Page 41 of The Best Bad Decision

“I’m stubborn but also pissed because they ruined my mood and my to-do list.” I ignored the way my grumpy, pissed-off-toddler-style complaints had him smiling even wider. “I sent you back the last list and you said we’d have a full scene as long as I followed the rules.”

If he didn’t stop smiling, I was going to find a whole new thing to complain about.

“You were very good and I’m proud of you.” He pulled me close enough that I was pressed against the front of his body and dropped his voice low as he brushed my lips in faint kiss. “You did everything I asked and even remained cool when faced with insanity. I think that deserves a reward.”

A reward?

“Our list says orgasms are my primary reward.” Casimir liked having things spelled out. Before…well, whatever we were doing…I’d have said I liked lists too, but he took planning to a confusing new level. “I responded to all the lists and I was hard right up until I got home.”

That smile was going to make me insane.

“Why are you grinning?” He was enjoying my frustration entirely too much.

“Because your ex didn’t make you hard but I did.” His response probably should’ve been obvious but it left me kind of stupid. Luckily for both of us, he always knew what to say. “And you didn’t want to be around her but you nearly sprinted across the street to see me. Oh, we’re not going to forget how hard you are already.”

I was?

I was.

“You…” I didn’t even know what to say to that, so I just stopped and waited. From everything I’d read online silence wasn’t a bad response, and I knew the internet was right when his smile grew heated.

“That’s right. I’m going to take charge from here.” He mimed taking a deep breath but it was subtle because of our audience.

I couldn’t see them but yesterday one of the neighbors I’d never actually talked to cornered me by my mailbox and asked me if Casimir was my dealer.

Nope.

It was weird but I’d thoroughly enjoyed explaining that no he was just my boyfriend and was amazing in bed.

I still couldn’t decide how I felt about the question, but as I let out the breath he’d wanted me to take, he gave a faint nod. Pleasing him mattered more than weird conversations, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. “Very good. Now we’re going to step inside, and once we have privacy, I’ll give you more instructions.”

Hopefully ones that would lead to an orgasm?

The internet agreed I shouldn’t ask about that, though, so I treated it like I was the junior member in a VIP meeting and stayed quiet. His eyes sparkled with mischief and something wicked, but he nodded and released my tie before smoothing it out. “You’re sexy like that.”

Suit porn was something I’d never run into until I’d started exploring the more interesting side of the internet, but I loved how just being properly dressed for work turned him on. “Thank you.”

He almost laughed but he let me step back and managed to keep his delight in check…probably because some of our audience had gotten frustrated and were now peeking out their front doors. Casimir just gave everyone a little wave before stepping into the house and jerking his head for me to follow like I was his little pup.

I wasn’t, but he still thought that joke was funny.

“Still not a puppy.” Not even the naked kind I’d seen on the internet. “Do you think her mic isn’t working?”

He laughed as he finally locked the door. “That’s the only thing I can come up with but I know that making sure I’m turned away from their houses is driving them both crazy. You have a really good blank face and evidently that’s driving them both to day drink.”

Now that I could believe.

“According to gossip from their husbands.” As I laughed, he shrugged. “They keep cornering me every time I leave the house.”

He knew everyone and everything that went on in the neighborhood.

“I’m not included in those discussions.” I wasn’t jealous of that but I was glad they all liked him and included him in the neighborhood chaos.

“Because they’re convinced you’d think it was silly.” As I stepped out of my shoes, Casimir took my hand and led me to the living room. “You’re considered the grown-up of the neighborhood and should be more worried about everyone’s 401ks and what day garbage pickup was moved to after a holiday.”

“That’s not complicated. There’s a chart on the utility website showing how the schedule shifts.” I couldn’t understand for the life of me how that confused the entire neighborhood. “They’re just too lazy to look it up, and of course 401ks are important, half the street isn’t even investing in theirs and Rich over at the end of the court in that godawful white house has one hundred percent matching he’s not taking advantage of. It’s a fucking crime.”

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t a fun person…or that he shouldn’t have painted his house that color.