by Chase, Nikki
“That’s actually true,” Sandy says, grinning. “This house belongs to our parents. Before they left on their cross-country trip, they made us promise to send them pictures every week of us keeping the house clean, or they were going to kick us out .”
I giggle at the thought of the Archer brothers wearing yellow rubber gloves and floral aprons, scrubbing and cleaning the house to their parents’ standards .
Sandy gives me a kind smile. “You don’t have to make a decision right now .”
“Sandy’s right,” Austin says. “You can let us know tonight. Or, any time during the weekend, so we can move you in on Monday. Or, actually, if you decide not to move in and change your mind later, you’re always welcome here .”
I don’t want to impose. After all, it’s not like we’re old friends. I don’t know them—not really. I just used to be infatuated with them when I was a teenager .
And they don’t know me either. Why would they open their house up to a stranger ?
But as I observe the handsome faces of Austin, Hudson, and Sandy, I see they’re serious about the offer. All three of them are staring at me, watching me closely for an answer .
I can’t say no to these gorgeous men, especially when their offer makes so much sense. Sandy’s right; living here is going to eradicate a bunch of big expenses from my budget .
I’ll be able to set aside some money, so I can help my mom in case she decides to leave Ted .
I close my eyes. Stop worrying about Mom; she’s fine .
I may not approve of the way Ted treats her, but maybe that’s just how things have always been for the older generation. In all probability, Mom doesn’t want the egalitarian household that women of my generation want .
Perhaps her life with Ted is exactly what she’s always wanted. After all, they’ve been together for a long time .
I need to make this decision for myself, for once. That way, I won’t have any excuse to blame my problems on other people .
I thought I was genuinely trying to help Mom by living with her, but maybe I was just using her as a way to excuse my lack of direction in life. The truth is, I don’t know what I want to do, even though I’m already twenty-four .
I’m terrified. But it’s time to move forward .
“I need time to think about this,” I say to the Archer brothers .
“Of course,” Austin replies. “You don’t have to make any decisions right now .”
“Take your time and listen to your heart,” Hudson adds .
“It makes sense financially, but we understand you may have other considerations,” Sandy says .
“Thank you. I appreciate the offer. I really do,” I tell them .
“Austin was just trying to suggest some ways we can help you. Don’t feel obligated to move in just because he offered,” Sandy says .
Austin nods as he stares at me, his sharp gaze making my heart thump in my chest .
“I know.” I give the three of them a smile. “I just want to be sure before I make a decision .”
“Of course, beautiful,” Hudson says gently, making me blush. “Take all the time you need .”
Austin gets up from his chair, letting the legs drag against the floor. “I assume Fraser hasn’t sent you a contract to sign either ?”
I shake my head .
“Follow me.” Austin disappears into the hallway without waiting for an answer .
I look around in confusion before I grab my bag and scamper out of the dining room, trailing behind Austin .
As I reach the office, I hear the mechanical sound of a printer .
“Take a seat,” Austin says as he places the printed sheet of paper on a desk. “Read through the contract before you sign .”
“Okay.” I grab one of the swivel chairs and sit at the desk where the contract is waiting for me .
Leaning against the desk, Austin pulls a fountain pen from inside his jacket pocket and rests it on the one-page contract. “I thought I’d keep the contract short and simple. If you want to add anything, just let me know .”
I take the pen in my hand. The metal feels warm from Austin’s body heat. For a moment, I envy the pen . . . then I realize how ridiculous I’m being .
I read the words on the contract, but my mind has already made a decision about this job .
I can’t even imagine a better boss than the Archer brothers. They’re kind and generous. They’re trying to make my life easier, even though they don’t have much to offer in the way of compensation at this time .
So far, the work seems good, too .
As my hand hovers over the dotted line, I look up to find Austin staring at me. His gaze roams all over my collarbones, my chest, and my hips. He doesn’t even realize I’m not paying attention to the contract anymore .
I didn’t notice it before, but now since he doesn’t realize I’m watching, his guard is down, and I can clearly see the hunger in his dark eyes .
The heat from his gaze sears through my skin, and I wonder how I could’ve missed it before .
He wants me. This gorgeous, dominant man wants me, and all I want to do is surrender .
Without taking my eyes off Austin, I sign the contract and clear my throat .
If Austin is startled by the sudden noise, he doesn’t let it show. “You’re done? That’s great. Look forward to working with you .”
He holds out a hand, and I take it. Our handshake lasts a few seconds too long. I know it, but the warmth of his big, masculine hand makes it hard for me to let go. I can see in his dark, piercing eyes that he knows it, too .
If it wasn’t for my phone ringing, the handshake may well last all night .
“I have to take this.” I reach into my bag and grab my phone. As I expected, it’s Piper. She’s probably outside now, waiting for me in her car .
* * *
“W ow, you’re going to be working with those guys?” Piper asks, glancing at Austin, Hudson, and Sandy, who have insisted on taking me to the front door .
“Yeah.” I put on the seatbelt. “They’re brothers .”
