Ramsay(36)

I dropped my shirt and walked back over to him. "Brogan, I know we have a  lot to work out, and things are up in the air, but," I licked my lips  and glanced away for a moment, gathering my thoughts, "I'm hopeful that  if we work together, if we're honest with each other, we can figure it  all out." God, how I hoped that was what he wanted, too.

Relief washed over his face and he let out a breath, kissing my  forehead. "Get dressed. Your cream puffs are distracting me. And then  meet me downstairs."

I laughed as he winked and left my room.



**********



An hour later, I'd packed up, we'd eaten a quick meal, and I'd run over  to say goodbye to Eileen. She'd given me a brief hug-she'd been leaving,  too, for an afternoon class-and told me she was coming to dinner at  Brogan's place in New York that week and we'd catch up then.

A few minutes after that we were in Brogan's car, heading for the city.  He'd promised me he'd send employees for my car in the next few days so  we didn't have to drive separately.

We chatted easily about mostly mundane things over the forty-five minute  drive to the city. As for me, I was relaxed, but also somewhat drained  emotionally from the night we'd had. I needed to take a break from the  heavy topics of the day before and just sit back and listen to the  radio, enjoy the scenery, and engage in easy conversation. Brogan seemed  to feel the same way.

It was almost two when we pulled into the underground garage of Brogan's  building in Manhattan. He grabbed my bag from the trunk and took my  hand as we headed toward the nearby elevator. He keyed in a code and  then pushed the button for the top floor, and we rode in silence for a  minute.

"Do you split your time between here and Greenwich?" I asked.

"I spend more time here actually. But Eileen prefers Greenwich, and it's  closer to school for her. I wanted her to live at the main house there,  and I would have taken the guest cottage, but she insisted on having it  the way it is."

I nodded, a small pang of envy making me realize how much I wished for  the ease and obvious mutual respect in their sibling relationship. I'd  never had that with my brother, and I wondered if I ever would. The soft  ding of the elevator doors sliding open brought me out of my thoughts,  and we stepped into a large, open vestibule. I followed Brogan as he  walked to the only door on the floor. Wow. There was another keyless  entry next to his door and after keying in the code we stepped into his  apartment.                       
       
           



       

I was a girl who'd grown up in luxury. I was no stranger to high living,  but this was jaw dropping even for me, and I knew, for New York City in  general, where even a modest apartment could easily go for several  million dollars. My apartment, which was decent enough, was a slum  compared to this.

I walked into the large open area, marveling at the tinted  floor-to-ceiling windows on three walls, showing off dramatic skyline  views. The furniture was classy and urban, a perfect fit for the open  concept space. I did note that this place was decorated with a more  masculine hand than the house in Greenwich and had a feeling that  although Eileen had helped with that house, this place was all Brogan.

I turned to him. "It's gorgeous."

He had been watching me as I walked about, and he seemed pleased with my approval. "Let me show you around."

I followed Brogan as he led me to the kitchen right off the main living  space. It was modern and beautifully done in shades of white, black, and  dark gray with a bar and three bar stools and the far wall done all in  brick. "Nice," I murmured.

He pointed out three closed doors down a small hallway that led to his  office, a workout room, and a bathroom and then led me up a set of open  black stairs to the second floor.

He seemed to hesitate before he turned right and showed me to a guest  room where he placed my bag on the bed. It was a simple space done in  shades of pale blue and cream with nothing more than a bed, a dresser  and a nightstand, but it featured the same stunning floor-to-ceiling  windows and breathtaking city view.

Brogan walked to the window and showed me how to operate the shades that  lowered from the ceiling at the touch of a button and then walked back  to where I stood. "My bedroom's right across the hall," he said.

I studied him. He looked like he was struggling with something, but I  wasn't sure what. Did he want me to ask him if I could stay in his room?  Truthfully, I didn't know if I wanted that. And I thought for now, with  him wielding all the power, it was best that I didn't. This situation  was not going to last forever, but in the meantime, I thought it wise  that I keep a certain distance from Brogan-even if that distance was  just across the hall.

"Okay," I said.

He nodded curtly and pointed to a door next to the dresser. "Your bathroom's there. If you need anything, just let me know."

"I'll need more clothes. Can I run over to my apartment and grab some  more stuff if I'm going to be here for another week or so?"

"I'll have someone run over for you. Go ahead and make a list."

"Is that really necessary? I hardly want some stranger choosing which bra of mine to pack with which outfit."

"Lydia, I don't yet know what's safe and what's not, and I'm not going  to take any chances. I've just reached out to the people who hold  Stuart's loans, but I haven't heard back. It's a slow process. These are  not people you just call up on their personal cell phones. So until I  do hear back, I insist you do as I ask-for your own safety and for your  brother's as well."

I huffed out a breath. "Fine," I said, crossing my arms. "I'll make a list."

Brogan's lip tipped up in a small smile. "If you want me to go  personally, I will. I'd enjoy rifling through your underwear. Plus, one  good turn deserves another."

I raised a brow. "I didn't rifle through your underwear. You don't wear any."

He put his arms around my waist and pulled me close. "Are you sure? I  think I might. It's difficult to remember. How about we explore the  answer to that question later?" He kissed my neck and I laughed.

"Tease," I muttered. He brought his head up and gave me a crooked grin  and my heart seemed to stop for a fraction of a second. God, he had the  power to slay me with his grin.

Stepping away, he laughed softly. "Make yourself comfortable. Call me if  you need anything. And text me that list. I'll be home in a couple  hours."

Home. I nodded. "Okay. Oh hey," I said, and he turned at the door, "can I use your computer? I need to charge my laptop."

"Help yourself. There's no password."

He left my room and a few minutes later, I heard the front door click  shut. I experienced a moment of loneliness as I stood in this strange,  quiet apartment. Funny, because I was used to being alone, but suddenly,  seemingly in less than a couple of days, I was used to Brogan's  company. I wanted Brogan's company.

I took a few minutes to unpack my bag and set my toiletries in the  bathroom, and then I headed downstairs and went into Brogan's office. It  seemed pretty stark and unused and I wondered if he actually did any  work here or if it was more for personal use. There was a photo on his  desk of two kids and I picked it up, looking closely, able to tell  immediately it was Brogan and Eileen. It must have been taken in Ireland  because Brogan looked like he was about twelve and Eileen looked about  eight, her legs in the braces I'd known her to wear when their father  had worked for us. My heart clenched at the open, joyful smile on  Brogan's face. He'd been happy and untroubled. I wondered if that had  been the last time . . .                       
       
           



       

Replacing the picture where it'd been, I opened his computer, deciding  to do a little work since I had the opportunity and now knew for sure I  still had a job. I spent the next few hours answering and sending  emails, checking in on projects, and doing what work I could remotely. A  call to my secretary updated me on everything going on in the office.

"Lydia," Trudi said, lowering her voice in the way I knew she did when  she didn't want her phone conversation to be overheard, "we all think  the team you brought in is wonderful and, well, Stuart being replaced  was probably the best thing that could have happened for the company and  hopefully for him as well. We know he was Edward's son and your  brother, and I do hate to say it, but he just wasn't cut out to run a  business." She sighed. "And it's good you're taking some time away while  the team is here."

I'd been taken aback. The word circulating was that all the recent  happenings were my doing? Perhaps it was only rumor . . . After all, I  was the only one left and the other employees didn't know Stuart was, or  had been, the sole owner of the company, though he acted as president.  Interesting. As we spoke, I noted the hopeful excitement in Trudi's  voice, and it made me glad to know the company was being taken care of  in my absence. Or perhaps more to the point . . . because of my absence.