Page 56 of The Pretender

“Nothing.” She clears her throat, forcing a smile to her face. “I’m happy you’re here and that there’s a chance to see the business thrive again. It was looking pretty dismal for a while.”

“Well, we’re not out of the woods yet, unfortunately. There’s a lot to figure out.”

“I know, but it’s nice to see it being worked on.” Her phone beeps and she scrunches her nose. “Oh, dear. It’s time to leave for Nonna’s appointment.”

“Need help?” Brogan asks.

“I don’t want to pull you away.”

“Family first,” Brogan says, shoving the last bit of muffin in their mouth. “I’m happy to do it. Be back in a few hours, cousin.”

I nod, sitting perched on the edge of the desk as I finish my muffin. “We’ll be here.” My mom and Brogan leave together, and I pour myself some hot chocolate. “Do you want some?” I ask Balt.

“Please.”

I pour some into a mug and hand it to him. “Seriously, thank you again for everything you’re doing to help.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He blows on his drink and then takes a sip. “It’s given me something good to focus on.”

Sipping my drink, I study his face. He’s been easy to live with and fits in with my family nicely too. It’s weird. Good, but weird.

“Maybe I won’t fall asleep on you tonight after dinner.”

Balt chuckles. “I don’t expect that from you, you know? It’s a perk, but it’s not expected.”

“I know. I want to, but I underestimated how draining learning something new is.”

“It’s why I let you sleep and didn’t take advantage.” Balt sets his mug down. “We’re alone now.”

“We are, yeah.”

“Any chance of your dad or uncle stopping by unannounced?”

A smile tugs at my lips as I realize where he’s going with this. “Always a chance, but unlikely.”

“Hmm.” He reaches out and uses my belt loop to tug me closer so that I’m standing between his spread legs. “You know something I like about you?”

“What?”

“How good you smell. All the time.”

“Really? I’m not wearing cologne or anything.”

“I know. It’s your natural scent.” He presses his face to my belly and inhales before he tugs my shirt up and kisses my bare skin.

I tangle my fingers in his silky hair. “That’s very sweet.”

“It’s true.” He drags his tongue around my belly button. “I almost did it last night. Woke you up with my tongue in your ass.”

A tendril of heat snakes through me. “Why didn’t you?”

“You needed to sleep.” Balt tilts his head back to look up at me. “You looked so peaceful, so I just watched you.”

The idea of a man like Balt watching me sleep is… sexy as fuck.

“Do you think I’m a creep now?”

I shake my head. “Just the opposite.” I squeeze his shoulders. “I like knowing that.”