More Than You Know by Jennifer Gracen

Charles said. “If you want to have a good working relationship with her, and you’re letting a lot ride on her, you want her happy. Personal background checks often make people very un happy.” He shrugged and removed his glasses to clean them on the edge of his polo shirt. “Besides, you have the resources. You ever feel like you need to, you can.”
    â€œThat was exactly my line of thinking,” Dane said. He nodded to himself and relaxed once more. “Thanks.”
    Charles put his glasses back on and slanted a look at his brother. “You’re interested in this woman, aren’t you?”
    Dane’s brows furrowed. “Of course I am. She’s headlining in my hotel. Like you said, I’ve got a lot riding on her. I could’ve hired a proven star, but I wanted someone unknown. Someone fresh, so she’d have an air of mystery.”
    â€œThen let her have that mystery,” Charles said. “Leave well enough alone.” The corner of his mouth curved. “And don’t take her to bed.”
    Dane sputtered out a laugh. “Nice! What the hell do you take me for?”
    â€œDon’t make me answer that,” Charles said dryly. “You’re my best friend. I’d like to keep it that way.” He winked.
    Dane opened his mouth to shoot back, but the back door slid open and a burst of white fur shot past them. The dog ran out to the grass and disappeared behind one of Tess’s rosebushes.
    â€œBubbles really needed to go,” she said, retaking her seat.
    â€œApparently,” Dane remarked.
    Within seconds, the tiny white Maltese ran back to her owner, yipping happily. Tess smiled with delight and picked up her dog, cooing at her with affection.
    â€œWhat kind of contract did you offer her?” Charles asked Dane. “Timewise?”
    â€œWho?” Tess asked as she rubbed Bubbles behind her ears.
    â€œJulia Shay, the woman I hired to sing,” Dane said. “It’s more than fair. In her favor, if you ask me. I wanted a show of good faith. For her, and her accompanist who she insisted come with her. Good thing he’s fantastic, I had no problem hiring him, too. So for them both, I’m starting with a six-month stint. Brings us to the end of the year. If they like it there, and I like them there, I exercise my option to renew and renegotiate.”
    â€œSounds reasonable,” Charles nodded. “I look forward to hearing her.”
    â€œYou also look forward to seeing her,” Tess chimed in with a mischievous grin. “My friend Jeannie said she’s absolutely gorgeous.”
    â€œOh yeah?” Charles’s eyebrows lifted, intrigued as he looked his brother’s way. “Got a picture?”
    â€œOf course.” Dane reached for his phone, trying to seem casual as he scrolled through. His siblings knew him too well. He didn’t want his lust for Julia to show all over his face. He located her photo and handed his phone to his brother.
    Charles looked, and his eyes widened a drop. He let out a low whistle. “ Damn. ” Looking up, he met Dane’s eyes. “A beautiful redhead. Your Achilles’ heel. Good luck with that.”
    â€œShut up, Chuckles.” Dane snatched his phone back as his siblings laughed knowingly.
    â€œRedheads are your weakness, huh?” Tess needled. She smiled as she stroked her dog’s fur, cradling her in her lap. “I just learned something.”
    â€œEvery day’s a school day, Tess,” Dane said.
    Bubbles yipped and Tess shushed her as she said, “And here I thought you loved all women equally.”
    â€œOh, he does,” Charles said. “But redheads . . . oof. He’s putty. Especially a beautiful and smart redhead.” He glanced back to Dane. “Is she smart?”
    â€œAs a whip,” Dane muttered. “She’s tough, too. She takes no shit.”
    â€œHa!” Charles crowed with a smug