Against All Odds (A Brook Brothers Novel Book 2) Read online

  “You order for me.”

  He nodded, still keeping his gaze averted. He needed a couple more moments to gather himself. Now that they’d gotten the thorny issue of their working relationship out of the way—at least for the night—this felt much more like a date.

  “Anything to avoid?” he asked.

  “No. I’ll eat most things.”

  His abdomen clenched at the way she’d said ‘eat.’ He glanced up. The look in her eyes scorched him, and his pulse thrummed. She circled her middle finger around her wineglass before dipping it inside. With her finger covered in wine, she inserted it into her mouth and sucked.

  Fuck. His insides did a triple fucking salchow, and his cock hardened. “Are you flirting with me?”

  The briefest of smiles touched her lips. “I’m not going to embarrass myself by lying. You already know I’m attracted to you. But given the appalling way you have behaved toward me, the fact remains that I’m still not sure how much I like you. You said and did some very hurtful things in Chicago. I can’t simply push them aside as though they don’t matter, because they do.”

  A hot flush crept across his cheeks. Jesus. He never blushed, never got embarrassed or felt the need to apologize for his behavior, yet with that dressing down, he could have been back in high school, standing outside the principal’s office, awaiting punishment for picking on someone half his size.

  “Well, fuck,” he said, a tight ache spreading through his chest.

  “Your actions have consequences, Calum, and not everyone has the hide of a rhinoceros. Not even me, despite your beliefs to the contrary.”

  “You’ve made your point,” he muttered. “If it means anything, it didn’t feel good… what I did in Chicago. You pissed me off, and I retaliated. It was cruel, not clever, and I shouldn’t have done it. The professional thing to do would have been to speak to you about the email. I’m sorry.”

  Whoa, where did that come from?

  Laurella must have been as surprised as he was by the confession and subsequent apology, because her eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline, widening her eyes. “I didn’t expect that, but I appreciate it. And I accept your apology.”

  “Don’t worry. It won’t become a habit,” Calum said, teasing.

  Laurella smiled. “Shall we move on? Put it all behind us?”

  He nodded. “Let’s. I’m not exactly in my comfort zone here.”

  She tugged on her bottom lip, drawing his attention. He wanted to do that—with his teeth.

  “Hmm. Then maybe I’ll make you grovel a little longer.”

  He dragged his gaze away from her mouth. “Too late, sweetheart. Show’s over.”

  “In that case, you might as well feed me. I’m ravenous.”

  The way she said ravenous—a replica of eat earlier—gave the impression she wasn’t only referring to food. He swallowed hard and gestured to their server, who came scurrying over.

  Keeping his eyes fixed on Laurella, Calum barked out their order. “Two New York strips. Rare. Peppercorn sauce. Dauphinoise potatoes. Asparagus. Another bottle of wine, and the check.”

  He held out the menus. The waiter tucked them under his arm. He furiously scribbled down the order then dashed away.

  “Someone’s in a hurry. What if I want dessert?” Laurella said.

  Time to test the waters. “You’ll get dessert.”

  She blinked slowly. “What if I only want a sample?”

  He repressed a triumphant grin. “Then I’ll have to make sure it’s tasty enough for you to want to try the full-sized portion.”

  She giggled, a girlish sound that took years off her. She might only be thirty, but sometimes she acted much older, as though life had kicked her in the teeth one too many times, making her defensive and cautious.

  “If it’s anything like the first sample, I might be inclined to take a bite,” she said, obviously referring to their kiss in Chicago.

  “Oh, I can guarantee it’ll be better than that.”

  Her teeth grazed her bottom lip, and she looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes. Holy shit. Flirty Laurella was sexy as fuck.

  “How so?” she asked.

  He stroked his beard. “Because this time, I’ll mean it.”

  Another flash of hurt crossed her face. He winced. She might have agreed to leave it all behind them and accept his apology, but feelings cut deep, and he’d drawn blood. It would take a while for the wound to heal.

