“Where’s the Ackerson contract?” Tristan called out. His fingers flipped through the cabinet with pure impatience. “It’s missing. Is anyone listening to me?”
“I am.” The throaty voice came from behind his left shoulder. The scent of orange blossoms and musk drifted in the air. It took him a moment to realize it was her. When had she stopped smelling like baby powder? And her high-pitched voice had somehow deepened, reminding him of smoke and sex. “Here it is. Cal had it to finalize some of the building permits.”
He spun around and found her way too close. Practically bumping into the cabinet, he took the file and tried to ignore the naked interest in her green eyes as she looked at him. That had changed, too. From a girlish adoration to a young woman’s eagerness to experiment. His pants tightened, and he barely held back an embarrassed flush. Holy shit, when had he started thinking of Sydney Greene as a woman? She was a baby, right? Well, not that eighteen was a baby any longer, but this shift of dynamics was starting to throw him.
She was off-limits, and he’d better get his shit together.
“Thanks. Sorry, I’m in a hurry.”
“You always are.” Her smile was less look at me and more I’m in charge. Even her wardrobe had changed. She’d taken to wearing business suits, with short skirts, white button-down blouses, and proper jackets. The combination had a strange effect of making him want to discover what lay beneath. Her bare legs and heels were now a tease. “Hey, I need to go over some things with you. Have time to share a sandwich with me?”
Uneasiness slithered down his spine. Of course, it was stupid. He usually shared lunch with Sydney when they needed to work. It was no big deal. “Sure. Order me a—”
“Chicken with roasted peppers. Got it.”
She tilted her head, and those curls slid over her cheek. He used to pull on them when he teased her. Lately he’d held back, because he wanted to linger and see if they felt as silky as they looked. “Yeah. Thanks.”
She retreated, her ass swinging, and he smothered a groan. If his brothers had a clue about the way his thoughts were rearing, they’d beat the crap out of him. His father, too. Sydney was like his daughter, and he treated her like a pampered princess. And his mother? Well, his mother already seemed to suspect his sudden interest. The last time Syd had come to dinner, Diane spent most of the night staring at both of them with a thoughtful expression on her face.
Maybe he just needed to get laid. It had been a while.
He pushed away his confusing thoughts and worked for the next hour, trying to set up a proposal to get his father to finally allow him to flip a property and see how they could make money. It was getting old the way Christian only listened to Cal. Dalton was happy enough working on the wood aspects, but Tristan was left cleaning up all the leftover details, from paperwork and accounting to dealing with suppliers. He wanted to get dirty and renovate houses, implementing some new designs.
The door opened, and Sydney came in. As usual, she’d laid out the sandwiches on plates and plopped an iced tea on the blotter. She slid gracefully into the leather chair opposite his desk and glanced at her planner. He tried not to focus on the couple of inches of bare thigh exposed by her crossed legs.
“Your dad wants you to take a meeting tomorrow at three p.m. with the new granite place,” she said, pursing her red lips. When had she switched from bubblegum gloss? He shifted in his chair and grabbed his sandwich.
“Not doing it. I have a meeting to see if I can secure some property.”
A tiny frown creased her brow. “He’s gonna be mad.”
“I don’t give a shit. I’m getting tired of not having my voice heard around here. I’m not a lackey to take his meetings.”
Pure empathy radiated from her jade-green eyes. He relaxed an inch. Sydney always understood and backed him at every turn. Even now he could tell her brain was clicking to try to find a way to help him. “Do you want me to take the meeting? I can take notes, and if there’s a problem, I can text or call you.”
He could go toe-to-toe with his father again or allow her to do it. This time it’d be easier to keep the peace until he knew he could purchase the property. “Thanks, Syd. That would be great.”
“Welcome.” She smiled, and their gazes met, and his heart suddenly started beating way too fast. “I need to get out of here on time tonight, though.”
“Sure. Going out with your friends?”
“Nope. Got a date.”
He stilled. “Didn’t know you were dating someone,” he said casually. “What’s the matter? Hiding him from us for some reason?”
His teasing seemed to fall flat, but she just shrugged, shifting a little so her skirt slid higher. He couldn’t keep his gaze from flicking down for one brief moment. Her golden skin looked smooth and soft, and those wicked heels seemed too mature for her to wear. What was going on with her lately?
What the hell was going on with him? Sydney was . . . family. An annoying little sister but someone he loved. Lately she made him uncomfortable, and he didn’t know how to handle it.
“Christian wouldn’t approve,” she flung out. “He’s a bit of a bad boy. Rides a bike.”
A low growl rose from his chest. “Syd, that’s not a good idea. Where the hell did you meet him?”
“That bar down on South.”
His ears rang. His blood pressure cranked up a notch. “You’re not legal drinking age! Are you fucking kidding me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Tris, you and your brothers have been drinking at that bar since you were seventeen. I’m careful. I always go with a group of girlfriends.”
“Are they going on your date with you tonight?” A touch of bitterness leaked into his voice.
“No. But I can take care of myself.”
“No, you can’t, dammit. Cancel.”
Suddenly she leaned forward. Her proper white blouse gaped open, giving him a glimpse of her lacy white bra cupping full breasts. Dear God, when had she filled out? “If you want me to cancel, Tris, you need to give me a good reason.”
Shock hit him. The woman across the desk was barely recognizable, from her flirty eyes to her pouty mouth and crackling sensuality. For a while, he couldn’t move. He just stared into her heated green eyes and fought a surging arousal that was strangling him, pulling him down into a seething pit of pure temptation. He imagined himself walking around his desk, pulling her to her feet, and taking her mouth in a punishing kiss.
He also knew she wouldn’t fight him. Oh, no, she’d open her mouth under his and take his tongue deep and arch into him, her hot little body for the taking.
Because she was meant for him.
The shock morphed into panic. His sandwich dropped from his hands, and he rolled his chair back, desperately needing more distance. “Umm, how about we talk about this later? Listen, I’m sorry, I forgot I have to make an important call on this deal.”
Disappointment flashed in her eyes. “Sure. No problem.” She grabbed her stuff and stood up. “Let me know if you need anything.”