Page 46 of The Fix

I wanted him to stay.

The tears fatten against my cheeks, rolling down and wetting my temples.

But he’s my client. My job.

My throat tightens around the emotions, my body curling up to roll onto my side.

Toby is the last person I should want.

Except I’m hit with the coolness along my butt, a slickness between my thighs, and a whole new wave of tears flood my hands.

This is screwed up.

I’m going to lose my job over this.

“Hey, Mama.”

I startle, even though the words are hushed, my squeak of surprise squeezing passed the lump in my throat.

“Jeffers,” I growl out through my hands. “I told you to leave me alone.”

“Uh-huh,” he mumbles and the roughness of his calloused fingertips brush against my ankle. “I didn’t listen.”

I can’t help the scoff. It’s watery and yet blunt. “Clearly.”

Subtly, I wipe at my face yet keep it covered.

“What are you doing?” I ask when he wraps those fingers around my ankle and lifts, my leg going willingly despite my brain screaming not to.

“Making sure I didn’t hurt you.” His free hand dances across the back of my thigh where he held me, his callouses teasing against my skin.

I don’t want to want it.

I don’t want my muscle to relax in his hands, or my skin to raise with goosebumps, and I definitely don’t want the warmth in my chest at his return.

I can’t.

I can’t focus on the fact that I didn’t want him to leave, and yet, here he is. Cradling me, tending to me.

So instead, I roll my eyes and jerk my leg from his grasp. “I said you didn’t hurt me. I’m fine.”

Toby huffs and snatches my leg back. “Then quit acting like I kicked your fucking puppy and let me clean you up.”

My legs are parted and the tingles of terrycloth grate over my sensitive flesh. “Toby,” I squeal. “That’s too much!”

His deep chuckle warms my stomach when my back hits the headboard, and I cross my legs against the desire wanting to pool yet again.

“Can you hand over my pants?”

“Nope.”

“Why?”

“I like you better when you’re naked, Mama.”

“Oh my God,” I growl, covering my heating face. “You’re ridiculous. What happened didn’t happen, okay?” I grab the edge of the comforter and tug it free. Draping the white material over my thighs, I shove the corner under my opposite thigh. “It didn’t happen.”

“We’re doing that again, huh?” The lopsided grin on his face screams he’s going to do anything but forget this happened.

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