Page 13 of Older Hotter Grumpier
“The only thing this city lacks is athirdidentical Blackwood.” Sev rolls his eyes.
“Should we take over Mitchem and give it to Vito?” Sev loves anything bloody and difficult, which what I’m suggesting would be. And is an excellent distraction from Ella.
“Sounds fun. But our third wheel hasn’t accepted any gifts from us or anyone else, since he was eleven.” Sev shrugs. “I don’t think he’d appreciate it, and you already know that. So what I’d like to discuss is that bit of skirt you haven’t stopped staring after. Have you told her the sob story of how you clawed your way out of poverty by—”
“Enough,” I growl. “Leave her alone. I’ll skin you alive if you touch her. No subtle drowning in a river for you. I didn’t make a fuss about the spy you sent to be my assistant, Sev, just dealt with him. But she’sdifferent.”
Cocky bastard nods with a smug, knowing look.
Then his head turns, and his whole demeanour transforms as he yanks his phone from his pocket and opens it up. A soft expression of longing crosses his face as he looks.
And I’m way too curious.
I snatch the phone out of his hand and see a grainy black-and-white image of a young woman. Sev has snarled and grabbed the phone back before I can take a good look, but I’ve seen enough.
“Your girl, Sev?” I tease.
He’s silent, jaw clenched as he takes one further glance then tucks his phone into his inner breast pocket. Next to his heart.
“She’s not…” And there’s a flash of vulnerability in my brother’s eyes that I haven’t seen for years.
We regard each other, our usual animosity and competitive spirit giving way to our bone-deep similarities. He’s still my brother. I might kill his spies, but anyone who tried to hurt him would regret it.
Unless it was Ella. I’d choose her over Sev as easily as breathing.
And I’d fucking liquidise everyone who dared touch her.
“Who is she?”
“I can’t tell you. And it can’t go anywhere. Just she’s…” He shakes his head as he searches for the right word. “Precious.”
I sigh. Well, I know about that.
“I’ll keep your secrets, and watch your back, Sev. Haven’t I always?”
And quick as a rattlesnake, he’s back to his old self, snorting with derision. “Watch my back? As though I need you. I’ve saved you more times than you’ve saved me.”
Actually, I’ve been keeping count, and I’ve yanked him back from disaster more often. But that’s hardly the point right now.
“Go away before Ella sees you,” I snap. I’m camping out until my girl returns. I haven’t stalked her just to have to turn my fucking brother into a smoothie for touching her.
5
ELLA
When I look in the mirror to give myself a pep talk, I find it’s hardly necessary. My cheeks are flushed, my eyes bright.
Hetouchedme. Hasn’t stopped touching me since we arrived, in fact. Sure, I know it’s because we’re pretending, but he’s not really a cuddly sort of person. He’s gorgeous in a remote, godlike way. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had kept a controlled three inches of space between us at all times, but no. It’s as though he’s convinced no one will believe we’re a couple unless there are signs the size of roadside billboards that we’re together.
I’m going to struggle to give that ring back. It’s gorgeous. Exactly the sort of thing I’d have chosen myself. What will be almost impossible is returning to being his professional secretary tomorrow morning. How can I survive without his hands on me?
Without him praising me and keeping me close like he has tonight, it’ll be January all year round.
Good to know I have imminent heartbreak and a lifetime of remembering what I’m missing out on as the price for this one evening of bliss.Ten out of ten, Ella, great survival instincts. I should have accepted being sacked.
But I can’t regret it. I crave this insight into my boss. This event too, isn’t what I imagined Mr Blackwood being involved with. There are well-dressed people, yes, but he’s hardly talking to them, because every student wants to have his attention on their work, thirsty for his quiet nod of approval.
Which is definitely something I can empathise with.
