by Willow Aster
The Bold and The Bullheaded
Willow Aster
Laura Pavlov
Copyright © 2021 by Willow Aster & Laura Pavlov
ISBN-13: 978-1-7373619-0-9
Cover by Jena Brignola
Editing: Edits by Sue
Proofreading: Christine Estevez
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
For Kalie and Korrie, we love you!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Other Books by Willow Aster
Other Books by Laura Pavlov
Chapter One
Spence
I’ve just hit the button for the twentieth floor when a black stiletto and an exquisitely shaped leg stops the elevator from closing.
My eyes get snagged on her curves and the blonde hair that falls like a lemon paradise over the front of her black suit. And up to the hateful eyes that are shooting venom at me.
“You.” She spits it out like I’m a bad taste in her mouth.
She wishes.
I fold my arms and stare at the woman who has become the bane of my existence since the day I first saw her on another elevator. In another building. The last building my brothers and I renovated.
She folds her arms and stares at me with the same disdain I’m throwing her way.
“Is it really my curse to be stuck in elevators with you for the rest of my life? Not to mention my favorite pub ... and holidays with my family?” My words are crisp and to the point.
She scoffs at me. Scoffs. Her perfect red lips are shaped in the foulest scowl known to man.
“Old Solemn,” she says.
Her ignorant nickname for me.
I roll my eyes.
“It appears you are stuck with me, yes. As long as you’re living in the same building as my BFF,” she says, looking down at her nails as if they’re more important than me. They match her lips. “It seems your brother and my Mya are going strong.” She shrugs, distracting me with the curve of her collarbone. “Seems you’ll have to get used to this face. Sorry. Not sorry.” Her eyes brighten and I know she’s going for the kill. “Can’t handle the heat, get out of the fire.”
I’m happy my little brother Jesse is in love and all that shit, but since his girlfriend comes attached to this spoiled wench in a supermodel disguise who chooses every opportunity to snipe at me, it has created a complication.
I don’t like complications.
“She-devil,” I say under my breath.
Her eyes narrow. “Stay on your side of the elevator,” she snaps.
I shake my head as we go up, the floors creeping slower than a sloth trying to stand up.
“Not a problem.” I stare straight ahead. “Although you certainly didn’t mind when w—”
Her hand flies across the elevator and covers my mouth. “Stop. Right. There. We agreed that was a one-off that shall not be named.”
I pry her hand off of my mouth, holding her wrist as I stare down at her. She’s tall and yet I still tower over her. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly, and somehow we’ve moved so close to one another that if I took just one small step forward, my chest would brush against her tits. A gasp sneaks out of her that she quickly tries to cover by clearing her throat.
“You’re on my side of the elevator,” I say, my voice huskier than I intended.
“Because you’re holding onto me,” she whispers. Her eyes flash daggers through me, pupils dilating, and her full lips part.
“And who started that?” My brow lifts and her face flushes with indignation and … I start grinning.
Lust.
I’d recognize that look anywhere.
“What?”
“How long are you going to deny that you will stop at nothing to get in my pants?” I say, leaning into her ear, so close that I see her shiver.
The elevator dings and the spell is broken. When the door opens, she flies off of the elevator and I chuckle.
As the door is closing, I hear her yelling, “In your dreams, Sir Grumpalot. If you were the last pants on earth, I’d shove them in an incinerator and watch you burn.”
I shudder at that image and yet I’m yelling back, dignity be damned— “That didn’t even make sense.”
But I’m already moving up several floors, the elevator suddenly making up for lost time.
I hope she heard me.
It’s important that I always get the last word when it comes to Emma Kingsley.
My apartment is quiet when I step inside. For once. I toss my keys on the counter, agitated. I’m antsier than usual and can’t pinpoint why. It wouldn’t be from the run-in with a certain blonde with a penchant for stilettos that make her legs look a mile long.
She doesn’t rattle me even a little bit.
I could use a cold shower, but that’s nothing new after a long day at work.
I need time to chill.
I’ve been sharing an apartment with my brothers Caden and Gus for the past few months, and every day I think I’m too old for this shit. Living together and working together is a little much even for us. We moved from Chicago to New York a few years ago and started up our business. Jesse followed last year and we’ve got a little brotherly commune going on here now.
It won’t be for much longer—just until we can get a few more apartments ready for occupancy. All of this togetherness is pushing us to get that done faster. Our youngest brother Jesse and his girlfriend live on the floor below and it’s a good thing. He’s probably the sanest one of us all, but he’s even had his moments of spontaneity when he ran from marrying the Ice Queen Influencer from hell and found the love of his life here in New York. They haven’t gotten married or anything like that yet, but let’s just say they’re still in the honeymoon phase regardless. We all love Mya, but it’s a PDA-fest whenever they’re together.
