Billionaire Bear Brotherhood Box Set Page 4

  She hated herself for shuddering. This man had an absurd effect on her. She had to get out of here before she did something crazy like turn and meet his mouth with hers. "Fine. You can pick me up."

  His smile was slow and utterly confident. He had never doubted that . "Good. Then I'll see you Saturday."

  With a shaky hand, she scrawled her address on a piece of paper. She tried to recover some of her earlier swagger as she strode out the door without saying another word.

  It wasn't until she was back on the El train that she realized he hadn't answered a single one of her questions.

  #

  "He probably won't even show up," Skye said on Saturday afternoon.

  "Shut up," Maddy said, her voice muffled. She had ventured so deep into Skye's closet that Skye thought they might need a search and rescue team to drag her back out.

  "No, really," Skye continued. "That would be great, actually. I need to spend the night looking for another job. Clearly I'm not cut out to be a journalist."

  "Oh, come on. Remember how hard it was just to find him?"

  Skye sighed. She'd told Marcus that finding him was simple, but in reality it had taken calling in all her favors with the police department and two days of painstaking searches through the DMV database, not to mention a second trip up to Rothbury to look over the records at City Hall. "Yeah, and after all that work, what did I get? Nothing."

  "A-ha!" Maddy shouted, wiggling her way back out of Skye's closet. "I knew it was in here somewhere. You'll definitely get something out of him tonight, because you are going to wear ... this!"

  Maddy produced a sharp white dress. Although the neckline and hem were conservative, the curving seams and structured bodice made the dress undeniably sexy. The square neckline would accentuate her collarbones, while the surprising diamond-shaped cutouts at the waist highlighted her strong back.

  "I forgot I had that," Skye said.

  Maddy gave her an exasperated look. "I was with you when you bought this. It looked fabulous on you."

  Skye shrugged. "I don't have a lot of need for cocktail dresses when I'm schlubbing around the newsroom. And it's not like I've been on any fancy dates recently."

  "Well, you have one now," Maddy said, fairly dancing with excitement. "Come on, try it on!"

  "It's an interview," Skye insisted, hesitating to pull off her robe. Though she and Maddy had known each other forever, she still hated getting undressed when Maddy was in the room. She was so much bigger than Maddy, so much softer. She took a deep breath. She knew that insecurities only grew if you fed them. Steeling her courage, she dropped her robe.

  Maddy barely seemed to notice Skye's body as she zipped up the back of the dress. "It's just as good as I remember. Although, of course, you'll want to wear sexy underwear."

  "No, no sexy underwear. I don't need sexy underwear. No one is seeing my underwear tonight except me."

  "With a dress this shapely, you'll have to wear a thong," Maddy said. "And if you are going to wear a thong, then you might as well wear the matching push-up bra, right? It'll make the lines of the dress lie right where you want them."

  "You're evil."

  "You're a knockout," Maddy said with a grin. "Ooh, and you know what would be perfect ...." She dashed into the hallway and grabbed the faux-leather motorcycle jacket Skye had picked up on clearance. "Perfect. Just the right contrast. You look uptown and rock 'n' roll."

  Skye rolled her eyes. "I suppose you want to pick out my shoes, too?"

  "Your leopard print booties, of course," Maddy said, with the air of one who has to explain the obvious. "Go on, put on the sexy underwear. It's already five, and we still have to do your hair and makeup."

  "I've been doing my own hair and makeup for years, thank you."

  Maddy sighed. "I know. But indulge me. I found out today that I'm having yet another boy, and I really need some girl time to get used to the idea."

  Skye gasped. "Maddy! Why didn't you tell me? A boy," she said, laying her hands on her best friend's belly. Tears sprang to her eyes. "Another little boy."

  "I know." Maddy's eyes had gone a little misty as well. "He's healthy, and everything is going well, but I really hoped for a little girl this time."

  "Maybe you guys should go for four," Skye said.

  "Maybe," Maddy said. "Or maybe we'll just adopt a teenage girl instead."

