Raven kept reminding herself to breathe, and calm down, for the love of everything Holy. Do Not Sweat. Bran and Patrick were uber-wealthy and influential, yes, but they were also down-to-earth, funny, and kind. Hugh was... quiet.
“Oh God, guys, look at the house!” River said reverently.
It was literally a glass house— nestled in the trees with three levels of gorgeous glass, black metal roof, and wraparound, floating hardwood decks. Stunning. Raven couldn’t wait to see how the place was decorated.
“Wow,” Rowan started, “I mean, seriously, wow. Seeing this house might be the biggest perk of landing the Wolves job.”
Agreed.
River had just put their Jeep in park when the front door swung open, and no, it wasn’t a normal front door, but some intricately carved heavy, metal monster. Patrick and Bran waved and started walking toward them. Another man with golden blonde hair and of an age with Bran stayed by the door. It must be James. Further back, still inside, stood Hugh.
Raven smiled and waved back to the brothers. The backdrop was fantastic. Bran in worn jeans and a T-shirt was better. The faded slate blue of his shirt made his white-blonde hair really shine. Bran kept his hair in a veryPeaky Blinders, Tommy Shelby style. What would this man look like in a Tweed cap? Shit, Raven! Focus on work. Work first, she reminded herself.
Bran came to stand right in front of her. He towered over her. She didn’t care. Sore necks were a doable price to pay to be thisclose. He smelled of warm spices, not cologne. Intoxicating like whiskey.
“Hello.”
One word, but paired with his sudden intensity, made her shiver. “Bran.” Good Lord, could Raven sound any more porn star breathy? “Thank you so much for having us.”
“I...”
He began to say something and then paused, cupping a hand around his neck in a strange show of discomfort. Oh no. Maybe he wished they hadn’t come after all.
Raven quickly added, “My sisters and I only need to stay for the meeting with Mr. O’Connor, and then we can get out of your hair. I’m sure you have plenty going on without added houseguests.”
Could he be more awkward?What was she, twenty-four or five, and she was more composed than he was. Bran almost said, ‘I wanted you here,’ but that sounded autocratic, more in line with how his father would handle the situation.
He settled for, “I’m really glad you’re here. We all want you to stay and enjoy the weekend.” She smiled tentatively. Hopefully, he salvaged the second meet and greet.
He desperately wanted to touch her. Maybe a pat on the shoulder. He was losing it. Pat had probably hired a videographer to tape his ineptness. They were probably filming behind that giant oak bordering part of the drive right now.
Shaking off theFunniest Home Videohe was currently starring in, Bran told the sisters, “Let Pat and I grab your bags.” He had to stop staring. Hopefully, his mouth hadn’t been hanging open, or Patrick would never let him live it down.
Addressing all the sisters, Bran said, “We thought you ladies might want to get situated in your rooms, and then James is ready to sit down anytime you three are.”
They nodded yes, and he heard a thank you, and that’s perfect. Bran thought it was just as shocking to see the three of them together as it had been the first time. It was stunning to see them side by side.
As Patrick moved away with River and Rowan, bags in hand, Bran went to pull Raven’s bag out. She was close to his side. Her loose white button-up, jeans, and sandals were casual but classy. She was classy. She wasn’t a flirt— he almost wished she were. It’d make it so much easier to make a move, any move.
Before he lost the moment, Bran wrapped his fingers around her left forearm, lightly running his palm downward ’til it encircled her hand, squeezing gently before pulling away. “I’m really gladyouare here.” Bran grabbed the overnight bag and shut the rear door.
Bran barely caught the words, but as they turned to follow their family, he heard Raven whisper, “Me too.”
Raven was tryingto appreciate the décor of modern, clean lines mixed with antiques, but there was nothing in her head but Bran. When he’d leaned close to her body and lightly touched her arm, her hand— when he said he was gladshewas there, not she and her sisters—her... a critical pivot happened in her mind. Raven thought...knewthat meeting Bran was important. She would be careful because of business but still pursue the connection. She knew he felt it too.
Bran said his dad had two guest suites on the second floor and hoped she didn’t mind that two of her sisters would have tobunk together. “One room has a King bed, and the other has two queens. Both have en suite bathrooms.”
“Oh, that’s more than fine, Bran. We could all room in one, no problem.” They’d caught up to her sisters by then, and having heard Bran and then her response, they agreed.
River looked at Patrick and said, “Raven’s right. There’s no reason to mess up two rooms. We’ll take the one with two beds and be more than comfortable.” Looking to Rowan, she asked, “Isn’t that right?”
Ever the realist, Rowan agreed. “We’d probably end up in the same bed anyway.” Eyeing Patrick, Bran, and James, who they picked up at the front door, she continued, “It’s so much easier to gossip about the hosts that way.” The three men laughed as intended.
“Here are the rooms.Choose both or one as you’d like.” Bran indicated the two open doors. “We’ll leave you ladies to get settled. Come back downstairs to the bar lounge when you’re ready, and James can walk you through the preliminary specs for Wolves.”
Before taking his leave, Bran couldn’t help himself. He briefly placed his hand on Raven’s lower back. It could have come across as casual, he supposed, but not when she looked up at him, and they both paused, staring at one another. So, casual was off the table.
Once he, Patrick, and James were seated at the bar, with Dad joining them a moment later, James set in on him.
