brother?"
He smiled pleasantly, ignoring the stab of pain that came from Jackson's barb. Didn't they ever let up? He supposed on some level he deserved it, but he'd like to forget his sordid once in a while. Especially when he was turning over a new leaf.
Sort of.
"Good morning Daniel."
He nodded cooley at his eldest brother.
"Jackson."
Jackson just raised an eyebrow and sipped his coffee.
The door bell rang.
She was here.
He got up to meet her.
"Are you expecting someone Jake?"
"Yes. A friend. I promised her a job."
"You did what?"
Daniel and Jackson followed him to the front entry hall. Kemper, their butler, had already opened the door. A big eyed beauty stood there, looking around in wonder.
His big eyed beauty.
He smiled at her, trying not to look love sick. Even if he was. Nobody else had to know how bad he had it.
Especially not Elle.
"You made it."
She just blinked at him, looking a little shell shocked. He knew his house could be pretty intimidating. Maybe he should have warned her.
"Now look Jake you can't just bring one of your trashy girlfriends here."
She stiffened up and gave Jackson a look that could have frozen boiling water. He remembered how hard she'd slapped him. He could only hope he never pissed her off when there was a weapon around.
"Shut up Jackson."
"Jacks- that's our waitress from the club remember?"
He silently thanked Daniel for his memory. Daniel had a way of smoothing things over. But it was too late to stop Elle from stomping her little foot in aggravation. It was too cute for words.
"I am not his girlfriend! I was told there was a job here. I guess I was mistaken. Good day."
She nodded and turned to the door, yanking it open. Jake ran to stop her from leaving.
"I got you a job. Here."
She gave him a glare and stepped out of the house onto the front portico.
**********
"Elle, wait!"
Jake was behind her, not leaving her alone. The taxi that brought her here had already left. And it was starting to rain.
Fantastic.
Oh well, might as well have it out before she got sopping wet. That would happen soon enough. She turned to look at Jake.
"You live here."
He leaned against one of the columns and smiled at her.
"Uh huh. Sometimes, anyway."
Sweet Mary. Jake wasn't just rich. He was rich rich .
And he was having an awful lot of fun at her expense!
"What is this? Did you bring me here to humiliate me then?"
"No! I promised you a job. We're always looking for good people. Isn't that right Jackson?"
She turned. His brothers were watching the whole exchange through the open door. This kept getting better.
They looked so rich and handsome standing there in their fine clothes. It made her feel like a sad sack of potatoes in her second hand skirt and blouse. She glared at Jake again, wishing she had stronger shoes on.
If she did, she could kick