My agents son, p.1
My Agent's Son, page 1
My Agent’s Son
A Bad Boy Christmas Romance
BY
CLAIRE ANGEL
Copyright © 2018 by Claire Angel
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.
MY AGENT’S SON: A BAD BOY CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
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Table of Contents
My Agent’s Son: A Bad Boy Christmas Romance
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MY AGENT’S SON: A BAD BOY CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
Blurb:
Alicia is one of the many struggling artists in New York, using her chance to prove herself every chance she got. One night at a gallery wouldn’t only be the start of her career but the start of an all-consuming attraction that would be hard to shake.
It was too bad that the man was the son of her new agent and completely off limits. It was too much to know that he’d slept with most of the socialites in the city.
Something about Brandon made her give in to him despite my doubts.
They fell into a passionate affair that was strong if not brief, one that would rock their worlds.
Could they make it through all the barriers?
Could they hide their relationship and keep everything Alicia worked so hard for?
Could Alicia handle her professional life along with sleeping with the son of the woman that controlled her future career?
*****
Chapter 1
Brandon
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around me, using my free hand to pinch the bridge of my nose. I could hear music filtering through the apartment and groaned at the thought of socializing tonight. I felt like shit from drinking my blues away last night and just wanted to sleep a few hours before work tomorrow.
I dried off slowly and pulled on some lounge pants. I knew that my sister was getting ready in the hallway bathroom and that she was the one singing along to the music in her loud voice. Molly moved out and I wouldn’t hear her voice anymore. Not only that, she did it while I was away on business.
I stepped into my bedroom and walked into the hallway to see lights shining in from two of the rooms. She was singing a Kelly Clarkson song badly, and I shook my head slowly.
“Are you sure you need me tonight? Call one of the pretty boys you insist on dating.” I told her, walking to the bathroom where she was wrapped in a robe and leaning into the mirror so far, I wanted to pull her away. Judging from her intense expression, she was in the middle of something important.
“Mom wants us to go, B. This is one of her most important clients and she needs family to represent.” She turned unblinking blue eyes towards me and I sighed.
My mother was an agent to several celebrities in the New York area and happened to catch the flu two days before this showing. She always begged me and Moira to take her place when that happened though it was rare. It was probably the reason I felt a bit out of place at these things since I was used to talking numbers and investing. The creative types didn’t want to hear about that as much as I’d like. They were usually starting out with stars in their eyes. I admired that, but I just wanted to help them secure their futures.
“Why tonight? I feel like shit from last night.” I grumbled as she rolled her eyes.
“It’s not my fault that you went out drinking after a long day at work. Is it punishment when you go in early the day after that?” She mused as I stared at her. “I have plans later, anyway. We’ll just make an appearance and you can come home and roll in your own pity.” She turned to the mirror. “Go fix your ugly face and get dressed. Martin is picking us up in an hour. Drink some Vitamin water while you do that, and you might feel better.”
“Fucking hell, Moira.” I grumbled as I stumbled to the kitchen and grabbed two of the cold bottles from the fridge. She might be five years younger than me, but she had a good head on her shoulders. I felt like she was the older sibling most of the time.
I added some product to my hair and styled it in the messy way that women seemed to favor. I chuckled at Moira’s comment about being ugly since we both knew that I could get any woman I wanted in the city. Molly was a rare relationship for me and one that I believed in. I shared the same dark brown hair and bright green eyes with my sister and we both did well out there.
I looked into the mirror and made sure my hair was perfect before rubbing the stubble on my face. I decided to leave it and walked into the bedroom to get my go to tuxedo from the closet. I hated wearing them, but business was business.
I straightened the tie that matched my eyes before taking the last sip from the second bottle. It did make me feel a bit more stable, and I found my shoes, slipping them over the expensive socks I favored for these occasions. I heard the click of heels outside the bedroom door and moved to stand as Moira tapped on the thick wood.
“Ready to dazzle?” She called as I slipped what I needed into my pockets and headed over to leave.
“Aren’t the artists supposed to do that?” I asked dryly as I looked down at her. I was three inches taller than my sister even in her stilettos and she raised a brow at me. “You look nice.”
“Thank you.” She said as she ran a hand down her ombre purple dress that she paired with glittering silver heels. Moira was the more bohemian of the two of us and it made me smile. “I think that Martin is waiting for us. Ready?”