  Maddy had said the words casually, but Skye knew that, for Maddy, it was an immense decision. "Are you sure you want to do that?"

  Maddy nodded. "It's what you and I always dreamed of, right? Nobody adopts older kids. I want to give someone the chance you and I never had."

  Skye couldn't speak, so she simply nodded.

  "And think, if we look for an older kid, I can skip all those diapers and late night feedings."

  Skye laughed. "And skip right to loud music and puberty."

  Maddy grinned. "She'll need a cool aunt who she can complain to. Do you think you can fill that role?"

  "I'd love to," Skye said, tears brimming in her eyes. "Are heavy emotional conversations a side effect of pregnancy hormones as well?"

  "Hey, I'm growing a human being inside me, I'm allowed to be sentimental." She hugged Skye. Though her head only came to Skye's shoulder, Skye felt supported all the same.

  "All right, that's enough of that," Maddy said, slapping Skye on the back like a coach. "We are in date night countdown. We have less than an hour to get you looking so fucking gorgeous he won't even know what hit him. You'll get the answers you want and wrap him around your little finger."

  Skye smiled. Maddy had always been bossy. "I told you, it's not a date. It's an interview."

  "Put on the sexy underwear anyway. I'll make you a little snack and a little drink so you're nice and relaxed when he gets here."

  When Maddy was gone, Skye contemplated her underwear drawer. Wearing sexy underwear didn't have to mean she was planning to sleep with Marcus. Or hoping to sleep with Marcus. Whatever. It just meant that she wanted to feel sexy for her own purposes.

  Maddy was right--the dress would look best without lines. She could wear any thong, but why not wear the black lacy one that had a little bow right at the top of her ass? She had bought it, she might as well wear it, right? And if it just happened to have a matching bra that made her boobs look fantastic, well, then, it was practical to wear them as a pair.

  And if, while she put on the sexy underwear, she imagined Marcus taking it off ... well. No one had to know but her.

  Chapter Eight

  Marcus

  Marcus knew that some people found his habit of being early annoying, but he couldn't seem to break it. He always liked to get the lay of the land before he went in to a situation, always wanted to have plenty of time to make sure he wasn't caught off guard. Some people might say that, as a child of an alcoholic, he needed order and structure to make up for the chaos of his teen years. Marcus preferred to think that he was simply prepared for anything.

  Like this date. All he had done was enter Skye's name into a search engine, which was normal enough. Maybe it had been a little excessive to read every article she had worked on for The Daily Gazette, and even some of the stuff she'd written for her college paper. But she was talented, and he enjoyed reading quality news.

  He'd clicked on her bio on the Gazette website--again, perfectly normal--and learned she grew up in Chicago. That was something they had in common. There was no mention of a family. Still curious, he had clicked on her social media page. He found himself relieved when she had a private page, because he wasn't sure he could have stopped himself from reading all of her posts and looking at all of her pictures. That's when he forced himself to close his laptop and go for a long run. It was one thing to be prepared, another to obsess.

  Besides, he had the property to obsess about. The owners had gotten wind of the rumor that he was intending to use the land for frakking, and they were balking on the sale. Marcus could have found another property, but the land outside of Rothbury had go
tten a grip on his mind. It had to be the next B3 retreat. He had to find a way to clear up this absurd story.

  He was hoping Skye would help him. He had to convince her to drop this investigation into B3. As soon as he did that, he was going to convince her to drop into his bed.

  Since he had met her, he was rethinking his stance on women. Did he really have to avoid all romantic relationships? He wasn't looking for a fated mate, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy spending time with a beautiful woman. And if that time included the sort of uninhibited sexual escapades that filled his imagination, even better.

  That didn't mean he was bound to her. That didn't mean he would be devastated to lose her. He was in control of his emotions. He would get his answers. He would deflect her questions.

  And maybe, just maybe, they could satisfy the lust that had sprung up between them.

