Hot Property by Carly Phillips Page B

from Sabrina than ever. Her youngest son couldn’t find himself and her oldest wouldn’t cut the youngest any slack. On top of it all, John was undergoing the worst career crisis of his life and Cassandra didn’t know how to help him.
    At least he wasn’t alone on New Year’s. He’d said he had company, which in John’s world could mean a one-night stand, but something in his voice told her otherwise. The annoyance in his tone indicated he hadn’t appreciated the interruption. Normally John took her calls without question. Cassandra hoped there was something special about this woman, because her son needed happiness in his life. She just hoped whoever she was, she liked a close-knit family, because that’s what they were.
    She picked up the phone and dialed her youngest son’s cell phone.
    “Hello, Ben,” she said when he answered on the first ring.
    “Did you speak to John about the money for the gym?” he asked.
    Cassandra sighed. She loved all her children, but truly Ben was the most selfish.
    “Happy New Year, darling.” Lowering herself onto a cushioned lounge chair, she eased back against the pillow. “Yes, I tried to talk to him, but the timing was wrong. John was busy. He said he had company and I think it was a woman. You know we have to approach your brother at the right time. He’s got so much on his mind right now.”
    “And I don’t? I could lose this opportunity,” Ben said.
    “Not on New Year’s Eve, Benjamin.” Cassandra didn’t want to outright scold him. After all, he’d never had things quite fall his way, not the way John had. “What if you try talking to your brother yourself?
    ” she asked.
    “He hates me, Mom. He never wants to help, and when he does, he blames me when things go wrong. But he can’t say no to you. He never could. This is the big thing. I can feel it,” Ben said, his tone pleading.

    Her heart squeezed tighter in her chest. “I’ll talk to him as soon as I can,” she promised.
    “Thanks. I have to go.”
    “I love you. Happy New—”
    The phone line disconnected before she could finish.
    Cassandra sighed. That was Ben. Well, at least she’d reached Sabrina and then Roper, wishing them both Happy New Years and receiving one in return.
    She rose and headed inside to change and get ready for the party she was attending. The most mellow one of the year. A ladies-only affair among her closest friends, where she could end the old year the way she planned to start the new.
    Avoiding her ex-lover Harrison Smith.

    AMY AWOKE WITH A SLIGHT headache and fuzzy memories of an incredible night with a sweet man she’d once thought was anything but.
    She was glad she’d been wrong about him. As she stretched, she rolled over, and when she nearly fell face-first off the couch, she suddenly remembered where she’d spent the night.
    On Roper’s couch.
    In Roper’s apartment.
    After that kiss.
    “Oh, my God,” she groaned, tossing her arm over her face.
    “Good morning,” he said in a gruff voice.
    She peeked out and saw Roper standing over her with a glass of orange juice in hand. “Hi,” she managed to say through the fuzzy cotton taste in her mouth.
    Knowing she’d have to face him sometime, she scooted upright, bending her knees in front of her. “Is that for me?” she asked, eyeing the cold juice hopefully.
    He nodded. “I figured you’d be up soon.” He handed her the glass.
    “Fresh squeezed?”
    He rolled his eyes. “Now, that’s pushing your luck.”
    She laughed. “I was curious just how far your culinary talent went.”
    She took a sip and then downed the glass in two big gulps. “Mmm.
    That is so good. I’m sorry I fell asleep.” The last thing she remembered was planning his seduction while waiting for him to bring her a blanket.
    “Me, too.” His intense gaze burned into hers.
    She swallowed hard. “I hope it wasn’t inconvenient having me stay over.”
    “Only if you consider me lying awake in my bed knowing you were right in