Hot Asset (21 Wall Street, #1)

by Lauren Layne

She whirls around at my voice, and my head snaps back a little when I see her face-to-face. Not because I know her but because I want to know her. For one bizarre-ass moment, the woman feels meant for me.

“Seriously? Do these lines usually work for you?” “Honestly?” I give a small smile. “Yeah.” “Well ”—she sips her coffee—“let me know when I’m supposed to fake the swoon.” You wouldn’t be faking anything with me, sweetheart.

😂

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bradley. I’m Lara McKenzie with the SEC. Here to inform you that you’re under investigation for insider trading.”

Damn it, he really does smell good. What is that, sandalwood? Cedar? George Clooney’s sweat?

“I had your company’s assurances that you’d cooperate, and I got the impression last week in the conference room when you brought me coffee that you were planning on doing exactly that. What changed?” I realized I couldn’t be in the same room as you and not want to fuck you, that’s what changed.

“Is it weird that I might like her?” Kate asks. No, I think. What’s weird is that I know I like her.

Intuition is nothing more than your subconscious remembering something your consciousness forgot and attributing it to some outside source.”

“Perfect,” I retort. “And I’ll pretend not to notice the way you look at Kennedy Dawson when he’s not looking.”

I’d accused her of being jealous, of wanting my hands on her, but the truth is, it’s me who wants her. Me who wants nothing more than to strip off that fussy jacket, shove up that prim skirt, and see if she’s as wet as I am hard from our sparring.

“Because you’re you and I’m me,” she says. “Even without the investigation, we’re a mismatch. You’re the life of every party, and I can’t even keep a flower alive.”

I’m not the kind of girl who hooks up with guys like Ian. But . . . I like him. I like him a lot. He makes me laugh, and he challenges me, and . . .

“For what it’s worth,” he says, not looking at me as a cab pulls to a stop in front of us. “When I make out with you, it won’t be against the wall of a seedy club. And I will definitely remember it.”

“Haven’t you heard? When I set my mind on something, I always get what I want.” The way he looks at me makes it clear what he wants: me.

He rests his forehead on mine, just for a moment, and it’s his vulnerability that breaks me.

Ian plays on wit and stubbornness, Matt on smiles and flattery, but Kennedy gets what he wants with quiet command and competence.

I’m too afraid she’ll see the real reason I’ve been avoiding her—the real reason I’m so damn mad at her. Because I want her. And my heart’s terrified she won’t want me back.

I’m mad, yes, but I don’t know if it’s at her anymore. Mostly, I’m mad at myself for wanting a woman who could think even for a moment that I could be a criminal. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone, but she’s still not sure if I belong in jail.

I want to date Lara. I want to make her laugh, and hear about her life, and figure out how to get her to that FBI dream job, and I want to be there when she gets the call. I want it all. I’m in so much trouble over this woman.

“Use that brilliant brain of yours to listen and listen good. You’re the only woman I’m thinking about, the only woman I’ve thought about since I saw you that first day in the break room.”

“I miss you, Lara. I miss you like crazy. I get you have to be here, and I have to be there. Though, for the record, I did contemplate the very impressive gesture of quitting my job and moving here. But I didn’t think you’d respect me for it.” I shake my head. “You’re supposed to be rich.” He laughs, and the sound makes my heart swell. “Damn straight. But I’m also supposed to be with you.”

“Give me a break. The guy I love surprised me with red roses, plane tickets, and vague chatter about marriage.”