If we can just get our baby sister Penelope to leave Chicago and move to New York after she graduates from college, the G.D. Taylor sibs will be complete. We named our business after my father, Garrett Davis, and seeing as my mother doesn’t allow cussing in her presence, GD has taken on an identity of its own. We started a construction business a few years ago, and I think this building might be what takes us to the next level financially. I get an adrenaline rush every time I think of the potential here.
There’s a knock on the door and I check my watch. I’m not expecting anyone. It’s probably a girl looking for one of my brothers. They keep a steady stream of women coming through here.
Take that as you will.
As for me, I’ve been in a bit
of a dry spell for a few months … okay, longer … and my dick is on some kind of hiatus. That’s new. The big guy rarely takes a vacation. I swear that she-devil put some sort of curse on me. Wouldn’t put anything past that woman. Maybe I’m just too consumed with work and I haven’t met anyone who has managed to catch my eye.
I yank the door open and a woman stands there staring at me with doe eyes. Her tits are spilling from her low-cut T-shirt. She’s not she-devil beautiful, because no one is. Not many women surpass Kate Upton in the looks department the way Emma does, but her cold, jaded heart is a reminder to stay far, far away.
“Hi. Um, are you Spence?” Her voice is timid and I try to soften the scowl currently working my face. I’m not a fan of unexpected visitors. Hell, I’m not a fan of visitors in general.
“Yep. How can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Sophie. I have a friend who’s going to rent one of the condos in this building, and I was hoping to get myself added to the waitlist. She thinks you guys are full.” She bites down on her bottom lip and bats her lashes. Classic move.
Kudos, girl. You’ve got my attention.
“Who’s your friend?” I ask, wondering why they didn’t just give her my number.
“Tara Walden,” she says, as she scans my body from head to toe.
“All right. Yeah, she’s moving in next month. We don’t have anything else available at the moment, but I can put you on the list. We should be opening another phase of condos in the next couple of months. My brother Jesse handles that part of the business, why don’t I give you his number?”
“I’d rather have your number, if you don’t mind?” Her cheeks flush pink and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah, no problem.”
She hands me her cell and I type in my phone number before handing it back to her.
“Thanks, Spence. I’ll call you tomorrow to see about getting on the waitlist.” She waves before turning to walk toward the elevator.
“Sounds good.” I’m standing in my doorway as the brothers, dubbed by my sister Pen at a young age, step off the elevator and Sophie steps on. Caden has two large pizza boxes in his hands. It’s Monday night, which means football and beer.
They raise their brows as they walk toward me.
“You’re back in the game, mad dog,” Gus says, slapping me on the shoulder as he breezes past me.
“I was never out of the game. And she just came by to inquire about renting a condo.”
I move to the fridge and pull out three beers, handing one to both of them.
“She was interested in a condo or your cock?” Gus laughs before tipping his head back and slamming his beer.
I roll my eyes. “Why do you always take it there?”
“He can’t help himself.” Caden clinks his bottle to mine before taking a long pull. “She’s cute though.”
My phone vibrates on the counter and I pick it up.
It’s Sophie. I was too embarrassed to ask when I was there, but would you want to meet me for a drink tomorrow night?
“I guess she was interested in more than a condo, so who’s the dickshnitzel now?” Gus says as he leans over my shoulder, reading my text.
“You. Always you.” I move away because the dude loves to invade my space.
Sure. Mean Mug up the street?
Since I’m at our favorite pub frequently anyway, it doesn’t feel like a hardship to meet a pretty girl there for a drink.
“What did you say?” Caden asks now because these two are so far up my ass there could be a suppository named after either one of their nosy asses.
“I’m meeting her tomorrow for a drink. Done talking about it.”
“You cannot be on your period again. I swear you’ve been menstruating for weeks. I cannot handle these hormonal outbursts.” Gus waves his hands in front of his face like the theatrical asshole that he is.
As much as the brothers drive me crazy, I’d die for them. There’s no question how much I love the bastards. But I need my space. I can be a moody fucker and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I flip Gus the bird, drop two slices of pizza on a paper plate, and move into the living room. I reach for the remote to put on the game and drop down on the couch.
Sounds good. See you tomorrow night. 7 PM work?
Yeah. See you there.
The door flies open and Jesse, Mya, and the she-devil walk in.
“We heard you had pizza,” our youngest brother says as he grabs a few paper plates and a few slices of pizza.
