Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Different Life With Very Different Girl

Brianna

I smoothed myself over in the elevator and headed up. When the ping sounded, it let him know I was here and I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized he wasn't in his usual suit. Instead, he was in a black t-shirt under a leather jacket and blue jeans. He looked hot and amazingly attractive. As I entered, he ran a hand through his hair which looked softer like he hasn't styled it at all today.

“Do you want the spare key or do you want to hang around until your brother gets home?” He gave me an option I wasn't expecting. Probably because he recognized the outfit that I showed them the day I bought it, I paused with my mouth slightly ajar.

“Oh, you have a spare?” I felt awkward asking him to stay now.

“You don't have to use it.” He picked up on my hesitant demeanor.

“I heard about some criminals in this area, maybe I shouldn't stay alone tonight.” I cleared my throat and made a ridiculous excuse.

“Criminals?” He seemed to smirk at me and I don't know why.

“Yes…” I cringed at myself.

“Come in, Brianna.” He waved for me to exit the foyer.

I released a breath of relief and walked into his living room. I shouldn't be here and I know that. He walked to his bar cart and pulled out a short glass, I knew what that meant.

“Do you want anything?” He asked without looking at me.

“I am good,” my voice sounded nervous and I wanted to smack myself.

When he finished pouring his drinks, he came and sat down on the same sofa I was just sitting comfortably on. Although he sat on the opposite end, placing an arm over the back of it and he tilted ever so slightly to face me. I gulped, he looked so good in leather and his dark five o'clock shadow made him gruff and manly. I just pictured him taking me right here and now.

'He is your brother fucking best friend.’ The words rang in my head.

“What criminals are in the area?” He asked, I opened and closed my mouth. I fumbled to find an answer but his low sexy chuckles shut me up entirely.

“You didn't buy this bag the day you showed your gifts?” He asked, eyeing the beautiful designer beside me.

“No, I rented it for the week, it matched perfectly.” I held it up and kicked a foot up to shower my teal heels.

I swallowed hard when his eyes trailed down my leg, to my heel and then back up at me. I quickly put it down and straighten myself out.

“You are welcome to go about your normal routine. Don't let me interrupt you.” I fidgeted with my fingers in my lap and looked away from him.

“I don't think you want me to go about my usual routine.” He said and the insinuation was heavy.

“Why?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He brought his hand to his mouth and played with his sexy bottom lips to hide his amusement. I know it was because I sounded affected by him.

“I blow off steam with various activities.” He muttered and it left so much up for interpretation.

I couldn't ask what or I would get an answer, I probably shouldn't hear. I just blink at him and he pulled the glass up to his mouth and took a sip. I watched his Adam's apple bob and even that was hot. He was so at ease right now, how does he do it? I am a fidgeting mess, he affects me so much. I couldn't stand the way he was looking at me, so I quickly blurted out the first thing I could think of.

“Zaveri and the crew at the shop invited me out this weekend.” His jaw clenched and unclenched but he didn't respond. I look down at my lap.

“First time since moving here,” I quickly added.

“Have you been wanting to go out?” He asked and I shrugged.

“I mean…it is Port Harcourt. I want to see it, Bryce wanted to take me to a few places but you have him quite busy.” I smiled and then dropped the smile when I remembered who I was talking to so casually right now.

When he moved, the couch made a sound and that set me ablaze just as much as his tattooed fingers around that glass did.

“I will keep that in mind.” He said, almost in a voice too low for him to be talking to me.

Was he saying that to himself? Would he ever show me around? No, I can't spend time with this man ever. When my phone buzzed, I quickly checked it to see if it was my brother. Instead I saw Ex, telling me exactly who texted me. My face fell and I jolted when Callan called me out on it.

“What is it?” He asked, seeing I visibly shifted moods in a second.

“Huh? Nothing, I was just checking to make sure it wasn't my brother.” I quickly motioned to put my phone away so he wouldn't try to come see or something. Not that he ever would, I just needed it away from me.

I grabbed at my bag to throw my phone in it but with my nerves intact, I ended up fumbling with it and the bag fell to my feet, making the keys come trembling out for both of us to see. This is humiliating.

“Ummm,” I heard Callan obviously noticing the keys and I quickly stood and knelt to start collecting everything.

My lip liner and chapstick and keys. I knew I needed to explain myself, I could feel him staring at me and I was so visibly flustered that when I stood up so did he. I wasn't sure what he was going to do until he came and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at his handsome face. I blinked up at him through my lashes sheepishly.

“What is going on?” He asked, I knew I needed an excuse and I sighed.

“I watched on social media about this girl being stalked in her building and I ended up watching her whole series on it and I freaked myself out. I didn't want to be alone tonight, it was dumb and I am sorry. I will go now.” I quickly rambled.

He still hadn't let go of my chin which made me continue to face him. His eyes trailed from mine to lips, his skin touching mine where his hand was on my chin and it had my inside on fire. His warm flesh would feel so good touching more parts of me, I know it would. When he licked his lips, I passed out and he dropped my chin. I almost wish he hadn't.

“You seem off these past few days, is something bothering you? You can tell your brother or myself, it will be handled.” He sounded good saying it.

“Nothing is going on, I am always like this.” I smiled at him sheepishly, to play off as awkward rather than nervous and when he didn't say anything, I rambled again.

“I will really go, it was silly to freak out over something on social media.” I snorted at my own expense.

“You will stay here.” He ordered and I instantly complied.

I didn't even think twice about doing so, it was like his authoritative tone moved something inside me and I obeyed this man without blinking an eye. He seemed to like that, though his stone expression never moved, I just felt like he liked it. I sat back down and so did he after he discarded his empty glass. He turned on the television but went onto his phone and started typing away. It made me think of my own phone. I have a message from Ezekiel but if I respond to it, I will give myself away that I am bothered by something and I am afraid this time Callan would insist on knowing what was going on.

He can not be aware of Ezekiel at all. No one can. Different life with a very different girl.