“My specialty is breakfast and grilling,” Colton replied. “Picnic prepared by Elliott and Shane.” They filled their plates and dug in.
“Tell me about your life prior to Porter, Gabriel and Sethfield,” Colton said after they’d sampled everything.
Oh, God, no.She poked at the potatoes. “Nothing much to know. Why do you ask?”
“I’m interested. Where are you from?”
“Earth.” She white-knuckled her cloth napkin.
“Well, that’s a comfort. Can you narrow it down for me?”
“America.”
“How did you find your way to being a wealth manager?” He popped a chicken bite into his mouth.
“I like helping people realize their dreams of having long-term financial peace of mind.”
Colton smiled. “You do know that sounds like a commercial, right?”
“No.”
“Do you like being a wealth manager?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t like talking about yourself, do you?”
Though the caverns were cool, she felt like she’d erupt in flames if she didn’t change the subject. “I thought we’d discuss a more relevant topic like MobiCom’s hostile takeover attempt.”
“And just like that the mysterious princess shuts down the prince who’s come to rescue her.”
She stared at the strangled cotton in her lap. “I don’t believe in fairy tales and I rescued myself a long time ago.” She fidgeted, then blurted, “So, how much did this evening set you back?” Humiliated, she closed her eyes.Earth swallow me, now.
On a flutter, she opened them, but was too embarrassed to look at him, so she took several sips of water, hoping to cool her heated cheeks.
“I had just enough pennies in my piggy bank to pull this off. Thanks to you, I’m no longer hemorrhaging cash. Thought I’d splurge.” He took a bite of the cucumber salad.
“That was rude. I’m sorry.”
He stayed quiet for several seconds, his eyes never leaving hers. “I paid seven thousand to rent the caverns, donated ten to the preservation fund and tipped Will a few hundred.”
Brigit’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How ‘bout ‘thank you’ or ‘that deserves another blow job.’” He waggled his brows and gave her a playful grin.
She laughed. “In other words, you want a seventeen-thousand-dollar blow job. No pressure there.”
He laughed. Her embarrassment was replaced by the lusty thought of doing that to him. Again her body heated, but for a different reason. She needed him in all those ways.
Suddenly his expression turned from playful to somber. “Tucker mentioned he spoke with you about your home. It’s disappointing he couldn’t lift any prints.”
“Ah, so, you brought me here to discuss the break-in.”
“I brought you here to show my appreciation, but I am concerned for your safety. And so are you.” He set down his fork. “After the gunshot at the benefit, you shouted, ‘He’s going to kill me.’ Who were you talking about?”
“I…um…I was scared and not thinking clearly.” She looked away. “I don’t want to put you or your staff at risk. I can move out.”
“Brigit, I don’t want you to leave. I want to help you.” He scooted his chair closer and caressed her cheek with the back of his finger. “My brother was murdered in a home invasion when we were ten. I understand the real danger you’re in.” He pulled her hand from her lap and held it. “Living in fear isn’t really living.”
