Page 43 of Nothing to Win

FOURTEEN

THEY WERE GOING for Sunday lunch.That was the idea.Brogan needed to stop at the office for a quick face-to-face and he’d promised they’d eat after.

The hospital function last night was fun.No dancing and they left early, but she hadn’t minded getting to bed when it meant sleeping in Brogan’s place.His place, not his bed, baby steps, big dreams.

“I’m saying, I met Freya Dere last night, and the work ChilConn is doing is amazing,” she explained as they ascended.“I’ve always admired her so much.No one else is—”

“Another of your charities,” he said.They exited the elevator on the top floor at SG HQ.“How much do you need—”

“Oh, I wasn’t—”

“Jenna’s preparing a checkbook for you,” he said, crossing the executive lobby.“I’ll lose track of your causes.”She wasn’t that bad… was she?“Use it for whatever you need.”

A checkbook for… Well, that thought could wait.His office wasn’t as empty as expected.

“Brogan Spurn!”The stranger woman occupying it did air kisses all by herself into midair.“How wonderful to see you again.”

Brogan glared.“We’ve never met.”

Glossy dark hair, bright eyes, the petite woman should make any other feel inferior, instead, she was transfixed.

“No, we have not,” the magnetic beauty said, “but like a bad penny, Roxie always knows when to show up.You’re welcome.”

“Your husband is on my schedule.”

“Him.Me.One Lomond or another, we’re all the same.”In a flash, Brogan was forgotten in lieu of this person’s attention landing on her.“I heard a whisper from a whisperer that my services may be required.”

“They are not required,” Brogan said, going around to stand behind his desk.“If Honey sent you to void—”

“Void?Oh, no, no, I’m never one to interrupt a good caper.”Roxie sank into the head seat at the long table, regal with her back straight and hands folded on her lap.“Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.I am a mere observer.”Okay, awkward.The beauty slanted just a little her way to stage whisper from the corner of her mouth.“That said, cry uncle if you want out and I’ll take care of everything, money, investigation, sex.I’m a full-service empress.”

How did this woman know so much about them?Brogan said they’d never met yet she knew their dark secret?

As usual, Brogan was unmoved.“An empress with close ties to Tripp Breckenridge.”

With a glib push of her lip, Roxie raised loose hands in sophisticated surrender.“You went there, Spurn.All by yourself.You put names to faces.Bodies in those mental pictures of hot, sweaty, orgasmic…” She pointed a finger.“I’ll leave that there.Let it do its thing.Percolate all on its own.”Once again, her hands went to her lap.“Back to the scene.Carry on without me.All the feels and… action.”

“No one is performing for you.”

“In which case…” The beauty’s fingernails drummed slowly.“Gianna Sear, I owe you an apology.”

“Lomond…” Gia said, repeating what Brogan revealed and, right then, it hit her.“You married Zairn Lomond.You’re Roxie Lomond.I heard your wedding was a smash.”

“And I think you’re the first person in this sphere I’ve met who wasn’t invited.”The woman leaned toward Brogan, though her eyes remained fixed.“You were invited, right, Spurn?”

“Yes, and likely, Gianna was too.”The woman frowned, not that Brogan saw it.Still, he offered an explanation.“Gia’s parents only grant permission for her to attend events they consider worthy.That wouldn’t include flashy exhibitions in LA.”

A glow of joy and temptation flared Roxie’s eyes.“Oh, my love,” she said, brimming with optimism.“How your life is about to change, Sweet, Beautiful Gianna.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Welcome to yourPretty Womanmoment,” Roxie said, throwing her arms up.“You gave her a credit card?”

“She has a credit card,” Brogan said, still not impressed.

“Excellent!”

“Brogan’s credit card,” she said, squirming a little.“But I won’t—”