Page 38 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
Sophie brought the documents to Mick, and when she returned to her desk, she found their newest associate, Charlie Hammond, waiting for her. The other girls in the office called him Charming Charlie. He exuded Southern charm, with his side-parted blond hair and wise brown eyes. He was an old soul who took the time to ask how everyone was doing and really seemed to care about their answers.
“There you are,” Charlie said. “Busy as a bee today?”
“Busier, but I always have time to help. What do you need?” Sophie came around her desk, trying to remember which task she needed to take care of next, but her mind was still playing with Brett’s expression. The stubborn stud was totally into her. Why couldn’t he just take a leap of faith and go with it?
Charlie sat on the edge of her desk and opened a file. “I need some research done for a new client.” He thumbed through the file, explaining what he needed, and when he was done, he glanced at the stack of work on her desk. “Are you sure you can fit this in? I don’t mind asking someone else.”
“Absolutely. I’m working through lunch today. I’ll get it done and have it to you by five.”
He thanked her, and when he walked away, she noticed Brett standing down the hall talking with Carson—and watching her. She was surprised the carpet hadn’t caught fire with the way he was looking at her.
“Lunch today?”
The voice startled her, and she turned to find Amanda standing behind her. “Hi. Thanks, but I can’t. I’m swamped.”
Amanda glanced down the hall at Brett and Carson and crossed her arms over her navy dress with a serious expression. “Is Brett behaving himself today?”
“Oh, you know Brett. He doesn’t really know how to behave.” And I like that about him. Most of the time.
“True, although Mick thinks he’s growing up, or going through a rough time about something and doesn’t want anyone to know. We had breakfast with the girls and his brothers yesterday, and Brett didn’t come. Carson said he went directly into the office after their run instead. And you know Brett. He never works on the weekends.” She gazed down the hall at him again. “Dylan mentioned that Brett hasn’t left NightCaps with a woman in months. Ally and I think he’s seeing someone, but the guys think we’re crazy.”
Sophie and Amanda had been friends since she’d begun working at the firm. Did it make her a bad friend for not telling her about her relationship with Brett? She didn’t want to risk Amanda telling Mick. Even though they were all friends, Mick was still Sophie’s boss, and the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was Brett’s newest plaything.
Her gaze darted down the hall, and Brett’s lips tipped up in a secret smile meant only for her. She wondered if he could read her thoughts, too—I am your plaything and you are mine, but we’re so much more than that. I have faith in you. I hope you don’t let me down.
“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Sophie finally answered. “I think your woman’s intuition and Mick’s male intuition are both probably right. Maybe he’s finally met his match and he doesn’t know how to deal with it.”
Amanda smirked. “Then maybe he should start by not looking at you like he’d like to drag you into an office and inspect your briefs.”
BRETT HAD NEVER been driven by jealousy before, at least not the way it was currently fueling him as the workday came to a close and he found Sophie and Charlie chatting by the coffee machine in the break room. She looked hot in her tight skirt and blouse, but she also looked professional, all clean lines and perfect makeup. She belonged in a frigging fashion magazine, and he hated to admit it, but so did Charlie with his tailored suit and expensive shoes. He’d seen them together several times today, their heads close enough to kiss as they looked over documents, and each time grated on his nerves more than the last. The urge to walk over and stake claim to his beautiful Sophie was so strong, he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge to keep from reaching for her.
“How’s it going?” Brett asked too gruffly.
“It’s been a long day, but the end is finally here,” Sophie said with a smile. “How’d the security inspection go? Did we pass?”
