by Layla Hagen
There were more comments to sift through now, and I dutifully noted the top three, holding up the sheet of paper for him to see.
Every time he glanced directly at me, I felt myself blush. Jeez, what’s wrong with me? Can the guys tell? Brayden, of course, noticed. There was a playful twinkle in his eyes that was just for me, I was sure of it.
Oh, this man! He could make me lose my train of thought, even when I was on the job.
I resolved to simply not look at him again while the other guys spoke to the camera. But I could feel him watching me. I had no idea how it was possible, but I felt as if it was a physical force wrapping around me.
I focused on the screen, right until the band bid their goodbyes.
“This was fun,” Lars exclaimed. “Isabelle, you’re so much better at this than Sasha. It would be great if you could moderate more of our group videos.”
“Yes, I agree, Isabelle. You should,” Brayden said, flashing a devastating smile.
“I want a snack from the kitchen,” Lars said. “Anyone else?”
Thomas and Harvey went with him, but Brayden stayed put.
Once we were alone, he walked straight to me.
I pointed at him. “Mr. Clarke, you are being bad.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know. But I have several things in mind. You won’t like any of them.”
If possible, his smile was even more smug. “Judging by the way you’re blushing for me, I think I will.”
He held a hand firmly on my waist, brushing his thumb back and forth over my rib cage. “I meant what I said on that video, Isabelle. Meeting you has changed something in me.”
“And now you’re trying to make me swoon.”
“I do what I can.” Grinning, he touched my lips with two fingers, leaning in. His intent was clear.
“Stealing another kiss? What’s this one for? And don’t say good luck.”
“I’ll think of a reason... after I have my fill of you.” His eyes twinkled as he pressed harder on my lips and tightened the grip on my waist, leaning in. He’d barely touched his lips to mine when I heard Lars’s voice.
“Holy shit!”
I winced, immediately turning in the direction of the voice. Lars hadn’t returned alone. The whole band was there. They gaped wordlessly.
Brayden put an arm around my shoulders. “Yes, this is happening. I’m not going to tolerate anyone giving us shit.”
“Wait a second,” Lars exclaimed. “How long has this been going on? The evening of the party, I thought something was up. Tell me you didn’t have sex in the rehearsal room. It’s off-limits. Even your personal one.”
I groaned.
“What part of ‘don’t give us shit’ didn’t you get?” Brayden asked.
Harvey held up his hands. “The man just asked a question. And if anyone cares, I don’t really mind.”
“No one cares,” Lars and Thomas said at the same time.
I felt my cheeks getting hotter by the second. But I was also relieved that the guys were easygoing about this.
“Does Sasha already know?” Harvey asked.
Brayden shook his head. “Not yet.”
Lars frowned. “Isabelle, you’ll have to be prepared for any reporters who might approach you. Do you have a good security system?”
“I don’t need any of that,” I said.
Brayden was silent. I looked up at him.
“I’d feel much better if you had an alarm system at your office and also at your apartment.”
“But there’s a doorman in front of my office building, and I’m on the seventh floor. And even in my apartment, I’m not on the ground floor. I don’t have a doorman there, but how is anyone supposed to come into the building?”
“The press has a way of getting what they want. Fans can also get creative.”
“No one is going to be interested in me,” I insisted.
Brayden caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “You can never know for sure. I’d feel much better if you installed alarms.”
“Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll talk to my brothers. They put the alarm in my apartment in Philly, so I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”
“Sounds good.”
I grinned. “I can imagine their reactions when I tell them I need alarm systems because of the guy I’m dating. They’re going to want to meet you and roast your ass.”
“You seem very pleased about that.”
“Who? Me?” I tried to tone down my grin and failed. “Nah, not at all. But I’m remembering how hard they played their brother card when they thought a guy at a restaurant had a thing for me. Oh, this will be so much fun.”
Brayden glowered. “What guy? What restaurant?”
I could barely hold back a smile. “That’s what stuck with you?”
“Yes.”
“I stand corrected. I think the three of you will get along well. Perhaps a little too well.”
Chapter Eleven
Isabelle
Ian and Dylan were coming over to my apartment on Monday afternoon. I’d only told them that I wanted to put an alarm system in place. They’d been bugging me about getting one for so long that they didn’t even ask what had changed my mind. They were in for a surprise.
Brayden had spoken with Sasha on Saturday, telling her about us, and she’d already emailed me a list of things I needed to watch out for, such as paparazzi, as well as a list of standard replies to parrot back if they caught me off guard. This all felt a bit surreal.
Brayden was looking at my front door, explaining the kinds of alarm systems that would work here. I tugged at his hand, bringing one palm to his cheek and turning his face to me.
“No, don’t be all broody and serious. That’s my brothers’ job. I demand a kiss.”
“You demand it?”
I nodded excitedly. “Yes, for good luck.”
“What do you need it for?”
“I don’t. You do, but you just don’t know it.”
