Page 64 of Protecting the Nerd

York’s words when I’d brought that up came back to mind. “It wouldn’t make a difference. Whether I’m sleeping with him or not, my feelings for him are the same. Not sleeping with him won’t give me more objectivity. That ship sailed a long time ago.”

Remington sighed. “I hate it when your argument makes sense.”

“In all fairness, it was York’s argument when I suggested the same thing.”

“His boss warned me he could argue the saddle off a horse without the rider knowing it. That’s how she put it.”

I felt confident it was okay to laugh now. “That sounds about right.”

“But you made it crystal clear to the FBI that I didn’t condone this, right?”

“I did. In no uncertain terms.”

“Well, then, I guess I have little choice.”

“You could fire me.”

He snorted. “We both know that’s not gonna happen. You’re my best man, Quillon, even if your judgment in this case leaves a little to be desired.”

“I didn’t plan for it to happen…”

“No, that I believe. Anyway, good luck, and in as far as you can, keep me posted.”

Well, that had gone better than expected. My next call was to Auden. I updated him on the case. “Four agents arrived and are staying with Miller and LaFontaine for now, but we need to place them somewhere without drawing too much attention.”

“Hmm, let me think…” He took his time, but I waited patiently. He’d already proven he was creative when it came to finding solutions. “The Robinsons live across the street from Tomás’s house. Mrs. Robinson comes from a family of ten and has an extensive collection of nephews, nieces, cousins, and grandkids we’ve all lost track of years ago. If we can let them stay with them and pose as her nephews or whatever, that could work.”

“Let me discuss it with the FBI.”

Coulson thought it the perfect solution, but he didn’t want to risk the safety of the Robinsons, so with Auden’s help, they were offered an impromptu cruise, supposedly a grand prize in some contest they had won, and their nephew and his partner would be house-sitting. Another problem solved.

I’d ended the call when York stumbled into the kitchen, still in his underwear, his eyes half-lidded. Without hesitation, he stepped into my embrace and plastered himself against me. I held him close, breathing in his scent. Did the man realize how incredibly starved he was for touch? As if he had a lifetime to make up for…and I would never turn him down.

I rubbed his back and possessively splayed my hands on his ass cheeks, squeezing a little. He gave a happy hum and a half laugh. “I like your ass.”

“You’re an ass man?” His voice was still low and growly from sleep, making him even sexier.

“Yup, always have been. I like a nice dick, don’t get me wrong, and for a while, I had a biceps fetish, but asses have always been my favorite.”

“Biceps?”

“You know how sexy it is when a man almost bulges out of the sleeves of his shirt?”

“Like Auden.”

I chuckled. “Yes, like Auden. Who is hot, by the way.”

“You think he’s hotter than Tomás and Tiago?”

Like I would be stupid enough to answer that. “I reject the premise of the question.”

He let go of me, his eyes dancing with humor as he stepped back. “Smart man.”

“I recognize a trap when I see one.”

“Good to know.”

“Sit down, nerdy. I’ll make you breakfast.”

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