  With every minute that ticked closer to their date, time seemed to slow. Finally, even though he was fifteen minutes early, he took the elevator down to his private underground garage. The burly SUV, the classy sedan, and his collection of vintage motorcycles all tempted him, but he chose his low-slung, gleaming black sports car. The car was sexy and powerful, which was exactly how he wanted Skye to think of him.

  He pulled up to the converted row house on a quiet residential street in the middle of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. It was a far cry from the wealthy, recently updated area where he lived. The houses were run down and the cars parked along the street were one step up from junkers.

  He glanced dubiously at the address on the sheet of paper in front of him, then up at the house it described. The paint was peeling beneath sagging gutters. She lived here? He couldn't say why the idea bothered him, but it did. He was aware that his wealth could easily insulate him from the reality of monthly expenses, but he had to think she could afford more than a couple of rooms in a falling-down house.

  His annoyance grew as he saw that her apartment, number four, was in the attic of the old house. The only way up was a set of rickety metal stairs bolted to the brick. Did she really carry groceries up these steps through Chicago's freezing winter? How had she managed to move in?

  She should have better. She would have better. He would make sure of that.

  His peeved scowl only deepened as he noticed the battered shutters and clogged gutters. Her landlord was a disgrace. He made a mental note to look up the property so he could find out who was supposed to be responsible for this place.

  At the top of the stairs, there was a welcome mat and a pot of cheerful flowers, but it couldn't hide the peeling paint. He was already irritated when he heard Skye's voice through the door. "Seriously, you've got to go. He'll be here any minute."

  A voice replied, too low for Marcus to make it out. "Well, I definitely don't want him to see you. Come on, get out."

  On the last words, Marcus heard a series of locks clicking open before Skye threw open the door. "Oh God, you're early."

  "I can go away, if you need to say a proper good-bye to your lover," he growled, annoyed that she looked so gorgeous. "Two dates in one day, very efficient."

  "What?" She gaped at him. "No. It's my friend, Maddy. Maddy, come here, you're about to get your wish!"

  A tiny blond woman came bustling down a clean, bright hall. "Ooh, did he drive up? Is he as hot as I remember? What's he wearing? Is he--" she cut herself short when she saw Marcus at the door. "Um. Hello."

  "Hello," Marcus replied. He was relieved enough to be amused at his own jealousy. "A pleasure to meet you, Maddy ...."

  "Carruthers." She giggled involuntarily as she laid her hand in Marcus'. "I'm delighted to meet you."

  "Well, Maddy, it was good to see you, but--"

  Skye was jiggling her bracelet again. He liked flustering her. "Well. I had no idea I'd find two beautiful ladies waiting here to meet me."

  Skye rolled her eyes, but Maddy had a huge grin on her face. "Skye, you can have Frank. I'll take this one."

  "Maddy," Skye said, the embarrassment in her voice clear. "Isn't it time for you to be going?"

  "Let me assist you down these stairs," Marcus said, just to see Skye's jaw clench. "I'm not entirely sure they're safe."

  "I was just telling Skye the same thing!"

  Marcus heard Skye snort as she headed back into her apartment.

  Maddy kept up a running conversation the entire way to her car, mostly about how wonderful Skye was. By the time he handed her into her car, Marcus was touched Skye had such a loyal friend.

  Marcus was examining the stairs when Skye began to descend with the grace of a queen. The white dress she was wearing highlighted every curve of her body. And God, that body. He would never understand what possessed women to wear high heels, but he surely appreciated it when they did.

  Her glowing skin was the color of the finest mahogany, while her hair--straight today--shimmered like silk. Was it any wonder he wanted to stroke his hands over her?

  "Did you fall in love with Maddy?" she asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

  He shrugged. "Doesn't everyone? I'm not in love with your living situation, though."

  She stopped short. "What's wrong with where I live?"

  "These stairs are dangerous. This place needs some serious maintenance."

  "It's cheap," Skye said defensively. "Besides, I like my apartment."

  "You should find something better."

  "Well, thank you for the unsolicited advice," she said, stalking past him. "Let's get this over with."

