“It’s amazing how that vein in my cousin’s forehead pulses when he’s about to blow, isn’t it?” he whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my spine. I could have sworn I heard a quiet growl coming from Rowan’s throat. “Ah, come on, man. I’m just messing with you.” Griffin laughed heartily, finally releasing me so I could move back a few steps out of the line of fire. With that, I watched in confusion as Rowan’s entire demeanor relaxed.

What the hell was that?

“Navie, I see you’ve met my cousin,” Rowan spoke with a roll of his eyes.

“I’m the good-looking one in the family,” Griffin answered as he stepped farther into the apartment and closed the door behind him.

“He’s the outcast in the family,” Rowan countered. “No one really likes him, but we’re nice out of familial obligation. We spend the rest of the time talking shit behind his back.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the playful ribbing between the two men. Once the tension in the room lessened, it was easy to see the camaraderie between both of them. Griffin put his hand to his chest. “Ouch, man. You wound me.”

“Oh, please,” Rowan replied with a small chuckle. Just that hint of a tiny grin lit up his entire face. “Your ego’s too big to allow you to be offended.”

“This is true. But can you at least try not to make me look like a tool in front of Navie, here? I’m trying to make a good first impression.”

I laughed again as Rowan glared. “All right, guys. You can continue the pissing match once I’m out of the room. Griffin, can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thanks, sweetheart. I’m good.”

“What about me?” Rowan asked, sounding slightly offended.

“Get your own damn drink. It’s your kitchen. I have to get back to work. You boys enjoy yourselves.”

I left the foyer and headed into the living room, followed by the sound of Griffin’s raucous laughter. I tried to appear nonchalant, but the truth was I just had to get away from Rowan before I did something stupid, like kiss him or spontaneously combust into a pile of lusty goo. Jesus, I really needed to get my shit together!

Being left in peace while the men closed themselves off in Rowan’s office, I had managed to check several tasks off my to-do list when the sound of the front door opening gave me a start.

“Hello, hello!” I heard from the entryway and a smile spread across my face. Pepper sauntered into the living room as she always had in the time I’d been working for Rowan, in a flurry of bright colors and saucy attitude. I absolutely adored Pepper. She was Rowan’s personal stylist and even though I didn’t understand what made Rowan important enough to warrant a personal stylist, I was just grateful it was someone as awesome as her. Her hair was an awesome shade of red that she always had fixed in a way that made her look like a modern-day Bettie Page. Her lips were always painted bright red, her eyes were constantly lined with perfect precision, and every time I saw her, she was dressed like a fifty’s pinup model. She was all curves and fierce attitude.

“What’s cookin’, good lookin’?” she asked as she made her way to me, tossing the garment bags in her hands over the back of the couch before crouching to place a kiss on my cheek. I scanned her outfit, an adorable summer dress in black with large white polka dots and a halter neckline and mile-high red, peep-toe heels. No way in hell was I the good looking one in this particular scenario. I had nothing on her in my ratty t-shirt and jeans that should have been thrown out sixty washes ago. Where Pepper was all fabulous all the time, I was more of the ‘dress for comfort’ kind of girl.

“Look who’s talking,” I responded with a grin as she plopped down next to me, kicking her feet up on the coffee table and crossing her ankles like she didn’t have a care in the world.

“Oh, please,” she said with a wave of her hand. “You’re like a sex-kitten Pollyanna. I’d totally do you if you had the required body parts.”

“You sound just like my roommate, Harlow.” I laughed as I mimic her relaxed position.

“So, what you’re saying is your roommate’s fabulous?”

“Yep, that’s exactly what I’m saying.” I giggled. “So, what’s in the garment bags?”

“His Royal Dickness needed a new suit for his photo shoot with Modern Woman.”

“Ah, that's right. It’s in two weeks. Unless he manages to piss off the photographer before then and the damn thing gets pushed back for the third time.” The interview and photo shoot were supposed to have taken place before Rowan’s last release as a way to market the new book, but being the egomaniac he was, Rowan managed to find something to bitch about with every photographer hired to do the shoot. The interview had already taken place and the magazine was starting to get pissed. They didn’t want to run the story without a few new shots. And I was the lucky one who had the honors of reining him in so the shoot went off without a hitch. Lucky me.

“I don’t envy you your job, honey.” Pepper laughed. She’d started working with Rowan about two years before me, so she was able to commiserate about just how big a pain in the ass he was. Apparently, Pepper’s brother was one of his best friends, so when she moved to the city with plans to open up an upscale boutique, he had helped her raise her startup costs by working for him. Pepper’s boutique was up and running, but she still worked for Rowan on the side to supplement her income while the shop continued to make a name for itself.

“I also have his tux for the American Heart Association event. I need him to try it on so I can get the measurements straight.”

“Shit,” I hissed out with a cringe.

“What?”

“I still haven’t told him I RSVP’d yes to that event.”

Pepper’s head fell back against the couch as she burst into laughter. “Oh, man! You’re so screwed. He hates these stuffy black tie events. When he finds out you and Lauren went behind his back to get him there, he’s going to blow a fuse! Please, let me be there when you tell him. Pleasepleasepleaseplease!”

“You’re an asshole,” I groused.

“Aww, don’t be pouty,” she cooed, pulling me in for a sideways hug. “It’s gonna suck, but I have something you can look forward to after it’s done.”

“Oh, yeah? You have something that will make me feel better after getting fired?”

“Please,” Pepper harrumphed. “You know as well as I do that man isn’t getting rid of you. Besides, Lauren’s got your back. Way I see it, you two have him by the short hairs, he’s just not willing to admit it.”

“While you paint an intriguing picture, I’d prefer not to think about my boss’ short hairs, thank you very much.”

I didn’t add that I’d already seen everything there was to see. That was a can of worms I refused to open. Despite being besties with Harlow and my burgeoning friendship with Pepper, the fact that I had seen Rowan naked was something I was taking to my grave. Lord knew those two would analyze the hell out of that event.

“”Well, it just so happens that yours truly was invited to the grand opening of The Neon Room tonight. VIP access and everything.”

“No shit?” I squealed excitedly. “How the hell did you manage that? Everyone and their dog has been trying to get invited to the opening!”

“Yeah, well, I guess I’m one of the cool people,” she joked. “What do you say? You up for a night of dancing and debauchery at New York City’s most popular night club? Well, at least until another one opens in a month.”

“Hell yeah! I need a night out like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Yay!” she exclaimed as she gave a cute little bounce. “Invite your roommate. We’ll make it a girls’ night out.”

“Oh, she’d love that! It’s going to be so much fun.”

“See? I told you I’d have something for you to look forward to after Rowan’s done chewing your ass out.”