Cheater (Curious Liaisons, #1)(15)

“We’re out of the beta testing and ready to launch.” Bill grinned wide. “Good job heading this up, Lucas. The results have been outstanding.”

Pride swelled in my chest. “That’s fantastic.”

Sure, I was a jackass, I “cheated” on women, or just dated multiples, depending on one’s perspective, but I loved kids. Adored them. They were still so damn innocent. They had the whole world ahead of them, and I wanted to make sure that they had every opportunity possible. My parents had given me that—I wanted to pay it forward.

Just thinking about Patty and Bill had me itching all over.

God, it had been way too long since we’d talked.

And I only had myself to blame.

Things were still tense—years later. It burned that my own parents still held me responsible for what had happened with the Blacks. Like I single-handedly ruined a twenty-year friendship on purpose.

What? Did they think I wanted to destroy lives?

My mood darkened as it usually did when I thought about the mistake, about how and why it happened. Hell, if Kayla and I had gotten married, I would probably have been teaching my own kids now.

The thought was absolutely terrifying. Not the kid part, but the part where I was married to a woman like Kayla.

Maybe that’s why I liked the opposite of what she represented.

My eyes focused on Avery.

She glared at me and then made a slicing motion with her finger across her neck. Yeah, message received.

“Your department is going to be in charge of visiting all of the local schools and doing a training tutorial on the app,” Bill said. “So for the next few weeks, you’ll be very busy.” Ah, that’s why he needed me to work Fridays. “And because Shannon’s taking maternity leave, we’ll need your new intern . . .” His eyes searched for Avery. “There you are. Avery Black, you’ll be assisting Lucas with his school visits and keeping his schedule straight during the launch.”

Avery swallowed and gave him a very strong nod, as if to say, I’ve got this, can do it in my sleep and won’t let you down.

That was her attitude about life—about everything.

I envied her that.

Even if it was a front. Her confidence had always been impressive. At such a young age, it was rare.

Especially considering how much shit she took from her sisters growing up. She’d always been a tomboy.

And now?

Now she had curves for days. She surpassed her sisters in ways that were astonishing.

And there I went again.

Staring at her.

Lusting.

Wanting.

Isn’t that what got me screwed in the first place?

Her strawberry-blonde hair was pulled into a high ponytail that kissed the back of her neck. Her white silk shirt hung loosely tucked into black-satin shorts, and she was wearing tall black stilettos.

I was sure Bill was still talking.

But I was too busy lusting after my ex-fiancée’s little sister, a tale as old as time—been there, done that—but I couldn’t help myself.

Being near Avery made the want that much worse. Whenever she used to give me the silent treatment, it had been torture. She was a talker, and I used to love it when she’d tell me about all the drama in high school while I was busy joining the workforce. Avery had always had a way with words, but not only that, she was animated. So animated that I used to make her sit on her hands when she talked because she made me so dizzy. I don’t remember a time when she’d ever sat and folded her hands while having a discussion. She was all action. I was suddenly thankful that hadn’t changed.

It would have been a travesty.

“Alright, that’s it, guys. Thank you.” Bill dismissed us.

Avery ripped the drawing from her notebook and handed it to me. “I made something for your fridge.”

“That was thoughtful,” I said dryly. “I look forward to glancing at my impending death every time I want some OJ.”

“See?” She grinned. “I can be nice.”

I grunted.

We walked in silence back to my office. It was nearing ten in the morning. I was supposed to meet Amy for lunch a few blocks over, so I had some time to kill. I went into my office and hit the return key on my computer.

“Do you need me for anything?” Avery popped her head in my office. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to bend over my desk.

She was right.

I was a horrible human being.

Would probably rot in hell.

But damn, she was pretty.

Her eyes narrowed. “Stop that.”

“What?” I grinned wickedly and shoved a pen in my mouth, sucking on the tip.

Her chest rose and fell a bit faster, her cheeks reddened. “The Lucas Thorn effect doesn’t work on me, sorry.”

“It does, you just won’t admit it.”

She stomped into my office and slammed her hands onto my desk, leaning over so far that I could see down her blouse. Hell, she had nice tits. “Look at me like that again and I’m putting Ex-Lax in your coffee, then locking all the bathroom doors.”

“Graphic.” I licked my lips, craning my neck so I could look into her large green eyes. “Also false.”

“Excuse me?” Her teeth clenched, snapping together as if she wanted to take a bite out of my head.