Page 8 of Miss Treated

“My oldest brother is in LA. Then I have another brother who is working in Sydney, and five half brothers who all live on the East Coast. They’re a lot younger, so we’re not as close.” All of them were my half brothers, but while I was close to Reid and Chance, I barely knew the others. In my defense though, the youngest twins were in first grade.

“Wow, you have a lot of brothers. Your parents are on the East Coast?”

“Yes. My father resides in New Hampshire where I grew up, and my mother is in Florida these days.” She’d followed her latest boyfriend down there. Frankly, I was happy to have her distracted by a man. Maybe she’d quit telling me what a mistake I’d made in leaving my ex. “What about you and your family?” I found it curious he worked for his father, but mainly I wanted to divert the focus to him.

He grinned as if pleased I’d asked. “My mom and dad have been married close to forty years, and I have two older brothers. Gabe is in London at the moment working for a competing tech firm.”

Interesting.

“And Leo left the Army Special Forces to do private security and whatever other cool tactical shit he does. He’s based out of Vegas, and I see him every few months.”

“You’ve been the COO for the last month?”

“Four whole weeks.”

He didn’t seem particularly happy about my question or his own answer.

He picked up another nacho. “I’m assuming you’re staying in the Marriott across from the office?”

“I am. It seems nice.” Although I’d enjoyed staying in Malibu with my brother and his girlfriend and her adorable little girl the last few months, I was tired of intruding on their space. Being in the hotel by myself was refreshing. I’d never lived on my own. How crazy was that considering I was twenty-five years old? But I’d gone from living with my mother as a child to moving in with Joel during college, and I’d been with him until a few months ago. I’d never realized how exhausting it had been to share my space and be obliged to consider someone else until I was finally free of it all.

“I know you have a mini kitchen for cooking, but the restaurant at the hotel is decent. I’ve been there a couple times for lunch. Also, there’s a great seafood restaurant a block away. A Starbucks, of course, is in our building, and a great place to get tacos is around the corner from you. I can email you a list of nearby restaurants.”

“I’d appreciate it.” I didn’t cook, so it would be great to have places I could do pickup.

“On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music here, and they serve an amazing halibut fish and chips. There’s also Old Town San Diego, which I love. Great restaurants and an awesome weekend vibe. I could take you down there if you’d like.”

It was nice of him to offer to show me around, but I intended to work most weekends, or if I wasn’t, then I’d go back to LA. But maybe if my friends Daisy and Tory came down to visit, we could hit up Old Town San Diego. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll most likely go home most weekends.” He didn’t need to saddle himself with such a burden, nor did I need to get Beach-Barbie death glares like those I received from Megan when she returned with our entrees.

“Here you two go. I gave you a little extra salsa because I know how you love it.” She set down Dominic’s plate.

“Thanks, Megan.”

“Anything else I can get you?”

How about my plate still in her other hand?

“Kelsey’s dish there would be great.”

“Silly me.” She set the plate down without a glance in my direction.

My first bite of the fish taco reaffirmed why this was Dominic’s favorite lunch spot. The taste of the fresh fish with the crisp cabbage, cilantro, and avocado was harmony in my mouth. Before I could filter my reaction, I sighed with a hum in my throat.

Belatedly remembering my lunch companion, I looked up to find him staring. “Sorry, it’s delicious.”

He cleared his throat, finding a smile. “Good to hear.”

Chapter Four

Dominic

Well, damn. Getting hard during a business lunch was a first. But the expression of unfiltered pleasure on Kelsey’s face as she ate the fish taco did the job. If there’d been a way to let go of my food and adjust myself discreetly, I would have. Instead, I’d have to suffer. And eat my fish taco while trying not to stare at her incredibly sexy mouth.

I’d tried to find a reason for us to spend time together on the weekend, but she’d said she was heading home. Either she wasn’t interested in hanging with me, or she truly was driving home.

“My father indicated you’ll need to travel to our New York office. When would you like to go?”

I didn’t miss her frown. “I’d like at least two weeks here before I start documenting the billing process. So maybe three weeks from now?”