a beautiful thing,” Simon says. “Video conferencing. Phone calls. I can really work from anywhere, unless I need to be somewhere for an appearance.”
“I see,” Eli says. “And what are your intentions with my sister?”
“Eli!” I exclaim. “Simon, you do not have to answer that.”
“Oh, I think he does,” Beau says, pissing me off.
“We didn’t come here for this.”
“You guys are being ridiculous,” Kate adds.
“It’s okay, ladies.” Simon holds up a hand and never flinches under the scrutiny of my overbearing brothers. “My intention is to continue pursuing a consensual, mutually respectful, and affectionate relationship with Charly. Where it goes from there is our business.”
Eli’s eyebrows climb into his hairline.
“I don’t think you understand the dynamic of this family.”
“I understand it just fine. I can respect and admire your need to protect Charly. But as she already told you, she’s an adult, and what we have between us is healthy. To be frank, it may be the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in.”
Beau and Eli both sit back in their chairs, studying Simon silently.
“For Godsake,” Kate mutters.
“If you try to make her move to London, I will beat you to a pulp.” Eli’s face is hard.
“And if you hurt her, I’ll also beat you to a pulp,” Beau adds.
“So noted,” Simon replies. “And likewise.”
Everyone looks up at Simon in surprise.
“Do you think it’s only non-family members who can hurt each other?” Simon asks seriously.
“No,” Beau says, looking at Simon with a new respect in his eyes.
“Charly,” Eli says, turning his attention to me. “I have papers at the office for you to sign.”
“Which papers?” I ask and take a drink of my sweet tea.
“Your new lease is in. I don’t know why you insist on it, but it’s ready for you.”
“Because it’s the right thing to do.” I shrug and glance at Simon. “Do you mind going over to my brother’s office after lunch? It’ll only take a moment.”
“That’s fine with me,” he says and smiles. “So you lease your building from Eli?”
“No, she leases it from the company,” Beau replies as he takes a bite of bread. “Boudreaux Enterprises owns the building, and Charly is a part of Boudreaux Enterprises, but she insists on paying rent.”
“We’ve discussed this,” I say.
“You’re so fucking stubborn,” Beau says.
“Gee,” Kate adds with a roll of the eyes. “I have no idea where she might have come by that. It’s not like it’s a family trait or anything.”
“Watch yourself,” Eli says and kisses Kate’s hand. “Punishments happen.”
“Excuse me?” Simon chokes out over his own sweet tea.
“He’s kidding,” Kate says, waving Simon off. “Honestly, Eli would never really hurt me. Been there, done that, had the hospital stay to prove it. Eli saved me from a lot.”
Eli kisses Kate’s hand again as she blushes. “I’m not sure why I told you that.”
“He has this weird thing about him,” I say, nodding. “He’s like a priest. You just want to tell him stuff. Except, he’s no priest, let me tell you.” I wink at Kate, then bust out laughing when Eli and Beau both scowl at me. “Oh, lighten up.”
“We really should get back to the office,” Kate says after Eli pays for lunch. “You can ride with us, if you want.”
“We have a car,” I reply. “We’ll be right behind you.”
We all gather our things and leave, and when we’re in Simon’s rental, he pulls me in for a long, hot kiss before I have the chance to buckle my seat belt.
“What was that for?” I ask breathlessly.
“I just needed to get my hands on you,” he says, still looking at me with lust-filled eyes.
“And your lips, apparently.” I swallow hard. “I’m sorry for the third degree from my idiot brothers.”
“They’re not idiots,” he replies and starts the car. “Do you know how lucky you are to have the family you do? I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“I know.”
“You are down to earth, and loyal and fun, all rolled into one. They wanted to make sure I wasn’t just fucking around with you, and like I told them, I respect that.”
“Thanks for being so open minded about them,” I reply and point out a parking space in front of the building. “This is where we’re going.”
“The office is in this building?”
I take a deep breath and turn to him, ready to share more about my family with him. “No, this building is Boudreaux Enterprises.”
His jaw drops for a moment, but then he shakes himself out of it and climbs out of the car. He