The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(42)

“Always so formal.” Tag sat in the guest chair in front of his brother’s desk. “I’m going to Hawaii in a few days, so I’ll miss the next board brouhaha.” He tossed the folder in his hand on Reese’s desk. “Details about what I’m doing there, if they care.”

Reese chuckled, warmth lighting his eyes. Maybe it was the infusion of sunlight bouncing off the buildings and the white, reflective snow, but his brother looked lighter lately. Less worried.

“How are things?” Tag asked.

“Things?” Reese closed the folder and set it aside. “Meaning?”

“With Merina. You seem…weird,” he said, using Reese’s words from the other day.

“Ha-ha.”

“Good, though?” Tag asked. “I mean, you seem good. It’s nice to see you happy.”

In a rare moment of sharing, Reese said, “Merina makes me happy.” Then his smile wiped away when he tacked on, “Had no idea what a miserable bastard I was before she came into my life.”

“I did.” Tag smiled, and in a snap, his brother and he were back on familiar ground. Either of them would go to battle for the other one, but they always gave each other hell.

“How long will you be on Oahu?” Reese asked.

“Week. Maybe two.” Tag averted his eyes. “Depends on how long my advisor wants to stay.”

“Calling in help, eh? Who is she?” His brother’s eyes twinkled.

“It’s not what you think.”

“You’re not looking to have some fringe benefits while on the island?” One side of Reese’s mouth lifted.

“She’s in the business.” Tag’s defenses rose, more because he didn’t want to admit that her pleasure was mostly why he wanted her to go.

Reese blew out a breath from his nose. “Well don’t take advantage of the poor girl so you can get laid.”

Offended, Tag bit out, “I already got laid.” The word sounded crude, so he rerouted. “Made love—whatever.” He felt his face warm when he mumbled, “Have some respect.”

Reese wasn’t often flustered, but his succession of quick blinks when Tag glanced back at him did showcase his surprise.

“This is new,” Reese drawled.

Tag shifted uncomfortably.

“Don’t you usually wiggle out of further commitment at this point? Disentangle yourself with a wink and one of those here’s-looking-at-you-kid taps to her jaw?”

“Not…always.” But most of the time. He wasn’t a one-and-done freak like Reese used to be before Merina, but Tag had never made it a habit to stick around. Where Rachel was concerned, he wasn’t in a hurry to see her go. Different, true. But it was what it was.

“What does she do besides what she does with you?” Reese leaned back in his chair, amused. Tag wished he’d have handled this with an email instead of stopping by.

“Rachel is a bartender with a background in marketing. She is very skilled at what she does.” In and out of the bedroom, he thought, and then quickly buried a budding smile. He’d never been so invested in a woman’s pleasure before Rachel. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told her only satisfied women left his bed, but when it came to Rachel, “satisfied” didn’t cover it. He wanted her thoroughly sated, boneless. Deliriously exhausted.

He put a finger to his lips to suppress a grin.

“A bartender,” Reese repeated, and Tag realized he’d spaced out there for a second.

“She’s smart. And she used to work at the Miami Winshop. She gave me some insight.”

At the mention of Winshop, Reese perked up. “Nicely done. We could use insight on our competitors.” He scooped up the folder and stood, stopping a few inches in front of Tag. “You know, if you like this woman, it’s okay to admit it.”

Tag shook his head. “You know the deal. Cranes play fast and loose.”

“You’re the one who used the term made love,” Reese said, slapping Tag on the arm with the folder. “Have a great trip, baby brother.”

Reese exited the side door, sending a know-it-all big-brother smile over his shoulder before he left. Then Tag was alone in the office, staring out the windows and feeling like “fast and loose” may have described him before he met Rachel, but now not so much.

He stood and walked out, muttering, “Made love” with a low chuckle.

Bobbie sent him a displeased frown.

“Later, sugar,” he said with a wink. No smile, but he’d swear a blush highlighted her slackened cheeks.

*



“It’s impossible to pack for this trip!” Rachel shouted from her room in Bree’s apartment.

Bree appeared around the corner, pulling her hair into a ponytail for her shift this evening. “What do you need? Raid my closet.”

“I…I don’t know.” Rachel gestured at the uninspiring wardrobe hanging in front of her. “T-shirts, long-sleeved T-shirts, leggings, a random dress I wore to a wedding a year ago. Wait, no…two years ago. And an array of black pants and blouses that are definitely boring with a capital B.” Aghast, she regarded her friend. “This is not the closet of a woman heading to Hawaii with a billionaire!”

“He wants you naked, Rach.” This helpful hint came from Dean, who walked by the doorway brushing his teeth. He spared her a foamy-mouthed smile.