“Semantics.”
“No. There’s an entire culture built around it.”
“What about the Irish Mafia?”
“Since you have to put the word Irish in front to differentiate it, I’m gonna let it speak for itself.”
“Well, what would you call it?”
“It’s called the syndicate, and it’s a perfectly legitimate business opportunity.”
The snort would probably tell him my view on that if my face hadn’t already put in the hard work. “Sure. Legitimate. That’s why your knuckles were bleeding a few weeks back. Soooooo legitimate.”
“That was different. Nobody’s going to send you off to beat someone into line.” His hand clasps my breast a little harder, sending an excited message straight to my crotch. “Although I’m sure you have your own ways to get information out of people.”
“And we’re back to whoring being on the naughty list.” When he opens his mouth to protest, I quickly interject, “And I’m not talking about legality. We literally just went over this.”
“My boss has dozens of honest businesses. He runs a club that’s always needing hostesses.” When I roll my eyes, he shakes his head. “Don’t say it. They deal cards, top up drinks, and chat with customers. It’s not what you think.”
“But will the finer points be as easily explained to a government department?”
“That’s what we’re paying the lawyers for.”
“We’re paying them to make their jobs harder?”
“It’sservingpeople. Exactly how you would in a restaurant and don’t tell me anyone has a problem with that.” When I still don’t look convinced, he says, “How about working with numbers? You’re amazing with maths.”
“I’m a high school student who’s slightly better with numbers than other high school students. It doesn’t turn me into a mathematical genius.” I sound like a grade-A bitch. An ungrateful one at that. “Sorry. I don’t intend to sound mean.”
Zach barks out a laugh, which he muffles against my shoulder far too late to hide it. “If this is you mean, maybe you should take lessons.”
I would ask from who, but I can guess. The same person who got me kicked out of my job.
“Wouldn’t it be weird for you? I feel like I’m taking over your life.”
“Didn’t you call me your boyfriend?” When I nod, “Well, then. We should be in each other’s lives. That’s the point of being together.”
“But I can’t ever pay you back.”
“This isn’t a ledger you need to balance. Besides, it’s my dad’s money. I did nothing to earn it either. And before him, it was Granddad’s. Why shouldn’t you spend my pop’s money if I want you to?”
“Is that what you call him? Pop?”
“Not any longer. He passed away a few years ago, but yeah. Why? What d’you call your grandparents?”
I scrunch up my nose. “I don’t have any. Not that I know about, at least.”
“Then I need to spoil you double to make up for all the spoiling your family never got to do.”
“I don’t want you to think…” I trail off, scared to raise the point in case he isn’t able to see past it once it’s in the open.
“Done,” he says after a long pause. “No more thinking.”
My elbow nudges him in the side. “I don’t want you to think I’m only after your money.”
“That’s okay, I don’t think that.” He lowers his head to take my nipple into his mouth, gripping my wrist and forcing my hand away when I try to curl my fingers into his hair. “I know you only want me for my body.”
Even if it was a joke, it seems true as his mouth works magic on one breast before moving to the other to set its nerve endings on fire.
