That’s the only word I could use to explain his expression.
He blinks down at the money, gripping it tightly. Recovering quickly, he says, “Thank you…”
“Twitch,” I offer, then quickly add, “But you’ll call me Mr. T.”
Looking up at me, he utters, “Thanks, Mr. T. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
I offer a small piece of my true self when I threaten, “You won’t disappoint me, Michael. It would be very stupid of you to disappoint me.”
Looking a little fearful, he says quietly, “Yes, sir.”
Yes, sir.
I like that. This was a good idea.
“And if you have the slightest inkling that you’re going to be late, even by a minute…” I wait to make sure he’s listening. He nods quickly for me to continue. “…You call me and you call Miss Ballentine. I don’t care what time of night or day it is. You fucking call. Got it?”
He nods vigorously. Wanting to put him at ease, I place a hand on his head and ruffle his scraggly brown hair. “Okay, boy. You’re dismissed. See you Monday.”
With his eyes to the money in his hand, he picks up his school bag and walks out of the office, closing the door behind him.
I inhale deeply, then exhale slowly, hoping that I somehow haven’t made the wrong decision.
The boy is smart. He’s quick with his words but has respect. He’ll do nicely.
“What was that?” Ah. Lexi.
Fiddling with a cuff link, I tell her, “You were here, babe. Just gave the boy a job.”
Walking across the office, she stands toe-to-toe with me.
And it makes me smile. A real smile.
She’s so small. With her hands on her hips and her face bunched, she looks pissed at me. I don’t know why she’d be pissed at me, but her stance has me a little worked up.
My eyes flash.
Sitting on the edge of her desk, I spread my knees apart and demand, “Come here, Lexi.”
Bending at the waist, she whisper-hisses, “No! I will not come here, Lexi just because you said so! What I’m still struggling with is why you just gave my seventeen-year-old two-year case a job when I don’t want him dealing!”
Back up.
Folding my arms across my chest, I lean back and study the floor, pursing my lips.
“You think I gave Michael a job dealing drugs for me?” I peek up at her through furrowed brows.
Her eyes lose some steam and her stance weakens. “Well, I did. Until you said that.” Reaching up, she pinches the bridge of her nose. “Dammit, now I’m just confused.”
Adorable. No shit.
“Babe, I gave that boy a job. A legit job. He needs the money for something, and he’s desperate enough to turn to the streets. Not gonna happen now. He’ll shadow me and be somewhat of a PA for me. You said it yourself, he’s smart. He needs something better than dealing. And I promise, if he sticks with me, I’ll take care of him. He’ll go to school and get a degree. He’ll be better off working for me.”
Her face has softened, but her eyes are still wary. Rolling her eyes, she asks sarcastically, “So, what? You’re just going to hire all my kids now?”
I immediately ask in all seriousness, “Would that make you happy?”
‘Cause I’d fucking do it.
For her, I’d do it.
Not answering, she shakes her head and her face becomes sweet again. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions and it was really shitty of me. I’m glad Michael is working for you rather than dealing. It was a nice thing to do. So, thank you, Twitch.”
Patting the inside of my knee, I demand once more, “Come here, Lexi.”
Looking me in the eye, she takes two steps forward to stand in-between my legs. Leaning forward, I brush the tip of my nose against hers and whisper, “You really happy about this, or you just sayin’ that?”
Her eyes close, she rubs the tip of her nose to mine again, and says huskily, “I’m really, really happy.”
I make a soft growling noise in my throat.
This little woman turns me on something fierce.
“So you’re grateful?” She opens her eyes and nods. Leaning back from her, I watch her through my hooded gaze and ask very slowly, “Grateful enough to suck my tongue?”
Her breath hitches and her eyes flash the brightest of blues.
I smile big.
She likes that.
Leaning closer, I lower my face to hers until our noses meet. Opening my mouth, I run my tongue along her lower lip. Her lips part a little and I slide my tongue into her mouth. And she sighs.
She fucking sighs.
As if my tongue was a fucking gift. The best gift she’s ever gotten.
Her lips close around my tongue and she sucks very, very gently. My already painfully-hard cock jerks in my pants. I’m craving her. I want to touch her, but this is about her showing me gratitude. My fingers curl around the edges of her desk to stop myself from kissing her back.
She sucks a little harder. Her lips are heavenly. Her hands come up to cup my cheeks, and tilting her head slightly, she sucks even harder, going so deep that our lips meet.