Bargaining with the Boss (Honeybrook Love, Inc. 2)

He paused for a moment. There was no way his brother could know about Brooks’ relationship with Natalie, not unless she’d told Rachael, and she’d sworn that she wouldn’t.

They’d kept it cool around the office, too. He barely even got to see her anymore, and on the off chance he did, they never dared make eye contact.

“Who said it was Natalie?” He tried for his best casual voice, but Garret only rolled his eyes.

“Do you take me for an idiot? You haven’t been out in public, you haven’t been hovering around her desk like a sick puppy, and now you’re handing in reports on time.”

Brooks gritted his teeth. No sense in denying his brother’s assumptions, but that didn’t mean he had to affirm them, either. "Why

I've been distracted is none of your goddamn business. Just go back to planning your wedding and leave me to take care of this, okay?"

Garret stared at him for a long moment, then gave him a curt nod and headed for the door.

Just as he was about to reach for the handle, though, it flung open, nearly slapping him in the face as Natalie burst through the door.

"What's your angle?" she said, and then blushed when she realized Garret was standing there.

He smiled, then headed out without a word.

When the door closed behind him again, she repeated herself, "what's your angle?"

"No angle." He held up his hands and tried to bite back the smile that was tugging at his lips. If he grinned, it'd be that much harder to convince her he wasn't up to anything.

"I'm not having sex with you on your desk."

"How about on the floor?" He raised his eyebrows. It was too hard to resist the temptation to tease her.

"Nowhere in the office. We've been over this. I swear, Brooks, if—"

"Hey, hey, hey, cool it. I only wanted to ask if you'd mind changing our plans this weekend?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"The charity gala is this weekend and I was wondering if you might go with me?"

"I thought you—"

"Hated it? I do, but Franco Del Rossi wants to meet and discuss terms for coming on with us as a client. I thought you might be interested in joining that discussion."

"Franco...but I told you, we don't have a bargain.”

"I know that, but a client is a client. What do you say?"

She chewed on her bottom lip. "People will see us there together."

"Yes, they will. But I want them to. I know you're nervous, but I'm sick of pretending I'm not with you. I want to show you off."

"I don't know."

"Well, think about it, okay? I do have to go regardless, but I would rather it was with you."

She nodded slowly, and then turned on her heel to leave.

"Hey, I didn't upset you with this, right? I thought you'd be happy to--"

"No, no, I'm fine. Really."

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