Brayden threw his head back, laughing. I rose on my tiptoes, kissing his Adam’s apple and his chin. He covered my mouth the next second. I braced my palms on his shoulders, pressing my thighs together. A deep throb pulsed through me already. I moaned, pushing my hips into him. Heat spread through me like wildfire, starting from my center.
Bringing a hand to my lower back, he slipped two fingers beneath the waistband of my jeans. He only brushed my skin, but it was enough for my senses to heighten. Every kiss was all-consuming, every single time.
My knees buckled lightly, but Brayden steadied me. “So, tell me about your brothers.”
“Well, they’ve had the software company for a few years. They were based in Washington and did well down there. Some of their clients also have subsidiaries in New York, so they decided to move here and expand the business a bit. I love them both to pieces, and I’m so happy we’re all here now.”
Brayden looked at me with warm eyes, pulling me against him. “You make me miss my family. And my hometown. I haven’t been there in years.”
“Why not?”
“It’s easier to keep them safe if they come to see me here. I do miss going home though.”
Sadness crossed his face for a few seconds, and I didn’t like that at all. I loved seeing that twinkle of mischief in his eyes, so I decided to bring it back.
I didn’t have time to add anything more though, because the doorbell rang. Looking through the peephole, I confirmed my brothers had arrived before opening the door.
“Hey, Sis—” Ian began but stopped abruptly when he noticed Brayden.
“Come in. Ian, Dylan, this is Brayden,” I said as they stepped inside and closed the door.
“We know,” Ian exclaimed. “I’m a big fan.”
Dylan was already glancing between the two of us suspiciously. “Wait a second. Josie was saying you’re seeing someone, but she couldn’t tell me...”
My sister was usually great at keeping secrets, but she claimed
motherhood sleep deprivation was making her easy prey for my brothers these days. I could practically see Dylan’s wheels spinning.
“Are you two dating?” he asked eventually.
Instead of answering, Brayden pulled me toward him, kissing the side of my head.
Ian clapped his hands once, grinning. “Holy shit, I can’t believe this! Man, I’ve been a fan for years. I don’t think I have anything for you to sign...”
He started searching the pockets of his jeans, and so did Dylan.
My eyes bulged. I had not expected my brothers to let out their inner fanboys. At least not before they gave him some sort of brother talk.
Stepping away from Brayden, I placed my hands on my hips, clearing my throat.
“You two have been side-eyeing every guy you thought was on my radar forever, and now you’re searching for pens?”
Ian grinned. “We’ll get to that, Sis. We need to get his autograph while we’re still on friendly terms.”
Dylan elbowed Ian with a smug smile. “Don’t give away the plan. Beats the purpose.”
Brayden laughed, especially because my brothers came up empty. “How about we get to know each other now, and I’ll send some signed stuff for you later.”
He shook hands with each of them. Dylan looked him straight in the eye. “In that case, remember that we’re keeping an eye on you. Don’t mess with Isabelle.”
“There, finally. Thought you were selling me out for an autograph,” I teased. “Should we start?”
My brothers nodded. Dylan pulled out an iPad. Ian checked the door and the windows, but they’d already done that when I first moved in here, so it didn’t take long.
Once we all sat on the couch in the living room, I was flanked by my brothers. Brayden sat on Ian’s other side.
“So since there’s no built-in wiring for sensors at the doors and windows, we’ll have to use wireless sensors,” Ian explained. Dylan showed me a picture of the system.
“Why the windows? I’m on the second floor. It’s not like someone can climb in. Why not just the door?”
“It makes it more secure, and they won’t bother you. You won’t even notice them.”
Brayden walked up to the window, glancing outside. “Theoretically someone could come on your balcony if they climb the tree in front.”
I ran a hand through my hair, looking at all three of them. “That sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
Three pairs of eyes stared at me in obvious disagreement.
I laughed, raising my hands in the air. “Fine, fine. Put sensors everywhere. You’re three peas in a pod, I swear.”
My brothers chuckled. Brayden smiled.
“Brayden, you have my support only because we’ve never been able to convince Isabelle to have an alarm system here,” Dylan said.
I rolled my eyes, standing up and heading to the kitchen. “I think it’s an unnecessary fuss. And I never had a break-in when I lived in Philly, where you made me have an alarm.”
“Maybe you didn’t have it because of the alarm,” Dylan said.
“When can you get started?” Brayden asked.
“I’ll buy one next week and do it,” Ian said. Elbowing Dylan, he asked, “Can you believe we have insider information for once? Josie doesn’t know it’s him yet.”
“Ummm... sorry to burst your bubble, boys, but she does know. And so do Tess, Skye, and Laney.”
Ian blinked. “So you basically told everyone but us.”
“It wasn’t intentional. It slipped.” I batted my eyelashes, kissing each of them on the cheek as I walked them to the door. “I promise I still love you both to the moon and back.”
“She actually thinks she can sweet-talk her way out of this,” Ian said.
