He shrugged. “Jake scowls so often I never think much about it. But admit it, it’s not just my brothers that you have a problem with.”
“What do you mean?”
“You think I didn’t notice you racing in the opposite direction as soon as Sarah and her friends showed up? You left me to defend myself against them. That was cruel. They’re your friends, not mine.”
“They are not my friends,” she said flatly, then began to chuckle. “And honestly? You’re complaining about having three women drool all over you? Hang on to your every word? You didn’t appear to be suffering, Connor.”
He chuckled, then changed the subject. “Let’s go upstairs and get jackets. It’s chilly outside.”
The elevator arrived and she stepped inside. Connor joined her and the elevator quickly filled up, so they kept their conversation mundane. A few minutes later, they stepped out on the twelfth floor and walked to the door of their suite.
As Connor keyed open the door, Maggie said, “I don’t care what you had planned for dinner tonight. I’m going to the Crab Shack and I’m having a glass of wine.”
Connor grinned. The Crab Shack was one of his favorite dive restaurants and it was only a half block away. “I’m up for that.”
“You are?”
He opened the door for Maggie, then followed her inside. But before she could go any farther, he grabbed her arm. “Look, Maggie. I know Jake can be a jerk, but that’s not really why you ran off, is it?”
“Of course not,” Maggie said, not quite meeting his gaze. “I had things to do.”
“Right.”
“Fine.” She draped her blazer on the back of the dining room chair. “Of course I ran off. Anyone would’ve if they’d seen the look he was giving me. If they’d felt the chill.”
“The chill?”
“Yes, the deadly chill emanating from your brother that was aimed in my direction. Forget it.” She shook her head in dismissal and walked into the bathroom to brush her hair. Connor followed her and leaned against the doorjamb to watch in the mirror while she brushed her hair.
“Okay,” he conceded. “I might’ve noticed him staring at you, but he hasn’t seen you in a long time. Maybe he was mesmerized by your beauty.”
“You’re funny.”
“Not trying to be.” Connor sat on the marble ledge next to the luxurious spa bathtub and made himself comfortable while she applied a fresh coat of lipstick. Her movements were so simple while being quite possibly the most sensual thing he’d seen in forever. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep from grabbing hold of her and licking the color off her mouth, then covering every inch of her body in hot kisses.
Sadly, Maggie didn’t look as though she’d be open to that plan at the moment, but he had all afternoon to convince her otherwise.
The thought had him growing hard again and he subtly adjusted himself while forcing himself to concentrate on business. “Here’s the thing, Maggie. Tomorrow night, you and I and my brothers will be having dinner with some very important business associates. MacLaren Corporation is involved in a very sensitive and confidential transaction with this other group, and the last thing we need them to see is friction between you and Jake.”