Ask Me Why(27)

I promptly shove them down. “Have some class, Jord.”

He quirks a brow in my direction. “Shit, what’s got your nuts in a vice so early?”

“Other than this unfortunate interruption?”

His eyes roll to the vaulted ceiling. “You’d be bored stiff without me stirring the pot.”

“Unlikely. But I’m actually quite busy.” I gesture to the stacks of files piled high beside me.

Jordan whistles. “Damn, you’re buried. That’s how you make the big bucks, partner.”

I turn my attention to the open folder in front of me. “I’ll get it done. Apparently June is a popular month to get divorced. Who knew?”

“I think we’re in the peak for weddings.” He scratches his chin. “But who the hell knows. Certainly not me.”

I scribble a few notes in the margin. “Maybe there’s a correlation.”

“Don’t go all Nerd Christmas on me. I haven’t had enough caffeine.”

“All right, out with it. What do I owe this pleasant visit to?” I lean back in my seat.

Jordan taps his fingers on the armrest. “Just wanted to check in on my buddy. Make sure you’re taking care of the essentials. You know, listening to those natural instincts.”

He’s fucking snooping, and not being stealthy in the least.

“The detective gig doesn’t suit you. But I’m good, thanks. How’s business?”

“Oh, you know. A small startup was bought out by a major corp. Same old.”

I drag a hand through my hair. “Sounds thrilling.”

He makes a see-saw motion with his hand. “One of their associates is pretty hot. Didn’t mind the eye candy. Speaking of, how’s taffy girl?”

I hang my head. “Oh, here we go.”

“What? It’s an innocent question.”

“Yeah and you’re running for president.”

Jordan barks out a laugh. “You can try tossing me off the trail, but I’ll sniff that shit out.”

I wave him off. “I haven’t seen her since Wednesday. She watched Ollie for me.”

He flings forward, snapping to attention. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“Braelyn took care of Ollie while I was meeting with Don about the Guttenbarg case.”

“The hot shop owner babysat your son?” His jaw is almost hanging on the floor.

I squint at him. “Are you deaf?”

“My mind is blown. I just… wow.” He shakes his head. “Were you stoned?”

A dull pounding knocks at my skull. “What’s the big deal?”

“You let a woman other than Mary help you.”

I blink at him. “So?”

“This is huge.” He makes a wide gap between his palms, demonstrating the size of precisely how big.

“It’s really not.”

Jordan points at me. “You’re in denial.”

“Dare I ask about what?”

“This Braelyn chick. She’s totally getting to you.”

“Didn’t we already go over this?”

He crosses an ankle over his thigh. “That was last week. There’s been new developments that, need I remind, you hid from me.”

“You’re such a girl,” I mutter.

He thrusts his hips. “That’s not what your mom said last night.”

I slam my hand down, rattling everything within a mile radius. “Fucking low blow, Hughes.”

Jordan winces. He has the decency to look guilty as fuck. “That was a dirty hit. I apologize.”

I blow out a heavy breath. “It’s fine.”

“You know I’m just fucking with you.”

“Yeah, real fucking funny. Hardy-har-har. Anything else you wanted to discuss during gossip hour?”

“Other than your girlfriend? No.”

“Keep the jokes coming, you’re on a roll.”

“Just admit you can’t stop thinking about her.”

“Not gonna happen. I prefer to live honestly.”

But he’s the one speaking truth. Braelyn is rarely far from my thoughts. To make matters worse, she’s the prime source of spank-bank material. I can’t jack off without seeing her angelic face. Her mossy eyes stare into my soul, begging for more of me. In the darkest hours, she finds me waiting. I give in and let desire take control. Potent heat slithers under my skin.

Fuck, this is the most inconvenient place to get hard. At least my dick is out of sight. The chance of me standing up in the next thirty minutes is real slim. I tug at the collar of my shirt. Dammit, that woman is the devil. I stretch my legs to ease the pinching strain.

A low chuckle bursts through my untimely arousal. I lift my gaze to find Jordan smiling wide. I’m totally busted.

“Fucking called it,” my friend gloats.

I don’t dignify that with a response. He’s goading me. I know this. Doesn’t stop my muscles from flexing. My neck is so tight I’m likely to pop a button.

Jordan leans forward on his elbows. The smirk curving his mouth says it all.

“You don’t know shit,” I finally spit in return.

“It wouldn’t bother you if I went to visit Thicket over my lunch break? I’m having a craving for something sweet.” He smacks his lips.