Page 24 of Power Play

Hmm. Didn't think about that one.

“Good point. Still could've been China. They're sneaky little bastards. Or someone calling to tell me I was left a million dollars by a distant relative and I need to send them my social and bank account information.” I chuckle to myself. I really am hilarious. Too bad either no one is around to hear me or doesn't get the brilliance of my jokes.

“I would advise against that, ma'am. Sounds fishy.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” I mumble under my breath as I press the length of my hair between a dry towel to remove excess water. Once again donned in the robe from earlier, I swipe my thick-frame glasses off the counter and yank the door open.

I eye the young man I’ve been talking to. His eyes flick from mine to the door leading to the living room and back again.

“Are you a super genius or something?” I ask, head cocked to the side as my eyes scan his baby face.

The boy’s light blond brows furrow. “Ma'am?”

“How old are you? I’m guessing twenty. Did you just graduate from Secret Service school or something?” Not that I want these guys hanging around every second, but if I have to endure them, I’d prefer guys who are old enough to need a shave once a week.

Pops of crimson dot his cheeks as he shifts from one foot to the other, avoiding eye contact.

Well hell. I've embarrassed him. Sweet kid.

I hold out a hand, awkwardly patting his shoulder. “Sorry, that was rude. You're old enough, and cute.” I leave off ‘I could be your mom.’

“Now this I'm surprised about.”

Junior and I turn to the voice on the other side of the room. I scowl at the man I recognize leaning against the far wall. He’s the one who pulled me out of the town car and carried me inside. Damn, he's hot. Earlier, with my fuzzy vision and shock, I thought he was attractive, but here in my room? Attractive doesn’t even count. On a scale of one to ten, he’s a nine working his way to an eleven if he can grow a quick man bun. And old, thank goodness, unlike Junior here. Shit, not old. He's like my age.

“I'm not old, dammit,” I mutter.

The two men exchange a quick look.

“Ma'am?” Junior asks.

I wave a hand through the air, dismissing him. “Sorry, wrong conversation.”

“Did I miss something?” asks the hot, annoying one. I swear his light brown eyes fucking twinkle.Twinkle. Is he part unicorn or something?

“What are you surprised about?” I shoot back, relenting in our sudden stare-off.

He pushes off the wall to stalk closer. Why does he have to be such an asshole? In the baking of men, can the two ingredients hot and a nice guy not mix together or something? Even with the asshole factor, I'm drawn to him. Maybe the doc’s diagnosis of a concussion is legit.

“That you'd be interested in a no one like Grem here.”

My lips curve upward, matching his smirk, before my eyes track back to the Grem fellow.

“Grem, as in the Grim Reaper? You kill a lot of people or something?”

Grem chokes back a cough, whereas the hot one chuckles. “Grem, as in short for Gremlin. The kid hates the water.”

“Funny. Can't wait to hear that story.” I hold out my hand. “Now, give me my phone, please.”

Gremlin drops the phone into my palm, avoiding skin-to-skin contact. His gaze darts from the hot guy back to me before he turns on his heels.

“Thanks,” I mutter to his back as he fast-walks out of the bedroom. With a deep calming breath, I lift the cell phone to my ear. “Tae?”

“Mom! What the fuck happened to you?” I pull the phone from my ear with a cringe. The doctor did mention something about loud noises doing more damage. I think. Wasn't really listening, actually.

“Taeler Lynn, do not use that fucking language with me, dammit,” I bite back. College has taught her the worst manners, I fucking swear.

Movement across the room catches my eye, reminding me I'm not alone. His lips curve in a sexy, mischievous smirk that flips my insides and warms the space between my thighs. Those brown eyes shine with amusement, his fine smile lines crinkling.

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