  “How will I know?” she asked bluntly.

  He reached across the table and took her hand in his. Lifting it to his mouth, he pressed a soft kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Believe me, you’ll know.”

  She shivered, and his pulse raced so fast that when their food arrived, he found he could barely get it down. Every mouthful seemed to take forever to swallow, and he drank more wine than he should have, trying to force the food past his dry throat. Laurella fared little better, toying with her steak, pushing it around the plate with her fork.

  When they’d both eaten enough to avoid the waiter asking if there was something wrong with their meal, Calum tossed some money on the table, waving away Laurella’s offer to pay her half. “I’ll put it on expenses. It was Zane’s idea we come out to dinner, so he can pay.”

  Outside the restaurant, Calum captured her hand in his. When she didn’t pull away, a thrill rushed through him.

  “Shall we walk?” Laurella asked “I only live a few blocks away, and it’s quite mild.”

  Calum nodded. “Spring’s finally on the way.”

  “Thank goodness. It gets much colder here than in Milan. Even though I spent my college years in Boston, I’ve never enjoyed the cold that much.”

  “I can’t say I mind it, although summer in New York is a great time of year. Too hot for some, but I like it that way.”

  “I’m looking forward to it, especially now that I don’t have to leave my job because of the annoying sales director.”

  Her sassy grin quickened his breath. He nudged his shoulder against hers, thrilled at this surprising turn in their relationship—one he certainly hadn’t anticipated. “Yeah. He’s a real asshole.”

  “Stronzo,” she said, outright laughing now.

  He drew to a stop and threaded his hands into her soft, silky hair. He paused, giving her the chance to move back or to tell him to get his hands off of her. She did neither.

  He tilted her head backward. “I know it’s supposed to be an insult, but said in your beautiful accent, it makes my cock hard.”

  Despite the street being full of people, as they stood there, staring into each other’s eyes, they could have been completely alone. Even when jostled, neither of them moved from their spot. And then slowly, so slowly, Calum lowered his head.

  The second their lips touched, Laurella wound her arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss, unconcerned by the fact they were in the middle of Fifth Avenue. This was New York. No one cared what anyone else was up to. A kiss, even one as passionate as this, would barely catch a glance from passersby.

  A soft moan broke from her throat, and she pressed herself closer to him. Her arms dropped from around his neck, and she buried them inside his coat, beneath his jacket. The warmth from her palms soaked through his shirt as her hands roved over his back.

  And then, without warning, she tore herself away. She stepped back once, then twice. Her chest rose and fell in time with his.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, concerned.

  She blinked slowly. “If I taste any more of the sample, I’m going to want to eat the whole pie, except I’m worried it will give me indigestion.”

  Calum chuckled, even though the pain from his erection straining against his zipper wasn’t remotely funny. “As much as I’m loving these food analogies, I need to translate to make sure I’ve understood. Can I?”

  She nodded.

  “Okay, so you liked kissing me, and you want to take it further, but you think it might be too soon, especially as just a few hours ag
o, we were close to killing each other. And after what I did to you in Chicago, you’re not sure you can trust me, despite my earlier apology.”

  She breathed in then grimaced. “That’s about it.”

  He cupped his hands around her face and pecked her softly on the lips. Slipping his arm around her waist, he began to walk. “Let me take you home.” She stiffened, and he gave her a squeeze. “I heard you. Loud and clear.”

  “And you’re not mad?”

  The uncertainty in her tone annoyed the hell out of him. His irritation wasn’t aimed at her but at what her anxiety signaled. He stopped again, forcing her to do the same. “I know there are men out there who believe no means yes. I’m not one of them. I like my women willing and agreeable.”

  She blushed, and he found it fucking adorable.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I think there’s a good person hidden in there somewhere, despite your determination to show the world the complete opposite.”

  Calum gave her a wolfish grin. “Who are you, and what have you done with Laurella Ricci?”

  She dug him in the ribs with her elbow, and he fake groaned.

