Page 70 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

Although she enjoyed the trip to the school yesterday where the volunteers from Pyre Casinos painted, cleaned and played with the students, she was exhausted. The amount of volunteers had tripled in the past few months and Alice was ecstatic.

“The students need better computers and did you see those desks? They were ancient. The music room had plastic flutes and a beat up guitar. I wish...” Alice broke off.

“What?”

“I just want more for the kids, you know? They’re satisfied with what they have, but they deserve more.”

“I agree. Why don’t you ask Gavin for more money to get the kids what they need?”

They passed a poker table full of smokers and women wearing strong perfume. Lyla coughed and waved her hand in front of her face to dispel the noxious odor. Her super smelling nose seemed to get more sensitive by the month. She didn’t feel nauseated, but she still had odd cravings. Gavin couldn’t bear to watch her eat a cucumber dipped in chocolate last night.

“I can’t do that,” Alice said, twisting her hands together. “I mean, they just created this position and Mr. Pyre’s already put a considerable amount of money in my budget.”

“It doesn’t hurt to ask,” Lyla said as they walked through the employee hallway. Cocktail waitresses, dealers, spa attendants, security and other workers acknowledged them with respectful nods as they went about their business.

“Do you really think we can ask for more money?” Alice asked nervously.

“Of course. It’s for a good cause.”

“I don’t want to bother him.”

“Come.” Lyla took Alice’s hand and led her through the maze of back hallways to Gavin’s office. When his secretary saw them coming, she picked up the phone, spoke into it and leapt to her feet. By the time they reached her, she had the door of his office open.

“He’s free,” his secretary said quickly.

“Thank you,” Lyla said with a smile, which she turned on Gavin as he rose from his desk.

She went to him and wasn’t surprised when he drew her against him for a deep kiss. If he hadn’t made it obvious that he was in love with her pregnant body, she would have fallen into depression weeks ago. As it was, Gavin seemed hornier than ever and it made her feel desired rather than repulsive. When Gavin pulled away, he noticed Alice for the first time.

“I’m here on business,” Lyla said and rounded his desk and took a seat beside Alice who looked uneasy.

“Business? Okay. What is it?”

“Well, it’s the school where we volunteered yesterday,” Alice said quickly. “The kids need computers, new instruments and the air conditioning needs to be fixed.”

Gavin wore an unreadable expression. Alice’s voice went up an octave as nerves kicked in and she began to talk faster and babble about the lack of water fountains and how some classrooms needed new cubbies. Lyla crossed her legs, drawing Gavin’s attention. Lyla licked her lower lip suggestively. His eyes narrowed. Alice’s voice got louder and more urgent.

“Do it,” Gavin said abruptly.

“What?” Alice asked.

“Give me a figure and we’ll do it. That will make Janice happy, right?”

“Y-yes it will.”

Alice leapt to her feet and looked on the verge of throwing her arms around Gavin. He gave her a look that clearly stated this was business and he didn’t want or need a hug.

“You’re a great man,” Alice said with a huge smile.

“Get out of here,” he said. “I need to talk to my wife.”

Alice gave him thumbs up and danced out of the office. Gavin crooked his finger at Lyla who tried to look innocent. She rose and stopped an arm’s length away. She wasn’t surprised when he reached out and brought her close so she stood between his knees.

“Did you just bribe me into giving more money to a school?” he asked.

“Maybe.”

His hands slid beneath her dress and cupped her ass. “I think I like it. You make my time at work more interesting. Kiss me.”

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