Page 45 of Lex

“She’s sleeping too much.”

I sip my drink for a second and then say, “She’s old, Lex. It happens.”

“She’s not that old. She can live another thirty years.”

“Lex…”

He holds up a finger. “Do not discount me and my feelings. She’s sleeping too much, William.”

My heart sinks a little at the distress on his face. Okay, yeah, I get it. He loves her. This isn’t about the money. He’s just found a sense of belonging. I saw the look on his face, how his lip trembled when he thought she’d replace him with me.

“She’s okay. She has a doctor’s appointment this week,” I tell him.

“Yes, well, fine, but I don’t like it. I’d like to attend the appointment,” he says, looking distraught when I don’t say anything. “Please let me come, William. Please?”

I reach out and link my hand with his, a zing moving through my skin. “You can. Of course you can.”

His shoulders slump and he exhales shakily. “Thank you. I didn’t want to have to fight you. As tasty as you are, I hate that you’re here, taking away my freedom to do as I please.”

“You can always help with my grandma. I never made it an issue. You did.”

He glances up at me, his eyes wide with realization.

God, this is the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’ve seen much of him. He lives mostly in my dreams and fantasies.

In this moment, though, he seems very sincere.

He cares about my grandma. Who wouldn’t? She’s an angel. She’s gone and adopted this man, and he seems entirely resistant to let her go.

He’s also been good for her. I could tell then while talking on the phone with her while I was away. I can tell now with how she lights up when he’s around. He’s mistaken if he thinks he’s so easily replaceable.

I’ll have to show him, to remind him that he isn’t.

“I’ll text you the time and date,” I offer.

“I’ll be there,” he says so quickly that he cuts me off.

He takes a large gulp of his drink and then sets it down on the counter. His head is bent low, his hands clenching the cup. He takes a deep breath and blows it out, and then it’s like none of it happened.

“Good, now that that’s done,” he begins, his head tilting and his eyes meeting mine, “tell me why you aren’t wearing those panties I sent you.”

My cheeks heat as I choke on the whiskey. Hell, I’d gotten those deposited on my desk while at work and then had proceeded to do filthy things to them. They’re hidden at the bottom of my hamper. They’re coated with my transgressions.

“I received them,” I manage to huff out.

“Yes, but why aren’t youwearingthem?”

I press the cool glass to my cheek and blink at him.

“Oh.Ooh. William,” he says, standing up. “You naughty boy. Lucky for you, I bought you extra. Come. Put a pair on and then we can have some fun.”

I gulp down the rest of my drink and helplessly follow him into his room. His computer is on and suddenly, I remember.

The cameras. He’s recording all of this.

I hesitate for just a second before letting him tug my tie off.

“Hmm,” he hums as he begins to unbutton my shirt. My body is positively on fire as he runs his hands across my skin, his glossy black nails in such contrast to my pale, freckled skin. “I want to hate you, but I can’t help but want you.”

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