Page 32 of Unexpected Redemption

“As what? A bodyguard? Yeah, I’m gonna have concerns. Something else? Don’t know.”

She exhales, flapping her lips in a raspberry. With the roll of her sparkling eyes, she douses all the burning embers of frustration. It’s impossible for her to avoid being as adorable as fuck. At work or not, keeping my mouth off hers isn’t possible another second.

Leaning in, I join our lips and let her sweet sunshine surround me. She brings her hand up to cup my cheek as I indulge in three seconds more. Then four and five.

I wish I never had to stop kissing her.

When I pull back, she meets me with an inquisitive gaze. “What was that for?”

“Not kissing you was becoming painful.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were kinda sweet on me.”

No response comes to mind, so instead of saying something for the sake of it, I simply enjoy the moment while it lasts.

She breaks eye contact first, shifting a step away. “Back to the job. No it’s not as a bodyguard. It seems Peggy will be taking some time off from Redleg. She’s stressed by all the extra security precautions, and it’s taking a toll on her. Until all this mess with Lenkov passes, she’s leaving town to stay up north with family.”

“He wants you to take her place as his assistant?”

“Temporarily, yes. He said he didn’t want to bring in someone from the outside because of all the shit that’s happening, which makes perfect sense. Why put another person in harm’s way? Plus, no one with the slightest bit of self-preservation would take the job. Making it worse, it’s a terrible time for him to go without an assistant, considering the demands on him.” She lifts one shoulder in a tentative shrug. “You know how I’ve been helping people here and there with clerical shit to kill time the last few days?”

I nod.

“He noticed and figured he’d ask me to fill in for her since it seemed I was up to doing a little work. Especially since I’m sitting around twiddling my thumbs most of the time.”

My hackles rise. “Does he not fucking realize you’re recovering from a horrific trauma?”

“Of course he does. In fact, he wouldn’t let me answer right away. Told me to talk it over with you, speak to my therapist about it, and sleep on it. He’ll manage on his own until I decide or another option presents itself.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“He was clear that my recovery comes first and blah, blah, blah. If I say yes, he said I could change my mind at any time or even do short bursts of work whenever I’m feeling up to it. To be honest, he was sweet.”

“Lettie, I don’t know.” I release a sound that’s part sigh and part groan, rubbing my forehead. “That’s a lot for him to put on your shoulders.” I roll my neck, trying to rid myself of this spiking tension. “Where is your head at with it?”

She purses her lips, resembling the picture of annoyance. Still cute. “My head? A drunk llama is shitting on furniture in my head right now, Tomer.”

My mouth opens and closes like a Pez dispenser in the hands of a hyperactive toddler.

I cannot formulate a response.

Her indignant facade slowly crumples, twitches spreading throughout her cheeks and the skin around her mouth until she busts out in hysterics. When she stops giggling, shesort ofexplains. “Sometimes I forget you don’t live in my head and hear all the shenanigans going on up there.” She taps at her temple. “Just an ADHD mental tangent. If you want the full context later, ask me about square dancing. This isn’t the time for that.”

Still unable to access my vocal cords.

She shakes my arms playfully, jostling me. “Did I break you?” Her head flops toward one shoulder, and she feigns pity. “You poor dear. I don’t think you’d last an hour inside my head.”

“I-I-um.” Blinking rapidly, I try again. “So-we-um-I.”

Maybe she did break me?

“My drunk llama strikes again,” she tosses casually with a click of her tongue.

Her teasing finally pulls me out of my stupor. “Come here, sweetness.”

Tugging her close, I kiss her again. No clue why. Just want to, and I can’t think of a reason not to do it.She wraps her hands around my nape, toying with my hairline in a way that always soothes me. With her presence warming me like a blanket, I ease her lips apart and allow myself another indulgent taste of my Lettie.

My butterfly.

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