A Win-Win Proposition (Case Brothers 2)

“I thought I was your problem at hand.” She tried a smile.

His shoulders relaxed. “Only one of them.”

“Stop worrying so much,” she coaxed. “Enjoy the moment.”

“That’s not the way I work and you know it.”

“Maybe you should try something different and see how it goes.”

“I’d love for it to be that easy, but it’s not.” He carried her hand back to her side and patted it. “I’m not going to take advantage of the situation.”

No, he was too damned honorable to take advantage no matter how much she pleaded for him to do so. Why had she picked such an upright guy to get worked up about? Because his principles contributed to his appeal. She’d be proud to bring Sebastian home to meet her father. He would see the same admirable qualities she did and approve.

Too bad Sebastian was out of her league.

“Your mother spotted us,” she said, waving back at Susan.

Sebastian nodded. “Grab your drink. Let’s go.”

The air cooled dramatically without Sebastian’s warmth beside her. She trailed after him, her untouched orange juice clutched in her hand.

“Hello, darling.” Dressed in a black one-piece that showed off her athletic figure, Susan Case offered her cheek for Sebastian’s kiss. “Never expected to see you by the pool. Of course, you’re not really dressed for it, now, are you?”

“Not exactly.”

The easy affection between mother and son made Missy smile. Sebastian treated his mother with relentless charm. He was at his most unguarded around Susan. The first time Missy had ever seen them together had been the moment her hopeless crush on Sebastian had begun. Her brothers had been that way with their mother, reverent and affectionate. The same behavior spilled over into how they treated their wives.

She knew Sebastian would treat his wife with similar adoration if he ever married again. The thought hammered her confidence flat. No use wishing she could be the woman who captured Sebastian’s heart. He would probably choose someone like his mother. Sophisticated, elegant, gracious, and well connected. A nobody like her wouldn’t have a chance in hell of surviving in his circles.

“Sebastian, it was good of you to let Missy have some time off for a little fun. You work her too hard.”

“I didn’t give her time off,” Sebastian growled. “She took it.”

Susan’s brows rose. “Well, then good for her. You should follow her example. I’m getting tense just looking at you.”

No one but his mother could speak to Sebastian like that and get away with it. Missy bit the inside of her cheeks to contain a grin.

“Then perhaps I should return to work and leave you two to enjoy the sunshine.”

“You’re letting me stay?” Missy asked.

He shot his mother a severe look. “It seems I don’t have much choice.”

Susan watched the exchange with interest. When her son was out of earshot, she turned to Missy. “I thought he’d never go. Let’s order some cocktails. Then perhaps you’ll tell me what’s going on between you two.”

Sebastian had just finished up a conference call with Max and their financially troubled overseas supplier when his mother sauntered into the suite. She’d come straight from the pool and smelled of sunshine and chlorine. She loved the water and kept in shape by swimming two miles each day.

“Can you break long enough to take your mother to lunch?”

Sebastian checked behind her, half expecting to see Missy using his mother as a protective shield. “Just you?”

Sebastian cursed as speculation lit up his mother’s eyes. Sometimes her romantic nature went on overdrive. That was fine for Nathan, who was happily married. Or Max, who’d vowed loudly and often that he had no intention of ever tying the knot. But Sebastian had no issues with finding the right woman and settling down to raise a few kids. He just didn’t want his mother pushing available females at him while he searched.

“Just me.” His mother offered him an off-center grin. “I had a few things I wanted to discuss with you.”

Sebastian raised his eyebrows. “Such as?”

“Missy told me what happened last night.”