“Let’s do it.” She downed the glass of wine and clutched her small purse as we headed to the front door. This was my brownstone though she stayed here a lot if she didn’t want to make the drive to my parent’s place across town. I pulled the door closed and secured it with the app on my phone before leading her to the elevator.
The town car was shimmering under the street lights as Martin opened the door for us. I nodded at him as Moira slipped into the car first, taking my seat beside her as I looked at the group of women ogling me as they passed. I was all about casual now after Molly. I started last night with some nameless blonde in one of the storage closets.
The car moved smoothly into the street and I stared out of the window as the buildings flashed by. I felt like I could pull a few hours of mindless socializing with a winning smile. My mom was known as a caring, devoted agent and I kept that in mind as I promoted her and our family name. Moira was busy on her phone and I smiled at her as I watched.
Growing up, I was always protective of my only sibling. I was the typical big brother, but she showed that she could hold her own early on. Now, I was watching her work as an assistant to a successful attorney and make her way in the city with confidence and a generous dose of sass.
I looked out of the window and worried about my sick mom. I knew that Dad was taking care of her and she’d be back at life soon, but I always looked to her as the strong one in our family. If Dad wasn’t doing well as the owner of a successful property management company, I would take care of her and Moira myself.
“We’re here. I love that little coffee shop on the corner!” Moira’s words broke into my thoughts and I looked out as the car slid to a stop across the street from a building crowded with people inside and out. It was in Brooklyn and I quietly admired the vibrant feel of this part of town.
Martin opened the door, and I stepped out, taking Moira’s arm as we looked back and forth before crossing the street. Once the crowd parted, I could see the building was a smaller one that stood out on the block. The front was all windows and I could see that the lighting was intimate but perfect for the art showing inside. Moira greeted someone as we walked through the wide glass doors that were propped open, letting in the cool evening air.
I spoke to friends of the family that were there, discussing upcoming events and holiday parties that we’d see each other at. They all seemed to be fond of the artist and spoke highly about her as I looked around to see who this woman was.
Once I was finished with
Chapter 2
Brandon
Once I had my beer, I walked around idly to take a look at the paintings that were placed artfully on the vibrant walls of the gallery. They were abstract and varied from bright and patterned to darker with shapes of people. I liked it.
I wasn’t a big art fan apart from appreciating it here and there when I visited friends. My apartment was the best of the best, but the walls were empty as far as art and pictures. I’d only been there for six months now and worked too much to decorate. Mom and Moira bitched at me on the regular, but it wasn’t at the top of my list.
I heard my sister laughing in one of the other expansive rooms, but my eyes were locked on one of the large paintings. It was of a shadowed woman on a beach looking over the water, painted in broad strokes on the canvas. I looked it over slowly and sipped my beer as I glanced at the tag hanging from the corner. I could afford it easily and I glanced around to find the owner before Moira walked into the room to find me.
“Are you shopping for something for the house?” She teased me as she glanced around. “Good stuff, isn’t it?”
“She’s talented. I’ve heard a lot of good things around the room and they were right.” I agreed as I focused on the painting that was now haunting my mind. “How do I purchase this one?”
“Are you serious?” She asked as she looked over the painting. “It’s a little edgy for you, isn’t it?” I narrowed my eyes at her and she told me that she’d find the owner and be right back.
“Mr. Kinsley. Thank you for coming,” Diana greeted me with a hug as she joined me in front of the painting. “You like this piece?”
“I do. I’d like to purchase it this evening.” I told her as I pulled away, looking into her warm brown eyes. Diana was an older woman that worked with art for years. She was a close friend of Mom’s and had a lot to do with her booming career as an agent.
“Let’s go to my office and take care of the details.” She suggested, and I followed her through the gallery into a private office in the back of the building. She sat in her chair and I took the one across from it, making small talk as I filled out paperwork and paid for my new painting.
I left the office with a smile, knowing that I was done here for the night. I was turning to head to the bathrooms to my right when I saw a door open and someone tumble out. I rushed forward and caught them, hearing a gasp as my arms kept the person from falling to the marble floor. “Are you okay?” I asked as I noticed lavender hair moving under my face.
