15 Minutes (Time for Love 4)

“What have you done since graduation?” he asked, cutting me off.

I sat there silently, until he raised an eyebrow at me, and I asked haughtily, “Oh, am I free to speak now?”

He grinned sardonically, throwing me off balance again, and nodded.

“After graduation, I was with Scott, so I attended events with him, and his mother, and did what I could to help him be successful.”

“Sounds gratifying,” he said sarcastically, causing my hackles to rise again. “And, since you and Scott broke it off?”

“Well, once his mother realized that Scott wasn’t taking me back, I stopped getting calls to attend charity events with her. And I’m obviously no longer on Scott’s invite list, so … nothing,” I replied, and once the words left my lips, I realized how true they were, and I was embarrassed.

Had I really been doing nothing the last few months? I’d gone to yoga, spent very little time with my family, and had read numerous books, but other than that … nothing.

I didn’t realize that I’d hung my head until Brock’s finger was at my chin, lifting it up to bring my gaze to his.

“So do something,” he said softly. “Come by the office tomorrow and take a look. I’ll show you what I have in mind, and you can tell me what you think. No pressure … Just give it a shot.”

As I thought about what he was offering, I realized if I took the job he was offering, it would mean that I would be seeing a lot more of him. The thought excited me as much as it terrified me, and I knew I would be accepting another one of Brock’s propositions. It seemed like he saw me in a way that no one else ever had. Not my family, not other men … not even myself, and although it may be against my better judgment, I wanted to see what else he had to offer.

Chapter 7 – Brock

I was talking on the phone in my office, staring out the window, when Brady cleared his throat to get my attention and told me that Victoria was there. I held up my finger to indicate I would be there in a minute, then turned my attention back to the phone call.

Carson Brandt was the CEO of Brandt Industries, and Scott’s boss. I’d met him at the opening of C.T. Custom Body Shop, Cal and TJ’s place, and was surprised to see a message from him waiting on my desk when I’d arrived this morning. It seemed he was expanding and had acquired some new property, and when he’d mentioned wanting to repaint, Scott had recommended me.

“Yes, Mr. Brandt, Thursday at ten a.m. sounds perfect. I’ll be there,” I said in response to his question about my availability to have a meeting to go over his expectations.

“Wonderful, I’ll see you then, Brock,” he said in parting, before hanging up the phone.

I stood there for a moment, grinning out my window, as I thought about what a contract with Brandt Industries could mean for O’Malley Brothers. When I walked out to the front to greet Victoria, I was still riding the high of the phone call. So, it was without even thinking that I walked straight to Victoria, barely registering the shock on her face, before I dipped her low and covered her lips with mine.

The kiss was one of joy, not passion, but I enjoyed the softness of her lips, and her small gasp of surprise, before I righted her and pulled away, smiling down into her perfectly made up face.

“C’mon back¸” I said, taking her hand in mine and leading her toward my office. “Hold my calls,” I added to a smirking grinning Brady.

“Good call?” he asked as we passed.

“I’ll tell you all about it,” I replied as we walked out.

Victoria remained quiet as we walked down the hall, and I thought back to the end of our date last night. When we got back to her condo, I’d walked her to the door and kissed her softly on the lips, before reminding her to stop by the office today and wishing her a good night. She’d stood on the steps, obviously confused, and I’d had to bite back a smile as I jogged back to my truck. I knew she’d expected me to try and come in, continuing our date after dinner, but I didn’t want to rush things. I knew the end result would be even better with a little anticipation. So even though my body had been taut with need, and I’d wanted nothing more than to ravage her against her front door, I’d controlled my urges and left.

I hadn’t been entirely sure she’d show up this morning, but I could admit that I was really pleased that she had.

“How are you this morning?” I asked as I shut the door to my office.

Victoria slowly turned, looking around the room, before her eyes landed on me and she asked, “What was that all about?” She waved a hand toward the front office.

“I just got off the phone with a possible new account. A big one. I’m pretty stoked about it, and when I saw you standing there, looking so very kissable, I went with my instinct.” I said this in a low tone as I slowly stalked toward her. Her body stiffened at my tone, and she watched me approach her warily, as if she wasn’t yet sure how to handle me.

That was good. If I had any hope of breaking through her well-built barriers, I needed to keep her on her toes.

I stopped a breath away from her, making her tilt her head back to maintain eye contact, and I put my hand up to run it down her silky sable hair, my gaze following its descent.

I tipped my head down toward her, stopping right before our mouths met, and asked, “Did I make you uncomfortable?”

Her violet eyes darkened as the heat from my breath caressed her lips, and she shook her head slightly.

“Embarrass you?” My eyes searched hers.