3
Blurring the Lines
As they left Sheldon’soffice, Zander’s head throbbed. His father had instructed his stepsister to vote down his dream project.Who does that?
Had Kyle bothered to communicate his concerns, Zander would have listened. A simple conversation could have made all the difference—might have been the tipping point. His father had shunned him for the absolute last time. Now, he was determined to win if it were the last project heevercompleted. Savannah, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. In truth, he didn’t know her well enough to gauge how the news affected her.
By the time they stood on the sidewalk outside the two-story office building, Zander was fuming. Squinting, he slid on his sunglasses. “I’m staying at the Starry Cove B&B. You?”
“Ditto. I guess the inn is ours now.”
“Looks that way.” He forced a smile, though he was anything but happy.“There’s a bar down the street from it. Let’s drive back over and grab that drink.” This unexpected opportunity gave him one more shot at the development, so he’d best play nice. “Can I give you a ride?”
Her gaze lingered on his for an extra beat. “I’m good. Got that new battery.”
Zander spied her truck across the street. He gestured to his Range Rover. “You can follow me back, if you want.”
“What happened to that flashy sports car?”
“At home.”
After she eyed his vehicle, her smile snagged his attention. Easy going and sexy.Damn, she’s hot…and my stepsister. Stay on point.She needs to agree to my proposal. Period.
“I like this one,” she said. “Less pretentious.”
“You’re welcome to have it.”
Her eyes popped wide, then she laughed.
“I wasn’t joking.”
“Are you trying to bribe me?”
“No. You drive a totally unreliable vehicle.”
“Youareserious. Thanks, but no.”
On the ten-minute drive back to Starry Cove, he formulated a down-and-dirty game plan. Get to know her a little before proposing his development. Negotiate if necessary. Win the deal that got away. Done.
He drove onto Main Street and spotted a space in front of the restaurant. Instead of parking there, he stuck his arm out the window and pointed, then found a spot at the end of the block.
As he walked down the street, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. His stepsister had filled out in all the right places. Savannah had a fantastic bust line and shapely legs. When she turned away, her sweet, tight ass hijacked his full attention.Damn, she’s hot.And completely off-limits.
He stopped inches away. “Ready to have that drink?”
She turned around and her deep, mocha eyes locked on his. A jolt of energy surged in his chest.Stop.She’s family and I’ve got to work with her.
“Definitely.” Her sultry voice rumbled through him.
Determined to put distance between them, he walked to the door and held it open. Breezing inside, she shot him a cool smile. “Thank you, brother.”
The Starry Cove Bar and Grille wastheplace to be on a Friday afternoon. The saloon-style restaurant was packed.Where’d all these people come from?Zander spotted two empty seats at the bar. “How ‘bout we grab a stool?”
“Sure thing.”
A server flew by with a tray of drinks and collided with a patron. Zander snaked his arm around his stepsister and pulled her out of the way as glasses and bottles crashed onto the floor, sending liquid splashing in every direction.
Savannah’s whisper-soft moan captured his attention. Rather than move away from him, she peered into his eyes. Her beauty, paired with that searing gaze, sent adrenaline streaking through him.