“They’re handsome.” Piper winks as she puts the car into gear and pulls away from the curb. “A little office romance wouldn’t hurt with one of those guys. Hell, even all three of those guys .”
I laugh. “Piper !”
“What? I’m just saying,” she says, giggling. “I’ve heard of those guys. The Archer brothers, right ?”
“How do you know them ?”
“This city isn’t as big as it seems, once you get to know the people. There aren’t that many players in the start-up scene,” Piper says. “Those guys have been really aggressive with their business. That Austin is an absolute shark. The only reason they don’t have cash to spend is because everything—and I mean everything—is poured into their business .”
I nod .
“That’s the word on the street, anyway. You’re working with them now. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot more about them than I can tell you,” Piper says. “Oh, I didn’t even ask. You did get the job, right? I just assumed . . . since you’ve stayed all day there . . .”
“Yeah, I got the job,” I tell Piper .
“Phew.” She pretends to wipe sweat off her forehead. “Time to celebrate, then .”
“Sounds good to me,” I say .
“Perfect. We’ll have dinner, and then we’ll pick Olivia up from my in-laws’ place. I’m lucky they love having her there, so I get one or two days of rest a week,” Piper says .
“They sound great .”
“Oh, they’re the best. I’m so grateful for them. I know how most people don’t get along with their in-laws, but mine are seriously the best, sweetest people. I can’t not love them .”
I smile. Looking at Piper’s family gives me hope in humanity again. Maybe it’s possible for a healthy family to exist. Most importantly, perhaps it’s not so crazy to think that it’s something I can achieve, too .
“I made reservations for two at this new restaurant in town. You’re going to
love it,” Piper says. “They make the freshest pestos .”
“Oh, it’s just going to be the two of us? I thought your husband was joining us .”
“He had to extend his business trip,” Piper sighs. “Annoying, right? It happens every now and again. Sorry. I know I told you I was going to introduce him to you .”
“Oh, that’s okay. Don’t worry about it .”
As Piper starts telling me about her husband’s business, I can’t help but wonder if maybe . . . possibly . . . this whole happy family thing is just a front .
Not to be cynical, but this was just like when my dad was starting to see another woman on the side. He started to spend time away from home more often, and for longer periods of time. It was about the same time my mom was busy taking care of me, too .
My heart squeezes with worry for Piper. Of course, it’s silly to ever think that happiness can be anything but temporary. Lasting love is impossible .
Sure, a little office fling is not out of the picture. I’m not planning on writing all men off forever. I’m still a red-blooded woman .
But office romance? Don’t make me laugh. Romance is dead .
Emma
“I s this really everything?” Fraser dangles my one tattered duffel bag with ease while his free hand holds the passenger car door open for me .
“Yeah. That’s why I told Austin I didn’t need help with the moving,” I say as I climb inside .
“I was in the neighborhood.” Fraser leans over me to throw my duffel bag onto the back seat, so close I can almost smell the tobacco in his breath. He turns to me and grins. “Besides, I was the one who hired you, and I’ve been feeling bad about not being there to welcome you .”
My heart thumps, and as silly as it may be, I hope it’s not so loud he can hear it. With his face only inches away from mine, all I can come up with is, “Thank you .”
“No problem.” Fraser hovers over me, lingering as he stares into my eyes so intently I feel like he’s about to kiss me .
Whatever you do, don’t close your eyes , I tell myself .
He’s not really going to kiss me. We’ve only just met. The time I gave him his jacket, all those years ago, obviously doesn’t count .
Fraser didn’t ask my name when I met him at the luxurious lobby of Piper’s apartment, but that doesn’t mean he actually remembers me. He’s probably just heard about me from his brothers over the weekend .
I stare back at Fraser, watching as the skin around his eyes crinkles. He’s smiling. “I’m glad I picked you .”
Before I get a chance to ask why, Fraser stands up to his full height and closes the door, leaving me to stew over those five words while he circles around the front of the black sedan .
My heart races as I watch his tall, dark figure. He’s always had a hard, muscular body sculpted from hours upon hours of football practice. It looks like he’s been staying active all these years; he’s still got that athlete’s body .
Fraser has an easy, casual air about him, which makes me feel like it’s safe to lower my guard. At the same time, he’s a man’s man—assertive, loud, and masculine. There’s a certain kind of playful sexiness that he pulls off like nobody else can .
What did he mean when he said, “I’m glad I picked you ”?
Could it be that Sandy told him about the work I did on Friday when I first visited their home—which is now my home, too ?
Or, is he relieved because Austin—who, as far as I can tell, seems to be the one calling the shots—likes me enough to offer me a place to stay ?
Is it possible that he likes me? If that’s the case, is it as an employee, or . . . as a woman ?
When Fraser takes the driver’s seat, the car dips under his weight before the suspension floats it back up .
“Ready to go?” Fraser’s a big man, but he looks like a boy when he grins .
“Yeah.” I try to come up with a way to ask him what he meant as he turns on the ignition .
“So, I’m sorry I wasn’t there on Friday,” Fraser says .
“Don’t worry about it. You did say in your email that you might not be around,” I reply .
