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Focus, Kat.
“Think she’s intoxicated by her blueberry muffin.” Gabe snorts at his joke.
“I was just thinking how nice it’d be to hide out here until the storm blows over.”
Gabe glances out the window. “It’ll probably let up by lunch. We could check the weather, though. And I’m sure Alex’s pilots can handle anything we throw at them.”
“She’s not talking about the weather.”
“Oh.”
We all fall silent.
The room is suddenly heavy with tension as we all think about the chaos we encountered last night. My mouth goes dry as memories pepper me like a paintball gun.
“I’ll check my phone,” Gabe says, so matter of fact. Taking control. Handling the situation.
If my stomach wasn’t in knots, I’d be turned on. Because he’s not teasing me right now. Not poking the bear. His tone is. . . protective.
Knowing the gossip won’t make this any easier.
“Don’t.” I reach out and grab his arm, shaking my head. “A little longer. Just. . . let’s?—”
“Ignoring the problem isn’t going to make it go away, Princess.”
His voice is oddly gentle, and I give him my full attention. Those blue eyes sparkle down at me with a warmth that steals my breath. This is the powerful CEO who took the tech industry and the banking industry by storm before he’d completed college.
Swift, decisive and ready to take action.
“What are you afraid of, Katie Bird?” Alex asks, the deep voice filling me like a fine red wine.
My stomach does a backflip. Oh god. I need to get out of here. Before I do something really crazy, like tell them exactly how hot my skin is as I stand between the two of them. How much I like it when they shoulder the burden.
Montgomerys carry on. We do what needs to be done.
I hear my grandfather’s voice in my head and sway under the weight of his edicts.
Gabriel’s eyes narrow on my face as if he’ll be able to read the doubts there. Like it never occurred to him that I could be afraid of anything.
What would they think if they knew the truth?
If they knew what a mess I am inside? How scared I get of the expectations and the spotlight shining on me? How I’ve worked my whole life toward other people’s goals.
I gasp as the realization hits me.
Alex feels closer now. Warming me from the back.
“I—”
Gabe and Alex share a look over the top of my head, and I get the impression they’re communicating on a different level.
“We’re in this together,” Alex says softly.
My god, if that’s not the most addictive thing I’ve ever heard. A tingle starts at my scalp and races over my skin, enveloping every inch of me. Making me want to lean back against him, feel his support, soak in his heat.
Gabe looks like a confused puppy. Like he’s not quite caught up on what’s happening. Or exactly what we started last night.
“You worried about your reputation, Princess? Because if anything, I’d say your stock price just went up. Two of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors went head to head for you.” He takes a long sip, holding my gaze like he didn’t just drop a bomb on my brain.
