Page 17 of The Guardian

“No, but I can learn. They threatened our lives, Alex.” I’m glad she’s finally realizing the seriousness of this situation, but at the same time, I don’t want her panicked out of her mind.

“Yes, they did. But while I do believe they wouldn’t think twice when it comes to delivering on it, they’d have to get through me first.” I step closer to her, my hands wrapping gently around her upper arms. “And I won’t let that happen.”

She looks up at me. “You can’t protect us 24/7, Alex, and they know you’re involved. What if there’s 10 of them?”

“Then I’ll handle all 10 of them.” I reach my hand beneath her chin and tip it upward so her gaze is back on me. “I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me, my training in the Special Forces prepared me for far worse than a couple of for-hire morons. I promise that nothing will happen to you or Chloe. You understand me?”

Her eyes study mine as she chews nervously on her bottom lip. “Yes.”

“Good. I’ll be right outside tonight, okay? If you need anything between now and then, just call me.”

“Okay.” I release her arms and take a step back to finish my coffee.

“Did you have plans tonight, or are you staying in?” I ask, making sure I don’t need to follow her anywhere.

“Just staying in. Chloe and I are going to watchHidden Figures. She went to a science camp today and learned about the women of NASA, so I thought I’d surprise her with that movie.”

“Very cool. She’s lucky to have you as a mom.” I’m not often sentimental, especially with clients, but I know what it’s like to see a single mom struggling to raise her kids. My mom did everything within her power to raise us right, and life rewarded her by taking her oldest son from her and ripping her dignity from her at 51 when she died of cancer.

“Thanks, I still struggle with all of it. Trying to make sure I get it right.”

“I’m sure you’re doing far better than you give yourself credit for.” I take a drink of my coffee. “Just don’t neglect your own needs in the process.” I don’t have to clarify what I mean byneeds.The innuendo hangs heavy between us.

“Speaking of . . .” she says, clearing her throat before getting up and disappearing. She returns a moment later with the black box, thrusting it toward me. “Although I did find the humor in it, this was still wildly inappropriate.”

Her stoic, uptight persona is back in place. I look down at the box then back up at her, refusing to take it back. “I didn’t realize satisfying our adult urges was inappropriate, Miss Pierce.”

“You know what I mean. This is a professional relationship, Mr. Rockwell.”

“Mr. Rockwell?” I laugh, putting my mug down and reaching to take the box from her hands. She watches as I place it next to us. “A minute ago, I was Alex.”

“I just mean that since you work for me, it w—”

“Work for you?” I laugh. “I didn’t realize you were signing my paychecks.”

Her smirk morphs into a frown. “I’m paying your company for your services, aren’t I?”

“Tell me, Juliette, when a company hires your law firm, do you work for them or do you work for your firm and you are merely providing them a service?”

“You’re splitting hairs.”

“No, I’m making it very clear that I,” I inch closer, “don’t work for you. You hired my company and we are providing you a service. My other services don’t fall under that same umbrella.”

She scoffs. “I don’t need it, and I certainly won’t be using it. It will simply end up in the trash.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” I can see it written all over her face. She likes this. She wouldn’t continue to engage with me if she really wanted me to take it back and leave. “How long has it been?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’ll go first. It’s been about six weeks, and I don’t know about you, but I sure as shit can’t handle going much longer . . . but at least you have a little help from a friend that makes a pretty decent stand-in.”

Her face grows red and she pulls the box back into her lap. “I’m not having this conversation with you; that’s personal information.” I continue to stare at her, her eyes shifting away from mine nervously for a second before squaring her shoulders. “And it’s not a pretty decent stand-in. It’s the only reliable option out there, with a far superior success rate. You menwishyou were this little guy.”

I nod my head slowly, smiling at her snarky attitude. “You’re right, I do wish I could be that little guy.” I reach for the box, taking the lid off and pulling out the bright pink toy. “Actually, he’s way too small.” I watch her eyes grow wide, her lips parting as she sucks in a breath. Her eyes oh-so-subtly drop down to my lap then quickly dart back up. “The only problem is, they lack a tongue. You can get a lot done with a tongue.”

Her throat constricts as she swallows. I don’t know why I’m doing this. It’s not only stupid, it’s fucking torture. I can feel myself growing firmer by the second, my balls probably bright fucking blue right now. Not only did I tell Jimmy there was no chance in hell this would happen, but he also gave me specific instructions not to let it happen, yet here I am, practically begging to have my ass handed to me. I place the toy back into the box, a sudden wave of reality washing over me when I remember Chloe is upstairs.

“I should get going. Thanks again for the coffee, and like I said, if you hear or see anything, or you need anything, I’ll be right outside tonight. I’m going to head to the office right now then stop at home before I come back over here.”

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