Page 59 of Dirty Legacy

I’m tempted to tell him off. But the memory of my hands wrapped around his cock—his adorable and desperate attempt at making me feel better this morning—makes it hard to keep hating him. Even when I want to.

“Everything to your mother’s liking?” he asks when we’re alone outside her door.

“She needs, uh… her smokes.” I smile sheepishly. “She’s a hopeless weed addict.”

His nose wrinkles. “I’m tempted to say no.”

“You can deal with her then. She’ll be a nightmare.”

“I’ll have Colm bring her what she needs. Anything else, angel?”

I cross my arms, studying him. “Why are you being so nice?”

“I’m not.”

“You almost are, though.”

“I don’t do nice, angel.” He touches my hip like he’s not thinking about it. “That’s not in my nature.”

I lean into his touch, not sure why. I should put space between us. It’s dangerous, playing this game. Getting close, drawing back, picturing him between my legs⁠—

“Thank you anyway. For bringing my mother here.”

“Anything.” He hesitates, lingering, breathing me in. A shiver runs down my spine with excitement, and I think he might kiss me before he pulls back.

“Connor?”

He pauses, half looking back. “Yes, angel?”

“Are you going to be in bed with me tonight?”

He nods, eyes half-lidded. “Tonight and as many nights after as I can.”

“Okay. Uh, sounds good.”

He leaves and I watch him go, feeling like an idiot.

Are you going to be in bed with me tonight? Really, Angie?!

I don’t think I’ve ever sounded so desperate before in my life.

I’m about to melt into the carpet when I hear my mother call my name in the other room, asking about her damn smokes again, and it’s back to reality.

17

CONNOR

Ipour another bourbon and top off Marcus’s glass. He puts an arm over the back of his chair, my old friend swirling his drink and shaking his head.

“It’s bad out there, Connor. I’m getting calls all the time.”

“I’m aware.”

“No, I don’t think you are. This is the clean side of the business, and it’s not good. Partners pulling out. Deals falling through. Straight up salvage calls are down twenty percent already⁠—“

“I’m aware, Marcus,” I repeat, getting up and prowling across the room.

“Pacing isn’t going to help. Sit down and calm yourself.”