Men In Control (Smith Brothers Complete Series)

by Brenda Ford

“You know, it is easier with you here,” I muse. “Maybe I do need an assistant full time.”

  I see her eyes pop, as if she’s afraid that I might ask her to be my full time assistant. Nope, I guess it’s just me then. She isn’t feeling anything at all, or she would want to spend more time with me. Okay, well that’s probably a good thing. If we were both feeling the same way, then it would be about to get a whole lot more complicated. Instead, I get to tell Angelo ‘nice try but it didn’t work out’.

  Then it’s time to take control of my own love life. If I want something more permanent and to leave the quick fling life style, then I should do it myself. I should start to make more time for myself – even if that does feel impossible – and to try some actual adult dating to see where that leads.

  Urgh, that feels fucking terrifying. Completely out of my comfort zone, but that is something I’ll need to do if I want to turn my life around. I just need to get through this week first…

  Chapter Three

  Tami

  “Is that… Ronnie Milsap?” I can’t help but ask as I step into Brad’s office, feeling far more comfortable than I did on Monday. I think I was just freaking out, because Brad doesn’t quite seem like the arrogant pig that I thought he was on my first day with him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your musical moment.”

  Brad is much less chaotic, and I can relate to that much easier. He needs me as well. More than he knows. He seems like he has it all under control, but he definitely needs someone to keep him organized.

  There are other reasons why I like it in this office too, but I’m not quite ready to admit that to myself yet.

  “Yes, it’s Daydreams About Night Things. How do you know this song? Isn’t it a bit before your time?”

  He turns it down, not quite switching it off, as he gives me a narrow eyed confused look. I guess it makes sense because this is a really old song… older than him, I’m sure. From the seventies.

  “It was my dad’s favorite song, so I always listen to it when I miss him.” I force myself to smile thinly.

  “He… isn’t around anymore?” Brad looks at me with that serious face which used to scare me, but now I realize it only comes out when he’s really thinking about things. Yesterday when we actually started speaking to one another I started to see a different side to him. So far, it’s been an eye opening experience.

  “No, he died three years ago. It was Cancer that got him in the end.” I gulp the thick ball of emotion down.

  “Hmm, my parents aren’t alive anymore either. They both passed away in a car crash when I was younger.” His eyes fall to the floor. This is still hard for him. “When all of us were younger, so that wasn’t easy.”

  “Angelo told me.” I’m not sure if this is the right thing to say, but it’s truthful and I figure honesty is best. “He said that you raised all of them afterwards. So, that must have been very hard for you.”

  “It wasn’t easy, but we all had one another to rely on, so that was good…” He looks at me once more, his eyes basically burying into my soul. I don’t know what it is about his gaze, but it penetrates me, sending a shiver down my spine. It’s like he sees me in a way that no one else does. “Do you have any siblings?”

  “Nope,” I reply, popping the P. “It’s just me on my own. Even more so now that my mom has moved to Texas to be with her new family. But I’m good on my own. I enjoy the life here. I have my friends and my amazing job which I’m so grateful for…” I trail off, wondering if I’m saying too much here.

  “I don’t think you should be an assistant.” His shocking words make my blood run cold. I should have been less honest; it seems like a few days with Brad are enough to get me fired. “You’re too good for this position. Once this week is up, you’re getting a job that suits you. You should be doing so much more.”

  “What?” I gasp out, completely stunned by his words. “What do you mean more? I’m happy…”

  “I mean I have already seen what you’re capable of, and I also went back through your resume as well. You should be higher up in the company, doing something more important.”

  I want to scream and shout, to dance like crazy. I want to kiss Brad to thank him, to run into the other room and toss my arms around Angelo too. This must be what his plan was all along. This is why he basically forced me on Brad, because he wants me to go far. I can’t believe that it worked as well. Brad thinks I’m so much more worthwhile.