  “I could say the same about you,” she said.

  They walked the rest of the way in a companionable silence, his arm around her waist, hers around his. Too soon for his liking, they arrived at her apartment building.

  “Well, this is me.” She looked up at him. The light from the street lamps cast her face half in shadow.

  “Want me to see you up?” he asked.

  “No, I’m good.”

  You got that right, sweetheart.

  “We didn’t talk about the proposal.”

  “No, we didn’t,” she said, pinning him in place with those soulful eyes. “What do you think we should do, Calum?”

  “I think we should meet in your office in the morning and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”

  Her mouth creased in thought. “Does such a thing exist?”

  He gathered her in his arms. Already, it felt as though she belonged there. “Believe me, Ricci, I can make it worth your while.”

  Her lips twitched. “I drive a hard bargain.”

  He circled his hips. “So do I.”

  She grinned. “Then bring your A game, Brook, and we’ll see who turns out to be the winner.”

  Calum bent his head until his lips were an inch from hers. “I have a funny feeling we’ll both win,” he said before he pressed his lips to hers.

  Chapter 13

  Laurella and Calum managed to get through the next few days with barely a crossed word. They compromised on the raspberry-gin deal. He conceded the exclusivity with Haltons, and they came up with a six-month transitional pricing deal, which the client had agreed to. They found time to grab coffee, but nothing more intimate.

  It was a crazy week, and even though peace had been declared, by the time Friday afternoon arrived, she was ready to drop. She was terribly excited about the upcoming weekend, though. Her youngest sister was arriving on Sunday for a few days before she started college. The downside to Alessia’s visit was that Laurella wouldn’t be able to see Calum. Still, she couldn’t wait to catch up with her sister.

  She had her head buried in a client proposal when her concentration was broken by a knock at her door. Laurella looked up with a frown, but that soon turned into a smile when she saw who’d knocked. So much had changed in such a short space of time that it made her head spin and her belly do weird flips.

  “What are you doing tonight?” Calum asked, stepping into her office.

  “I was planning a quiet night curled up with a good book. I won’t get much free time when Alessia arrives on Sunday.”

  A flash of disappointment crossed his face. “Oh yeah. I’d forgotten she was coming. Even more reason to spend the next couple of evenings with me. My brother, Nate, is visiting from California, but it’s a short trip. We’re having a family dinner tonight, and I want you to come with me.”

  She widened her eyes. “Me? Why?”

  He shrugged. “Why not? I warn you, though, things are a bit touchy between Jax and Nate. My younger brother has been a little difficult of late, and Jax is getting pissed off with his attitude. I can’t promise there won’t be fireworks.”

  “More hotheaded brothers. That’s quite a family you have there.”

  He grinned. “We’re all quite different, and if it weren’t for Jax, we’d probably only get together for holidays and the occasional birthday. But when our parents died, Jax was insistent we stick together. That’s the whole reason he bought the hotel with our inheritance. It’s a family business—a place for us all to gather and work toward a common goal.”

  “He sounds like an amazing guy.”

  Calum stared off into the distance, a slight curve to his lips. “Yeah. He is. Not sure what would have happened to us if he hadn’t stepped up to the plate.” He looked back at her. “You’ll come?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Great. Shall we say seven? I’ll pick you up on my way back from the gym.”

  She shivered with pleasure at the thought of Calum lifting weights, all hot and sweaty. She passed it off as a chill, rubbing her arms as if cold. “It’s okay. I’ll make my own way there.”

  Calum didn’t argue. “If you’re sure,” was his only comment.

  He turned to leave, and she dropped her gaze to his ass. He sure filled those pants well. A soft sigh fell from her lips, barely audible, but Calum must have heard. He glanced over his shoulder and caught her checking him out.

  He laughed. “Now, that’s made my day.”

  Laurella picked up a paperclip and threw it at him. It bounced harmlessly off his jacket. “Get out of here.”

  Calum’s continued laughter still reached her ears long after he’d left her office. Goddamn irritating male. Even with that thought, she couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from her face.

