Nice and Naughty (6 page)

“Alexa isn’t some party girl looking for a wild time.” Jason got defensive. He leaned forward, setting his soft drink on the coaster protecting the coffee table. He reached one hand back and rubbed his neck.

“No, you’re right about that.” Jason never acted this uncertain. Justin found it awkward to reassure him. “I wasn’t giving her some line before. I think she’s amazing.”

“Exactly my point. I don’t want to ruin what you have going with her. I know you just met her, but this could be the real thing for you. She’s different.”

“Jay, I may not have several flashy degrees or rule a corporate empire but I’m not a fucking idiot.” Before his brother could object, he barreled on. “I
know
this is the real thing. But not just for me, for us both. She’s the hottest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. That day in the woods… Shit, Jay, I already told you how it was, like I’d die if I couldn’t have her. But just now, with you there, it ratcheted things up until I thought she’d start glowing like white-hot metal. Seeing her in that suit made me realize she’s not only wild at heart. She lives in both our worlds. She needs us both.”

In another rare moment, Justin’s discourse rendered Jason speechless. Clearly, he wanted to pursue the matter further but they’d both heard the shower shut off a minute ago. Neither wanted to risk being overheard. Sure enough, light footsteps sounded on the stairway behind them.

He covered for them. “Now, quit stalling and tell me why someone wants to know about your business enough to face felony charges over it.”

Chapter Five

“That’s a really good question.” Alexa entered the room and faced the brothers. Justin sprawled on the beefy leather couch while Jason sat, with perfect posture, on the elegant wingback chair beside it. The eclectic mix of furniture suited the room. Justin patted the cushion by his side. “Sit down, you’re still pale.”

He looked delicious in his faded rock band T-shirt and jogging pants. She couldn’t explain why the sight of his masculine bare feet turned her on but the flip of her stomach that resulted grew into a full out lurch when her stare darted away and landed on the hint of smooth, ripped chest that peeked through Jason’s button-down shirt. Not to mention the sinewy forearms that rested next to each other as he crossed his arms over his lean stomach.

Everything about them turns you on.

She grabbed a sage microfiber blanket off the opposite arm of the couch and tucked it around her like a shield before settling a safe distance away from Justin. The combination of the central air conditioning and her wet hair made the velvety cover seem rational, though they scalded her with the appetite in their eyes. It also ensured she didn’t flash them by accident and cause the whole house to explode from the sexual tension her bare flesh might incite. She needed to gather information without distractions. www.samhainpublishing.com

“Don’t bother trying to shut us down.” She could tell Jason was preparing to dodge their questions about the business again. “We’re in this together now.”

“I’ve decided this venture is too risky.” His face became stony, determined. “I’ll spread the word I’m withdrawing my bid.”

Justin ignored him and turned to Alexa instead. In a stage whisper he said, “He’s lying. Sometimes he goes all big brother on me, since he’s a whole two minutes older, like I can’t take care of myself.”

The thought that Jason considered his six-foot-something, muscled, badass brother in need of his defense inspired a grin but she played along, nodding in sympathy. “He does seem to have that protective streak down.”

“But, really, he’ll keep working this deal on his own. It’s too intriguing for him to pass up.” He winked and her insides compressed with longing. “So we’ll just wait until he thinks we’re not looking and then jump in on our own which will be much riskier than if he’d let us work together in the first place.”

Jason rolled his eyes in exasperation. She burst out laughing at the sight of one of the country’s most influential businessmen acting like a teenage girl. “Oh, for the love of God. You’re not going to quit are you?”

“No.” Though Justin acted playful, his emotions ran deep. She read the tension in his whitened knuckles grasping the beer bottle so tight she feared it might crack.

“And neither will I.” She committed to helping now, if only to screw the people who had tried to kidnap her. “You offered me a job, and I accept.”

Jason’s eyes darted between them, weighing his options for a moment, before he stalked into the kitchen and retrieved a steel case. In the confusion earlier, Alexa had assumed it was a briefcase but now she saw it was far too bulky and heavy for that. He set it on the sturdy coffee table in front of them and snapped open the lid. She slid closer, enticed by the electronic gizmo inside. Her elbow bumped Justin’s when he leaned toward the puzzling object. Circuits made of precious metals glinted, reflecting the halogen can light from overhead.

