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I roll my eyes and blow out an impatient huff. “Get on with it, Guy. What do you want?”

“I can clearly see you're upset about something, so before you bite my head off, I’m going to remind you that you owe me.”

My nostrils flare, but before I can say anything, he adds, “I could’ve gotten a lap dance from Kira Blakely the other night, and I faked diarrhea so you could step in and take my place.” He keeps his eyes pinned on me. “I’m not sure there are many warm-blooded men, or women, who’d do the same.”

I roll my eyes and gesture for him to get on with it. “Like I said, what do you want?”

Guy lies back in the chair, hands clasped over his stomach like he’s on his therapist’s couch, his massive frame making it all look ten times more ridiculous. “Well, since you care so much about me and you’re clearly so desperate to help me with my problems, could you have Kira put in a good word for me?” He props his hands behind his head. “I’ve always wanted to be on the big screen. I mean, I have the face for it and the bod…”

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I press my fingertips to my now aching temples. “This is the favor you’re calling in? You want me to pull some strings so you can be a movie star?”

He sits up and holds out his hands. “Whoa, dude. You’ve got to chill out. I never said I wanted to be a star…” He pauses, like he’s considering, then clarifies, “Maybe just a background actor? Something like a bartender with only a line or two. Preferably shirtless.”

With an exasperated huff, I push myself up and shrug on my suit jacket. “I have another meeting to get to. I don’t have time for this shit⁠—”

“What do you think Leo’s going to say when he sees the video of your performance?”

My hand on the doorknob, my whole body goes still.

“Yeah, I kind of figured that’s how you’d feel.” He claps me on the shoulder and chuckles. “I don’t know how you’ve managed to keep your hands to yourself. It must be driving you crazy seeing her day in and day out. Knowing how easily you could sneak her into your office, have her all tied up and shit when you get home… I know I’d have given up a long time ago.” He shakes his head and blows out a long sigh, like he’s imagining the struggle. “You’re a stronger man than me. But don’t worry, as long as you keep your end of the bargain, he won’t hear anything from me.” He slaps my cheeks, then waltzes out the door, whistling as he struts his way out.

“Goddammit.” I hiss under my breath, slamming the door behind me.

As if this day couldn’t get any worse…

It got worse.

It got so much worse.

After Guy’s visit, I spent the rest of the afternoon holed up in my office trying to avoid my assistant in fear that I’d act on my impulses.

I clench my jaw as I peer through the curtains like the fucking peeping-tom she’s turned me into.

Kira is playing outside with Matilda, throwing her favorite ball. She looks so fucking adorable with her dark hair tied up in a messy knot on top of her head, her lips wiped clean of the bold red lipstick. The red lipstick I can’t stop imagining smeared across her face as she begs me to fuck her pretty mouth.

Jesus, what the fuck is wrong with me? Why is it, no matter how hard I try, I can’t escape her?

She’s in an oversized T-shirt playing fetch with her dog, for Christ’s sake. Nothing about what she’s doing should turn me on, but maybe that’s exactly why it does.

I’m not buying her innocent act for one second. She knows exactly what she’s doing. If she didn’t want me to watch her, she wouldn’t be outside in my line of sight.

She throws the ball once more, but this time, Matilda dives for it a little too soon, wiping out like a clumsy puppy. Kira falls into a fit of giggles, then proceeds to apologize to Matilda for laughing at her.

Fuck she’s got a great laugh.

Even now, watching her across the backyard, that look of real joy on her face nearly takes my breath away. Maybe it’s because I’ve only seen it a handful of times, so when she loosens up enough to let it out, it feels more special. Or maybe I like the idea of a challenge, because all day, I find myself thinking of ways to make her smile.

Once Matilda finally winds down, Kira gives her her nighttime treat. Matilda circles once before settling down and goes to work on the treat.

I watch intently as Kira sits on the end of a lounge chair. She glances around, scanning her surroundings, then slowly lifts the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head.

I forget to breathe.

Fuck, her tits are incredible.

My cock stiffens against my zipper as I bite my knuckle. Panting like a dog, I lean so close that my breath fogs up the glass.

The moonlight glistens over her golden skin and my mouth waters at the sight.