“You’re lucky I love you, but you owe me big time for this punishment!” I sternly tell her and then turn, walking back out the door with all the confidence.

“Fine,” I say to Forrest. “But this is my choice, it’s not because you are acting like a caveman. Like I said, I don’t take orders from any man. I live life on my terms, and you better remember that, roomie.” I storm past Forrest and straight out the office door and head back to my office down the corridor.

And all I can hear from behind me is the deep belly laugh from Flynn. “Good luck, brother dearest, you are going to need it.”

Chapter Four

FORREST

What is wrong with me?

Why do I keep thinking I need to jump in to save a woman who doesn’t think she needs saving?

This is going to be a nightmare.

There is no way I’m going to be able to live with Harper in my home without one of us trying to kill the other, on a daily basis. The only chance we have of getting through this is hoping that we are both working so hard that we are hardly ever in the apartment, basically just here to sleep.

It’s just the weekends that will be a problem. Surely, she spends time with her family, or I can get Flynn to make sure they have lots of girly days organized. Then it’s her security team’s problem and not mine.

I only need to take care of her at night while she is in bed.

Fuck, I don’t need to be thinking about it that way.

I’m stronger than that. I won’t give in to her flirting or innuendos.

I made a promise to myself that the next woman I’m with will be with the intention of a long-term relationship. It’s why I have given up dating the socialite women who are just doing the rounds of the room and trying to find the next rich guy to pay for their easy life. I’m sure they aren’t all like that, but for some reason, they’re the ones I keep attracting, and I’m not interested.

I know I need more than that.

I deserve more than that.

It’s the connection I want, that soul-deep one that I have now seen my brother and friends find. Why isn’t it that easy for me?

As I have been reminded several times by my mother and brother, everyone assumed it would be me that settled into the long-term serious relationship long before Flynn. And to be honest, we all doubted it would ever happen for him. But of course, life has a funny way of changing people’s directions without them realizing it.

I think they call it fate or some shit like that.