“Yep.”
“I should have thrown them on your desk.”
It doesn’t take a genius to understand what he’s hinting at. “Payback for me dropping expensive jewelry on your desk?”
“Something like that.” He leans back against the glass and blows out a raspberry. “You were right… I’m a coward.”
I lift a shoulder. “Tell me that you at least got it yourself and didn’t actually make HR arrange the gift.”
“I’m not a complete idiot.”
I lift my nose and inspect him coyly. “If you say so.”
He grabs hold of my ankles and slides me forward to him until my bent legs are between his. “It’s in my desk drawer if you ever want it.”
I bring my finger to my chin and loudly hum. “Hmm, let me think. No. I’m good. Maybe one day.”
He drags the back of his finger along my knee, drawing circles. “Fair enough. However, you shouldn’t ignore your accomplishment.”
“My decision.”
“Stubborn.”
“Yep.”
Now, his finger taps against my skin, and my pussy is aching again.
“So, tell me more about your aunt. Why is it you’re going back?”
My face creases. “Uh, because you don’t need a reason to visit family.”
“Right.” His T extends. “Normal family life.”
I take hold of his other hand and interlace our fingers, as I can see the sting, whether he wants to admit it or not. He lacks the experience of family life. “It must suck.”
“Nah, it’s okay. It’s all I know. I actually saw my sister the other day. Mostly business, though.”
“No chitchat about life?”
“A little, and I’m okay with that.”
“Liar,” I accuse in a neutral tone, but he doesn’t respond, and it’s obvious that he wants to move on. “Anyhow, it’s the festival. It’s a big thing. I’ve never missed a year. Everything you probably hate. Pie competitions, awards for the best cow, live music, the market, and all the little things that you might consider sappy.”
“I-I mean… probably.”
I chuckle because he agrees. “Anyhow, there’s that, but there’s also my aunt’s business. It’s facing some challenges, and I want to see how I can help.”
Concern finds his face. “Tell me.”
“Long story, but even if you own a docked boat, you don’t own the river. The town is being persuaded by some big corporation to let them buy the pier from the city and end the docking lease. Their goal would be to push her business out. They want to make Everhope a little more touristy, I guess. It’s Lake Spark County, one of the best weekend spots in the States. Everhope doesn’t have Lake Spark, itself, but they have a beautiful river.”
“I didn’t realize it’s that big of an issue.”
“Yeah, well, maybe if I think of a few ways to challengeor find a loophole, it might work out. Granted, the boat also needs some work.”
He squeezes my leg to comfort me. “If you need any help, let me know.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that, but there’s nothing you can do.”
