“Oh.” She chews on her lip again.
My cock twitches. She needs to do that less if I’m to get any work done with her around. Or maybe I should stop looking at my new assistant too much.
The door opens. I already know who it is before he walks in. Only one person enters my office like it’s their living room.
“Chance.” Baxter splays his arms like we’re buddies and it’s been too long since we saw each other. We met in a meeting an hour ago. His grin is broad and a smile crinkles his eyes. “What are you—” His eyes fall on Maddie and I swear to god, they take on that hazy look that every woman falls for. “Hello, there.”
He advances, somehow managing to look broader than he already is. He’s like me. We value gym time and have built ourselves into looking like we model for a living.
Where I cover mine up with suits to look professional, Baxter is the opposite. Vain as they come, he wears a shirt a size too small that hugs his frame. He leaves the first two buttons open, exposing a peek of chest hair that he claims is a lady magnet.
It’s unprofessional. Everything about him from his messy styled hair to his tight black pants and too-friendly personality. But because he’s my brother, I’m forced to work alongside him for the good of everyone.
“Don’thello thereher.” I glare at Baxter. “Do you need something?”
“Nothing from you, old man.” He focuses his full attention on Maddie. “Tell me he dragged you in here so I can rescue you.”
She smiles. “I wasn’t dragged.”
“Oh?” He leans in close to her and whispers, “That’s his style.”
“What a style!” She puts on a disbelieving look and shakes her head.
“You know, right?” Baxter backs up and does thewhat the hellexpression. “I just have to tame him sometimes. Without me, he’ll be a feral beast.”
Maddie throws a glance in my direction and laughs. “Really?”
Baxter nods, serious. “When we were young, our dad used to say, ‘Watch your older brother, Bax. He’s dangerous, even to himself.’”
“No one has ever said that.”
My protests go unheard as Maddie laughs at Baxter’s antics.
My neck prickles with irritation. How can she find him funny?
She laughs so much she places a hand on his arm for support and I nearly lose it. She wouldn’t even crack a smile at me today and now she’s laughing and touching Baxter.
“Bax, you can get out.” My voice is hard steel. “You have no business here.”
Maddie’s laughter cuts off and she looks away.
Shit. Even though it wasn’t directed at me, I loved the sound. Still, I’m not willing to entertain any more of Baxter if he’s taking all her attention.
“Come on, man. We’re just ribbing. Don’t kill the fun.” He glances sideways. “Look how you’ve made… What’s your name?”
She blinks up at him. “Maddie.”
“Maddie…?” His smile is charming.
“Maddie Lowe.”
Look at that. She’s giving him her last name.
“Well, I’m Baxter Easton. The hottest of the Easton brothers.” He stretches a hand.
“Nice to meet you.” She slips her hand into his.
He smiles broadly and she smiles back.
