Page 9 of Wham, Bam, Marry Me, Ma’am
"Nonsense. My mother raised me right. Well, her and the nannies and governesses all did a bang up-job." He chuckles, giving me a side eye. "I promise I won't ask you to go steady." West wiggles his eyebrows at me, and I burst out laughing. It probably would have been easier if I'd fallen for someone less grumpy. I've often wondered why West's attention doesn't give me butterflies. He's flirty and fun, but since day one he has given me older brother vibes. Not a single sexy tingle in any part of my body.
On the other hand, his brother handing me a pen has my panties wet and my heart beating so fast I was afraid I might take flight. Attraction is strange.
Sitting in my usual seat, my eyes jump to Vaughn, who glares at West as he hands me my things. West throws himself into the seat next to me and cracks a joke at Barrett's expense, completely oblivious to Vaughn's reaction. Vaughn turns his gaze on me, and the hunger in his eyes takes my breath away.
His eyes lock me in place. I shake my head slightly to let him know I wasn't flirting with West, silently trying to communicate that there is nothing going on there.
He clenches his jaw and looks away, breaking our connection. Flustered, I open my computer as Barrett starts the meeting.
"Ludlow, Price, & Warner are working on a few new projects for us. Hunter is coming in a few weeks for an information gathering session. Rachel, let's set up a couple focus groups within the company, and then see if we can get an external group made up of people from the client's customer demographic."
"On it." I take the necessary notes. "My friend Naomi would be perfect for Hunter," I muse out loud and then flush as all three men turn to focus on me. "Well, that wasn't very professional. Sorry." I grimace and try to laugh it off, while Barrett and West grin at me.
"Why is that?" Vaughn grits out in a commanding tone.
"What?" I'm startled to find his dark eyes trained on me, and even more surprised to see that he seems angry. My thighs squeeze together involuntarily.
"Why is he perfect for Naomi?" he asks again.
I lick my lips nervously before responding. Vaughn's eyes narrow slightly as he tracks my movements. He shifts in his chair, leaning forward. Although he seems mad, it's more than that. Is he jealous?
"She's..." I begin and then smile, thinking of my carefree friend, "...a free spirit. Hunter seems fun." I shrug and shake my head. "Never mind. I shouldn't be playing matchmaker."
"You can be my matchmaker." West nudges me, and I laugh.
"That would have to be a very special person, West." I smile fondly at the man next to me who gives off massive golden retriever book boyfriend energy.
A growl comes from across the table, and I turn quickly to Vaughn who begins coughing loudly.
"You okay, brother?" West asks.
Barrett rolls Vaughn a water bottle before turning to me. "I don't think Naomi is an option for Hunter."
"Oh yeah?" I ask, a little irritated that my friend would be so easily dismissed. "He has a specific type? Because Naomi is gorgeous."
"I'm sure she is. But yes, he has specific tastes." Barrett amends carefully.
West turns to him curiously. "What does that mean?"
"Uh..." Barrett shrugs and glances at me uncomfortably. "I think Paul and Mark would be part of the picture too."
West cocks his head to the side in confusion, but I clap my hands excitedly. "Oooh, like a reverse harem? Or, what do they say now? Why choose? Are the guys together too, or do they all share the girl?" My cheeks heat as I look around the room, and I realize I just asked about the sexual activity of one of our biggest vendors. Technically, three of our biggest vendors. Vaughn's dark eyes are trained on me, and I flush deeper wondering what's going through his head. Both Barrett and West's eyebrows shoot up. They turn to stare at me, West resting his face on his hands comically like he's asking for more information. I laugh and then shrug. "I'm sorry. I read a lot of romance."
"You little minx, Rachel." West grins at me.
"I don't know what the dynamic is." Barrett chuckles. "And, I request that you not ask Hunter when he's here in a few weeks."
"Okay, we're done for the day." Vaughn slaps his hand on the table making everyone jump.
"Done?" Barrett's confused face quickly turns to anger. "The hell we are, Vaughn. I don't know what is going on with you, but you need to get your head in the game. We have an agenda to get through." He riffles the papers in front of him.
Vaughn stands abruptly. "You work it out." And then he strides from the room. The ding of the elevator doors opening tell us he's not coming back to the meeting.
Barrett lets out a frustrated sigh and stacks his papers, mumbling about crazy assholes.
"I'll reschedule you guys for tomorrow morning, Barrett," I call after him as he stalks to the door. He pauses, giving me a brief nod before storming out.
"So, Rachel, serious question," West begins, and he turns to me with a grave expression. I eye him warily. "What does Hunter have that I don't?"
I burst out laughing, relieved he didn't ask me anything about Vaughn. "Apparently, he has two extra sets of hands when it counts." I wink as West's deep laugh vibrates off the walls. "Besides, I see you with a black cat type, West." I can't help but giggle as he stares at me in confusion. "I'm going to bring you some books to read."
Even through the laughter, a dark set of eyes penetrates my every thought.
My job is worth more than one night.