  Marcus sighed. It seemed he was always on the wrong foot with her. Time to start over. "You look incredible."

  "I'd prefer it if we kept things professional," she said primly, but there was a hint of pink in her cheeks

  He raised one eyebrow. "Does it make you uncomfortable that I think you're beautiful?"

  She jiggled her bracelet. Yep, he was definitely making her nervous. "No. But it would be unethical if we ... if you... I only agreed to dinner with you so you would answer my questions about B3."

  That stung. Somehow, in his excitement over the date, he had nearly forgotten he'd bribed her in to it. But he hadn't gotten where he was by backing down at the first sign of rejection. "You want me to be honest with you, right?"

  She nodded cautiously. He loved her hair curly, but it was lovely straight as well. "Well, honestly, I'm very attracted to you."

  Instead of being pleased, she looked suspicious. "You don't need to soften me up."

  He laughed. "There must be something wrong with me. I'm beginning to enjoy how prickly you are."

  "You don't need to flirt with me."

  "All right," he said. "Would you consider it flirting if I said I'd be willing to risk those stairs again if it meant we could be in your bed?"

  Her cherry-red lips parted in surprise. The blush was back. Would she be covered with that same warm flush when he was inside her? When she was screaming his name?

  He stepped closer. In heels, the top of her head came to his nose. He was glad he could easily look her in the eyes. "We could come back to your questions later."

  Her breath was coming in shallow pants, and in her eyes he read the same kindling desire that was already burning in him. He wanted to touch every inch of her body, learn what made her sigh and what made her moan. But first, he wanted to taste those lips.

  He was mere centimeters away when she put a hand on his chest. "No. Dinner first. I mean, dinner. Just dinner. Dinner and questions. That's it."

  He could see from the indecision in her eyes that if he pressed, he could have her. Just lean forward and capture that stubborn mouth.

  Instead, he settled for snagging her hand and brushing his lips over her knuckles instead. "I believe we agreed that I get to plan the evening."

  "Well, I hope dinner and questions are on your agenda, because they are definitely on mine." She tried to pull her hand from his, but he just shifted his grip and led her to his car.

  "Certainly." He opened the passenger door, helpi
ng her slide into the low seat. "The top item on tonight's agenda is to make sure you're satisfied."

  Chapter Nine

  Skye

  Skye gave herself a firm lecture in the car. She was already pushing the boundaries of her journalistic ethics by spending time with Marcus like this. He seemed to be bent on seducing her, and she had to put a stop to that. Yes, he was unbearably sexy. Yes, he was powerful and successful. That didn't mean she was going to give in to his charms.

  Even if her body was screaming for his touch.

  Now they were tooling through the city in a car that had probably cost more than her college education. He was making casual small talk, and she was managing to respond even though it seemed like her entire brain was occupied by his big hand on the shifter. Every time he changed gears, his hand brushed against her knee. It made her want to shiver.

  He drove the car skillfully, masterfully. Based on the fact that he could make her melt with desire with only a few words, she suspected that he would be just as skillful and masterful in bed. Everything she wanted out of this date--no, interview, she reminded herself firmly--could easily be washed away in a flood of arousal. She wasn't sure how much longer she could hold on to her composure.

  She wasn't sure she wanted to.

  She was concentrating so hard on staying calm that she didn't realize they had arrived at the restaurant until the valet opened the door. She took one look at his monogrammed uniform and blanched.

  "Alegria? I can't afford this place." The words were out of her mouth before she thought. She could have kicked herself for being so gauche.

  Marcus merely raised an eyebrow. "Good thing you aren't paying."

  "No. I can't let you pay for me."

  "Why not?"

  "It's not professional or ethical. Besides, I still owe you for the cab."

  He waved the valet away. "You've investigated me."

  "Yes."

  "Then you have some idea how much I'm worth."

  She lifted her chin. "I also know what I'm worth. I pay my own way, thank you."

  His slow smile threatened to start a meltdown inside her. "Tell you what. Why don't you pay for what you order, and I'll pay for what I order."