Dylan shrugged. “She always tries. But we’ll keep this in mind.”
“Aww, don’t be like that. Pinky promise that I’ll update you before Josie next time. By the way, did Mom and Dad decide when they’re coming for Sophie’s party?” I asked.
Josie had given birth two weeks before her due date. We’d scheduled the baby shower one week before. Mom had declared that she wanted a welcome party for Sophie instead, so that was happening in two weeks.
“I spoke to them yesterday. They’ll fly in on Friday so they’re well rested on Saturday,” Dylan said.
I clapped my hands. “I can’t wait. Mom is probably going to talk about Sophie nonstop.”
Dylan chuckled. “I’ll take that over more wedding talk any day.”
I couldn’t blame him, especially after finding out what really happened with Lina. We always talked about weddings lately when we met up with the Winchesters because Tess’s wedding was coming up soon.
After they left, I turned my focus on Brayden, who was still checking the windows in my living room.
Rising on my tiptoes, I made to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and spoke against my lips.
“Come over to my place tonight.”
My eyes widened. I remember Sasha explicitly saying even she hadn’t been there.
“To sleep there?” I teased.
“Among other things.” His eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Such as?” I shimmied against him, teasing him.
He pressed his lips to one corner of my mouth. “You’ll see.”
Taking a step back, I faked being suspicious. “You’re not really selling me on the idea. I need something to look forward to.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Besides me naked?”
“Okay, now you’ve won me over.”
He laughed, giving me a quick peck. “Come on, let’s go. I have a surprise for you.”
Chapter Twelve
Brayden
“I can’t believe they stayed open so late because you asked them to.” She licked her fingers after she finished the burger. She still had fries left. We were standing at the island in my kitchen, eating straight out of the take-out boxes. I’d made a call to a burger restaurant she’d mentioned last week, and it didn’t take much to convince them to stay open for one more hour.
“I know how to get people to do my bidding.”
“Did it include bribing them with concert tickets or an autograph or something?”
I went behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Maybe.”
I pushed her hair to one side, kissing her neck.
“Hey, mister, don’t distract me from my fries or you’ll lose all the points you’ve earned for making this happen.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” I teased. I just couldn’t get enough of her, enjoying the way she sucked in a breath, how her entire body tightened at my touch.
She sighed. “No, it’s not. You’re right. But I do want to finish them, and I’ve been having difficulty focusing on them anyway. I was more tempted to jump you, which is saying a lot. ‘Fries before guys’ and all that.”
I burst out laughing, biting her neck lightly. “You rank me below fries? You sure know how to make me feel special.”
She chuckled. “No, quite the opposite. Look, I’ll even share my fries with you if you want.”
“You can have all of them.”
“I like you even more now.”
She shoved the last few in her mouth quickly, as if worrying I might change my mind.
She cleaned her hands at the sink before turning to face me with a delicious twinkle in her eyes.
“Tell me more about your siblings. Only your sister is married, right?” I said. I wanted to know everything about her.
“Yes. Josie’s a kick-ass lawyer, though she’s taking a break now after giving birth. My brothers are single. They both say they’re eternal bachelors.”
“And you don’t believe it?”
“Oh, I do. I mean, I knew Ian would be an eternal bachelor even before I learned what the word meant. But Dylan’s always been different. He was never sarcastic about relationships until recently.”
“What happened?”
“He proposed to his longtime girlf
riend. She said she wasn’t sure. So she basically turned him down.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah, I know. He barely told me and Ian, and I think it’s the first time he’d ever told someone about it. He’s still hurting, and I wish I could help him.”
I could feel how much she cared about her brothers, and it touched me deeply. She had this desire to help others that I hadn’t encountered before.
Her job wasn’t just a job to her. She genuinely cared about her clients as if they were her friends. It was so different from what I was used to that I could barely wrap my mind around it. She was honest and real, and so different from me. It had taken me two years to trust Sasha, and even then she’d never been over to my place. The penthouse was my private space, where I recharged, away from everyone, but I wanted Isabelle in here.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“That you’re the first person outside my parents and the guys who’s been in here.”
Isabelle’s eyes widened. She looked around, then back at me. “You don’t have people here ever?”
“No, it’s... my space.”
She snapped her focus back at me, smiling. “Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I like spending time with you, Isabelle. I want you to be part of my life.”
“Oh, you’re doing that again. Being super good at making me swoon.”
I kissed the tip of her nose, wrapping my arms around her back. All this talk about her brother’s personal life made me wonder about hers. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know, considering how damn jealous I got every time she even mentioned a guy. But curiosity won.
“We’ve talked about my dating past. How about yours?”
She pulled back, looking up in surprise. “My last long-term relationship was in Philly, but it ended about two years before I moved. I’d dated this guy Jake for almost a year before realizing he wasn’t as into me as I thought.” Her gaze clouded for a few seconds, but then she shook her head, smiling. “Anyway, ever since, it’s been just random dating. How many more details do you want?”
