Page 4 of Christmas with Brother's Best Friends
“Yeah,” I lie. “Nothing worth thinking about.”But I’m already thinking about how fast Stacy King can blow up my phone—and my life. I grin and hold my arm out to her. “Of course. Our hero is here.” Emma laughs and wraps her fingers around my bicep, letting me lead her to the desks neatly arranged around the middle area of the penthouse.
“Slow down, cowboy. I haven’t even started yet.”
“You’ll be great. I know you will,” I tell her before pointing ahead. “That’s my desk. Come bother me at any time.”
Emma raises an eyebrow. “Like you used to bother me when I was trying to hang out with my friends?”
Memories flood back as we smile at each other in amusement. Max, Ryan, and I would play around with Emma when we were all younger because she had the best reactions. She was so sassy.
Andrew and Ethan got onto us a few times for messing around with her, but I think they secretly thought it was funny too. They just had to play their protective big brother roles.
“This is your time to retaliate. You have the three of us at your mercy,” I say before stopping next to another desk. I pat its dark wooden surface. “This is yours.”
Emma’s eyes widen. “I get my own?”
“Of course,” I say, watching her walk around it to admire its shelves and drawers.
My eyes linger on her figure that’s frustratingly hidden under her winter coat. As she moves back around to the front and perches on the corner, I can’t help but think about hoisting her up on the desk and pulling her thighs around my waist.
Heat burns dangerously low in my body, forcing me to tear my gaze away from her. Oh, no, no. I need to cool it before I do something that I’ll regret.
She’s Andrew’s and Ethan’slittle sister. She is as off limits as any person could possibly be. But that thought doesn’t stop the heat in my gut—or the way my eyes linger a second too long on her lips.I’ve seen Andrew throw a guy against a locker for looking at Emma the wrong way in high school. Ethan nearly broke a guy’snose in college over a bad joke.And me? I’d be first in line for a punch if they knew what I’m thinking right now.Doesn’t stop the thoughts, though. Never has.
“I just want to say thanks for choosing me for this project,” Emma tells me as she steps dangerously close to me, the smell of her vanilla-scented perfume nearly making my resolve crumble. “I’ll make you guys proud.”
I lower my eyes to hers, battling the surge of desire that tries to overtake me. She’s so beautiful, and if she wasn’t who she is, I would’ve already invited her out to get a drink to get to know her.
But I do know her. I’ve known her for years.
And it only makes me want her more.
“We’re already proud of you, Em,” I assure her. “We’re just excited to work with you.”
Emma smiles and playfully pushes my chest. “Work, not antagonize.”
Usually, I let her push me around, but I grab her hand this time, pulling her closer without even thinking. The sound of her breath hitching sends my heart rate into overdrive, and it doesn’t help that those full lips part in a silent gasp.
“We’ll see,” I tease her before stepping back and pulling her with me. “I’ve got a meeting soon. I’ll pass you off to Max and Ryan.”
“Like a football?” Emma questions me, letting me lead her away from her desk. I hold her hand for a few steps before I force myself to release her.
I chuckle and take her over to the lounge area so that she can wait for them to wrap up. “You can get back at me for that later.”
Emma rubs her hands together. “I have years of revenge to get.”
I share an amused look with her. “Well, you’ve got a few weeks, so chop chop.”
Laughter bubbles from her as she takes a seat and shrugs her coat off, showing off the black turtleneck and pencil skirt she’s wearing that caresses every curve of her body.
Yeah, I need to go to my meeting. Early.
“Max and Ryan will take good care of you,” I tell her as I direct my eyes away from her thighs where her skirt is hugging them.
“Thanks, Josh,” Emma replies.
I nod to her and head toward an empty conference room, tightening my fingers into a fist to fight the wave of heat trying to take over. As I step through the doorway, I glance over my shoulder at her to steal one more look.
Oh, yeah. I think working on this project is going to be a little more complicated than I expected.
