Page 58 of The Red-Hot Stakes

“I knew he’d come back, but I hadn’t realized it’d be that hard to tell him no.”

I reached out to rest my hand on his shoulder. “You did the right thing. Sounds like he’s got a real problem and helping people like that can enable them. Sometimes they have to hit rock bottom to find their way back. It’s not easy, but maybe this will make him reevaluate his choices.”

“I hope so.” He pulled me to him for one more long hug before patting my ass. “All right, you need to get back to work. Stop mollycoddling me.”

“Mollycoddling?” I snorted. “What century are you from?”

He glared. “I’m the boss. I can use whatever words I like, thank you very much.”

I stuck my tongue out, then paused before I went downstairs. “You sure you’re good?”

He gave me a semblance of his cocky smirk. “Gina, you know I’m good.”

It wasn’t one hundred per cent his normal snark, but I’d take it.

Chapter Fifteen

By Sunday, I was itching to see Liam outside of work and lay more than my eyes on him. I had an afternoon shift that overlapped with the other manager who was staying late. But we were slow, so she offered to let me go home early. Liam had told me to text him when I was done, since he was watching football at Derek and Avery’s.

I decided to have fun with some new lingerie I’d bought. A bright red, lacy bra with straps that crisscrossed over the deep view of my cleavage. Matching hi-cut underwear showed off my toned thighs. I texted him.

Hey, how long till the game’s over?

It was a few minutes before I got a response. I spent the time making sure I was picture ready.

Almost done with the third quarter, so maybe half hour. Why?

Just have something you might want to see.

I took several pics, showing hints of my outfit. A glimpse of cleavage, my thigh with a peek of lacy outline, my hip with the same lace contouring against my skin. I lay on his bed, waiting for a response and frowning when I didn’t get one.

Then I heard the apartment door slam.

“Dammit, Red, a little warning would have been nice.” His voice echoed from the living room as his footsteps drew closer.

I posed on the bed, lying on my stomach so my cleavage was on full display with my ankles crossed in the air behind me.

“I almost opened those in front of—” His tirade cut off when he walked through the door.

I grinned. “What were you saying?”

“Nothing.” His gaze roved over my body, devouring every inch of me. “You look good enough to eat. I thought you were working longer.” He peeled his shirt over his head as I sat up to watch.

“Slow today. They let me out early.”

Off came his socks and his pants. He left his boxers on.

I peered at him through lowered lashes. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

The bed dipped with his weight as he crawled toward me. “You did.” He hauled me onto his lap as he kissed my lips. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.” His deft fingers explored the lacy bounds of the lingerie, the thin fabric doing little to dampen his touch.

“What’s that?” I squirmed impatiently in his arms.

“Be my girlfriend?”

I stilled, momentarily shocked, but at the same time, nothing felt more right. “Yes.” I kissed him thoroughly as I cupped his cheeks with my hands. When his mouth left mine to dip toward my breast, I tucked my finger under his chin, making him pause. “I thought I’d taste you first this time.” I ran my other hand along his waistband.

Eagerly he climbed out of his boxers and laid on his back for me. I bent to take him in my mouth, but this time he stopped me. “There’s a better way to do this.”

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