Mr. Arrogant (The Keith Brothers #2)

Chapter 1

“You didn’t tell me he was coming.” Sofie Carter sniffed. She hefted her purse up on her shoulder while walking alongside her best friend, Alana Keith. Her arch nemesis strolled ahead of them conversing with his identical twin brother. How could her friend not tell her that he was going to be there? She felt slightly betrayed due to the lack of information.

Jaxon Keith had been a thorn in her side from the moment Alana and London had got married. The man lived to get on her nerves. She tried to stay away from him, but that would be impossible if she wanted to continue her friendship with her bestie.

“If I had, you probably would have come up with an excuse not to come with me.” Alana laughed.

She rested a hand on the baby she had strapped in a carrier on her chest. The six-month-old lifted his head slightly and glanced over at Sofie. Her heart softened at the sight of her godson. Chance Keith was a beautiful baby who not only had his parents wrapped around his little finger, but her as well.

“Plus, how could you not know,” Alana said. “This is a big night for PSM. Jaxon is co-owner with London.”

Sofie blew out a deep breath. She knew she was being juvenile and should act like the thirty-three-year-old adult she was, but there was something about Jaxon that rubbed her the wrong way. Maybe it was his arrogance, or the way he thought he was God’s gift to women. Even that smirk of his had her wanting to choose violence and punch him in the face.

“Do I have to sit near him?” Sofie asked.

They followed the guys into the Cleveland sports arena. She nodded to the gentleman holding the door open for them. Tonight, the city’s basketball team was playing game seven of the championship finals. If they won tonight, they would be league champions. Sofie had spent enough time in the Keith household to pick up on the ins and outs of the sports management business.

“We are in the clubhouse. There will be plenty of room for you to move around, and no, you won’t have to sit next to him.” Alana laughed. Her eyes sparkled behind her leopard-print frames. She reached over and took Sofie’s hand. She gave it a big squeeze before letting go. “I’m just glad that you took off of work to go on the trip with us.”

“You think I’m going to pass up an all-expenses-paid trip to Bora Bora? Girl, you would be out of your mind. There is nothing that man could do to make me pass up on this trip.” Sofie barked a hefty laugh. She was officially on a two-week vacation from her job at Cleveland General Hospital. As a registered nurse, she had been working crazy hours for a while now, and this was her first real vacation in about two years.

She at first stressed about paying for her part of the trip, but London wouldn’t hear of it. She didn’t have to be told twice to keep her money. Her bestie’s husband was loaded, and if he wanted to make his wife happy by including her best friend in their vacation, who was she to deny him the pleasure of her company?

“I don’t know why you don’t quit your job and come work with me,” Alana said.

They strolled down a hall that led to an elevator. Sofie could already feel the tension and electricity in the atmosphere. It had been a while since Cleveland had won a championship.

This was one thing Sofie loved about her town. The fans of all the sports teams were diehard followers. It didn’t matter how bad the team was, Cleveland was going to show up and support. With the basketball team in the finals, the city was on edge.

They passed by quite a few media people who Sofie was sure were covering the game.

“You girls can walk a little faster.” Jaxon snickered. He stood in the doorway of an elevator and waited for them.

Sofie narrowed her gaze on him. His infamous smirk grew wider into a full-fledged grin.

“Bite me,” Sofie snapped. She joined Alana in the elevator and moved to stand in the back corner away from him.

Alana automatically went to London’s side and slid up under his arm. They made the perfect couple.

“If you want me to.” Jaxon shrugged and stepped into the car. The doors slid shut behind him. He threw her a wink before turning to the elevator attendant in the corner. “James, my man. How’s the family?”

Sofie hadn’t caught sight of the older man whose sole job was to manage the elevators. She never got over that the arena employed someone to do this. She knew it had to do with the area they were in. There were plenty of wealthy people who used these back elevators that went up to the skyboxes, and this must be a part of the luxury price tag for enjoying the game.

Hell, she couldn’t believe she was even in this part of the arena. Sofie was a big basketball fan and tried to come to at least a few games a year, but normally her seats would be in the nosebleed sections.

“Everyone is doing fine, Mr. Keith. We’re all praying for this championship tonight.” The older man chuckled. He was dressed in dark clothing with a sports coat. His stark white hair was combed back away from his face. He was a jolly old man who was pleasant and worked this elevator the few times Sofie had come with the Keiths.

