Over the Edge (Bridge #3)(7)

I moved quickly toward the car, needing to create space between us. But before I could slip away, he caught my wrist and spun me to face him. With a soft push against the car, Will had our bodies nearly touching.

“Will—” I gasped.

His heated gaze lowered to my lips. “If you won’t give me an answer tonight, how about a kiss?”

“No.” My voice was soft and uncertain.

“Dare I ask why?” He leaned in but didn’t make contact. His breath puffed softly against my cheek. His cool and woodsy scent drifted over me, making an indelible imprint on my senses.

The manageable measure of desire that had burned through my veins over dinner was spiking. A potent heat licked over my skin and settled between my legs. I swallowed hard, trying to find my strength. “Because if I kiss you, I may as well give you my answer now.”

“I fail to see the problem,” he murmured.

I placed a firm hand on his chest. “I think before I act, and you aren’t giving me time to think.”

He moved back slowly. Tension lined his shoulders and crept up to his jaw, as if he were restraining himself. “Then think. But I want an answer by tomorrow.”

“You’ll have an answer when I give you one.”

He tapped his watch twice. “Clock is ticking. Need to close up that wall for the next inspection.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could throw any more sass at him, he guided me into the car and tapped the roof to signal the driver to go.

As Will’s driver put the vehicle into motion, I relaxed against the cool leather and closed my eyes. I should have felt relief, but instead I was unsettled, stirred up with more emotions than I knew what to do with. All this and he’d barely touched me.

The prospect of letting him get any closer was frightening, and all too tempting.



“So where’d you go last night?”

“Huh?” I knit my brows together and glanced up from the haphazard sketches in front of me.

Maya, my very pregnant sister-in-law, joined me in her living room with a bowl of oatmeal in hand. “I saw you take off in a car last night. Hot date?”

She wiggled her eyebrows, and I tried not to laugh. Cameron emerged from the kitchen, the scowl noticeable on his face.

My smile faded. “More of a business meeting.”

“With?” Maya sank into the couch adjacent to me, rested the bowl on her belly, and took a spoonful to her mouth.

“Will Donovan. I met him at the new location yesterday. He wanted to discuss…some design direction with me.”

I felt guilty for lying, but if Cameron knew, his reaction would be murderous.

“And how did that go?” Cameron’s deep voice filled the room, his overprotectiveness not to be missed.

“Fine. I noticed some of the build-out wasn’t going to plan. I voiced my concerns, and he’s agreed to give me creative control.” As long as I agree to sleep with him.

I wanted to flog myself for even considering it, but I’d woken up with Will’s proposition as prominent in my mind as it had been when I’d driven away from him last night.

I’d cycled through all the emotions. Fury that he’d be so bold to think I’d ever consider it. Frustration that bringing up his bad behavior to my brothers would only hurt the project that we’d all invested so much into. And finally, a spark of intrigue at what such a misadventure could be like.

He frowned, and for a second, I worried he could see the truth written on my features.

“He picked you up in a private car to give you creative control over his investment?”

“Something like that,” I said, my voice light.

“So what did you think about him?” Maya asked.

I shrugged. “He’s okay. Kind of cocky.” And rude. And incredibly sexy.

Maya snorted. “Typical finance guy.”

“He’s a real estate developer. And typical or not, he’s the one who’s putting his money on the line,” Cameron said.

He was right, and I probably should have cared more about Will’s very important investment. But in this moment, I was more concerned about the way my body paid attention when he was near. His easy and confident way irritated me as much as it aroused me.

“He was making changes to the plans,” I said, without looking at my brother directly.

“If it’s a problem, I can step in, Liv. This needs to stay on schedule.”

“I’m aware of that. So is Will. Trust me,” I said, hoping to reassure him.

His expression remained taut. “Okay. Well, keep me in the loop.” He softened when he leaned down to kiss Maya. “I have to head to the gym and take care of some things. You okay?”

“I’m good.” She smiled, her brown eyes glittering when they met his concerned expression.

He gently rested his hand on the swell of her belly. “Call if you need anything. Anything, okay?”

“I promise. I will. Now go to work, and I’ll try not to go into labor while you’re gone.”

He kissed her again and left us.

When the door clicked shut behind him, Maya blew out an audible breath. “Sorry. He’s gone into big-brother-overprotective-daddy mode lately.”

“I know. He’s always been like that. Probably will only get worse now.”