Page 78 of Little Sunshine

Right then, at least.

“Told you nothing is off-limits,” I reminded so she didn’t feel guilty or called out.

But that was clearly what happened. “I didn’t go into any closed door. Or into your gym. And I didn’t snoop through?—”

“You could’ve gone anywhere you wanted and looked through anything you wanted.” Putting my fists to the island on either side of her, I leaned down so my face was in hers. “Nothing is off-limits. Just want to know if you found anything interesting.”

More specifically, I wanted to know what she liked or disliked so I knew how to make the space more comfortable for her.

“Your house is really clean.”

That wasn’t what I’d expected, but she wasn’t wrong. “I don’t make a lot of messes, and I clean what I do. Vera comes in to do the detail work every two weeks or so.”

“Your girlfriend cleans your house?” As soon as the question was out, her blush deepened, and her eyes went saucer big.

Which was fair ’cause I was betting my eyes were just as wide.

“Vera is in her fifties,” I said.

She shrugged. “I don’t judge.”

“Vera is not my girlfriend. She’s my boss’ housekeeper who I poach twice a month because I can clean and do dishes and laundry, but I fucking hate dusting.”

She perked up at that. “I can dust.”

“No.”

She instantly deflated.

What the hell?

I didn’t get the chance to question when she asked, “Speaking of boss… Don’t you have to go to work?”

“I’m working from home for a few days.”

Her eyes moved down my body, and I would’ve fucking killed to know what she thought. If she liked what she saw. “Why are you dressed for work then?”

“Habit.”

“You can be a driver from home?”

Driving Maximo was a small part of my job that any of the others—including Maximo himself—could handle. Keeping his schedule, arranging and rearranging meetings, and tracking his new casino build were all things I could do from anywhere.

My job as his enforcer was a little harder to do remotely, but I was making it work. I just made my threats extra creative over the phone.

“Something like that,” I answered.

Her sharp look said she knew there was more, but I wasn’t about to get into my full job description.

She already seemed like she was two seconds away from bolting. Hearing that the man she’d trusted to care for her was cool with some casual torture would seal it.

I distracted her by adding, “Speaking of, one of my coworkers will be swinging by soon.”

“Oh.” She set the bowl to the side and wiggled forward on the island. “I’ll go upstairs.”

Without thought, I stepped forward, and her legs spread automatically.

Thank fuck I hadn’t tucked my shirt in because there’d be no missing the bulge that’d formed when my dick instantly hardened.

---