But of course it isn’t the details of the fundraiser occupying my brain. It’s a certain six-foot, two-inch, well-muscled slice of man named Pace Drake. My boss’s younger brother. And there is no way he’d be interested in the real me.
I chuckle to myself, remembering that he didn’t even know his date’s name. I should feel outraged that he all but ignored her in favor of paying me compliments and asking me out. Instead I’m strangely flattered. When a man as handsome as Pace paid you attention it felt wonderful. Especially for someone like me. He could have any woman he wanted. And for some strange reason he’d set his sights on me – with my post-pregnancy body that is still curvier than I would have liked.
But I’d shot him down, which I know is for the best. I have personal experience with men like him. They’re looking for no-strings sex. And considering the last guy I was with played ding-dong-ditch-it with my uterus, and left me with a baby to raise, I’m more than a teensy bit skeptical about men like him.
Max is the only man I have time for these days. And the only man I will give my heart to.
I can’t resist pulling out my iPhone to look at the pictures of Max. Just as I know I won’t be able to resist going into his room to listen to the sounds of him breathing and leaning down to his crib to smell his baby scent, even though I know there’s a chance it’ll wake him. But his chunky baby thighs and big round tummy are too much for this mama to resist.
It was actually quite sweet of Pace to ask about Max. Last summer, the first time I’d met Pace at Colton’s pool party, he carted a screaming, teething Max around all that afternoon, swimming with him in the pool and bouncing him in his big arms. Colton seemed to have no explanation for Pace’s sudden interest in the baby. I was convinced it was merely him taking pity on his brother’s employee. I was beyond stressed out when Max was cutting his first two teeth. And I’m sure I looked it.
As flattered as I am about his interest in me, I’m fine with being celibate and focusing on my career and being a mom. Well, that’s not entirely true. I do miss having a man in my life. I miss strong arms holding me close, the brush of a stubbled cheek on mine, the feeling of absolute security. When I’m ready to start a relationship again, it will be with a man who makes me feel safe. There is nothing safe about Pace Drake.
He’s as dangerous as they come. Young. Sexy. Wealthy. Carefree. The dark, hungry look in his eyes promised me hot, intense sex. I shiver, recalling the way my body responded under his watchful stare. Yes, I’m sure he’d be a wild beast in bed, probably with a giant cock to match his stamina, not that I will ever know such things.
As the limo driver pulls to a stop in front of my house, I push all the crazy thoughts from my head. Fantasies are nice, but it’s time to get back to my real life.
Pace
I haven’t stopped thinking about her since Saturday night. No, not Malibu Barbie. I’d accepted her proffered blow job on the drive home – it was mediocre – and then dropped her off at her front door. I haven’t heard from her since. Which is just as well, because it’s Kylie I can’t seem to get out of my brain.
I had no doubt she saw straight through me because that sassy mouth of hers had called me out on the one-night stand. I know there’s no way we’d fit neatly into each other’s worlds, but I have to try.
When I arrive at Colton’s office just after lunchtime, I find him standing beside his assistant’s desk, flipping through a stack of documents.
‘Hey bro.’ I slap him on the back. ‘You have a minute for your favorite brother?’
He rises to his full height and frowns at me. ‘Do I have a choice?’
I roll my eyes. I know he doesn’t like being interrupted during the work day. But too damn bad. I’d helped him with his woman plenty of times. ‘No. Now come on.’
I let myself into his adjoining office and hear his footsteps behind me. I’m not usually one for midday drinks, but rather than sit down in one of the plush armchairs that provide the perfect view of the Los Angeles skyline, I head to his liquor cabinet. What the hell, I could use some loosening up. I’ve been wound as tight as a damn virgin since Kylie walked away from my invitation on Saturday night. Women didn’t refuse me, and so to say I’m thrown off my game is putting it mildly.
‘Want one?’ I ask, removing a glass and the bottle of pricey bourbon from the cabinet.
Colton shakes his head. ‘What’s going on, man? Everything okay?’
I take a sip of the liquor and immediately decide drinking is a bad idea. I’m already on edge and frustrated. The alcohol will only make me obsess more. Abandoning the glass, I sit down in a leather chair across from him and let out a heavy sigh. ‘Tell me about Kylie.’
His gaze narrows. ‘Fuck no. You and Kylie?’ He shakes his head, rising to his feet. ‘No. Abso-fucking-lutely not. If this is what you came here to talk to me about, you can leave now.’ He points to the door, his expression unwavering.
Goddamn. ‘You’re no fun.’ Changing my mind, I stride over to the cabinet, grab the glass and down the rest of the drink. It burns like a motherfucker on the way down, but it’ll do the trick, numbing whatever this weird sensation is inside my chest.
‘I’m serious, Pace. She’s a good girl. She doesn’t need to get tangled up in your…ways…’
‘My ways?’ Now I’m getting pissed. He’s saying I’m not good enough for her.
‘Hit it and quit it. Pump and dump. Whatever you want to call it, it’s not happening. Not with Kylie.’
‘I know that, asshole. I wanted to take her out – like legitimately take her out to dinner. Enjoy her company.’
He frowns at me again, that crease in his forehead deepening. ‘You’re telling me you don’t want to fuck her?’
‘Don’t be a dumbshit. Of course I want to fuck her. But I’m just saying that I wouldn’t hit it once and never call her again.’
‘What would you do, then? Move in? Marry her? Raise her son?’ he challenges.
‘I haven’t thought that fucking far ahead. Christ.’ Now I’m pacing the floor of his office and I have no idea why. This entire exchange is stressing me out. I came here hoping to get her number, and instead I’m getting grilled like a steak. He’s pulling the older brother card on me like he does so often. The dick.
‘And that’s exactly why I don’t want you messing around with her. You don’t have a plan. Kylie needs a man with a plan. Not one with an agenda that only includes getting his crank yanked.’
I sink down into the chair, hating this concerned sibling act he’s got down to a science.
‘Kylie needs someone ready for a serious relationship. That isn’t you, and this isn’t a good idea, and we both know it.’
‘Just like it wasn’t a good idea for you to marry the mega-bitch Stella. But you didn’t listen to me. You had to find out for yourself.’ His fists clench at his sides.
