“Because they want to look good. Advertising, of sorts.” I shrugged. “Brickton, Harper, and Leroy aren’t all about money.” I snorted out a laugh. “Except, that they are.”
“But it’s always you who takes on those cases.” He slid his hands over my shoulders and around my neck, shuffling closer so he could lean up and kiss me on the lips. “You deserve better.”
“Maybe.” I grabbed his ass and squeezed those soft globes I wanted to bite into. “But let’s not talk about it right now. We can’t be late.” I forced myself to take a step back and smiled at him. “You make me want to put you on your knees while you’re dressed like that.”
His cheeks pinked up and he ducked his head.
Guilt curled inside me, reminding me that he was only eighteen and my dead partner’s younger brother, but I shoved it away. This arrangement wasn’t permanent, just some fun until he felt better.
“Maybe you should do naughty things to me, Daddy.” My sweet boy’s lips twisted into a wicked smile.
“I’ll think about it, after the party. I just need to get through this.”
He pouted. “Fine.”
Laughing, I placed my hand on Shane’s lower back and led him down the hallway and out of the house, making sure to lock the front door. The cool air brushed against my face until I got into the warmth of the car. Even though it was the end of May, the night wind still held a touch of coldness and broke the heat of the day.
Anna’s home was on the opposite side of the city, in what I called the McRich suburbs. The area had newly built mansions, gated communities, and the best of everything, including Olympic-sized pools, high-end supermarkets, and million-dollar views. As soon as we turned into Anna’s street, Shane whistled in disbelief.
“What a life these people live,” he said, craning his head to check out a handsome man walking his Great Dane in the dusk of the night.
Something that felt like jealousy sat heavy inside me, but I tamped it down. Shane was young, raging hormones in full swing, and he had a libido that I couldn’t match at my age. This wasn’t something serious, so I had no right to care if he checked out another man or not. Hell, it was probably best for me if he did find someone else. At least then I wouldn’t feel the guilt or shame that came with this game we were playing.
“You should find yourself a boyfriend at this party. There’ll be a lot of wealthy men.” The advice tasted like ash in my mouth, but that didn’t hurt as much as the glance he gave me. Raw pain burned in his gaze.
“Why would I want that? I have you, Daddy.” The bite of defiance echoed in each word he said, and his frown turned to a glare. “Sick of me already?”
“Of course not.” I grabbed his thigh. I didn’t know how to explain my thoughts to him, so I kept silent instead.
Turning the car into a wide, circular driveway that was already piled with vehicles, I got out and handed my keys to the valet. He smiled in thanks, but I didn’t miss the way his eyes slid to my beaten-up old Toyota with disgust.
The chateau Anna lived in was a Renaissance-styled home with white walls, tall and wide windows, all crowned by a round balcony that would allow her to address her imaginary kingdom in style. The stone pathway along the front led to a set of massive oak doors. I’d been here twice since she moved in, and every time I left feeling jealous and poor. Carter had never commented on Anna’s wealth, but I saw the appreciation in his eyes when we visited. Even the simplest man wanted better.
Shane was at my side when we walked to the door. “If Anna’s your friend, why hasn’t she gotten you more high-paying clients?”
“Because it’s one against two, and Brickton has more leverage than she does.” I kept my voice low as we knocked on the doors. “He’s not a fan of mine.”
Anna’s butler opened the door and waved us in. I smiled at him as we walked over the threshold and through the grand foyer of gold-leaf trimmings and marble floors to the ballroom Anna loved entertaining in. The ceiling soared away from us supported by tall pillars, but the noise of the crowd gave me a claustrophobic twinge anyway and made my lungs squeeze. I breathed through the urge to turn around and walk straight back out.
As soon as we entered, Anna bombarded us. She hugged me and kissed my cheek before she turned to Shane with a knowing smile on her beautiful, vibrant red lips. “You’re Shane.”
Shane’s cheeks deepened to a rosy red and he nodded. He tugged on his shirt and stared at her attire, which shouted luxury, from the lace trimmings to the glimmering gold necklace she wore. I didn’t blame him for being stunned because I always felt the same way around her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re as handsome as I remember. Older too.” She slapped a hand to her chest and laughed. The dress plunged to barely cover her goods, and if I’d been a bisexual man, I might have been tempted to stare there. But then, the necklace dangling between her breasts was attractive too, with emeralds and rubies gleaming under the hanging lights. “I’m not sure if you remember me. I’ve been over to your house a few times.”
Shane nodded. “I remember you, ma’am.”
She waved her hand at him. “It’s Anna.” Then she grinned mischievously. “I know you’re not twenty-one yet, but I won’t tell if you don’t.” Then she snagged glasses from a passing caterer and shoved a glass of champagne in his hands before she did the same to me. “Now go socialize for a little while. Make friends.”
By friends, she meant go kiss Brickton’s ass, something I couldn’t bring myself to do. I smiled at her anyway, and she turned and sashayed to the next target. I sighed.
“What is she celebrating?” Shane took a sip of the champagne and grimaced. “I know this is probably expensive, but it tastes like shit.”
“All champagne does.” I grinned at him and set my tall glass on a caterer’s tray as she snuck by. “And Anna’s celebrating another win. She got a drug kingpin off free and clear on charges of drug trafficking.”
“That’s something to celebrate?” He frowned at me and set his own glass on a table beside us before edging closer so he could hear me in the crowd.
“The money is.” I snorted. “People like Anna have reason to celebrate these wins.”
Anna’s victory reminded me of River and his affiliation with the Kings of Men MC, and my ongoing temptation to ask him if he needed another lawyer. Every now and then he asked me if I needed a job, which was always hard to ignore. With Carter gone—he’d always been a key cog in my moral compass—the temptation to leave and join up with River was stronger than ever. He ran his own firm, and other than him, there was only one other lawyer. As far as I knew, River got a retainer for always being ready for the Kings when they needed him.
“Maybe you need to work for yourself,” Shane said.
I laughed. “If only it was that easy, Boy.” The pet name slipped out before I realized what I’d said. While it wasn’t anything outrageous, the last thing I wanted was for my other bosses to know the sort of life I lived with Shane. While they overlooked the fact I was gay, mostly because of Anna, I didn’t think they’d be as lenient with me being Shane’s daddy. I had to be careful that this play didn’t cross into my work life.