Chicks, Man

Jim stands, slapping me on the back. “That’s why you’re my guy, Levi. Smart, eagle eyes—this case wouldn’t be where it is without you.” He addresses the rest of the boardroom. “Meeting’s over. Please submit your notes and file them by day’s end. We’ll contact the courts to set a date tomorrow. Splendid work, everybody.”

Everyone takes their cue and exits the boardroom. I don’t understand how I’ve managed to focus on a damn thing since Hannah left. That mouth of hers has my blood boiling, but my fucking dick hard as stone. The urge to throttle her in my office earlier has my hand shaking again. Why the hell am I letting her get under my skin? Because you’ve gotten a taste and now you want more. Fuck yeah, I want more. But it’s not just that. I want to slide into her warmth and stay there forever. Smell her on me always. And fuck if she’s going to act like she doesn’t want the same.

I’m no fool. I was well aware little Hannah Mathews had the googly eyes for me when we were growing up. I can also sadly admit I never gave her a second glance. Back then, she was thin as a rail. Her hair was always wild from getting into shit she wasn’t supposed to. Her mouth…well, that’s the same. She still has to have the last word. But throughout the years, I never paid attention to her. We left for school, and when we returned, she was gone. Our paths never crossed. And now, having her back in my life, like this little tornado causing havoc in my head, my heart, my fucking pants, I can’t comprehend what it is I feel for her. But it’s something I need to pursue.

My phone rings, and I glance down. Kip. Fuck. I ignore his call. There’s a guilt that weighs heavy on my shoulders realizing what I’m doing is wrong. If…or when, he finds out, it’s not going to be good. Even looking at Jim, he respects me. Loves me like his own son, but I wouldn’t doubt he would help Kip bury my body if he found out the things I want to do—am going to do—to his daughter. Because no matter what bullshit Hannah is pulling right now, we’re not done.

“Hey, baby girl.” Jim breaks my thoughts as he takes a call. “Oh no, are you sick? Oh, okay. Well, don’t forget tonight is poker night. Kipley and Stacey will be there. Sure, baby, bring whoever you want. Okay. Love you.” He ends the call with a smile on his face and slides his phone into his jacket pocket. The love for his daughter is limitless—another reason this may not end well.

“Everything all right?” I ask, needing a gauge on what’s wrong with Hannah.

“Oh, yeah. Hannah isn’t feeling well. She’s going to take the rest of the day off.”

Not feeling well, huh? More like avoiding me. I don’t picture Hannah bowing down to a little stomachache when it comes to conquering the work empire. “That’s too bad. Maybe I’ll go check on her on my way home. Make sure she doesn’t need anything.” Or bust her.

Jim pats me on the back. “Kind man. That’s what I admire about you, Levi. She said she’ll be okay. Still gonna make it to family poker night. You’re coming, right? Hannah is bringing a friend as well.”

I wasn’t planning on it, but now I sure as fuck will be. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Jim.”

I’m sipping on a bottle of beer when Hannah finally walks in. My mood darkens when that punk Braydon steps in behind her. He seems boring, dweebish. I can’t understand what she even sees in him. My grip tightens around the bottle when he presses his hand to her lower back. If he wasn’t standing so close to Cheryl, Hannah’s mother, I’d throw my bottle at his funny shaped head.

“Hannah, honey, you’re not feeling well?” Cheryl brings Hannah in for a hug, not missing her eyes when they land on me.

“Fine, must have been something I ate.”

“Bad lunch?” I say, unable to pass up the opportunity to add to her discomfort. Her eyes find mine, that little fire causing my lips to curl into a smile. I sit up straighter and stand. Annoyingly, so does Jim, going to greet the punk.

“Braydon! Welcome to our home. Hope you know how to play some poker. We take no prisoners over here.” Jim shakes Braydon’s hand, and I slam my beer as I watch Hannah smile at their friendly connection. Jim thinks he’s this perfect employee, but I went over some of the litigation reports he’s handling and found errors. If I wanted to be a prick, I could have brought it to Jim’s attention, but it’s not my job to tattle. It’s my job to find errors and keep clients.