The Hookup Handbook(17)



“Thanks, man, I really appreciate your support.” I narrow my eyes at him.

“But you’ll be fine. You’ll, uh, you’ll figure something out. And hey, don’t worry about that time off. Just the thought of my dick not operating properly makes me want to use the shit out of it while I still can.”

“Well, I appreciate you taking one for the team. Also, this goes without saying, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about this.”

Ryder nods solemnly, clapping a hand on the side of my arm before bowing his head and turning to walk out of my office, clearly shaken by what I told him. But as he goes to leave, we realize at the same time that Sienna, looking absolutely beautiful, is standing in the doorway with a stack of paperwork in her hands, with a surprised expression on her face

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

She forces a smile, clearing her throat as she steps around her brother, furrowing her brow at the strange looks we both must be giving her. “Sorry to interrupt. I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but I’m just here to work. I wasn’t listening in or anything.”

Ryder shrugs, giving me one last supportive look before leaving.

Sienna sits at her desk and wordlessly begins typing, but I continue to watch her, searching her face for a hint that she heard any part of that conversation. But she doesn’t give me anything. Not a smirk, not a giggle, nothing.

So I breathe easy as I turn back to my computer, ready to put the whole humiliating confession behind me. Then Sienna breaks the silence.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t hear anything impotent—I mean, important.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

I suppress a groan, swiveling in my chair to face her with a mock-stern look on my face. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, I’ve been a little hard of hearing lately.”

I shake my head, but Sienna keeps going, clearly amusing herself.

“Also, I’ve been meaning to ask—how stiff are the penalties when one of the guys is late to an appointment?”

“Okay, come on . . . That’s just mean.”

My manhood not cooperating is bad enough—but a gorgeous woman poking fun at it is almost more than I can take.

“Wait, wait, I have one more. You don’t want them to think you’re going soft on them.”

We both burst out laughing, and I grab the nearest pen I can find to throw at her.

“Hey!” She squeals, throwing up her hands to block her face as the pen bounces off her arm.

“Had to make it a fair fight. Brat.” I shrug, a smile lingering on my face. “Anyway, how was your interview?”

“Way to change the subject.” She smiles, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “Honestly? It was amazing. They offered me the job on the spot, and obviously, I accepted. I’ll be teaching ballet to three-and four-year-olds on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It’s seriously such a dream come true.”

Her face lights up as she talks about her new job, her blue eyes shining brighter, her animated gestures making her golden hair shimmer and sway. She’s always beautiful, but when she talks about what she loves, she’s fucking radiant.

Seeing that kind of drive and passion in a woman? It’s one of the sexiest things I’ve seen in a long time. And I’ve got the twinge behind my zipper to prove it.

Sienna pauses, a flicker of worry crossing her face. “I promise the ballet won’t interfere with this job at all. I’m so grateful that you set this up for me; there’s no way I’m going to turn around and screw you over in the process.”

I wouldn’t complain about a little screwing . . .

Shit, Case, get it together.

“Don’t worry about it; I have full faith in you. I know you’ll manage both just fine.”

She smiles, and after a brief nod, turns back to her paperwork.

I take her cue and follow suit, returning to the mile-long list of unread emails that need to be answered. Even with Sienna’s help, I’m barely staying on top of this booming business. Plus, she’s got me on such a tight writing schedule that my email-response time has taken a hit.

After a few minutes, Sienna stifles a small giggle, causing me to turn and look at her with an arched brow. She bites her bottom lip when she looks at me, a move I think is supposed to make her look innocent, but mostly it just causes another violent twitch in my pants. Suddenly, I’m grateful for the massive oak desk between us. God, I want her.

“What are you giggling about?”

“Are you absolutely sure you don’t need to see a doctor? I’m sure he woodn’t mind helping you out. Get it? Wood like the building material, not the helping verb.”

Part of me wants to spank her fine ass, and the other part . . . If you weren’t my best friend’s little sister, I’d prove that I don’t need a damn doctor right now.

Instead of acting on my sinful thoughts, I roll my eyes again, a smile tugging at my lips. “You know what? I think I’m going to hit the gym.”

“Didn’t you already work out this morning?”

“Yup.”

After readjusting myself the best I can, I stand and quickly duck out of the room before the maddening shitshow about my penis can go on for one second longer. Sienna’s laughter follows me down the hallway, but all I can do is shake my head.

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