Page 25 of Dirty Grovel

I need structure and discipline and a clear set of rules to adhere to.

And rule number one has to be to never, ever let my guard down.

“Aw, please, Mr. Oleg?” Teo wheedles, grabbing my arm and pulling me over the fence. “Come play with us. We need a monster to fight.”

“Teo!” Jesse scolds, coming around the corner. “Leave Mr. Pavlov be. He’s not here for your amusement.”

“B-but… he always plays with me,” Teo insists, looking towards me like I’ll break his heart if I turn him down.

My gaze slips to Sutton, who’s wearing that soft smile of hers.

“Not today, kid,” I say curtly, shaking him off my hand. “I have important matters I need to attend to.”

“But Mr. Oleg?—”

“Teo, what did I say?” Jesse snaps.

“Oh, come on,” Sutton tries on Teo’s behalf. “One game for the kid’s sake. It won’t hurt.”

But that’s the thing—itwillhurt the more we act like we’re something we’re not.

Playing pretend has never been my strong suit.

“I said no,” I snap, harshly enough that Teo drops my hand and Sutton steps back.

Teo runs over to his mom, his chin trembling.

Sutton glares at me, her eyes pinched together at the corners.

“There was no need to be an asshole,” she chides.

“In case you’ve forgotten, Iaman asshole. And this asshole needs to speak to you about something,” I inform her gruffly. “Meet me in my office in half an hour.”

She shows up at my office in a bikini.

“I’m here,” she announces unnecessarily. “As you commanded.”

“Take a seat.”

She sits down, cocking her legs prettily and giving me an eyeful of milky white thigh. Ignoring my racing heart rate, I try to keep my gaze from slipping below her neck.

But I can’t help getting a shot in. “Should I turn down the air conditioning, considering what you’re wearing?”

Her chin juts out, defiant and beautiful. “I was just on my way to the pool. I figured I’d stop in here first, get this over with, and continue on to join Teo poolside. I’m perfectly comfortable.”

“Yes, you seem to be very comfortable taking your clothes off in the most inappropriate places.”

Her cheeks flush with color. She straightens in her seat. “Am I makingyouuncomfortable, Oleg?”

“Not at all,” I say. “Just concerned for your health.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m fine.”

She certainly is, the teenage boy inside me quips.

Unlike me, he has no desire to battle away his erection.

Horny little bastard.

---