Free Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

owed him a great debt. His brother was, quite simply, his hero. Any other moody teen would’ve ditched his baby brother behind and taken care of himself. But Connor was the one who drove him to after-school science and math clubs. Protected him from the string of bullies ready to beat the shit out of him. Sat beside the bed quietly while Nate sobbed because the pain of his mother leaving was too much to bear, and the silence from his father cut his heart out.
    But now they were grown up. He wanted a life for himself. A wife. Children. A dog. He loved his brother, but he was ready for him to move out. The few months originally promised had turned into a year, and Connor still made no attempt to get his own place. Nate’s haven had become a frat house, where he was the maid, cook, and advisor for Connor and his construction crew. He had to talk to him soon. If he was serious about finding a wife, he couldn’t bring her into this type of environment. Time his brother got his own place and moved out. It would be a good move for both of them.
    Nate trudged to his room, stripped off his clothes, and got ready for bed. When he finally lay on top of the crisp white sheets, he thought of Kennedy. Thought of that one sweet, earth-shattering kiss he’d remember for the rest ofhis life. She tasted of salt, spice, and sin. He’d never wanted a woman as badly before and would have sold his research patent to China just for an opportunity to kiss her once more.
    He stared up at the ceiling. The best part was that she had responded to him. Somehow, he’d gotten to her, and for that one moment, she belonged to him. But it was time to pull himself back from the abyss before the entire plan fell apart. He wanted a woman for a long-term relationship and didn’t have the skills to scale maximum-security walls strategically built to keep out men with much more experience than him. If she were willing, he’d die trying to have her. But she wasn’t. And the one thing he wasn’t was stupid.
    He would have to be very, very stupid to ever think Kennedy Ashe would want him for forever. She was too beautiful. Too perfect. And that, he knew, was a deadly combination.
    It took a long time for sleep to come.
    “NO. WAY.”
    Kennedy shared a glance with the stylist. The man arched a brow and pursed his lips in disapproval. Benny had a very large ego, well earned, and the idea that Nate didn’t want to follow his instructions insulted him in all ways. Tall and lean, his dark hair was impeccably styled and touched with red to add depth, and a diamond winked in his left ear. He always wore black and manicured his nails; his nose was long with a slight hook that made turning it up at anyone who didn’t suit him all the more easy. Likeright now. She rested her hands on Nate’s shoulders, covered by the plastic cape, and met his gaze in the mirror. “What’s the real problem?”
    “Are you kidding? You want to highlight my hair? Wax my face? Let me repeat myself. No. Way. I’m going home.”
    Benny threw up his hands. He spoke with a fake British accent, though Kennedy knew he was straight from the Bronx. “I cannot work under such conditions. I am an artist. I take your clients as a favor to you, but I will not be insulted.”
    “Listen, buddy, I read Glamour , and it specifically states that highlights need to be kept up every two weeks. I’m sure as hell not going to a salon on a regular basis, so you better rethink the plan.”
    Benny huffed. Then spoke with grudging approval. “He is right. I refuse to give highlights to someone who will not maintain.”
    Nate sat up taller and made a move to rise from his chair. “That’s right. Now who’s the expert? I’m outta here.”
    Benny curled his lip in disdain.
    “Nate, please listen.” Kennedy placed a light restraining hand on his arm, which immediately grabbed all of Nate’s focus. “Benny is going to polish up your appearance to increase your natural confidence. You’re not getting