There were more comments to sift through now, and I dutifully noted the top three, holding up the sheet of paper for him to see.
Every time he glanced directly at me, I felt myself blush. Jeez, what’s wrong with me? Can the guys tell? Brayden, of course, noticed. There was a playful twinkle in his eyes that was just for me, I was sure of it.
Oh, this man! He could make me lose my train of thought, even when I was on the job.
I resolved to simply not look at him again while the other guys spoke to the camera. But I could feel him watching me. I had no idea how it was possible, but I felt as if it was a physical force wrapping around me.
I focused on the screen, right until the band bid their goodbyes.
“This was fun,” Lars exclaimed. “Isabelle, you’re so much better at this than Sasha. It would be great if you could moderate more of our group videos.”
“Yes, I agree, Isabelle. You should,” Brayden said, flashing a devastating smile.
“I want a snack from the kitchen,” Lars said. “Anyone else?”
Thomas and Harvey went with him, but Brayden stayed put.
Once we were alone, he walked straight to me.
I pointed at him. “Mr. Clarke, you are being bad.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know. But I have several things in mind. You won’t like any of them.”
If possible, his smile was even more smug. “Judging by the way you’re blushing for me, I think I will.”
He held a hand firmly on my waist, brushing his thumb back and forth over my rib cage. “I meant what I said on that video, Isabelle. Meeting you has changed something in me.”
“And now you’re trying to make me swoon.”
“I do what I can.” Grinning, he touched my lips with two fingers, leaning in. His intent was clear.
“Stealing another kiss? What’s this one for? And don’t say good luck.”
“I’ll think of a reason... after I have my fill of you.” His eyes twinkled as he pressed harder on my lips and tightened the grip on my waist, leaning in. He’d barely touched his lips to mine when I heard Lars’s voice.
“Holy shit!”
I winced, immediately turning in the direction of the voice. Lars hadn’t returned alone. The whole band was there. They gaped wordlessly.
Brayden put an arm around my shoulders. “Yes, this is happening. I’m not going to tolerate anyone giving us shit.”
“Wait a second,” Lars exclaimed. “How long has this been going on? The evening of the party, I thought something was up. Tell me you didn’t have sex in the rehearsal room. It’s off-limits. Even your personal one.”
I groaned.
“What part of ‘don’t give us shit’ didn’t you get?” Brayden asked.
Harvey held up his hands. “The man just asked a question. And if anyone cares, I don’t really mind.”
“No one cares,” Lars and Thomas said at the same time.
I felt my cheeks getting hotter by the second. But I was also relieved that the guys were easygoing about this.
“Does Sasha already know?” Harvey asked.
Brayden shook his head. “Not yet.”
Lars frowned. “Isabelle, you’ll have to be prepared for any reporters who might approach you. Do you have a good security system?”
“I don’t need any of that,” I said.
Brayden was silent. I looked up at him.
“I’d feel much better if you had an alarm system at your office and also at your apartment.”
“But there’s a doorman in front of my office building, and I’m on the seventh floor. And even in my apartment, I’m not on the ground floor. I don’t have a doorman there, but how is anyone supposed to come into the building?”
“The press has a way of getting what they want. Fans can also get creative.”
“No one is going to be interested in me,” I insisted.
Brayden caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “You can never know for sure. I’d feel much better if you installed alarms.”
“Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll talk to my brothers. They put the alarm in my apartment in Philly, so I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”
“Sounds good.”
I grinned. “I can imagine their reactions when I tell them I need alarm systems because of the guy I’m dating. They’re going to want to meet you and roast your ass.”
“You seem very pleased about that.”
“Who? Me?” I tried to tone down my grin and failed. “Nah, not at all. But I’m remembering how hard they played their brother card when they thought a guy at a restaurant had a thing for me. Oh, this will be so much fun.”
Brayden glowered. “What guy? What restaurant?”
I could barely hold back a smile. “That’s what stuck with you?”
“Yes.”
“I stand corrected. I think the three of you will get along well. Perhaps a little too well.”
Chapter Eleven
Isabelle
Ian and Dylan were coming over to my apartment on Monday afternoon. I’d only told them that I wanted to put an alarm system in place. They’d been bugging me about getting one for so long that they didn’t even ask what had changed my mind. They were in for a surprise.
Brayden had spoken with Sasha on Saturday, telling her about us, and she’d already emailed me a list of things I needed to watch out for, such as paparazzi, as well as a list of standard replies to parrot back if they caught me off guard. This all felt a bit surreal.
Brayden was looking at my front door, explaining the kinds of alarm systems that would work here. I tugged at his hand, bringing one palm to his cheek and turning his face to me.
“No, don’t be all broody and serious. That’s my brothers’ job. I demand a kiss.”
“You demand it?”
I nodded excitedly. “Yes, for good luck.”
“What do you need it for?”
“I don’t. You do, but you just don’t know it.”
Brayden threw his head back, laughing. I rose on my tiptoes, kissing his Adam’s apple and his chin. He covered my mouth the next second. I braced my palms on his shoulders, pressing my thighs together. A deep throb pulsed through me already. I moaned, pushing my hips into him. Heat spread through me like wildfire, starting from my center.
Bringing a hand to my lower back, he slipped two fingers beneath the waistband of my jeans. He only brushed my skin, but it was enough for my senses to heighten. Every kiss was all-consuming, every single time.
My knees buckled lightly, but Brayden steadied me. “So, tell me about your brothers.”
“Well, they’ve had the software company for a few years. They were based in Washington and did well down there. Some of their clients also have subsidiaries in New York, so they decided to move here and expand the business a bit. I love them both to pieces, and I’m so happy we’re all here now.”
Brayden looked at me with warm eyes, pulling me against him. “You make me miss my family. And my hometown. I haven’t been there in years.”
“Why not?”
“It’s easier to keep them safe if they come to see me here. I do miss going home though.”