Justin reached into the case, hesitating a second to peer up at his brother. www.samhainpublishing.com

“Jay, this isn’t what I think it is, is it?” He’d obviously made the leap ahead of her. She recognized a fuel cell and a miniature engine but…that would make the cylinder on the end…

“Wow.” She had to concentrate on keeping her mouth closed. The tiny motor fit comfortably in Justin’s hands as he lifted it to examine the modified attachment.

“Exactly.” Jason sounded weary. “About three weeks ago, a small research and development start up approached me, claiming to have invented a highly efficient technology powered by a revolutionary biofuel source. They promised their engine ran on renewable, cheap and environmentally friendly fuel. One that could eliminate our reliance on oil and other petroleum products forever. ”

“And this is what? A prototype?” Justin tested wires and fittings, he twisted and removed a component.

“Should you be doing that?” The magnitude of change such a technology could bring staggered her. Watching Justin dismantle it without a thought to the consequences set her on edge.

“Yeah, I get engines.” He barely paid attention to his response, his focus absorbed in the mechanical parts.

“So do I, but this is unique. Stop. Let’s take some pictures first, draw up a diagram…”

He paused to grin up at her. “You’re going all Jay on me there, babe.”

“Don’t worry, Alexa. I documented every detail as soon as they delivered the prototype.” Jason smiled down at her in commiseration. “Then I put out word that I was looking to hire a technology consultant. The best of the best.”

“So you’ve had this for weeks and didn’t show it to me?” Justin acted pissed but she knew the emotion stemmed from hurt. “I fucking knew something was up with you. Why did you keep denying it?”

“Because you would’ve wanted to dive right in and I had to do more research first. Then you were…preoccupied.” He sighed.

“You did what you thought was best, Jason. You couldn’t have known how dangerous the situation would get.” Their eyes met and held. She detected regret, longing and, not least of all, desire. The longer they watched each other, the more his gaze heated until Justin interrupted.

“Something’s not quite right.” He pointed to a gear and hose component. “Here.”

“That’s the problem.” Jason sighed. “It doesn’t work. There’s an integral component missing.”

“How much do they want for it?” Justin pushed back on the couch, the engine abandoned where he laid it on the table.

“Fifty billion.” Jason’s calm declaration nearly sent her through the roof. Fifty billion dollars. For just one part. Not to mention the cost of R&D, production and marketing. A deal of this magnitude was out of her league, light years beyond even her last project. Jason’s faith in selecting her for this position staggered her.

“And I would gladly have raised it. I only wanted to gather a team of experts before word got out. People I could trust. I needed Alexa to head up the program while I was out campaigning for funds and building a consortium to protect our investment. Even Winston Industries can’t secure the kind of a bond that will be necessary to develop this on its own.”

He beamed at her before continuing. “She’s the best in her field. Her reputation, and my research, guaranteed she could handle the political posturing, maintain the level of detail necessary, coordinate all the departments involved and her mechanical capability would allow her to interface with the technical teams, which I hoped to recruit you for. I’ve been eying her for Winston Industries for some time and this was the golden opportunity. It seemed rational at the time, but you’re right to criticize my over planning.”

“We’re in this together now, Jay. We’ll work it out.” Justin reassured his brother. There were no hard feelings but Alexa could tell from Jason’s stiff posture that they hadn’t heard the whole story yet.

Again, the brothers had an entire subliminal conversation she couldn’t quite follow. First, Justin raised his eyebrows. Then Jason shook his head. In response, Justin muttered a curse under his breath.

“What am I missing?” She glanced from one to the other, trying to gauge their expressions.

“The start up’s head scientist had a heart attack and died this morning.” Jason’s cynicism made it clear he didn’t believe the fatality a natural death.

“Fuck.” Justin scrubbed his fingers through his hair.