  Laurella didn’t see Calum for the rest of the day, but as she made her way home, her excitement began to build. She’d met Jax and Cole, of course, but that had been under very different circumstances. Calum inviting her for dinner signaled a shift in their relationship. Not that she’d go so far as to admit they were dating, but since their dinner a few nights before, and their subsequent compromise on how to manage the exclusivity deal, peace and harmony had reigned.

  The way he’d kissed her on Monday evening had set a fire within her, the flames burning out of control. Yet Calum exhibited remarkable self-restraint and hadn’t touched her after that. She’d expected him to want to move things along much quicker. In one way, she was glad. Since Vorino, she’d barely let a man come anywhere near her. In another way, the ease with which Calum was able to wait was driving her insane. She was ready to eat the whole pie. Calum wasn’t even offering a sniff of the pastry crust.

  You really need to stop thinking in food analogies.

  Later that evening, after sorting through her entire closet—most of which ended up in a heap on her bed—Laurella finally settled on a mulberry-colored pleated crossover dress that didn’t show too much cleavage and finished just at the knee. With the addition of black high-heeled sandals and a rhinestone clutch by an up-and-coming Italian designer, the whole ensemble fit nicely into the smart-but-casual bracket.

  After a short subway ride, she found herself outside the Miller-Brook hotel, nervous tension nibbling at her insides. Stupid really. Dinner with Calum’s family was hardly anything to get worked up over. The younger brother intrigued her. From what Calum said, he didn’t buy into the whole close-family thing Jax had going on. Laurella had instantly taken to Jax the one time she’d met him, as well as Cole. Calum was a different prospect altogether. He wasn’t someone who gave out a warm-and-fuzzy feeling, but the two of them seemed to be working out the kinks.

  She stepped onto the sidewalk, dodged around a throng of people spilling from the bar next door, and entered the hotel. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed, just as it had the last time. She glanced around for Calum but c
ouldn’t spot him. Heading into his living quarters seemed an invasion of privacy. She’d begun to walk toward the bar when an arm curved around her waist. She jumped.

  “So skittish, Laurella,” Calum’s deep-baritone voice murmured in her ear. Before she could respond, he twisted her in his arms and slanted his mouth over hers. “You taste as good as you look.” His hot gaze traveled from her toes to the top of her head.

  Her skin flushed at his appraisal. “Am I suitably dressed?” She smoothed her hands over her hips.

  “No,” he replied bluntly. Her eyes widened until he went on to say, “You’re wearing far too many clothes for my liking.”

  “Calum.” She lightly tapped his arm in reprimand. “I thought you were being serious when you said no.”

  His scorching gaze left burn marks on her skin. “I was.”

  She swallowed hard. Something had changed between them. The dynamic was definitely more sexual, as if both were waiting for a… release.

  He captured her hand. “Come on.”

  They walked into the living area, and Laurella instantly recognized three of the people: Jax, Cole, and Indie, Jax’s girlfriend. The fourth, she guessed, had to be Nate, a beautiful if rather sullen man who gave her a quick once-over before he returned to tapping on his cell.

  Jax, though, was as welcoming as he had been the first time they’d met. He beamed when his gaze fell on her hand inside Calum’s. “Laurella,” he said, walking toward them. He kissed her cheek. “So glad you could make it.”

  “Thank you for having me.”

  Calum eased her coat off her shoulders and hung it inside a closet on their left.

  “This is Indie,” Jax said, sliding an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders.

  Laurella couldn’t miss the darkening of Calum’s expression as he glowered at Jax’s girlfriend. Laurella glanced at him, puzzled, but he answered with a brief shake of his head.

  “Lovely to meet you,” Indie said, hugging Laurella warmly. “Any friend of Calum’s is welcome here.”

  “Unlike you,” Calum muttered. Either Jax and Indie didn’t hear him, or his obvious contempt for her was normal behavior and they had stopped paying attention.