Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Yep, the peace of working from home was looking better and better.
Unfortunately, Loki sighed. “No, I’m leaving.”
He waved his hand and took another step back from the counter. “I’ll just…never mind.”
The situation had gotten completely out of hand, and it was Skyler’s fault. His wide eyes said he knew it, but the panic in them said he had no idea how to fix it. “Shit.”
Oh yes.
Not sure if it was my responsibility to handle the situation or not, I was surprisingly grateful when the new barista took that moment to sigh and step up to the plate. “Loki?”
The slightly sad-looking god stopped but still looked ready to bolt. “Yes, Remy?”
Politeness seemed to be the only thing keeping Loki in place, and it was surprisingly sweet.
Remy swallowed, looking like he was mentally preparing for battle as he figured out what to say. “Tony does look very nice in his suit, but I think telling him that would’ve been a better way to handle it. Why don’t you go sit down with Tony and see if you can figure out why he’s so dressed up? Then we can all gossip about it.”
Waving Loki toward the small table where I usually parked myself to work, he smiled softly. “Don’t tell Skyler, but I’ll bring you a cookie.”
Skyler huffed and stormed off toward his office, probably glad to escape.
I was starting to see why the shy little barista wanted to become a lawyer. He was good at defusing situations, and once he got started, he didn’t look so shy.
“I…” I could tell Loki wasn’t sure what to do, and his gaze jumped between Remy and me, still looking like he was ready to bolt.
“Loki?” Remy’s question startled him again.
“Yes?” He’d stopped inching toward the door, though.
Remy smiled, looking a bit cheeky. “Please don’t make me write Loki on the cup again. What’s your name? Skyler keeps rolling his eyes when I ask.”
That actually had the trickster god laughing softly. “But Loki is the best name ever.”
Remy giggled, nodding. “That’s probably right, but I sound ridiculous always calling you that.”
Loki didn’t seem to agree with him, but he gave in. “Hunter.”
“Thank you, Hunter.” Then, to smooth things over and probably keep it fair, Remy turned to me. “And?”
Chuckling, I smiled. “Robyn. I chose Tony so no one could make Batman jokes.”
Those were always terrible.
“Oh, never.” Remy shook his head. “No jokes about the bat suit either…that’s reasonable as well.”
He glanced toward the back and dropped his voice. “Riffraff.”
As he giggled, enjoying the irony, he nodded toward the table. “Now you guys go and sit down. I’ll bring your stuff over in a minute.”
Taking in the order that was definitely not a suggestion, no matter how politely it was worded, I wanted to frown. But since he was right and we needed to clear the air, I nodded faintly and went over to the table.
I just wished I knew what needed to be said.
Loki…well, Hunter followed me quietly, with none of his usual teasing or snark.
It was a bit disconcerting.
But as I sat down, I did my best to project calm and professionalism. That was easier than trying to decide if I should flirt or call him bro and ask him to watch football.
Hunter lowered himself into the other chair, studying me for a moment before glancing down at my chest. “You’re more dressed up than usual.”
It wasn’t really a question, but it was a good jumping-off point, so I took it. “I work in statistics, analyzing numbers and data. I had a meeting with a local politician this morning. They seem to think wearing a suit makes you smarter.”
Hunter’s wince described my morning perfectly. “That sounds terrible. Sorry for making things more stressful.”
“You didn’t.” Waving my hand toward the back, I shook my head. “I understood the irony. I think Skyler’s not…well, you know. It’s not a problem.”
Were we good?
Could I leave?
I might’ve been a Dom but I wasn’t the sort to push myself where I wasn’t wanted, and I’d never craved verbal sparring. I was a Daddy, not an old-school Dom. I wanted to cuddle an upset sub or make a sweet little laugh.
The closest I wanted to get to stressful was spanking a cheeky boy until he orgasmed.
Steering the conversation back to work, I gestured toward the monkey suit. “I’m fortunate I get to dress down most of the time but…politicians, you know.”
Hunter chuckled, nodding like he knew the type. “I did a party a few months ago for a local politician.”
My expression must’ve betrayed my confusion because Hunter flashed me a grin. “I own a party planning company. Right now we focus on dinner parties and things like fancy birthday celebrations, but we do bigger events depending on the time of year.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” Had he said that before? I had a vague memory of him saying his job was silly, but that was it.