With anyone else, I would’ve shut this behavior down long ago. Technically, Neo doesn’t need to be in my home for me to keep him safe. I’m the head of the richest, most influential family in the city. That’s before we even take The Firm into account.
I can keep Neo safe in any place of my choosing.
So, why the fuck did I choose to give him the bedroom next to mine?
It makes no sense.
I might be many things, but I’m not a fool. Nor am I oblivious to the massive betting pool my brothers have going. All of them think they know what’s happening between Neo and me—what’s going to happen.
Fools, the lot of them. I’m not interested in Neo like that. Even if I weren’t straight, I’d never fall for someone like him.
He’s too unpredictable. Too challenging. Too…dangerous.
But it’s their money to burn. As soon as I figure out how to take down the Umbra Syndicate, Neo can go back to his life, and I can go back to mine. There won’t be any more chaos, just the solid routine I’ve built for myself.
I ignore the gnawing in my stomach as I lengthen my stride. I can’t wait for the day when Neo is finally out of my sight, out of my mind, and out of my life.
Then why are you dragging your feet over investigating Umbra?
I grind my teeth. I’m not dragging my feet. Ansel provided us with a lot of evidence before he was kidnapped, but not who’s overseeing the operation. And we still don’t know exactly what they want from us. That’s what I need to know, and there’s only so much I can learn through the traditional avenues. And seeing as Cade has forbidden me from asking for Ansel’s help, my hands are tied…
Because Ansel’s the only hacker under your roof?
My nostrils flare as I wait in the shadows. The day I ask Neo for help is the day hell freezes over. Living with him is one thing; working alongside him is something else entirely.
Sure. That’s why you don’t want his help. Nothing to do with the fact that you can’t think straight when he’s around.
Because he drives me crazy, that’s why. Makes me do things that are completely out of character.
Well, out of character for the identity I’ve created. The version of myself that can don a suit and shake the hands of corrupt politicians without fantasizing about how I’d murder them.
Neo seems determined to break the facade I’ve so carefully created. I can’t let him.
He has no idea of what he’s trying to unleash.
It’s why I took this job tonight. After finding his little gift in my bed, I had to do something—something to appease my monster that didn’t involve tracking Neo down and shoving the lingerie into his mouth.
The lingerie that, according to the note, he came all over.
At first, I didn’t understand why he’d bothered to leave a note. It was obvious what he’d done.
But that was when one part of the message jumped out at me. A question and answer that had me snatching up The Firm’s latest request and telling my brothers I’d deal with this one personally.
Want to know what I was picturing as I came?
Course you do. It was you. It always is. All that ever changes are the location and details.Tonight, I imagined I was under your desk while you were on the phone. The person you were speaking to had no idea that your cock was in my mouth. Your balls in my hand. Your cum in my throat.
But I knew.
And so did you.
Neo’s obsession with taunting me makes no sense. He has a boyfriend, for fuck’s sake. One he cares very much about.
Or so he says. Everything from how he drags himself out the front door for their dates to his sour expression when he returns suggests otherwise.
Not that I’m paying attention. Or lingering in the foyer until he returns like a stalker.
Okay, so maybe I am, but it’s for his safety. No other reason. I have limits. It’s not like I’m stalking him on his dates.
