Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

He might have been surly, but he was spectacularly handsome. Glenn had a boyish, all-American attractiveness, Chase Raven was all man. His dark hair was cut short on the sides and longer on top. He had gray eyes that were cool now, but I’d seen flashes of heat when Alex said something he didn’t like.

More than just his dangerously handsome face was his physical presence. He was tall and broad, but there was something about his attitude that made him feel larger than life. He knew he had power and control and wore it like a badge. It made him even more attractive. I had no doubt that he could have any woman he wanted and probably did.

I was almost disappointed to think I’d misinterpreted his raking stare because unlike the other men whose stares made me feel dirty, Chase Raven made me feel something different all together. Was it attraction? Lust? I wasn’t sure. The only thing I knew was that it was different from anything I’d felt around a man before, including Glenn.

But even if he did stare at me with desire, it wouldn’t matter. The policy was no fraternizing and Alex gave me the impression that Chase was all about rules. Wasn’t that why I was there in his office? So he could keep his brother from breaking them?

A few minutes later, someone arrived and hurriedly got me set up with a login on a laptop. He kept looking over at Mr. Raven, as if he expected him to pounce any minute. But Mr. Raven kept working at his desk without a glance in our direction.

Once I was set up, I read through all the materials, and then accessed the computer to research Raven Industries’ other marketing campaigns. I figured the more I understood about the company, the better the chance I’d have to create a plan Mr. Raven liked and hopefully earn a job when the internship was done.

About an hour later, there was a quick knock and then a man entered without Mr. Raven’s okay.

Mr. Raven’s expression was annoyed as he looked at the man.

The man glanced at me, and bit his lip like he was trying not to smile as he turned his attention back to Mr. Raven. “Got yourself an intern, I see.”

“Ms. Sheppard, this is my brother Ash. Ash, this is Ms. Sheppard, my intern.”

“Hello,” I said, noting he had the same dark hair as his brother. But Ash’s eyes were hazel not the cool gray of Mr. Raven’s.

“Nice to meet you,” he said to me. He looked back at Mr. Raven. “Dad will be so proud.”

Mr. Raven’s jaw tensed. “Yes. We won’t be sued because of Hunter.”

Ash laughed. “Yeah, right. Looks to me like you’re working on your inheritance.”

Mr. Raven stood. “Do you have any actual business, Ash or did you come for an ass-whooping?”

My eyes widened.

Ash smiled good naturedly and held his hands up in surrender. “I’m heading to 58th to see how the updates are coming.”

“Good,” Mr. Raven growled. “That project is behind. As it is, we won’t be opening during the summer.”

Ash’s jovial demeanor dropped. “Always the asshole.” He turned to me. “Good to meet you Ms. Sheppard.”

“You too,” I said.

When he left, I turned my attention back to my work.

“I’m sorry about that.”

I waved his comment away. “It’s none of my business.”

“Do you have siblings, Ms. Sheppard?”

I shook my head. “I have no one.”

His eyes widened and only then did I realize what I said and wished I hadn’t revealed so much. Women who had no support were the most vulnerable, at least that’s what I’d read.

“No one?” he asked.

“I have parents.”

His shrewd eyes studied me. “But you’re not close?”

I shrugged.

“Sounds like my family. I’d die for my brothers, but most of the time I want to kill them.”

I smiled. “Sounds like most families.”

“I guess you’re right.” He went back to his work, and I did mine.

At five he stood from his desk. “You can head home now, Ms. Sheppard.”

I was in the middle of working on the competitive analysis. “May I bring this home to work on it?”

“I don’t expect you to work beyond the hours specified in your internship contract.”

“But I’d like to.” It’s not like I had anything else to do. Or more accurately, I didn’t have money to do anything but sit at home.

“You won’t get overtime.” He said putting on his coat.

“That’s okay.” I started gathering the papers and powered down the computer. “Do you end your day at five?”

He shook his head. “At five I go have a drink with my father in his office. And then I’m back here.”

“I guess you have to work a lot to maintain an empire.”

He laughed. “Yes.”

“Your wife doesn’t mind?” I hadn’t noticed a ring, but many married men didn’t wear them.

He cocked his head to the side as if he wanted to assess what I was asking.