Emma walks over and sits on the couch beside me. “Great. Didn’t know you’d be here, Old Solemn.”
“Well, I live here, so it shouldn’t be a huge shocker. Did you park your broom at the front door?” I raise a brow and glance past her shoulder to see everyone deep in conversation. I can’t help but give her shit because she’s so reactive.
“Keep it up, and I’ll shove my broom where the sun don’t shine.” She leans forward and takes a slice of pizza right off my plate and takes a massive bite.
The nerve of this woman.
I’m battling between being thoroughly annoyed and thoroughly turned on.
And that’s never a good thing when Emma is involved.
Chapter Two
Emma
I almost didn’t come up here when Jesse suggested we crash his brothers’ place for pizza. My run-in with Spence Taylor earlier—in the elevator, no less—has me feeling a little more on edge than usual. That man is the epitome of annoyance. I hoped he’d be gone by the time I got here. Which makes no sense, but one can dream. I haven’t had much time to hang out with Mya due to a big case that I’m finally leading. Monday will be the first official case that I’m handling alone and I’ve worked overtime for weeks to make sure I get it right. Tonight’s the first night I feel like I’ve prepared enough, and I need to unwind before I lose my mind.
“You know, for someone who hates me so much, you sure seem to come around a lot.” Spence stares at the television while he spews his ugliness.
He’s so predictable.
I study his profile.
The man is so good-looking, it infuriates me. Strike one. Thick, dark wavy hair begging to be tugged and ocean blue eyes that are perpetually scowling at me, yet manage to see into my soul every time we’re alone. Strike two. And don’t even get me started on his body. My thighs clench together every time I look at the cocky bastard. He’s tall, chiseled, arrogant, and uptight. So delicious that being in his presence is painful. Strike three.
I don’t do feelings, and when I’m around Spence, I feel all the things. This guy has so many strikes against him, he’s completely out of the ballpark.
“I’m not going to explain myself every time I come hang out with my best friend. Perhaps you should check yourself at the door if you think everything is about you. I can assure you, that is not the case.”
He turns to face me and his eyes go ice cold, the color of hell freezing over. I square my shoulders because I know what I’ve said has made him mad. I’m prepared for whatever he wants to throw my way. Hell, I’ve been wearing armor my whole life … bring it on, Spence Taylor.
“I think it’s more about me than you want to admit. Never would have taken you for a coward.” He smirks. Smirks. Like he’s got it all figured out. He doesn’t have a damn clue.
I push to my feet, needing space from the man. He makes me … uncomfortable. Agitated. Irritated. Horny.
Where did that come from?
Hey, I can despise the man and still think he’s sexy. I’ve got eyes, and a working vajazzle, so obviously it’s possible.
“Keep feeding that ego until your head’s too big to fit out the door,” I hiss as I walk past him. My legs brush against his and my mouth goes dry.
I definitely need space.
“That’s all right. I’ll just use your high-powered bitchy broomstick to force my way out.” He laughs and I cover my mouth with my hand because I will not give him the satisfaction of knowing that every now and then he can actuall
y pull off a joke.
I move to stand in the kitchen by my best friend. This apartment is larger than Mya and Jesse’s as it’s a three-bedroom, and the layout makes it easy to have a group of people here, but somehow I still feel like the walls are closing in around me with the ice dog near.
That whole saying—keep your enemies close—is not true when it comes to this man.
“Hey, I’m going to head out. I’m tired.” I reach for my purse. I’m in a foul mood now, just like I always am after I see Spence Taylor. But I’m a masochist and I keep coming back for more torture.
“What? No. Are you sure? We can leave and head downstairs,” Mya says, covering my hand with hers.
“Don’t be silly. I want to go make sure Dad had dinner. He’s probably still working.” I grab my jacket off of the chair and say goodbye to Jesse, Caden, and Gus.
“Always a pleasure,” Gus says as he pulls me into a hug. The man would flirt with a corpse, it’s just his nature. But I don’t miss the way Spence’s gaze locks with mine when I glance in his direction.
“Don’t forget your hat,” he yells out.
I frown.
“The black pointy one that goes with your broomstick.”
I pretend to laugh and then go stone cold. “Don’t forget that there are support groups for assholes and they’re always looking for new members.” I hug Mya and everyone laughs. It wasn’t my best work, but it’ll have to do.
Once I’m out of the building, I can breathe again. I decide to walk the five blocks to where I live, because the breeze has died down and it’s actually a perfect night for a walk. The streets are busy with people moving in every direction carrying their pumpkin lattes, and it smells like Fall.
