know some basic things.”
His eyes narrowed. “I have no desire to poke into my brothers’ lives.”
“We’re not poking. We’re just looking. Lawyers never go into a courtroom or a meeting unprepared.”
“CEOs don’t go into meetings unprepared either.”
She turned and smiled. “Exactly. So my secretary got enough background information that we won’t feel at a disadvantage when they’re here.”
They stepped into the office. She directed him to sit on the sofa in front of a low coffee table. Carrying the thin file she retrieved from the desk, she followed him and sat beside him.
The second she sank into the smooth leather, his nearness overwhelmed her. He’d taken a walk outside after spending time with Gino when they got home from work and he smelled like fresh air and baby powder. A week ago that would have sent her into a tailspin of despair. Today, it only reminded her that she was attracted to this man. It didn’t scare her. It didn’t make her crazy. It was simply a fact.
She licked her suddenly dry lips and forced her mind back on the info her secretary had found.
“Okay. We’ll do Cade first.” She glanced down and read aloud, “Cade Andreas, age thirty-one, net worth—” She paused, forcibly told herself not to gape, and read the number on the page.
Darius snorted. “I see that little oil thing worked out for him.”
She cleared her throat. “Yes. I guess it did.” She returned to her reading. “He’s a loner who doesn’t really socialize too much, except with the employees of his ranch.”
“All of which I already knew.”
“Okay.” She rifled through the sheets until she came to the first page for the information on Nick. “How about this? I’ll read Nick’s sheet. You read Cade’s. If either of us finds anything noteworthy we’ll tell the other.”
Darius leaned back, got comfortable and began reading.
Whitney almost mimicked him, until she realized that leaning back into the soft sofa they’d be side by side, almost touching. Sort of close and cuddly.
Arousal sparked, sharp and sweet, at just the thought. It leaped through her, awakening the more dangerous longings. To be held. To be loved. But, luckily, her common sense rose up. It might not frighten her anymore to be attracted to Darius, but a relationship between them wasn’t practical. No matter how much they now understood each other, they still had a baby to raise together. If they tried a relationship and it didn’t work, Gino would suffer.
So she leaned forward, away from him.
“Here’s something interesting. Cade is married.”
That perked up her senses. “Really?”
“Yes.” He glanced up at her, obviously confused. “But he didn’t bring a wife to the funeral.”
“Do you think he’s the type to leave his wife at home?”
Darius shrugged. “Who knows? A man who says ‘sticks in my craw’ could do just about anything.”
“Should we plan for a wife?”
“Nope, if he didn’t mention bringing a guest, I’m not planning for her.”
“Okay.” She went back to her reading, then had a change of heart. “Maybe we should plan for a guest.”
“We have plenty of extras. If we need something Mrs. Tucker will find it.”
“You’re sure?”
He pierced her with a look. “Positive.”
“Maybe we should check?”
“No. He should have told us he’d be bringing a guest. Since he didn’t, I’m not going out of my way. If he wants to be inconsiderate that’s his choice.”
At his snippy tone, Whitney laughed. “I see that hits a nerve.”
He set the paper down again. “It doesn’t hit a nerve. I think he has the right to behave however he wants to behave, but if the tables were turned I’d be more considerate. That’s why I don’t expect a lot out of him. Frankly, I’m surprised he’s interested in Gino. He’s busy with his oil company. He’s got a ranch so big I’m not sure even he knows how many acres he has. And he doesn’t really like people.”
“He’s going to be our tough nut to crack then.”
Darius merely snorted a “Humph.”
“Says here in Nick’s report that he owns a factory.” She shuffled through the papers. “His net worth is about one quarter of Cade’s.”
“Yeah, considering Cade’s net worth, that brings Nick in at around half a billion dollars.” Darius caught her gaze. “Don’t ever underestimate Nick. He’ll come here all Southern-gentleman charm and manners and he’ll leave with the silver.”
Her eyes widened. “He’s a thief?”
“No, he’s a sweet-talker.”
Whitney couldn’t help it; she laughed. “So you have a sweet-talker and a grouch for half-brothers?”
“Yeah, great, isn’t it? I’ve got a grouch, a sweet-talker and a baby.” He snorted in derision. “Which makes me crazy to think I can unite them.”
“Or a tower of strength.”
“Right.”
“Oh, come on. You know you’re strong.”
He gave her a confused look, then a grin bloomed on his face and he nudged her playfully. “You think I’m strong.”
She sucked in a breath. Even casual contact with him sent her senses reeling. But she understood why. Not only was she needy, but he was awfully good-looking. Now that they were getting to know each other, it was sometimes difficult not to simply fall into what seemed to be happening between them.
But, remembering Gino, remembering how difficult it was just to be able to hold him without thinking of Layla, she knew getting involved in a sexual relationship would be every bit as traumatic. She couldn’t risk this newfound peace between her and Darius.
She got up from the sofa and walked to the fireplace. “Don’t get too excited. I’m just saying that anybody who runs a company as big as yours has to have his attributes.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re vain and arrogant.” She smirked at him. “Do you really want the list to go on?”
He rose from the sofa and ambled over. “I like the other list better. The one where you talk about the good things.” He paused and studied her eyes as if he’d been thinking the same thing she had been while sitting beside him on the sofa—how easy it would be to fall into whatever was happening between them.
Trying
