Page 77 of Nothing to Win

“Because when I asked you in the kitchen, when I asked you together, you said nothing and she couldn’t get out of here fast enough.All those days lost in your bedroom.Think I didn’t notice?You’ve never told her how you feel and clearly, she’s never told you either.”

The rim of his glass touched his lip as he muttered, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“This is more.New for you.From the way you looked at each other, I thought you broached the subject.”

“So why did you ask—”

“Because Gault would like a ring.”

“What?”

“If Gia was wearing a ring when we got to Gault’s…”

Incredulous, the bottom of his glass landed on the bar with a thud.“You want me to propose to Gia to please that old codger?”

“Brogan, I want you to propose to her because you’re in love with her.”

Curling his fingers into a fist, he resisted the urge to launch the glass across the room.

Credit to him, Julius’ words were sold as sincere.Still, Brogan struggled to believe him.

“Really?”he asked.“Because you were the one who told me to marry her and take control of Sear Incorporated.”

“That was before I knew you were capable of feeling this way,” Julius said then raised an apologetic hand.“I’m sorry, that came out wrong.I meant before I knew you’d let yourself feel this way for a woman.Now you’ve found the one who brings it out in you, don’t fuck around.Don’t lose her because Stefan is in your head telling you to let her go.”

Was that why he’d been holding back?He’d always been confident, often called arrogant, but he hadn’t worked up the gumption to claim Gia, to tell her their future was together.

Admitting it to himself was a huge first step.Had he known?Shit, Julius said it out loud and it was like permission to let down the mental guard.Gia was hot.Accepting how bad he wanted her physically was one thing.There was a line he couldn’t cross, shouldn’t, given how they got their start.

“I called her the other day,” Julius said.“She talked for forty-five minutes about the lack of after-school recreational activities for pre-teens in deprived areas of the city.I promised to sponsor a pilot scheme at the community center.”

Proud and pleased to have his own chance to be amused, Brogan raised his glass.“She’s tenacious.”

“She’s perfect for you,” Julius said.“Why are you fighting it?”

Giving in to the truth, reality was reality.“She wants marriage and kids… a conventional life.”

“She told you that?”Julius asked.“Hint: bringing that up was her giving you the opening to say you’d provide.She was telling you she wanted that life with you.”

Brogan rounded the bar.“She didn’t bring it up, but I know her, Julius.”He sank onto the couch and instantly regretted not bringing the Scotch bottle with him.“It’s what she wants.”

“And you’re worried you won’t be able to afford the ring or the wedding she wants?”

Sarcasm wasn’t helpful.

Brogan glared.“Cut it out.”

“No, seriously,” Julius said, snagging the Scotch bottle to carry it and his own glass over to join Brogan on the couch.“You worried your balls won’t work?That you won’t be able to knock her up?I know plenty of guys who’d do that part of the job for you if—”

“Enough,” Brogan said, snatching the open Scotch bottle to take a swig.

Julius laughed.“I’ve witnessed you two practicing that part of the deal.You’re up to that task.”

One thing was undeniable, Gia got him hard, like it or not, opportune or not, he couldn’t control it.

“Spurn men don’t get married.”

Julius snorted.“That’s not why.”