When we had started discussing it, sketching out ideas, listening to Maddox crunch numbers, and finally agreeing on a final plan, Aiden had jumped up, fist punched the air, and yelled, “That’s how we do it! BAM!”It stuck. Our initials, our ideas, our brand. My brothers.I had named my company the same name and brought them on board with me.There was no one in the world I trusted more than them. Our relationship, which started out as young men, had grown as we matured over the years.Aiden and I had looked at a lot of houses, dismissing them all. However, one day, we saw a worn-down Victorian house. It was a longer walk from the school, but doable. The owner was moving into a small condo, and the place was big enough we could all live there, and not run over each other. When discussing rent, I made the owner a deal. We would do the various repairs, and he would knock it off the rent. I enjoyed fixing things, and Aiden and Maddox, who had joined in the house hunt, were willing to help

I slipped my fingers under her chin and studied her sweet face. She was incredibly pretty. I brushed a kiss to her cheek. “If you want dessert once you hear what I have to say, it’s yours. Anything you want is yours.”She leaned closer, her voice low. “Anything?”I swallowed, my body reacting to her closeness. “Yes.”“I want your last ravioli.”Her demand was amusing, and I speared my last bite of appetizer, feeding it to her. “You drive a hard bargain.”“You know it, Rigid.” She picked up her wine. “Now talk.”I waited until the server took our plates away, and refilled the glasses. I knew the entrees would take a bit longer since they made everything by hand and to order. There was plenty of time for her to leave if she decided, but I hoped she wouldn’t go. I was more comfortable with her than anyone I had ever met, aside from Aiden and Maddox.Except I never wanted to kiss them.“I’m wealthy, Emmy. It’s not a secret. People like me are always targets for some weirdos. I get jibes,

* * *I was a perfect gentleman until Emmy opened her door, and I followed her inside. She had left one lamp on, its glow casting a dim radiance on the room. For a moment, we stared at each other, then like mirror images, crashed together. I gripped her waist as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Our mouths met with a bruising ferociousness that startled and exhilarated me. There was no reticence in Emmy’s response—she gave as good as she got. I groaned low in my chest as her tongue touched mine—stroking, tasting, and exploring. Her blunt nails scraped the skin on my nape, making me hiss in pleasure. I traced her curves, feeling the delicate bumps and ridges of her spine, then settled my hands on her truly spectacular ass. I cupped the roundness greedily, and pulled her tight to my body, so she had no doubt what she was doing to me.She whimpered, letting me lift her so her legs could wrap around my hips, her skirt trailing on the floor. Turning, I pressed her into the wall, trappin

She led me to a display, Aiden and Maddox following behind. “These are cashmere and silk,” she explained. “Light, warm, and so luxurious. Emmy looks at them every time she comes in.”“Why doesn’t she have one?”Cami turned over the price tag. “They’re $450.00. Even with my discount, she couldn’t afford one,” she spoke softly. “Neither can I.”I lifted the end of one, feeling the silkiness of the weave. “This will keep her warm?”“Beautifully so. Yes.”I lowered my head. “Will it offend her if I get her one?” I asked quietly.Her bright eyes softened. “No, I don’t think so. She’ll be overwhelmed with any gift, but I know she’ll love it.”“Which color?”“She’d get most use of the black, probably.”“I don’t want to give her what she needs. I want to give her something she wants.”I could feel Aiden and Maddox staring at me.“Blue is her favorite color.”I nodded because it was beautiful and the one I kept looking at due to its intense color. Bright and bold, it reminded me of the tie I g

“Why did you stop?”“If I didn’t, I’d have you on my bed right now. If we made it that far.”“I wasn’t asking you to stop.”I straightened, studying her. Her face flushed, eyes wide with desire. I cupped her cheek. “I don’t want to rush you.”She turned, brushing my thumb with her lips. “You’re not.”“I honestly didn’t bring you back here to get you naked.”Her right eyebrow rose. I found the slow way she arched it sexy. She said so much with a simple gesture and no words.It said bullshit.“I have something else for you.”She frowned, confused.I led her to the sofa. “I’ll be right back.”* * *EmmyI looked around the massive room in awe. It had high ceilings, dark hardwood floors, huge windows, and immense proportions. There were three sofas in a U-shape, all wide and deep, covered in the softest tan leather I had ever felt. The walls were creamy colored, and the tables and accents done in more dark wood. Wall to ceiling bookcases flanked the fireplace, and two massive wingback cha