Page 51 of His Temptation

“Oh yeah?” he asked, grabbing the mug and lifting it to his lips. “What are the rules?”

“It’s only for the summer, and we keep it between us.”

“In other words, don’t bring feelings into it and don’t tell Ryan,” Cason said, before taking a drink.

Yeah, he’d seen right through me, especially the part about Ryan.

“Is that something you’d agree to?” I asked.

He scrunched up his face, looking too adorable for his own good. “But I’m already in love with you, Mr. Cross. I’ve already fantasized about a big white wedding and all the kids we’re going to adopt.”

I nearly dropped my coffee.

“Oh my fucking god, you should see your face right now,” Cason said, snorting as he laughed. “I know virgins have a bad rap about being too clingy, but I told you I’m not looking for anything more than sex, Emery. So relax.”

“Damn near gave me a heart attack,” I said, touching my chest.

“No worries about me falling in love with you, okay?” He tugged me toward him, grazing his lips up the center of my chest. I cupped the back of his head and knotted my fingers in his tousled hair. “With me going to college, I don’t want a serious relationship.”

“Good,” I said, forcing his head back as I gently tugged on his hair. He smiled up at me as I bent down to kiss him. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

A summer fling would be harmless. We’d keep it secret, both get what we wanted, and then go our separate ways come fall.

No one would get hurt.

***

A week later, I sat at my desk looking over the motion for appeal on Jeff Ritter’s case. He had wanted to fight the ruling, and as his attorney, it was my job to work in his best interest. Damn if it didn’t cause a cold shudder down my spine at the thought of him getting out again someday, though.

Goddamn you, Jay.He had forced me to admit the truth. That I felt Ritter was exactly where he needed to be.

“Mr. Cross?” Becca asked, knocking on my open office door.

“I’m busy, Bec,” I said, focusing back on the document.

“Your son is here.”

I dropped the papers and glanced up at her. “Ryan?”

“Do you have another son I don’t know about?” she asked like the sassy little spitfire she was.

“Send him back,” I said, placing the document in the folder and closing it. When she walked away, I shakily inhaled and released it. Fuck, I was jittery.

Why was Ryan here?

He never came to see me. And the last time he’d been to my office… I’d been pushing Jay against my desk, kissing him as I unbuttoned his pants. At the memory, my face heated and I had to take another breath, this one even shakier.

“He’s in his office,” I heard Becca say a moment later.

“Thanks,” Ryan responded.

Hearing his footsteps coming down the hall, I stood from my desk and walked around it. Ryan appeared in the doorway, a spitting image of me. He even had my attitude, though I’d wager he was more stubborn. Or maybe not.

“Hey,” he said, glancing at me before averting his eyes and crossing his arms.

Not even a second in my presence and he was already in defense mode.

“It’s good to see you.” I stepped closer but refrained from touching him. He’d outgrown hugs long ago. “Is everything okay?”