook her head and looked out of the window. We rode in silence as I took her in, feeling more than lust and less than love. Once we arrived back at the hotel, I took her to the elevator and pressed the button. Once the doors opened, I led her inside with my hand on the small of her back. I felt her shiver under my touch.

  Vivian turned towards me as the doors closed, her eyes wild with heat as she stared into my eyes. “Did I act like the proper fiancée?” Her voice was rough. I nodded. She hadn’t been over-the-top affectionate with me, but classy, with a small touch here and a smile there. One that claimed me as hers and made me want her more. It suggested that she was an animal once she was behind closed doors.

  I don’t know who initiated the kiss. We were suddenly pressed together, clutching and grabbing as our lips locked in a hungry kiss. It wasn’t proper at all, but messy and desperate. We moved against the walls with the upward movement of the elevator spurring us on, moans and whimpers filling the air as she tugged hard on my hair.

  The doors opened and Vivian wrapped her arms and legs around me as we made our way to the bedroom. I didn’t even look to see where I was going, I was too full of my need for her. I bumped into the door and we both yelped. I finished the walk to the bed as she slid to her knees and sucked my tongue into her mouth.

  Vivian slipped my suit jacket off and dropped it to the floor before she loosened my tie. Her eyes were dark and dilated as she worked it with her fingers, throwing it across the room in her
haste to unbutton my shirt.

  I moved my hands down her body to find the hem of the dress and pull it up, over her head. She was wearing a cream bra with matching underwear underneath and she blushed as I tossed the dress to the ground. I removed my pants with my eyes locked on hers in the dim light of the lamp we’d left on, kicking them to the side as she took me in with eager eyes.

  “How is it that you’re hotter than you were back then? You played hockey.”

  “I age like a fine wine,” I teased her as she laughed. I crawled onto the bed with her and pressed her back to kiss her again, feeling her wet heat against the lace of her underwear. My cock jerked hard and I took a deep breath. “I want you so bad.”

  Our mouths met in a hungry kiss as she lifted her hips against my body, moaning uncontrollably. I kissed her until she was breathless before I moved down her neck and sucked and nibbled at her soft skin. I smoothed my hand over the lace that was covering her nipples as she gasped, finding them hard and ready for me. I remembered how much she loved me to play with them and I hardened further as I reached down to unhook the front.

  Her son flashed through my mind as I kissed her further down, needing her in my mouth. Those eyes reminded me of someone and I couldn’t place it as I licked around her nipple slowly, loving the sound of her moans. It was safe to assume that she hadn’t been active in the last few years, based on her reaction and my knowledge of Vivian. I was sure that she had always been monogamous with me, throwing herself into us.

  Today was no different as she arched her back to offer me more. I sucked her right nipple into my mouth, dragging my teeth lightly across the skin as she let out a ragged cry. One hand held her around her back while the other slipped between her legs to find her soaked for me.

  “Carter,” she moaned as I stroked her over the fabric and bit down gently. It wasn’t long before I found her bare pussy with my hand, stroking her clit firmly as I continued to tease her nipples.

  I made her come that way before I slid my hand inside of her to feel her heat. I went deep, sliding my finger into her as she jerked under me and cried out my name. I took a breath and kissed both nipples before sliding down her body to press my mouth to her damp folds. Vivian clutched my hair and I moaned in pain as I circled her clit with my tongue. She was sweet and wet and I ate away at her like she was my last meal, something that I hadn’t enjoyed since my last time with her. I got her to come again, drinking her in as she gripped my hair painfully. I sucked her until she was nearly weeping and pulled away to crawl between her legs and kiss her lips. My cock was hard, throbbing for her as I fed her taste to her. “Are you on anything?”