Christmas with Brother’s Best Friends (Twisted Desires #3)

Chapter One Emma

Agentle flurry of snow tumbles down onto New York City as I hurry down the busy sidewalk, surrounded by the sounds of bells jingling and muffled Christmas music playing in nearby stores.

This December has truly been the gift that keeps on giving, and I’m only a few days in!

Snow. Holiday festivities. A dream opportunity for my career.

How can things get any better?

“Excuse me!” I say as I slip around a couple wearing matching Christmas sweaters, my eyes lingering on their joined hands for a moment. Just a moment.

I direct my eyes forward, staring up at a skyscraper that hosts multiple million-dollar businesses and one billion-dollar company in the penthouse at the very top.

I’m heading up to the latter for my first day on a huge contract, and I can’t help but be a little nervous at the thought of meeting the three CEOs.

I’m not nervous because they’re strangers. I’m nervous because I know them. I know them really well.

I abandon the winter wonderland in the midst of this concrete jungle that hasn’t been home in a while and head inside, warm air washing over me. Snowflakes melt and sparkle on my plaid tweed coat as I rush to the elevator, tapping the button multiple times until the door finally slides open.

A few other people step inside with me, each of us reaching forward to hit the buttons for our floor. I’m the only one going to the penthouse, the sole office for SyncUp and its billion-dollar remote work platform. It’s genius, but knowing who started it, that’s not surprising.

The doors open, and the breath leaves my lungs as I stare at an open floor office with huge windows that provide the most beautiful view of snow-covered Manhattan. I’ve traveled a lot for my freelance graphic design career, but this is one of the best offices that I’ve ever seen.

“There she is!”

I draw my focus away from the wall of filled bookshelves to my left, my heart immediately racing as three familiar men stride toward me in suits.

Suits!

“Look at you guys! No more dirt-streaked cheeks and gym shorts,” I tease my old friends as I head toward them. I meet them halfway and get a better look at them.

Technically, they’re my older brothers’ best friends from childhood, but they were around the house so much that they’re like family to me too.

Andrew and Ethan made it very clear back then that I was off-limits—so clear that they once made a guy cry for asking me to prom.

I was sixteen, they were overreacting, and their friends never let me live it down.

Josh outpaces Max and Ryan to sweep me up in a tight embrace. “Holy shit. Look at you! I barely even recognize you, Em.”

My eyes widen at how firm he feels. Granted, they were always playing sports with my brothers growing up. Athleticism is no stranger to them, and from what I can see and feel, it hasn’t evaded them even all these years later.

“I can say the same,” I reply before we break away from each other.

His cologne smells bright and captivating, and I swear that it lingers on my coat. I lift my eyes to his familiar smile and blue eyes, but everything else is different. His brown hair used to be a shaggy mop on his head that got in his eyes, but now the waves are neatly trimmed and styled.

It would be a travesty to cover that face because wow. He looks great. I shouldn't even think it, but he looks hot.

Josh breaks my daze by stepping out of the way, letting me hug Max, who leans down so that I can wrap my arms around his neck.

“Good to have you home,” Max tells me.

I can feel the broadness of his strong shoulders under my arms, while his short, black hair feels soft against my cheek. I almost want to touch it. “You successfully lured me back home with this contract.”

A huge contract. If I pull this off, this can open so many doors for me and take my career to an even greater height than what I’ve accomplished freelancing.

“You’re the best for the job,” Max replies once he releases me, his fingers grazing my hip in a manner that makes my heart skip. Sheesh, they all look good.

This isn’t just another gig. This is a shot to prove that I’ve built something real.

That I’m not just floating from city to city, picking up scraps between dream clients.My brothers took the traditional path.

Med school. Law school. Accolades. Framed degrees.

I built mine from scratch—late nights, unpredictable income, learning everything on my own terms.And now I’m here, in a billion-dollar penthouse, trusted with one of the most important updates their company has ever launched.I didn’t get this far to be seen as a little sister doing a favor. I’m here because I’m damn good.