“Thanks to you,” came a soft voice as she righted herself and blinked at me. The lavender hair was just the beginning of the beauty of this woman. She had porcelain skin that was flushed and gray eyes that were wide on her face, making her different from the other women I had in my life.
“Hi.” She smiled, and her full lips caught my attention as I gazed at them for a moment.
“Hello.” I replied as something coursed through me that resembled my usual lust with a twist. “I haven’t seen you here. Did you just arrive?”
“No, I was here before anyone else. I helped them set up.” She smiled and started to walk towards the main gallery before I reached out my hand.
“Wait a moment. I need to take care of something, but I’d love to talk more.” I told her as I nodded towards the bathrooms.
“Sure.” There was a question in her voice as I turned to hurry into the bathroom.
I did my business and washed my hands before looking in the mirror. Women were always affected by me and I straightened my tie once more before returning to the hallway. This woman was different from the moment I looked at her, but something told me that I needed to make her mine.
I opened the door and found the hallway empty. I cursed as I walked through the alcove that led to the first room, ignoring the variety of sensual expressions on the faces of the surrounding women. They were all the same, but I wanted the wide-eyed gaze of the woman I’d caught in the hallway. There was an innocence there that was rare, and I sensed that she was genuinely herself. She had a quirky style that screamed it and I needed to know more.
I paused as I saw Moira talking to the woman. They were at the bar sipping wine and laughing. Their styles went well together though my sister was the flashier of the two. I took in the woman I met for a moment, seeing that she was wearing a cocktail dress in a shimmering silver with black heels. She fit the occasion, but I sensed she didn’t have the wealth that my own family did.
In fact, most of the women that I slept with ran in the same circles as my friends and family. I’d never realized that before as much as I did now. Moira lifted her glass and saw me staring at them, frowning as she noted my gaze was on the other woman. Her eyes narrowed, and she shook her head slowly. I raised a brow in return and walked towards them, watching as Moira glared at me. She wasn’t usually this protective of women, being a man eater herself.
“Sister of mine. Mind of I join you?” I asked as they both gazed at me. I ordered another beer and watched as understanding crossed the face of the other woman.
“You’re Marilyn’s son?” I nodded, and she gaped at me for a moment. “She might be representing me soon. When she wasn’t here, I assumed that nobody from the family or firm would attend.”
“Representing you?” I repeated as she nodded.
“Mom asks us to come in her place in bigger events. Brandon, I’d like you to meet the artist featured tonight. Alicia Moore, meet my brother Brandon.” Moira smiled at me as shock registered on my face. “He purchased one of your paintings, so it was a good thing that we came. I’ve been trying to get him to decorate his new place since he moved in.”
“Which one?” Alicia asked as her eyes went wide, making my cock stiffen in my briefs. I wanted to fuck the innocence out of this girl and make her scream my name.
“Girl on a beach.” I watched her face, seeing emotions cross it as she registered this information. Her brows furrowed, and she looked me over slowly for a moment.
“I didn’t think a guy like you would buy that one,” she murmured as I feigned being insulted by her statement.
“It was beautifully done. What’s not to like?” I shot back as she looked at Moira. My sister had a huge smirk on her face, enjoying a woman that wasn’t falling at my feet for a change.
“Thank you.” She decided to go with the polite approach. “This was my first showing, and it went surprisingly well. I appreciate your support.” I could see that I was getting to her on some level, but Alicia was keeping her cool.
Moira sipped her wine and gave me a victorious look as I reached for my beer. I knew that this would take work, but I’d have her.
Alicia was approached by several people throughout the night and basked shyly in the spotlight. It made me unable to speak with her, but I just observed. I saw that she noticed the women that I was sending away by her curious looks my way. I saw the way she blushed under my steady eyes.
Moira left about an hour and a half in, but I told her I was staying. She shot me a dark look and told me that Alicia was too good for me. I didn’t need to strip her of the dignity the others didn’t walk away with. As she walked out with one last warning in her eyes, I knew that my sister was right. I should leave this one alone and move through the vapid women that I was accustomed to.
Still, I stayed and nursed the same beer. I made an effort to talk to some of Mom’s colleagues and do what I was here to do while I watched Alicia. She was friendly and through that, flirting in a way that she was not aware of. At least, I didn’t think so. Alicia glowed and lit up the very room with her enthusiastic chatter and arm movements as she spoke. I never saw a woman do this before, not even my ex.