“Aren’t we all.” Jaxon slapped the man on the shoulder.

“What were you two talking about so intently?” London asked Alana.

Her friend had the audacity to roll her eyes.

“Oh, you know. Me trying to convince her to quit her job so she could come work with me,” Alana said.

“It’s just not that easy,” Sofie said.

Alana had left her job after her maternity leave and opened her own consulting firm. She was hounding Sofie to come work with her. She was desperate to have a medical professional such as Sofie who would be able to review medical claims. It was tempting and would be a big step.

“It is. If you need help writing your resignation letter, I’ll help you,” Alana offered.

Chance took that opportunity to put in his two cents and squealed. It would appear he agreed with his mother.

“We’ll talk about this later,” Sofie murmured. Tonight was not the night she would make a decision that would impact her entire life. Nursing had been her career from the moment she’d graduated from college. But lately, she was burned out. It wasn’t as fun as it was when she’d first entered the work force.

She was tired of being degraded by patients, yelled at by physicians, made to work with unsafe ratios while no one cared. She loved caring for people, but there had to be a line drawn somewhere. It was already bad that nurses were leaving the field in droves. She just wasn’t a quitter, and what Alana offered her was a good deal. She had to really think about it and if it would be a right move for her.

The door opened to the elevator, and Sofie followed London and Alana out. She caught sight of Jaxon slipping James a tip on his way out. The man could be an asshole, but every so often she’d catch him doing something that was out of character for him.

She didn’t know how, but somehow Jaxon arrived beside her, strolling down the curved hall toward the skybox he and his brother had bought out. She scowled, shooting daggers at the back of her friend’s head. She tried to increase her pace, but his long legs allowed him to easily keep pace with her.

“I hear you’re coming with us to Bora Bora,” Jaxon’s deep voice broke through the silence.

She sighed and sent up a prayer. She eyed him and cursed internally when her heart skipped a beat.

Why did he have to be so damn handsome? With his dark hair, stormy-gray eyes, and perfect physique. Woman clamored to him like flies on shit. She saw the appeal in him but swore she wouldn’t give in to her carnal thoughts.

Alana constantly teased her that they didn’t get along because of the sexual tension between them. Sofie still couldn’t believe Alana had suggested she go ahead and sleep with Jaxon. Her friend was completely dickmatized and apparently wasn’t thinking too straight.

She and Jaxon?

No way in hell.

“I am and I hear the place is big enough where I won’t have to see you if I don’t want to,” she replied haughtily.

Jaxon chuckled and elbowed her slightly. She ignored the warm sensation from his skin brushing against hers. A shiver rippled down her spine.

“I’m not that bad.”

“To who?” she scoffed.

They had arrived at their destination. London held the door open to allow Alana and Sofie to enter. The guys followed in behind them. There were already other people inside the box. Sofie recognized a few of the sports agents who worked for London and Jaxon along with their guests. They had everything they would need in this room. There was a bar, tables lined up with food being served buffet style. A couple of waiters milled around, ensuring everyone had what they needed. There were two rows of seats in front of the opening that showcased the court down below.

Loud music blared from the speakers. Sofie rushed over to the window so she could look down below and put some distance between her and Jaxon. She took in the scene and grew excited. The atmosphere in the arena was electric. The dance troupe was entertaining the growing crowd. She loved the DJ and the troupe. They knew how to entertain.

“Hey,” she called out, swaying to the beat of the music. It was one of the popular songs that was out, and she loved it. The fans were getting involved, clapping and dancing along as well. Other members of the troupe raced around, shooting balled-up t-shirts up from their small handheld canons.

She had a good feeling about tonight. She loved the Cleveland Knights and was a big fan. She sent up a small prayer that her team would secure their victory and championship tonight.

“Oh, look at all the people,” Alana murmured. She came to stand beside Sofie. “The game doesn’t start for another hour.”

“Girl, you do realize this is the championships, right? And, might I add, history that everyone wants to be a part of.” Sofie laughed. Her friend wasn’t too into sports and wouldn’t understand the significance of a team and the final championship game. “And we are going to win tonight. I feel it in my bones.”

“I sure do hope so.” A newcomer came to stand on the other side of Sofie. He was a nice-looking guy, tall, brown hair with a wide grin. One dimple appeared on one of his cheeks. He was dressed in a white button-down and jeans.