The sun streams in through the windows, making Fraser’s hair appear almost like it’s shining as the car glides through the city streets, busy with people commuting to work. When he smiles, flaunting his straight rows of white teeth, I feel like I’m looking at a magazine centerfold .
It reminds me of the time when we were in high school, and he was playing on the field while I watched from the bleachers. I used to wish I was a cheerleader so guys like Fraser would notice me and think I was cool .
Instead, I just surreptitiously took pictures of Fraser with my pocket camera, pretending like I was a fan of the game .
I’ll bet my high-school self would think I was pretty cool right now, sitting in Fraser Archer’s car, on my way to his home. It’s only taken, like, a decade for me to finally make it .
Encouraged by my newfound coolness, I ask, “So, uh, you think it was the right decision to hire me ?”
The question sounds pretty professional, right? I’m kind of proud of myself for having come up with it .
“Yeah, definitely,” Fraser says without hesitation. He doesn’t offer any more explanation .
Darn it. I shouldn’t have phrased it as a yes-or-no question. If I ask a follow-up question, will it sound too desperate ?
“Glad you feel that way,” I say. “So, uh, since you haven’t actually seen me at work, I take it your brothers told you how I did on my first day ?”
“Yeah. They like you,” Fraser says cryptically, smiling like a cartoon cat who’s hiding a mouse in his mouth .
Does he mean they like my work, or does he mean they like me ?
Even if I spend the entire day thinking, I probably won’t come up with a good way to ask the question. The smirk on Fraser’s face tells me he’s deliberately keeping his answers vague .
“So, do you like your new job?” Fraser asks .
What I really want to say is something along the lines of, “Are you kidding me? Working with the Archer brothers? Of course, I do! And judging by the way Hudson had to shoo away his fans the other day, plenty of girls would fight one another to get my position .”
But something tells me that’s going to (1) make me seem uncool, and (2) obliterate any leverage I have as their employee when they realize they could use their charm to get free labor out of girls .
So, in the breeziest way possible, I tell him, “Yeah, I like it. And I actually have some experience with spreadsheets, which is what Sandy wants me to work on .”
“Good,” Fraser says, still with that annoyingly gorgeous smile on his face .
“What other things do you need me to help with ?”
“Well, each one of us has a different area we’re responsible for, so it’s going to depend on who you ask,” he says. “Austin probably needs help with his scheduling, phone calls, emails, that kind of thing .
“Ian handles logistics, so maybe he needs you to help keep track of inventory. You already know what Sandy does. And Hudson’s the creative one out of the five of us; he makes our own in-house toys, so he probably needs you for something more hands-on .”
“You guys make your own toys, too?” I ask. What can’t they do ?
“Yeah. Higher profit margin on those,” Fraser answers with a grin. “Or, at least, that’s what Sandy says. He’s the one who keeps track of things like that .”
“What do you need me for?” I ask .
“Hmm . . .” Fraser glances at me, his blue eyes dancing with mischief and bad ideas. “Something you’ll enjoy .”
Fraser
I can think of more than just a few things I want Emma to do .
I don’t actually “need” her to do those things, though. I’ve never had any trouble getting my dick wet. Also, as Sandy so often points out when we make fun of his perpetual dry spell, the right hand does the job just fine .
But, Emma offered .
>
Of course, she was probably talking about work. But what am I supposed to think when she asks me a question like that, with her angelic face? There’s something so irresistible about a good girl. I can’t help wanting to corrupt her .
I’ve wanted to get my hands on those delicious curves since I saw her at the lobby of her friend’s swanky apartment. My cock stirs just thinking about those plump, rosy lips sliding up and down my shaft .
Look at them parting now as she thinks up yet another question. I’ll bet that comment I made about my brothers liking her has gotten her curious .
I like messing with her like this; she looks so goddamn cute when she’s like this. I can almost hear the gears in her head turning .
No wonder my brothers have invited her to live with us. So much for Austin’s stupid no-girls rule—not that I ever cared about it anyway .
Emma’s lips part again, like she’s about to ask yet another question .
“We’re here.” I pull up in front of the house and turn off the ignition before she gets a chance to say anything .
Emma twists to look at the backseat, where her bag is. She reaches out toward the handle .
I grab her hand, and I swear there are actual fucking tingles running up my arm at the contact. Judging from her widened eyes, she’s just as taken aback as I am .
“Let me get that for you,” I say when I regain my composure .
“Oh. Um . . . Thank you.” Emma stays still as a statue, as if she’s afraid pulling her hand back would give her another shock .
“Don’t mention it.” I linger for a few more seconds before I reluctantly let her go .
As I step out of the car and grab Emma’s duffel bag from the backseat, again I marvel at how light it is .
I still can’t believe this is all she’s brought to the city. From past experience of traveling with girls, I’ve learned to pack light because a girl needs her entire baggage allowance and mine, too .
“So, how do you like the city so far?” I ask as Emma joins me by the front door .
“It’s . . . different,” she says, biting her bottom lip in a way that makes me want to take a nibble myself .