Page 74 of The Rebel Billionaire

Oh hell, I’m terrifying the staff now. And why isn’t Brooke bringing in our lunch?

I motion to the large circular table in the corner of the room, concerned that her hand is shaking so badly she’ll upend the tray if I ask her to come any closer.

She bobs in a near curtsey, and I notice my friend bite his lip to stop himself from laughing out loud.

What the fuck!

Molly lays the table as though she’s serving in a five-star restaurant before walking backwards towards the door.

“Molly, can you send Brooke in please?” I say.

She nods again before scurrying to the exit, closing the door behind her.

Dante looks at me, his lips twisting as he tries to contain his laughter.

“Don’t,” I say, shooting him a look that he ignores. His laughter bursting free.

A knock sounds.

“Come in,” I say, glaring at my friend.

“You wanted me?” Brooke appears at the doorway without a trace of an apology, her eyes almost goading me.

My cock hardens, and I grit my teeth.

“Dante wanted to thank you for arranging our lunch.”

Brooke turns and gives him the warmest of smiles.

“You’re welcome,” she says. “I hope you enjoy it. I had them send up their steak specials.”

Dante smiles back, and my spine stiffens.

“Fantastic, I love steak,” he says smoothly, his eyes locked on hers.

I cough, determined to break the spell.

“That will be all.”

Her gaze returns to mine, her eyes hardening. “Enjoy your lunch,” she says before turning and leaving. The door shuts firmly behind her.

Dante chuckles as he swivels in his chair.

“Where were we? Oh yes, the lovely Aubrey?”

“Shut up and eat,” I say, getting up and moving to the table where Molly has laid out our food.

To his credit, he doesn’t push me on the topic of Brooke, apparently satisfied he’s made his point, although I’m not sure what he was aiming for. I’d have to be blind not to notice how attractive she is, but there’s also the whole boss-subordinate line. One I’ll never cross. I also don’t want Dante doing what David did with Callie. I’m not here to provide my friends with a dating pool!

Shit.

Since when did I become possessive of my staff? Maybe because I know he’s not looking to settle down and is one of New York’s most prolific playboys. He would eat someone as young and inexperienced as Brooke alive, probably breaking her heart and leaving me to pick up the pieces.

At nearly forty, Dante, like me, is at a different stage in his life. He has a master’s in business and runs his own successful investment firm. He spends his days rubbing shoulders with politicians and world leaders. He doesn’t need someone rudderless, someone who hasn’t completed her education and has chosen to travel the world rather than settle down and find her path in life.

After lunch, I escort Dante to the elevator, ignoring the way Brooke looks up from her desk and smiles as he says goodbye and wishes her a pleasant day.

Bastard.