“Someone needs to keep the resort going.”
Wes ignored Levi’s jab. “Whenwasthe last time you got laid? Maybe that’s what you need. You’re turning into a prude.”
Levi didn’t answer. Because the last time he’d hooked up was before his accident. Going on eleven months now. And contrary to what his brother believed, Levi wasn’t feeling pure at the moment. If Wes only knew how immoral Levi’s thoughts leaned toward his assistant, he would be razzing Levi for an entirely different reason. Between his past with Lisa and Emily being his subordinate in the workplace, he was fairly certain he’d be crossing moral lines.
Only problem? He damn well didn’t want to see Emily dating anyone else.
He balled his hands into fists and took a deep breath. He wasn’t supposed to care if Emily went on dates. He was supposed to forget about their lapse in judgment last night and return things to normal. He shook his hands out. This was the right thing to do—to let her go.
Let.As if he had a say in whom she dated.
He needed another beer. Maybe if he hounded his brothers abouttheirindiscretions, he could forget about the one he wanted to commit. Again.
Wes’s gaze narrowed on Levi in a way that made him leery. “Your velvet hammer put her tiny foot down at the ball last night. Ruined a perfectly good hookup.”
Warmth bloomed in Levi’s chest. Emily was tough…and hot, and sweet. She tasted good too.Dammit.
It didn’t matter that she wasn’t his normal type. Emily was a paperclip counter list maker, who could hold her own against his unruly brothers, all with a genuine smile. And she’d been kind to Grace this afternoon—his old, slightly arthritic, and not always fresh-smelling dog.
His lips twitched as he remembered how he’d found them this evening. Emily knew enough to not let his brothers walk all over her, but she’d bent over backward for his gentle dog.
“What are you smiling about?” Wes looked appalled.
Levi coughed into his fist. “Nothing. The point is, Dad knew what he was doing when he hired me, and Emily’s been a big help. I’m glad she put you in your place.”
“Whatever.” Wes slid a lopsided grin toward a blonde at the bar, and the woman grinned back.
“We all need to remain focused,” Levi continued. “We could learn a thing or two from Emily’s approach to her career. Although…”
Wes must have scented something. His head swung around. “Although?”
“Emily’s, uh, you know… She’s out tonight too.” His voice came out strangled.
Wes leaned forward. “Your little workhorse has a hot date? Huh. Good. She needs to get laid as badly as you do.”
Levi gripped his knees beneath the table. “She does not need—”
“What about her?” Bran said to Wes, gesturing with a subtle nod to an area across the room. “No, not that one…the one by the door.”
Wes’s gaze took in the woman in question. “Not bad.”
The woman Bran had gestured to was pretty—dark hair, full figure. Just the kind of woman Levi used to pursue. Now he wasn’t interested in anyone who wasn’t smart, sweet—yet hard-assed when she needed to be—and kind to dogs. But Levi had a bad track record with serious relationships. He couldn’t afford something like that setting him off course. Which was another reason why pursuing Emily wasn’t in the plans.
Wes shook his head. “I’m in the mood for a blonde tonight. Had a brunette last week. I need to switch it up or I get bored.”
“Dude.” Hunt, who’d slipped in while Levi was silently brooding over Emily, looked surprised. “You’re getting worse than me.”
Wes’s attention slid back to the blonde at the bar. “No one’s as bad as you.”
Hunt grinned wolfishly. “True.”
“You’re all pigs,” Levi murmured.
Hunt, Wes, Bran, and even Adam, who’d remained quiet the entire time, checking his watch every few minutes, stared at him.
“What?” he said sharply.
Wes looked to Adam, who set his beer on the table and sat forward.
