****
“Once you’ve vetted my boss will you give me permission to work for him?” Riley asked.
Lou glanced over at her brother, who had stopped by while she’d been getting ready to go out on her date. “I’m not vetting your boss.”
“You screw him and I’d probably get a raise.”
She rolled her eyes. “Will you stop? The only way you’ll be getting a raise is if you work damned hard.”
“I know that, but Jacob has a thing for you.”
“Please stop.”
“He’s asked you out on a date, and he pretty much had to tempt that curiosity of yours before you’d give in.”
Lou shrugged. “Nothing is going to happen.”
“No? Wow, think of how much the parentals would love you.”
“Stop it, Riley.”
Her brother held his hands up. “I’m just, you know, putting it out there for you.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. This is not about them, and I’m not going to let them spoil it by thinking it is.”
“You’ve got issues. You know that, right?” Riley asked.
“I’m already a nervous wreck. The last thing I need to be thinking about right now is my parents. Now,” she ran her hands down her legs, “how do I look?” She turned to her brother.
“Cute.”
“Cute?”
“Isn’t that what you were going for?”
“I was going for practical.”
“Practical? You’re going on a date.”
“Oh, I hate you!” She wore a pair of jeans and a white blouse. On her feet she wore a slender heel that gave her a little more height. She doubted he’d allow her to see the real dangerous element of his life, so she’d gone for the practical look. She wasn’t the kind of woman who needed expensive restaurants.
The jeans also give you an added layer of protection.
She hated to admit it, but Jacob Denton was in fact a nice looking man. No, nice looking didn’t even begin to cover it. He was fucking hot, and she hadn’t been with a man in so long. The night where he’d taken her for dinner had been fun, even if she remembered the night with a bit of a shudder. Jacob had made it fun, and after food, he’d taken her home.
“No, you don’t hate me. You love me.”
“Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see that you were all right. I was an awful brother. I left Jacob to take care of you, and I felt bad about it.”
“You were enjoying your party.”
“It was a good party.”
The sound of her bell ringing interrupted them, and she sighed. Her hands were shaking as moved to the door. Gripping the handle, she pulled the door open, and there stood Jacob. He was dressed in a suit, and he looked damn good. It was a black suit with a crisp white shirt peeking out. He looked every part the businessman.
“Hello,” she said.