Endeared (The Accidental Billionaires #5) - J. S. Scott Page 0,24

when he had time to eat.”

“And coffee,” I added.

“Yes,” Andie agreed. “He didn’t sleep much, so coffee was a staple for him.”

Andie was silent for a moment before she added in a hushed voice, “Don’t look now, but I think you’ve drawn Jaxton Montgomery’s attention. He’s been staring at you for the last five minutes. I kind of think he’s getting ready to make his move.”

CHAPTER 7

LAYLA

I forced myself not to look back toward the reception guests. “I don’t think I’ve met him. Obviously he’s not a Sinclair like most of the people here, but his name does sound familiar.”

“It should,” Andie answered, her voice much more upbeat than it had been a few minutes ago. “Reporters are always chasing Jax and his brothers all over San Diego, and they get a lot of media attention. I think the press is really hot on Jax’s and Cooper’s tails right now because the oldest Montgomery brother, Hudson, is taken now. But Jax and Cooper are definitely still single and available.”

“How in the world do you know so much about the guy? And why is he here?”

I was definitely familiar with the family name. Montgomery Mining was a worldwide giant. But I had no idea why anybody in that family would be here in Citrus Beach.

I doubted that the Sinclairs floated around in the world of the ultrarich. Granted, they were billionaires, but that had only happened recently.

“I’ve met them all,” Andie informed me. “They’re Riley’s brothers. They show up at some of the family barbecues. Even though they’re disgustingly wealthy, they’re all surprisingly friendly. Seth claims he was never sure if they were going to kill him or welcome him into the family at first.”

Seth was another one of Owen’s older brothers.

As I remembered that Riley’s maiden name was Montgomery before she married Seth, the mystery started to fall into place. Riley was actually a patient of mine, so I knew her on a professional level, but we didn’t exactly hang out together.

“So they are actually family . . . by marriage,” I said thoughtfully.

Andie laughed. “Yeah, and family isn’t all about blood for them. Once the Montgomery brothers decided that the Sinclairs were family, Seth said he couldn’t get rid of them. They were pretty protective of Riley until they were sure that Seth was good enough for her.”

I chuckled. “That must have been a little intimidating for him.”

“I don’t think he really cared,” Andie replied. “He was too obsessed with Riley to give a damn.”

“I’ve never met any of them, and I didn’t see them earlier,” I told Andie, certain that if I’d seen the brothers, I would have recalled meeting them.

“I think they came in after most of the dancing was over. But I did notice that Jax can’t seem to take his eyes off you right now,” Andie said teasingly.

“He’s probably looking at you, not me,” I argued. “He doesn’t know me, and it is kind of dark over here.”

“It’s light enough,” she disagreed. “Slowly start turning your head toward the crowd, and then tell me he isn’t staring directly at you.”

As she suggested, I moved slowly, adjusting my field of vision little by little. Once I was actually looking at the guests, I froze as my gaze locked on the most intense set of gray eyes I’d ever seen.

Jaxton Montgomery was breathtakingly handsome, but there was something so raw about his blatant, fixed stare that I was more fascinated with his personality than his looks.

The guy was definitely bold. He didn’t seem to give a damn that he was staring, nor did he look away in embarrassment.

“Holy! Shit!” I whispered as I broke eye contact with him and looked at Andie.

“Told ya,” she said smugly. “Here he comes. I think it’s time for me to make my exit. He’s a nice guy, Layla. All of the Montgomery brothers are a little edgy on the surface, but you’ll like him.”

“Oh, my God. Andie, don’t you dare take off on me,” I said in a threatening if-you-leave-I’m-going-to-kill-you voice.

She wasn’t intimidated at all as she stood and greeted the newcomer. “Hey, Jax. It’s good to see you again.”

I watched as Jax gave Andie a brief hug. “It’s a pleasure to see you, too, Andie. Congratulations on the new marriage. Noah is a lucky guy.”

I watched and listened as Andie made small talk with Jax. It was evident that the man could be completely charming when he wanted to be. Obviously, he’d grown up in a very privileged world, and