Page 39 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
I’ll know after I interrogate this guy. “The company is locked down tight. I just need to tie up a few loose ends.” He took a drink of water. “Hey, Charlie. Did you catch the game on Sunday?”
Charlie picked up a folder from the counter and said, “No. I’m afraid I’m not much of a sports fan.”
“Really?” He lifted his brows to Sophie, knowing she’d read did you hear that in the look. She loved football, and he realized she had given up watching the game last night to be with him. But he still wanted to know who her friend from work was that she’d gone out with yesterday. “Were you around here Sunday? Working?”
“No,” Charlie answered uneasily.
“Hot date?” Brett ignored Sophie’s eye roll.
“Actually, no.” Charlie stood up a little straighter. “And you’re asking because…?”
“Just trying to get to know the employees. We take security seriously around here and like to know who’s in and out of the office, that sort of thing.”
“Brett’s amazing at security, but his desk-side manner could use a tweak.” Sophie emphasized the last word, giving Brett a disapproving look. “I think he’s trying to make sure there were no unauthorized people in the office this weekend. Right, Brett? You’re not just being nosy.”
Brett clenched his teeth. “Right. Exactly. Sorry if I came across any other way. Just doing my job.”
“Well, I wasn’t here.” Charlie smiled at Sophie. “Thanks for taking care of that research today. I appreciate your time.”
“My pleasure,” she said professionally. As soon as Charlie left the room Sophie turned on Brett, anger and amusement warring in her eyes. “What was that?”
“Just checking out my competition.” He felt like a prick, and the worst part about it was that he was the one keeping them from going public with their relationship, not Sophie. He hated this part of himself. The part that had always fought being boxed in like a rebellious teenager. He didn’t know what drove his need for freedom, or rather, his hatred of feeling restricted, and he had no idea how to get it under control. Although lately all I’ve wanted is to be boxed in with Sophie.
“Your competition?” She laughed softly.
“I assume he’s your special friend from work. And hey, if that’s what you’re into, a guy who doesn’t watch football, with his too-white teeth, perfect hair, and—”
“Ability to commit?” she asked with a playful smile, but he knew it was a loaded tease.
He pulled her into his arms, unable to tease or keep his distance a second longer. “Soph, I’m trying.”
She stole a glance over her shoulder and then whispered, “I know you’re trying. Thank you. I’m with you, Brett, and I’m hoping this works for us, but you can’t go around scaring off any guy I talk to. There was no friend Sunday. I’m sorry for telling you there was. It was the only excuse I could think of at the time.”
His heart hurt at that. “You lied to me so you wouldn’t have to spend the afternoon with me?”
She nodded. “I was hurt by what you said about if I hadn’t slugged you, but we already talked about that. I’m learning to speak the language of Brett Bad, and we’re communicating better every day. But if you want me to be yours, you have to trust that even though you can’t function in a committed relationship, I can.”
“Jesus, Sophie,” he said softly. “I’ve never been jealous, but I can’t stand the thought of you with anyone else.”
“And you’ve turned me into one of those ridiculous women who can’t walk away when red flags are waving.”
He couldn’t suppress his smile. “You’re anything but ridiculous, and those red flags are for passion, not pain.”
“You’re impossible.” Her eyes darkened, and she glanced over her shoulder again. She put her arms around his neck and whispered, “Kiss me quick.”
He lowered his lips to hers, and they both sighed into it. Just like that, all the jealousy went out the window. She righted his world, centering him, making all his edginess subside, and as he deepened the kiss, he knew he was skating on thin ice. She already owned him.
