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Like she was unaware of that… “My jet lag confirms the fact it’s a long way between the two states, James. I don’t need you to tell my body clock that,” she declared dismissively. Her reasons for being here were none of Aidan’s business, never mind James’. She didn’t have to tell him a damn thing.
His frown deepened. “You haven’t slept yet?” Did his voice have to get huskier at that question?
“No. I came here straight from the airport.”
His eyes widened for a second then instantly narrowed. When his jaw tensed, his lips flatlining, she knew he was pissed. “You drove,” he stated flatly. “What the hell were you doing driving here? You should have brought a cab, or at least told Aidan. He’d have sent a car, Hannah. Fuck. You put yourself in danger, it’s a wonder you didn’t crash.”
“I’m okay, James,” she repeated tiredly, not at all in the mood for this kind of conversation. She didn’t need his protection. Didn’t need him at all. Well… She shook her head at the thought. Need and want were two different things, weren’t they?
“I just wanted to see my brother,” she continued.
“You drove while jet-lagged, Hannah. That’s beyond irresponsible.”
“What are you? My father? Damm, James, what I do or don’t do with my life is none of your business,” she spat.
The steel was back in his eyes. Not because he was back in business mode but because he was pissed. Majorly. “Giving a shit about whether you live or die is none of my business?” He pursed his lips. “I don’t remember you being so… challenging the last time we were together.”
Irritation flared through her at the pointed reminder. Like she needed him to bring that up. “We said we wouldn’t discuss that, and though I rarely hold you at your word, I’d like to think that this is one occasion where I can have faith in what you say.”
For a second, she knew she’d floored him. He reared back, his leg bumping into the low-slung monster of a machine behind him. She tried not to feel satisfied by his reaction, but there was no point in lying to herself—she was. Very satisfied.
He looked hurt, and though it wasn’t kind, she was glad.
James was so, so… fickle.
Volatile.
Dangerous.
She sucked in a sharp breath, damning herself for comparing him to Mark who was controlling but safe, determined but capable of relenting. Everything James wasn’t.
That had always been enough for her. Always. Ever since she’d met Mark at her firm, Haywardy & White, she’d always been attracted to his rather contradictory nature. Though he was her boss, Mark was strong and assertive, but at the same time, he could laugh and smile at himself. Those self-effacing traits made him quite charming.
But no matter how charming he was, it wasn’t enough. Well, not to beat James. Not anymore.
Not that he had to compete. Well, not before.
With her own thoughts irritating her, she snapped, “Don’t look at me like I’ve just told you I’ve drowned your puppy, James. You know exactly what I think about you.”
He was quiet a few seconds. “Actually, Hannah, I think you’ll find I don’t know. Well, didn’t.” His nostrils flared with evident irritation. “Do you care to tell me why you have that pretty shitty opinion of me and my word?”
“You’re reckless, James. I could deal with you being reckless with your own life, but my brother is too close to you. He’s like Icarus and you’re the sun. One day, he’s going to get burned and it’s not going to end up with him being partner in a billion-dollar company.”
His eyes narrowed in irritation. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Hannah exhaled and replied, “I didn’t say it’s a bad thing. I’m proud of him. I’m well aware that he earned his place here, and that it wasn’t handed to him just because you’re friends. You’re partners. That’s good. It’s the other stuff that concerns me.”
“It’s amazing how you have such a crap opinion of me when you’re thousands of miles away for most of the year.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Pray tell how you managed to make such assumptions about me from a distance? Reckless, am I? How do you know, Hannah?”
For a second, she just stared at him. Astonishment whispered through her veins as she realized he truly had no idea what she was talking about.
It was either because he was so used to being fawned over that he believed his own press, or he simply had no idea what he was like.
But the latter… was that even possible?
She waved a hand at the car. “That’s the Arias Orion, isn’t it?”
James seemed surprised at her knowledge if his wide eyes were anything to go by, at any rate. “Yes. It’s our newest model.”
