The Secret Life Of Bryan. Lori Foster
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then, thinking of the last vacation Shay had forced on her sister, and the results, she winced. “At least, when I don’t interfere too much in her life.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
He sounded offended on her behalf. It felt odd because usually she was the one trying to take care of everyone, whether they wanted her to or not. Normally she rebelled against anyone worrying for her, but she liked Bryan’s concern.
“It means I can be a real pain in the patoot. Brandi isn’t like me. She’s sweet and shy and quiet.”
“And you’re not?”
That made her laugh. “What do you think?”
“I think sweet and shy has its place, but on you it’d be ridiculous.”
“Gee, thanks.” She couldn’t help but chuckle over that backhanded compliment. “Brandi takes after our parents, who are small with dark hair and eyes. She’s pretty. Not a big gangly girl like myself.”
“Gangly?” His mouth curled in wry amusement. “Fishing for a compliment?”
Shay grinned. “Would you give me one?”
“No. You’re cocky enough as it is.” He tapped his pen with growing impatience. “So the two of you are different and that causes problems?”
“Sometimes. Where I’m too outspoken and brazen for my own good, Brandi is always circumspect and proper. At times, I try to force her to be more outgoing. We’re opposites, but she’s my sister and I love her.”
“Your stepsister.”
“If you want to get technical. But I don’t think of her that way.”
The devotion and love of her family had never been in doubt. She was considered their firstborn, and Brandi was her little sister, in every way that mattered to the heart.
“My life isn’t an unhappy one, Bryan. And the truth is, I’m much luckier than most people could ever hope to be.”
He disregarded her reassurance with a shake of his head. “Is there anyone who might be interested in helping you?”
Stubborn man. “I don’t need any help.”
“No?” His gaze challenged her. “Then why are you here?”
Oops. Caught in a web of her own making.
She couldn’t tell him that no one in the media trusted Shay Sommers right now. If she got involved as herself, the press would be everywhere, and they’d make mincemeat out of Bryan’s efforts.
But in the name of fair play, she had to let him know what he was getting into. She owed him that much. She got to her feet, circling the table so she stood right beside him. He, too, stood up, as if having her over him made him uneasy.
Wise, as well as stubborn.
“All I can tell you is that I have my reasons for wanting to stay here, for needing to stay here, but they have nothing to do with why I want you.”
He gave her a sharp look of censure. “You’re a regular broken record, aren’t you?”
“I’m thirty years old. I can’t claim to be innocent or pure. Far from it. I’m ambitious and determined to have my own way. Once I set my mind to do something, no one can stop me. But I’m not a hooker.”
“Whatever you are, you’re too damn pushy.”
Bold she’d always be, and she believed in going after what she wanted. She wanted Bryan. “I know.”
She put her hands on his chest, felt his strong heartbeat, the clench of muscles. He gripped her wrists, holding her still, ready to put her away from him.
And a woman burst into the room.
Huge green eyes took in the kitchen scene in a flash as she skidded to a halt. With an expression of delight, she leered at the preacher. “Hey, sweetcheeks. You weren’t about to do something naughty, now were you?”
Shay stared. The woman looked to be in her mid-twenties, had dark red hair sprayed and gelled and teased to stand out like a wavy halo around her oval face. Her lips, painted crimson and with enough shine to blind passersby, were open in a wide smile. She wore a white tank top with no bra, and her stretch shorts were much too short, proving she didn’t wear underpants. Paired up with chunky wedge sandals, it was quite an eye-catching outfit.
Aggrieved, Bryan said, “Morganna,” by way of greeting. “I was about to call you down to ask if you’d show Shay a room to use. She’s moving in.”
Cocking out one well-rounded hip, Morganna teased, “Yeah, sure, dollface. That’s what it looked like you were gonna do.”
Bryan winked at her, which seemed to startle the woman, then he disengaged Shay’s hands. “I’m heading out. Morganna, help Shay get settled in, okay?”
“You betcha.”
Shay almost panicked. “But where are you going?”
Morganna snorted. “He’s afraid of gettin’ raped if he hangs out with us at night. Not that I blame him.” She gave Bryan a lingering once-over, then blew him a kiss. “It’s a waste, not to be using that prime bod.”
“Behave, Morganna.”
“Now, sugarplum, what fun would that be?”
Bryan gave up with a rusty chuckle. “Lock the door after me, and remember—”
“Don’t open it to no one unless I know they’re supposed to be here.”
“Exactly.”
Shay watched him stride off, and not once did he look back at her. She didn’t realize her expression was so wistful until Morganna rudely elbowed her in the side, nearly knocking her off her feet.
“You’re gawking, tootsie, but then, that man is fine to look at, isn’t he?”
“He’s gorgeous.”
“Yeah, but don’t waste your time. Even when the offer is free, he never touches any of us, except to joke around every now and then, or to offer a shoulder to cry on. Besides, that man is made of ice. I swear, it doesn’t matter what a body does to try to attract him, he just treats us all like pals, or little sisters maybe. Now I ask you, do I look like anyone’s little sister? Hell, no.”
Shay felt herself warming inside. Bryan had covered his reaction well in front of Morganna, but the kiss he’d given her earlier hadn’t been friendly or familial. It had been hot, assuring her of eventual success.
In a fine frame of mind now, Shay turned to address Morganna. This is what she’d been waiting for, a chance to get to know the women. How was it Bryan had put it? Oh yes, she’d now be working in the field. The idea was almost as exciting as Bryan himself.
She sent a beaming smile to the younger woman. “Why don’t I make some tea and we can get to know each other a little better?”
Eyeing her up and down, Morganna said, “My, you’re a fancy one, ain’t you?”
Shay blinked, unsure what that meant. “I, ah…”
Morganna curled her lip in distaste. “Sweetie, if you want me to choke down tea, we’ll have to spice it up a little.” She moved the stepstool so she could reach a cabinet over the refrigerator, and drew out a bottle of whiskey, waving it toward Shay with a happy grin. “This is guaranteed to help a body sleep on a miserable night like tonight.” She climbed down and went for some teacups. “A little of this mixed in our tea and we’ll be able to get to know each other real well in no time at all.”
It was an offer Shay couldn’t refuse.
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