Sir's Redemption (Doms of Decadence 8)

“No, you didn’t. Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?”

She knew she had to stop talking, but when she got riled, her mouth tended to overtake her good sense.

“I didn’t have a mother.”

She wouldn’t feel sorry for him. She wouldn’t.

She wished now she’d done some more research on him, though.

“Sorry. But if you did, she would have told you it’s polite to say thank you when someone does a kindness for you.”

“And what kindness did you do for me?” he asked in a low voice.

She watched him warily. He didn’t move towards her, didn’t make any move that could be construed as the least bit threatening, but she still felt a little scared.

He sighed, breaking the spell. “No need to look at me like I’m the wolf and you’re Little Red Riding Hood. I’m not going to rip off my disguise and start chasing you around the room.”

Yeah, she wasn’t so sure. “I found your cuff link.”

He raised his eyebrows. “And you believe that was a kindness?”

Okay. What the hell did that cuff link mean to him to put that dark look on his face?

She tried to climb off the sofa once more.

“Stay still until I give you permission to leave.”

Permission? Really? Jeez, he sounded just like Sloan when he was in Dom mode. She froze at the thought. God, Sloan. She had to get home.

“Perhaps I should call someone to come and get you. Are you married?”

“No.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I have a boyfriend, though.” She wasn’t certain why she felt the need to make that clear. He didn’t react, making her feel like an idiot.

“I have to finish cleaning this floor.”

“Hmm, let’s see. I own this floor. I own this building, in fact, and I pay your wage.”

She heard the note of warning and raised her chin. “If you want to fire me, go ahead.”

He just stared at her. “Stand up slowly.”

She stood, feeling like she was a bug under a microscope as he watched her.

“Walk up and down the room twice.”

She gave him a snarky look but did as ordered. Without limping. She’d probably have a bruise but she was fine. “Happy now?” she grumbled.

“No, not really.” There was a funny look on his face she couldn’t decipher. “You may clean up this mess then go home.” And with that, he strode away.

“Oh, I can, can I?” she muttered once the door closed. “Thank you, your royal highness, for being so kind to your lowly servant.” Somehow, none of that made her feel any better.

James bit back his irritation as he strode out of his office. He’d let the redheaded cleaner get to him. He should have just fired her. When he’d noticed her in his office on the monitor in his apartment, he’d been furious, certain she was there to snoop around. Not that she’d find much. He rarely used that office unless he was meeting with someone.

He preferred to work in the apartment which occupied the entire top floor of this building. He had one in every city he had offices in. A place for him to live and work. Quiet. Solitude. He snorted as he walked into his living area. Who was he kidding? He hated the quiet. Hated that when he walked in he didn’t hear the TV playing in the background with some sports game on. That there was no music, no laughter, no fun.

This wasn’t the home he’d shared with them. That was back in New York. He’d sold it to a nice couple who’d been thrilled to buy it at such a good price. His real estate agent had been horrified at the loss he’d taken. He’d just wanted it gone. But the memories still followed him halfway across the country.

He drew the cuff link out of his pocket and placed it on the coffee table, staring at it. Sometimes he wondered why he even came to Houston. He wasn’t really needed here. But he guessed it was a way of punishing himself, to be so close to Sloan, but not able to see him.