  I’m grateful. This is everything I have ever wanted and more. This is my career finally coming together. I left college expecting to have to work for a long time to make anything of myself… but it’s happening already. I don’t know what I did to end up being so lucky, but I’m so happy for it. I can barely catch my breath.

  “Oh wow, that’s…” I clutch my chest. “I don’t know what to say. I’m blown over.”

  “Well, you deserve it.” He nods, satisfied. “I was going to wait until the end of the week to tell you, but now feels right. I want you to be in charge of your own creative accounts. You’ll be great at it.”

  There’s a moment where I really don’t know what to say. I’m all choked up with happiness.

  “Now, I should probably turn the music off, shouldn’t I?” Brad gives me that heart stopping smile once more. “It’s work time and we need to focus. Although I could listen to Ronnie Milsap all day long.”

  “Do you mind leaving it on for just two more minutes?” I plead with my hands clasped together. “It’s making me remember all the good times with my dad. It’s been so long since I really thought of him.”

  Brad nods sharply and he leaves the music on while I take my temporary seat. I slide my eyes closed for a moment to just really listen to every part of the song, to remember what my life was like when I had my daddy around, when everything was perfect, and when I pop them open again, I see that Brad is doing the same thing.

  “Does this song mean something special to you as well?” I ask without thinking. That probably isn’t exactly the best question to blurt out, to ask my boss. “Sorry, I didn’t mean… I was just…”

  “Yes, it’s actually the song I remember listening to with my mother. So, I will always love it.” He grins. “And don’t feel like you can’t ask me anything. I’m an open book if you want to talk.”

  Wow. That is something I never expected my boss to say. He has always seemed very closed off to me. But it seems that I have been wrong about him in a lot of ways. Maybe we do have something in common after all…

  “Hey, guys…” I jump as someone knocks on the door, reminding me that there are other people in this building. I jump backwards as if I’ve been electrocuted or caught doing something naughty.

  “Oh, Angelo.” Brad nods at his brother as he turns the music off. “Come in.”

  Angelo slides in the room and darts his eyes between me and Brad. There’s a bit of smugness there, almost as if he can sense that his plan has worked, and my career has been advanced. Or at least it will be once this week is over. Maybe the brothers have discussed what’s going to happen and he does know.

  “I just wanted to see how you guys are doing.” Angelo grins. “And I also need to talk to you, Brad.”

  “Oh, well I can go and make some coffees.” I leap up from my seat, needing to get away from this weird atmosphere. “Give you some time to talk or whatever.”

  I race from the room before either of the men can say anything, and I practically run towards the break room to use the coffee machine. I keep my eyes downwards so no one can talk to me as I go. I don’t know if I’m in the right frame of mind to have a serious conversation with anyone right now. My heart is in my mouth, my stomach flipping over, my breath struggling to get out. Frankly, I’m a mess and I don’t know why.

  I grab out my cell phone and text Ruby. I need her damn advice right now.

  Tami: Ruby, help me! I don’t know what the hell is going on xx

  Ruby: Yeah, gunna need a bit more context than that… xx

 
Tami: I think me and Brad might have bonded a little bit xx

  Ruby: Ooh, you and the hot boss? That’s exciting. Any passion? xx

  Tami: I don’t know. I have to be honest, I’m really not sure xx

  Ruby: I knew it! I could sense that there was something there xx

  Tami: So, what the hell do I do about it? xx

  Ruby: Spend as much time with him as you can. Get to know him better. Try to see what this chemistry could be. After all, he might be the one to finally make a woman out of you xx

  Tami: Will you stop it? The man is older and my boss xx

  Ruby: So what? Just give him a try. You don’t know what will happen xx

  Tami: I could lose my job… xx

  Ruby: Or you could land the man of your dreams xx

  I don’t know what to think about this. Could Brad be the man of my dreams? It seems very unlikely, but there really does seem to be something in the air. Listening to that song together and learning that we have something in common has unlocked something. I think it started to grow a little yesterday, and today it’s on fire.

