Lesley bends over to help Mom with her coffee, and I can’t help but feel the warmth flow through me as I watch her do it so effortlessly. Like she’s always helped people out … and it doesn’t even faze her.
“You should be very proud of your two boys, ma’am,” she says.
“Oh, yes … I’m very proud,” Mom replies, chuckling a little.
“TJ’s working so hard to keep the company going, and Flynn is doing his best to take real good care of you.”
Mom places a hand on top of Lesley’s and says, “They’re the best sons I could have ever wished for.”
I smile. “Aw … thank you, Ma.”
“They are doing what they’re best at,” Lesley adds.
“Yes,” Mom says. “I’m so happy with my boys.”
“Thanks, Ma,” Flynn says. “I’m always glad to help.” He presses a kiss to her temple.
“See? You guys have nothing to fight about,” Lesley says, nodding at me.
“True. We’re both doing our best here,” I say, looking at Flynn in the hopes he’ll forgive me. “After all, we’re brothers. We’ve only got each other. We gotta stick together.”
Flynn nods slowly and sighs out loud. “I guess you’re right about that.”
I get up from my chair and hold out my arms. “How about it? Forgive me?”
Flynn rolls his eyes but gets up anyway. “Oh, all right …” he groans, and he gives me a short but manly bear hug.
“Missed you too, bro,” I say.
He smirks. “Don’t get used to it. I don’t wanna see you that often. It would chase away all the chicks.”
I laugh. “Once a playboy, always a playboy.”
“Damn right, I am,” he says, as he grabs his cup of coffee and sits down again to take a sip. “And there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Don’t want to. Never have,” I say. “Just as long as you let me run the business, and I’ll let you do yours. Deal?”
“Fine by me.” Flynn shrugs. “But don’t you forget about our momma.”
“I won’t, I promise. I’ll make sure to drop by more often.”
“Good.”
We all return to slurping our coffee, and for the first time in a long time, I can breathe in this room without feeling constricted. And I’ve got Lesley to thank for it. Hot damn. Never in my wildest dreams did I think she’d be the catalyst to bring us together. Some things can surprise you even in the most unexpected ways. But Lesley and her willingness to put in everything she has was the best surprise of all.
Chapter 24
Lesley
Sitting behind my desk, I’m working like I always have when my phone beeps. When I go to check, I notice it’s an email sent to my private account … the panty-selling one.
From: [email protected]
Still got some panties for sale? I’d like to get my hands on some … Right now.
My jaw practically drops, but I immediately glance around the room, hoping no one has noticed.
Why is he doing this? On this email? And why now?
From: [email protected]
What are you doing? This isn’t professional. We could get caught. I can’t email you on this account anymore. You have to stop.
I quickly press send, hoping he gets the message and stops using this as an excuse to get me to talk to him. He’s got work to do. I know so because I saw him talking on the phone almost half the day. He’s been typing away on his laptop the other half, so I know he’s busy.
From: [email protected]
What am I doing? I think that’s obvious, isn’t it? I want your panties. Stick ‘em up and hand ‘em over.
I groan but still reply because he’s getting on my nerves now. What if someone passes me and sees this? We can’t have that happening. Shit would definitely go down then.
From: [email protected]
Someone could see this shit! I’m not getting caught. And really, don’t you have work to do? Don’t say no because I know you do, so then you’d be a liar. And we all know what I think of liars.
His response is almost immediate. It’s like he’s glued to his screen. I can almost see him in front of me, smirking as he reads my messages and gloating to himself. Fucker.
From: [email protected]
Who cares what others think? I don’t. They’ll find out anyway; it’s only a matter of time. About that panty-selling thing … now that I can keep quiet. As long as you bring me your panties … And the pussy that’s wearing them.
I’m fully loaded. Or do you think I’m lying? Since you seem to think that’s all I do, might I offer up my time and cock to prove to you that I’m not?
Sincerely … your boss
Oh my god, what is he doing? I can’t believe I’m actually getting turned on by this. Jesus, this is so bad. He is so bad. But I like it. Goddammit.