Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,84
playing dumb, or he was that dang rude to make her sweat. Either way she didn’t like him much at this moment.
That was a shock after their amazing morning of lovemaking. She’d more than liked him an hour ago as he’d been making her cry out in pleasure. But that was then, she reminded herself. At this moment he was enemy number one.
Brandon made the mistake of winking at her, and she felt her fingers clench into fists. Her eyes must’ve narrowed, too, because he took a step back and held his hands up in surrender.
“I’m sorry—seriously, I am—but you know Joseph and know that he loves to have visitors. He’s also matchmaker number one, and he adores you, so it’ll be the best Christmas present I can possibly get him, bringing you to the house today.”
She knew he was right, but that didn’t make this situation any easier. She barely understood what was happening between her and Brandon, and she certainly didn’t want to try and answer any questions about the two of them. That would be far too difficult. She was stuck right now and didn’t know what to do.
Her fear of commitment because things just never lasted seemed to be unfounded. She’d known Brandon for three years now, and instead of him proving her right—proving that the longer you knew a man, the more flaws you’d find—he’d proven the opposite. The more she’d gotten to know him, the more respect she had for him.
She might not have liked everything he did, and she certainly didn’t appreciate the feelings he was bringing out in her, but he also continued surprising her with his thoughtful gifts and the respect and love he showed for those around him. The more she was with him, the more she wanted to be. Wasn’t it supposed to be the opposite? Was her entire world being flipped upside down?
“Fine. I don’t think you’re going to be a gentleman and let me leave, but just know I’ll remember this for a very long time to come, Brandon Anderson,” she threatened. She took a step away, and he reached for her. She shot his hand a glare and swore she heard him chuckle.
She spun to tell him what she thought about that, and her feet slipped—of course, at the perfect moment. Brandon caught her, and no matter how mad she was at the man, she tingled at being pressed close against him. He must’ve seen it in her eyes, because his head began descending, but then they heard a booming voice that froze Chloe in place.
“Are you two going to stand out here freezing all day, or are you coming in the house?”
Chloe’s cheeks flushed more than they already had as she turned to find Joseph standing in the giant doorway leading inside his enormous mansion. She found herself completely tongue tied as she turned back to look at Brandon, who wasn’t in the least embarrassed to be caught how they were.
“Hello, Uncle,” he said before looking back at her. “Guess we’re going in now.”
“Is that smugness I hear in your voice?” she whispered.
“Maybe a little,” he admitted.
“Ugh. Let me go,” she told him.
“Are you sure you can walk now? I know I have a way of making your legs turn to jelly,” he told her with an infuriating smile.
“It’s good your ego’s firmly in place,” she said. She couldn’t fight the smile trying to break through, though. One of the things she loved about Brandon was his utter confidence. It was hard not to be drawn to it.
“Are you ignoring me?” Joseph called out when they still took too long.
Chloe had momentarily forgotten he was there. She’d be burned at the stake before telling Joseph that. He wasn’t a man to be ignored or forgotten, not ever.
“I’m trying to,” Brandon called out with a waggle of his brows. Chloe couldn’t even look at Joseph after those words.
She was shocked when she heard Joseph roar with laughter. “You have plenty of time to be alone with Chloe. But this is Christmas, and it’s my time right now,” Joseph insisted.
Brandon finally released Chloe, but not for long. He slipped his hand behind her back and led her to the huge staircase as they made their way up to where Joseph waited on them.
“Don’t you have a houseful of people to pick on?” Brandon asked. Only when they’d made it to the door did Brandon release her so he could give his uncle a hug.