Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 88228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Doesn’t it bother you? Kathy eavesdropping, I mean.”
“Not really. If I know my brother, he knows she’s there, and he’s watching what he says. Besides, you and I both know Bray took Dad away to read him the riot act about inviting her to the dinner where we were both going to meet you for the first time. No chance of Kathy overhearing any business secrets.”
I smile. “Yes, I can’t deny that’s exactly what went through my mind when Braden went to talk to your father alone.”
“You know my brother well.”
“In some ways,” I say. “I’ll be honest with you, though. He keeps a lot hidden.”
“That’s Braden,” Ben says. “He’s very careful. He’s been burned, and he’ll never let it happen again.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Braden and his father return, and exactly sixty seconds later—seriously, I’m looking at my watch—Kathy comes back in. She dominates the conversation while I mull over Ben’s words.
He’s been burned, and he’ll never let it happen again.
Does Ben know the whole story between Braden and Addie? If so, will he tell me? He’s a talker for sure, but he and I just met. Plus, going behind Braden’s back to get information out of his brother would earn me a dire punishment. I may never orgasm again.
But as much as I hate the thought of never climaxing again, that’s not the main issue here.
I love Braden. I love him so damned much.
If I go behind his back and pump his brother for information, he may not forgive me.
And as much as I want to know, I won’t abuse his trust again.
“What do you think, Skye?”
I suppress a jerk at my name from Braden’s lips. I have no idea what the rest of them have been talking about. Not cool.
“About what?” I say.
“About going downtown and listening to some jazz tonight,” he says, a smile tugging at his lips.
Damn him. He knows I wasn’t listening. “Sounds great.”
“Wonderful,” Kathy says. “I love jazz, don’t you, Skye?”
“Sure.” I’m so far from a music connoisseur. But hey, doesn’t everyone love jazz?
The maid enters the living room and waits for a lull in the conversation before she says, “Mr. Black, dinner is served.”
“Excellent, thank you, Sadie.” Bobby stands. “Ladies first, of course.”
Since I’ve never been here, I have no idea where the dining room is. I’m certain Kathy does, though, so I follow her. Sure enough, she leads me to the formal dining room. Bobby holds a chair out for her, and she sits.
Ben takes a seat next to her, while Bobby sits at the head of the table.
Braden holds out the other chair next to Bobby. “Skye,” he says.
I sit down, and then Braden takes the empty seat next to me.
Kathy helps herself to a piece of bread and then hands the breadbasket to Bobby.
Yeah, she’s definitely been here before. More than once, I’d say. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel comfortable helping myself to anything on this table, no matter how often I end up eating here.
I admire her tactics, though. This is a woman who believes in going after what she wants. Part of that is making herself at home in any environment. I bet she’d never be embarrassed if a condom fell out of her purse in front of a devastatingly handsome man.
I don’t have to worry about making conversation because Kathy takes over. Yes, she’s very intelligent. More than that, though, she’s also shrewd and cunning. She’ll make a good lawyer. Why isn’t Braden attracted to a woman like her?
Easy. You are a challenge, Skye. His words ring in my ears. Kathy is most definitely not a challenge. Intelligent, cunning, and shrewd, yes. But clearly she’ll lie on her back to get what she wants. That’s not a challenge for a man like Braden.
Dinner is delicious. Cream of tomato bisque with fresh basil and then prime rib of beef, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and au jus. Since I have virtually nothing to add to the conversation, I clean my plate before the others are done.
“Save room for dessert,” Braden says to me.
“What’s for dessert?” I ask.
“I don’t know what they’re serving here,” he says, “but I know what I’ll be having.”
I squirm, trying to ease the pressure between my legs. Maybe tonight I’ll finally get an orgasm.
…
“What did you think?” Braden asks after Christopher picks us up.
“I like your brother a lot.”
“And my father?”
“He seems nice.”
“But?”
“Braden, you know exactly what I’m thinking. What’s he doing with her? She’s my age.”
Braden chuckles. “She won’t be around for too long. Once she gets what she wants, she’ll be on her way.”
“And you’re okay with her using your dad like that?”
“My dad is a big boy. He can take care of himself.”
“Your brother says he’s using her as well.”
“Of course he is. She’s willing to spread her legs, and my father’s willing to let her.”