  Do I need to do what Ruby has advised and try to spend more time with him? It could be good for me. Even if it doesn’t end up that Brad is the man of my dreams, I might learn more about what I like. Ever since Daniel, I have been a bit flat. I do need some excitement. This could be a good start.

  I stir the coffees carefully, spending time just thinking while I make these drinks right. I’m going to find some work to try and stay a bit late tonight, just to give him a chance. I might have done all the main filing but there are still stacks of paper in Brad’s office that could be sorted out. I can make it my business to do that.

  God, the idea of being alone with Brad in this big office sends a shiver tearing up and down my spine. It’s utterly terrifying but exhilarating as well. I don’t know if this is exactly how it’s supposed to feel but since it’s unlike anything I have ever felt before it has to mean something.

  The sounds of the bitchy receptionists entering the break room is enough to get my ass in gear and back to the office. As scary as it is to face Brad once more, it’s even worse being stuck with Tawny and Beth. Oliver’s assistant, Amy too, if she’s with them. They are the sort of people that I wouldn’t ever associate myself with so I’m not going to start now when I’m all stirred up already. I don’t think my self-esteem can take it.

  “Here we are.” I hand a coffee to Angelo who thanks me quickly, sending a wink my way as he does.

  “And here is yours…”

  As Brad takes his drink, his fingers graze against mine and electricity bolts through me. I gasp, unable to stop the sound from flying out of my mouth. He looks just as stunned as me. He definitely felt it. Shit, everything else melts away, even Angelo. It’s just me and him looking at one another with all kinds of feelings swirling round us. I don’t know how we have gone all the way from hate to this, but I need to find out. I didn’t even like him at first, I thought he was arrogant and miserable. How am I all emotional and full of lust only a couple of days later? After just a few conversations? Is that even normal? Do other people go through this?

  Yep, I’m staying late tonight. I’m working out what the hell this is. I won’t be able to focus again until I do.

  Chapter Four

  Brad

  “There we are.” Tami shakes her long pale blonde hair out behind her and smiles happily at me. She really is beautiful; Angelo was right about that. Sometimes, I catch her in the corner of my eye, and she takes my breath away. Especially when I think about the electricity that comes when we touch. “All organized. I’m glad I stayed late to get this finished because then I can sort the rest out before I have to leave you at the end of the week.”

  “I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already,” I reply honestly. “It’s gone so fast. You’ve done so much for me!”

  I gulp down the thick ball of emotion that lodges in my throat and avert my eyes, so I don’t have to look at her while I get all weird out by this. Tami Johnson is twenty two years old, far too young for me, I still stand by the original argument I gave Angelo when I told him that she couldn’t possibly be perfect for me, but…

  God, there’s the big ‘but’ which makes it so hard. The ‘but’ I definitely can’t admit to anyone because it scares me how right my brother might be. Despite her being so much younger than me, we have a lot in common. Tami understands some of my trauma, which most people don’t. Those who have been lucky enough not to lose a parent don’t get the hole it leaves behind. The void that no one else can fill, no matter how hard they try. We also have the same taste in movies, books, and music, which is incredible. The same sense of humor also. The more we share a small talk, the more we get to know about one another which we have been doing today, the more I realize that we share a lot and we could have a really good time together… if things were different.

  She’s exactly the sort of person that I would consider long term with… but she’s just too young. At twenty two years old, I didn’t know myself at all. I was wild and stupid, I needed to make mistakes. I was a completely different person to who I am now. She is the same. As she grows, she will change, so she can’t be the one for me. She isn’t ‘perfect’ as Angelo described. She never can be, can she? Who knows who she will become?

  “I er, might bring in a bottle of wine to celebrate on Friday,” I say with a much too bright false grin. “Since you have been such a good assistant this week, I think you deserve a drink.”

  “Drinking on the job?” She cocks a playful eyebrow at me. Her smile is heart stoppingly beautiful. She is unlike anyone else. “I never would have thought that about you. I always thought you were much too serious.”