“I’m assuming that’s when the thieves realized the design had already been shared with Winston Industries and decided to hunt down the details. I’m sorry, Alexa, I didn’t know. The message was highly classified and I missed my assistant in the hallway en route to our meeting. I never would have let you leave alone if I’d realized. Once the information leaked, I put us all in jeopardy. I almost got you killed.”

Reminded of her narrow escape earlier, she shivered. Her attackers hadn’t been playing around. People had been killed for far less than billions of dollars.

“Come here.” Before she could protest, Justin tugged her into his lap and surrounded her with his body, which radiated warmth. She could tell he needed to hold her as much as she wanted him to by the desperation in his clutching hands. They were in deeper than she’d ever imagined. “Son of a bitch! We might have lost you before we really knew you.”

Her pulse raced. “We?”

“You want us both. Don’t you, honey?” Justin trailed his hand down her shoulder, swiping the blanket away from her.

“I…” Her mind still reeled from the revelation of the invention. Switching focus, she thought about what he implied. Could she really be with two men? Sex on the hood of her car had been a serious departure from her comfort zone. This…

“Don’t pressure her, Justin.” Jason’s warning unfroze her. She shook off his concern and decided to be blunt.

“You’re okay with sharing?” She couldn’t keep the incredulousness from her voice. www.samhainpublishing.com

“Hell, yes.” Justin played with the knot in the terrycloth belt. “Let us show you how good we can make it for you.”

His daring didn’t surprise her but Jason’s slight nod of agreement shocked her. For someone so careful and proper, their proposition shattered logic and promised chaos for ignoring the consequences.

“We’re two halves of a whole, Alexa,” Jason explained without trying to persuade her. “It’s always been this way.”

“You’ve done this before?” she asked, though she suspected the answer.

“Yes,” they answered in unison.

Time suspended as Justin’s energy crackled, practically stinging her with its restlessness, while Jason’s level stare permitted her room to decide. His reserve challenged her more than his twin’s exuberance. Experience had taught her that passionate emotions could burn out in a flash but Jason’s patient desire coaxed her into a situation that could only result in disaster.

She knew her weaknesses. Falling for the wrong man ranked high on the list. She barely knew these men and already she craved them. What would happen if she let herself care for them?

Jason turned away and said, “She’s not ready, Justin.”

The stab of disappointment that tore through Alexa convinced her to act before she regretted this moment for the rest of her life.

“Wait.” Both sets of green eyes turned on her like lasers. She wiggled off Justin’s lap and stood between them. Throwing caution to the wind, she shrugged the bathrobe off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. She’d never felt as sexy as when they both drew nearer, as though they couldn’t resist.

Justin rotated forward and dropped to his knees at her feet in front of the couch. Jason closed the gap between them with one long stride. She shivered when Justin’s hands bracketed her hips and his warm lips kissed her reverently just below her belly button. Jason stood close, his chest brushing hers every time she drew another rapid breath. He refrained from touching her when he asked, “You’re sure?”

In response, she locked her arms around his solid back and pulled him close, angled to the side so both brothers fit against her. “Yes.” She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped a moment before she rose up on her tiptoes to place her lips on his in a light kiss. Eyes wide open, she watched desire dilate his pupils when he reciprocated. Kissing Jason was a sweet, intoxicating experience. His fingers supported her neck as he deepened the contact, his tongue nudging her lips, teasing her. Her legs trembled and she might have fallen if not for the two men holding her steady.

Without a word, Jason stepped away, breaking their embrace. She groaned at the loss but, before she could protest further, Justin scooped her into his arms and followed Jason up the stairs, taking them two at a time. They turned into the blue room. Jason peeled the thick comforter out of the way even as Justin leaned forward and placed her in the center of the huge, king-sized bed. The smooth, high thread count sheets cradled her, caressing her skin. Justin followed her down, his mouth surrounding one of her nipples. He licked, laved and nipped her playfully as she watched Jason strip off his clothes. He didn’t hurry. Instead, he unbuttoned the crisp blue shirt with deliberate movements as he observed his brother feasting on her. He studied her reactions while untucking the Oxford and setting it neatly aside, draped over the arm of a nearby chair.