I shifted, turning to face her, and tugged her closer. Our eyes locked, hers widening as she felt the intensity of my gaze and the way the air around us shifted. I stared at her as I lifted the glass and filled my mouth with the amber liquid. I pressed my lips to hers, smiling as she opened for me, allowing the warm liquid to pass into her mouth. She swallowed deeply, a groan low in her throat as I pressed my tongue to hers, savoring the taste of the brandy mixed with her flavor. She slipped her hands up my shoulders, her fingers moving restlessly on the nape of my neck, playing with my hair, making me shiver. Her touch was gentle and light. It always stirred such emotion in me. I deepened the kiss, holding her tight and devouring her mouth. She whimpered, the sound muffled and needy.In seconds, she was under me on the sofa. I pushed away her sweater and yanked down her yoga pants, covering her with my body. She tore off my towel, and our bare skin slid together, warming us both.She

He was all that mattered.Breaking out of my memories, I glanced at the clock and sat up, stretching. Bentley groaned, opening his eyes.“What are you doing?”“I have to go. I’m meeting Cami to study.”“Why didn’t you have her come here?”I chuckled as I slid from the bed, escaping his attempts to stop me. “Because she’ll want to use the pool, watch a movie, and bake cookies in your ridiculously impressive kitchen. We’ll get nothing accomplished, and I want it done. I have a ton of other projects I have to do, as well. I’m meeting her at Al’s, and when we’re finished, I’m already at my place.”He followed me to the bathroom and crowded me in the shower. “I don’t want you to go. I like it when you’re here.” He trailed his hand down my arm and clasped my fingers. “You could stay, Emmy.”I gazed up at his serious face. He’d been dropping not so subtle hints the entire time I had been there. I had a passcode, a key, and he constantly referred to his house as our home. Still, it was too so

“It’s my kitchen.”“You’re acting like a child.”I knew I was. I was acting like an asshole. The truth was, I liked it when she made tacos. In fact, I liked everything she made. Tonight, nothing was going to be right. Not even, it seemed, Emmy.I stormed out of the kitchen. “I need a fucking drink.”I grabbed the decanter of scotch and poured a healthy shot. I downed it in one swallow, the liquor burning its way down my throat and into my chest. I refilled the glass and stomped upstairs to my room, pulling off my suit. I swallowed some more of the liquor and stepped into the shower. The sting of the water on my knee made me hiss and looking down I saw a gash from where I fell.I was going to burn that piece of shit rucksack when I got hold of it.I turned on all the jets and closed my eyes as the hot water poured over me. The steam billowed around me, and the heat worked its magic on my stiff muscles. Bracing myself on the wall, I huffed a deep sigh and let the water rain down. I had

She stared at me, blinking and shocked.“I love you so much, the thought of you leaving me makes me crazy. I want you here.”She began to shake her head.“I know you don’t think you’re worthy of being loved, baby, but you are. You’re more worthy than any person I know. How your brother and parents acted was wrong. You didn’t deserve that. No child deserves that.” I wiped her tears. “One day I’ll make you see how much you’re loved. And maybe you can love me back.” I held her face tighter. “Because that would be the greatest gift I ever received. You.”“I have n-nothing to . . .”I shook my head, knowing what she was trying to say. “Yes, you do. My wealth doesn’t make me deserve your love, Emmy. The kind of man I am, that I want to be for you, does. I’ll keep you safe; you can keep me grounded. I’ll buy you lots of shawls, and you can make me scones. We’ll take care of each other.” I smiled at her tenderly. “We could build a great life together, baby. No one gets me the way you do. I ne

Aiden winked at me. “Not billions, but we’d kill it.”“And we keep it,” Maddox stated firmly. “BAM owns it. No investors. Just us.”“Or I sell it and walk away.”They looked at me.“You could,” Aiden drawled. “This is an interesting concept, though. We can find other land to develop the original concept. Try something totally distinctive.”“We could lose our shirts.”Maddox shook his head. “No, Emmy is right. Lots of wealthy families love condo living. Give them the best of both worlds, and it will explode. I’m sure of it.”“We would have to make the back of the building into something unique. Eye-catching.”“Mosaics.”I glanced at Emmy.“Use stone, hire artists. Make it beautiful. A focal point.” She beamed. “Your mark.”I returned her grin. She was glowing, her dark eyes excited.“I can see it. A haven inside the city.” Maddox’s eyes combed over the model, nodding. “An escape without leaving home.”Aiden pointed to the layout. “We could build up this area here, like an embankment. I