  Serious? Does she really think that? Does everyone think that? I suppose I do come across that way.

  “Well, I was thinking on a drink after work. We need to discuss your promotion as well.”

  “We do?” Her eyes light up. She mustn’t have thought that I really meant it.

  “We do. I will have to tell Angelo that he needs to hire someone new, but I don’t think he’s going to be too mad about that. He has a lot of belief in you, you know?” Same as me. Actually, probably me more.

  “Well, that’s really nice to hear. I’m glad Angelo thinks that about me.” She looks so chuffed with herself.

  I can’t let him have all the glory. I want some of that smile. “Well, I think it too!”

  She glances behind herself, almost as if she’s checking to see if there’s anyone else in the building. There isn’t. The last person left about ten minutes ago, when I told Tami to get out of here as well, but she insisted that she needed to just finish up the filing. Almost as if she wanted to stay behind for another reason.

  As Tami clocks onto the fact that we’re alone, I see a shift inside of her. She isn’t uncomfortable, in fact more anticipating what’s going to happen next. That’s something neither of us know since this is the first time we have been by ourselves. I’m aware that nothing should happen, but that doesn’t stop my craving…

  No, stop it, I warn myself as I run my eyes up and down her, almost devouring her beauty with my gaze. Just because she’s lovely, doesn’t mean she’s on offer. I have already decided that she’s too young.

  I just need to find a reason to put myself off of her. To ensure that it can’t ever happen.

  “I er, I’m sure that you won’t want to celebrate with me for long though on Friday. Your boyfriend…”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she interjects much too quickly. “I’m all by myself.” When I don’t reply, mostly because her answer has left me a little breathless. “But I do have a friend’s engagement party to get to, so I suppose I will have to leave at some point. But I can definitely stay for a drink or two. Talk about my future.”

  “You have a friend getting engaged?” I ask, stunned to the core. “At your age? Isn’t that a bit crazy?”

  “Why would that be crazy? I have a couple of friends fro
m college who are already planning the wedding.”

  “But you’re in your early twenties. Isn’t there a lot more living you want to do first?”

  “I’m not that young,” she snaps wryly. “Certainly not stupid. When you know, you know. Not everyone needs to sleep around to know who they want to be with. Lots of people get married at my age.”

  When you know, you know… is this some kind of code for me? Does she want me to read into it, because I am. I’m reading everything that I probably shouldn’t be, imagining that she wants me to just grab her and kiss her already. There isn’t desire in her eyes, I’m just putting it there because I want to see it. That isn’t lust, it’s just… a look. It means nothing. And the age thing… she’s just defending her friend. Not suggesting that me and her could be together no matter how young she is. I need to just sort myself out.

  “Right, well I suppose I should get going.” She grabs her bag. “Get an early night…”

  I don’t know what comes over me, I think I’ve lost my mind. All I know is that I’ve grabbed her waist, I’m holding her close to my body, and I’m staring deep into her eyes really seeing the lust now. It’s definitely there, I’m not imagining it. Tami is attracted to me, and I’m filled with intoxicating sensations for her. I want her in a way I haven’t ever wanted someone before. This isn’t just the anticipation that comes before a one night stand, this is deeper, I’m drowning in it and all of her, fills my lungs. I breathe her in and she’s delicious…

  “What are you doing?” she whispers softly, her eyes darting between mine, trying to read me.

  “I don’t know,” I admit just as quietly. “But it feels right, don’t you think?”

  She gives me just the slightest nod, the green light to go forward, so I crash my lips against hers and kiss her, bringing all of my fantasies to life. Even though I know this is all kinds of wrong, that she’s too young and she works for me, it feels incredible. Fireworks explode deep inside of me, every fiber of me screams out for her. I cup my hands on her cheeks and keep her face there as the kiss deepens, my tongue exploring her mouth, her hips rolling against mine. This is moving quickly, any minute now we could have one another’s clothes off, this is intense and powerful in the best way possible. I just want to go along for the ride no matter what happens…