Caden? You have a business degree.”
Caden’s eyes became openly amused. They always did when he was reminded of that. “I love my music and only got that degree because Granddad all but threatened to disown me if I didn’t.”
Jace nodded. Dalton had a business degree, as well, but no one had ever expected him to use it, since they’d all known his position on the matter. He wanted to play football and impress the women, and he figured the sport endorsements and trust fund would be more than enough to tide him over and keep him rolling for the rest of his life.
“How long do you think Dalton will hang around before the lure of Europe gets too much for him?” Jace asked, curious to hear Caden’s answer.
“I honestly don’t know. It’s been almost two weeks, and he still whines from time to time. Says he has things to do, places to go, women to fu—”
“Okay, I get it,” Jace broke in, not allowing Caden to finish. Didn’t take much to figure out what he’d intended to say.
“Well,” Caden said. “I take Dalton out, feed him, order a couple of drinks and buckle down for his gripe session so that you won’t have to. You have enough on your plate with Granger Aeronautics...and with Ms. Bradford.”
A frown touched down in Jace’s features. Caden couldn’t help but be amused at his brother’s reaction to what he’d said. “Come on, Jace. Are we not supposed to know you have a thing for her?”
“I don’t have a thing for her.”
“Okay.”
Jace decided to leave it alone since he’d never been able to lie worth a damn with Caden. He stood. “Time to get back to work if I want to make it home before ten.”
“And it’s time for me to leave, too,” Caden said, getting to his feet. “I’d completed the last of reading that report when I heard you pounding out your sexual frustration on the vending machine.”
“You’re imagining things.”
Caden chuckled as they walked out of his office. “Am I? Fine, if that’s what you want me to think. But that kind of frustration needs to be taken care of, or it’ll come to a head in the worst possible way.”
Chapter Twelve
“Hold the elevator, please!” Shana called, her movements purposeful and swift as she quickly strolled toward the bank of elevators and stepped on. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
She froze at the sound of that voice. And then she glanced over her shoulder at the only other person in the elevator and her breath caught. Impeccably dressed, he looked good as always. “Good morning, Jace.”
“Shana. You’re eager to get started this morning.”
“Yes, I am.”
What she was really eager about was the weekend and couldn’t wait for it to begin...although she had nothing planned. Jules wanted her to go grocery shopping with their father to meet the mysterious Mona. If she did, then that would be the only thing on her “to do” list. All she wanted to do was rest and relax. It had been one vigorous week, and there was still work to be done. She could handle that. But what she couldn’t handle was the way her thoughts would shift throughout the day to begin focusing on the CEO instead of the company. She’d been doing that a lot lately. Too much for her peace of mind.
“Ready for the weekend?” he asked her, and she thought she heard him shift positions behind her but refused to look back to see.
“Yes, what about you?” she countered, frowning. Did she hear him move again? She was tempted to glance over her shoulder to verify that he hadn’t.
“Looking forward to it,” Jace said.
She could imagine. Men who looked like him had dates lined up aplenty. The fact that he’d returned to town less than a month ago meant nothing. Men were known to act fast, and he was a divorcé. No reason for him not to date. “Big plans?” she asked, telling herself it was merely for conversational purposes and not because she really wanted to know.
“Yes. My brothers and I are going to visit my father.”
“Oh.” Not what she’d expected, and for some reason something within her swelled. “That’s nice,” she said, glancing over her shoulder, and for the second time that morning she froze. Jace was no longer standing back against the panel wall but was there, close to her back. Too close. All at once, she was aware of every aspect of him—the strength of his shoulders beneath his jacket, and especially the rippling