When I considered taking a contract with my brothers’ friends, I pictured the cute but antagonizing boys that used to crash my sleepovers and try to help me with my homework. Not these grown businessmen who are stupid hot and casually confident.

“Did Andrew and Ethan recommend me?” I ask them.

“No, they don’t know about the update,” Ryan speaks up, coaxing my eyes to him. “But I looked at your portfolio and felt like you were a good fit for what we’re trying to do. I have to warn you…it’s a lot in a short amount of time.”

“I noticed that. We only have a few weeks to work on this? New graphics for the whole SyncUp platform and for promotional social media posts leading up to the update launch?” I reply, reeling off the details that I got in their initial inquiry email.

“It’s pretty last minute,” Josh admits with a sheepish grin. “The graphic designer we were initially working with had to drop out suddenly. We had to scramble to find someone else who has enough talent and vision to do this project.”

It’ll be a crunch, and it’ll be a lot of work, but I like them, and I like their mission to make remote work more accessible. The update that they’re preparing to launch on Christmas Eve will have new features and a new look, thanks to me.

“We can do this,” I assure them as a look of determination settles on my face. I then smile at Ryan, our matching green eyes locking. “Good choice picking me for the job.”

The side of his mouth turns up as he nods.

If he’s not going to come to me, I’ll go to him.

I playfully poke the impressive bulge of his bicep through his suit jacket. “Looks like you’re taking advantage of working remote and working out on company time.”

“If you can’t reach him for some reason, just check the gym,” Josh says, prompting a chuckle from Max. “He might as well live there.”

Ryan rolls his eyes and wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me against his broad chest.

I can barely touch my own hands because he’s so built. He could probably crush me right now if he put his mind to it. “Well, I think we’ll all be living here for the next few weeks if we want to get all this work done in time.”

Ryan releases me, not lingering for too long. “I’ll send you a schedule of deadlines we have to meet to stay on track.”

I nod and glance around the office, seeing a few doors to small rooms, some desks, and even a lounge area with couches. “I’m guessing the other employees are working remotely?”

“It would be scummy of us to create a remote work platform and not let our own employees use it,” Josh says with a wry grin. “They’re always welcome to come here, but it’s mostly us three conducting meetings here.”

“We would like for you to work at the office with us during these next few weeks, though,” Max adds. “It’ll be easier to work together if we’re in the same space.”

“I’d actually be really happy to work here with you guys,” I tell them, feeling a spur of eagerness, even if the thought of being stuck in an office with them for weeks makes me a little nervous.

My heart rate still hasn’t slowed down since I first saw them, and it’s going to be a little harder than normal to focus on my work if my mind keeps going back to how ridiculously good they look.

They probably just see me as their best friends’ little sister.

I don’t want that, even if that’s the tough truth. They’re essentially forbidden fruit and my new bosses for the next few weeks.

“I should give you a tour then,” Josh offers. “Max and Ryan can get you up to speed on the actual project when we’re done.”

Max smirks. “A tour of what?”

“He’s just being selfish. He wants her to himself,” Ryan comments, flashing Josh a knowing look before walking off.

I raise an eyebrow at his claim, but my curiosity evaporates when Josh moves closer to me, his hand grazing my back. “You need to learn to play well with others,” I tease.

“I’ve been running a company with two other people since we were in our late twenties. I know how to share,” Josh assures me as our eyes lock.

I think we’re still talking about work. Right?

“Good. I’ll have to work with all of you to get the details right,” I reply, grounding myself in professionalism to the best of my ability.

“You sure you’re ready for this?” Max asks as he tilts his head at me. His gaze skims its way up my body, slow enough to make my skin flame.

He’s never looked at me like that before, but I suppose I’ve never thought about them like this before. Time has changed us in more ways than one, cloaking the boys who I used to know with a veil of mystery that I want to see beneath.

I should keep my hands off and keep my distance, but we’ll be stuck together for weeks in this office. There’s no telling what will happen within these walls if I can’t keep my desires within my own head. I just hope I don’t do something I can’t take back.