Free Carae's Touch (Long Line of Love, #4) by Marilyn Lee

laughed. "Don't be so naive. At the risk of sounding unkind, you're just not in his league. If what you say happened, I'm sure he was just curious about life on the other side."
    Carae arched a brow, shaking her head slowly. "It must be awful to be so delusional."
    Before the other woman could respond, Brandon opened the door. "Ladies."
    She turned and pushed past Carae to walk out the door first.
    By the time Carae followed, she was slipping into the front passenger seat of the door Brandon held open.
    He closed the door before opening the rear door on the passenger side for her.
    Carae gave him a cool stare.
    He ignored it, urged her inside, and walked around the car to the driver's seat.
    "It's time I returned the favor for the dinner I owe you, Brandon. We can have dinner at Mario's after you drop Lelia's friend off."
    Fuming in the backseat, Carae waited for Brandon's response.
    "I'm going to have to take a rain check," he said. 
    "Do you have other plans?" she asked.
    "No."
    Pleased that he didn't offer the other woman any explanation, Carae smiled and settled back in her seat. However, she listened with growing annoyance as the jealous bitch went on to discuss work related issues that excluded her.
    Brandon endeared himself to her when he turned the conversation to current news and made sure to include Carae.
    Finally, forty minutes later, Brandon pulled into a quiet tree-lined cul-de-sac. He got out and walked around the car to open her door.
    "Come in for a quick drink," she said, placing a hand on his arm when she slipped out of the car.
    "Maybe another time."
    "I'm sure Lelia's friend won't begrudge you a few minutes," she said as they walked away from the car and down the driveway towards the house.
    Carae watched out the window while the woman placed a hand on his arm again before leaning over to plant what looked like a kiss on his mouth. To her relief, he immediately stepped back, nodded at her, and walked away.
    When he reached the car, he opened the front and rear passenger side doors. "Join me in the front," he invited.
    "Of course." Carae got out and slipped into the front seat.
    When he got in beside her, she glanced at him. "Did you tell her I was Lelia's friend?"
    "You heard what I told her about you when I introduced you," he said.
    "Have you and she ever been more than friends?"
    "We're not friends. We work in the same building and on the same floor."
    "How does she know about Lelia and your brothers?"
    "We're not friends, but we are acquaintances. She invited me to a party at her house. I went. When Layton had a party, I asked Tempest to invite her and her husband to return the favor. They came. Whenever Layton and Tempest give a party, there are always several of us in attendance. She's met some of my brothers and she's met Lelia a few times when we were all returning from New York on the same train."
    "Is that all?"
    "I've already told you that it was. If I were in the market, it wouldn't be with her."
    "Why not? She's gorgeous."
    "So are you. Just so you know, Carae, I don't date white women."
    "Ever?"
    He shrugged. "I dated a few in college to see what all the fuss was about, but still couldn't see the attraction."
    "Does she know that?"
    "In case you didn't notice the ring, she's married."
    "I saw it, but does she remember that when the two of you are alone?" Like when she was trying to kiss you at her door?
    "Even if she didn't, I would. I have zero interest in any relationship with another man's wife."
    "Good," she said softly.
    "What were you doing at 30 th Street Station, Carae?"
    "I was waiting for you," she admitted.
    "How did you know I'd be there?"
    "A little birdy told me," she said.
    "And would that little birdy be named Layton or Bancroft?"
    "Does it matter? I was hoping you'd be glad to see me, Brandon."
    "How many ways must I say I am and was happy to see you, Carae?"
    "I'll eagerly listen while you say it in as many ways as you like," she said.
    "Then I'll tell you yet again, that