“Sofie, this is Aston. He’s an agent for Primetime. Aston, this is my best friend, Sofie,” Alana introduced them.

Sofie took his hand in a warm shake.

“How are you?” she murmured. If all the sports agents looked like him, maybe she would ask London if they were hiring nurses. Someone had to assess employees or athletes to make sure they were in good health.

“I’m good. You’re into basketball?” Aston asked. He sidled closer to Sofie.

She smiled, ignoring her friend’s chuckle. Aston was cute, and it would be nice to have someone of the male species pay her attention and not get on her nerves.

“I am and I’m from Cleveland. We always support our teams,” she teased.

He barked a laugh and jerked his head in a nod. “I’m learning that. I’m from Chicago, and we’re the same way about our teams.”

Sofie leaned against the short wall in front of them, giving him her attention. She caught sight of Alana walking over to London from the corner of her eye.

“Chicago, huh? What brought you to Cleveland?” she asked.

“Primetime. I’ve worked for other agencies, and when the opportunity came to join this company, I practically sold my soul to work for the Keiths. They are awesome to work for.” He smiled, and that little dimple revealed itself. He cleared his throat and glanced over at the bar. “Want a drink?”

“I’ll take a bourbon,” an annoying voice replied from behind Sofie.

She bit back a scowl, sensing Jaxon’s eyes on her. She stiffened at how close he was standing behind her.

“Oh, sure, Jaxon. Sofie?” Aston glanced back at her.

“A cranberry and vodka.” She offered him a small smile.

He pushed off the wall and walked away. Sofie spun on her heels to face Jaxon.

“What are you doing?” she asked, resting her hands on her waist.

“He offered to get drinks.” Jaxon shrugged nonchalantly. He narrowed his eyes on her and stepped closer. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was just having a friendly conversation with another human being.”

“Who is my employee.”

“And from the looks of it a whole grown-ass man,” she snarled.

Jaxon smirked, and her rage rose even higher. What was it about this man that had her acting not like herself? She usually wasn’t this aggressive or rage-driven. She was normally a laid- back girl who went with the flow, but when Jaxon came around, everything changed. It was like he pushed all of her buttons to drive her insane.

“And you shouldn’t be fraternizing with men who work for me.”

“But I don’t work for you, and your men can do as they damn well please.” She folded her arms in front of her. She arched an eyebrow at him, daring him to say something else.

“You’re the best friend of his employer’s wife.” Jaxon lowered his voice. He erased what little room was between them.

She ignored the warmth that radiated from him, and the scent of his cologne and how she could feel his hardest muscles through his clothes. She took a step back from him. She needed to have some space between them.

The man had the nerve to smirk again as if he knew what she was doing.

“You, Jaxon Keith, are reaching. Why do you care?”

His eyes darkened at her response. He looked away from her and out into the stadium. A muscle in his jaw ticked.

“Here we go,” Aston announced, returning with a small tray holding their glasses.

“Thanks, Aston.” Sofie smiled widely. She turned away from Jaxon and took her glass.

Aston held the tray out for Jaxon to snag his before he took his off the tray. He set it down on a nearby table, turning back to her.

“To the Knights.” Ashton held his glass up for a toast.

“The Knights,” Sofie murmured, clinking her glass softly against his.

Apparently, Jaxon didn’t take the hint that he wasn’t wanted. He pressed to her back and reached out, adding his glass with theirs.

“The Knights.” His warm breath blew against her cheek.

A shiver flounced through Sofie at his closeness. She moved away again. She didn’t know what game Jaxon was playing.

What he jealous?

There was no way.

He didn’t think of her in that way. He was like London before he’d met Alana. The two of them had been man whores. Before Alana had become involved with London, the two of them had watched the parade of women in and out of London’s apartment. The girls had nicknamed him Mr. Hotness.

A woman would have to be blind, deaf, mute, and dumb to not think the Keith brothers were attractive. They turned the heads of any females, and even some males, when they walked by.

She hated to admit how sexy she thought Jaxon was. She didn’t want to know of how many women he had been with. She was surprised he hadn’t brought a bimbo as a date tonight.

Jaxon without a female companion was a rarity.

If he was bored, then it wasn’t Sofie’s problem. She turned back to Aston and offered him a smile. She would ignore Jaxon. He could go bother someone else. He was not going to ruin her night.

“So, Aston. Tell me about what you do at Primetime.”