Perfectly Toxic (The Sterling Shore Series Book 9) by C.M. Owens

moment.
    Something tells me she’s not just going to tear off her scrubs and head into my bedroom without a little effort either.
    What the hell am I doing?
    Inwardly groaning, I lead her into the living room.
    “Want a drink?” I ask, tossing her the remote as she sits down on the couch.
    “Just water. You know, I only live a couple of blocks from here,” she says as I head into the kitchen.
    “You feeding my stalker habit?” I ask her, smirking when she laughs under her breath.
    “Just figured someone like you would be in a much ritzier area. Like on the beach or something,” she calls out.
    I grab a couple bottles of water and head back into the living room as she flips through the channels on my TV.
    “I’m not big on sand. No matter how hard you try to keep it out, your house is full of sand when you live on the beach. And the uptight neighborhoods aren’t feasible for partying.”
    I wink at her, but she rolls her eyes.
    “Right. For a second, I actually forgot you were a party boy.”
    “Ah now, that’s not all I am, Banana Girl.”
    She glares at me, and I bite back a smile as I get comfortable on the couch, handing her the water. She snatches the bottle out of my hand, fighting hard not to smile.
    “Damn Wren Prize.”
    My laughter sneaks out before I can stop it, and she mutters a few curses and something about bells.
    “So I guess you’re a blowjob expert if you’re giving her pointers?” I ask, smirking when she coughs on her water.
    She turns her eyes on me, and a slow smile curves her lips. “Don’t get excited. Even if I wanted to give you a demonstration—and I don’t—I don’t think I’d know what to do with all the hardware you’re sporting.”
    My eyebrows waggle, and she shakes her head. “It works exactly the same. It just feels better.”
    “There’s another line I bet you’ve used a hundred times,” she says while mocking a gag, which has my cock twitching in response. Until she adds, “But I don’t know where that thing has been, and my mouth isn’t going anywhere near it.”
    “Got tested a few weeks back. The results are in the top drawer of my dresser, if you want proof I’m clean. And I haven’t fucked anyone in… too long. So everything is up to date.”
    She clears her throat and looks away, and my smile grows. I like making her squirm. Before I can mess with her more, my phone is ringing, and I glance down to see my lawyer’s name flashing across the screen.
    “Gotta get this,” I tell her before standing and heading toward my room.
    “Take your time,” she says to my back.
    “You got it taken care of?” I ask instead of doling out a generic hello.
    I check to make sure Bella isn’t following me, just in case. Then I close my door.
    “Well, hello to you too,” Darren states flatly. “And yes I do. I spoke with the mother first, who got too emotional to continue speaking. The father took over, but he was struggling to speak as well. They couldn’t believe it. They want to thank the man who is giving their son this chance.”
    “Absolutely not. This is completely anonymous.”
    He sighs hard. “Very well. I’ve taken care of all the paperwork, and they’re willing to sign the waver, promising they can’t sue you if anything goes wrong in the operation. I’ll be cutting them a check from the firm as soon as it’s all squared away. One of my guys is catching a flight tonight to get it all taken care of, and he’ll hand them the check as soon as the paperwork is signed.”
    “Sounds perfect. I’ll wire the funds to you. Thanks for getting on this so quickly.”
    “How could I not? Let me know if you need anything else, and keep me updated on the boy’s progress.”
    “I doubt I’ll be kept updated, since I’m a silent funder on this.”
    “Right. Then I’ll call the mother and keep you updated.”
    “Thanks for that,” I tell him, then hang up and head back to the living room, where I stumble to an abrupt halt.
    Ah hell.
    There are