Read Online Santa's Executive by Carrie Ann Ryan - Free Book Online Page B

room. When she sat down at the edge of the bed, he purposely sat down in the armchair. That way he wouldn't succumb to the need to lay her down on the bed just to see what she tasted like.
    “I did something really stupid today, and then when I was leaving, I had an incident that I don't even want to get into.”
    Her eyes widened, and she scooted closer so that she could take his hands. He covered her small hand with his big ones and squeezed. 
    “What happened today? I want to hear both things because you look like you need to talk.”
    “Yeah, I guess I do.” He missed talking with people about his day. Yeah, he had his brothers, but they didn’t live with him, and he had been feeling lonely. He just didn't want to get too dependent on Rina in case she didn't feel the same way.
    “Then tell me. That's what I'm here for, to listen.” She smiled, and her big blue eyes twinkled.
    “Well, we'll start with the thing that wasn't my fault. On my way out of the school, I was accosted by a mother.”
    She frowned. “What did you mean by accosted?”
    He cleared his throat, uncomfortable. Maybe he shouldn't have started with this one. “Uh, she well, she grabbed my ass. In front of her son. Oh, and I forgot to mention, she's married.”
    Rina’s eyes narrowed, and she gave a cute little growl. “She did what? How did she think in any way that was appropriate? Especially in front of her son. Peppermint balls! That poor kid. Not to mention you. Are you okay?”
    “Peppermint balls?” He smiled. Damn, she was so cute.
    She blushed all the way up to her ears. “It's just how I curse. Don't make fun of me. You didn't answer my question. Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”
    Justin laughed, feeling better already. “Look at you worrying about the mean old lady trying to hurt me. I can take care of myself; it just pissed me off. She didn't hurt me, don't worry.”
    “Well, if you want, I can go and take care of that for you.” She smiled devilishly, and he laughed.
    “I would pay to see that.”
    “Okay, now I think you're making fun of me.”
    “Never.”
    “Uh-huh. Why don't we just leave that subject now, and you can tell me about that thing you did that was your fault. If you're saving it for last, it must be something big.”
    He closed his eyes so that he wouldn't see the disappointment when he told her. He didn't think he could face that. “I was having a good day until I went to the lunchroom and had all those kids around me. I did something stupid.”
    “What?”
    “I let my magic out, trying to cheer them up, and I let out too much and didn't control it. They got so rambunctious they had a food fight. They could've gotten hurt because of something I did. I shouldn't have done that. I should've waited for you. What the hell was I thinking?”
    He kept his eyes closed, but she still held onto his hands. Her touch was the only thing keeping him together.
    “Justin, stop beating yourself up. Yes, you should've waited for me. No one got hurt, so think of the good things. With more practice, we can teach you control. You're just going to have to learn and to not use your magic when it's not needed. You don't have to unleash it when we’re not working.”
    “What does that mean?” He finally opened his eyes and relaxed, and he didn't see any disappointment in her gaze, only calm understanding.
    “I told you before that each region carries an executive. That executive doesn't meet every child, doesn't have to help every child. Just the fact that they are there lets their magic work. The only reason that you would need to unleash your magic is if you're in a place or position, where it would be helpful. Just the fact that you were in that room would have helped the mood or just kept the magic alive. If you ever find yourself needing to get rid of an excess, find me. That's what I'm here for.”
    For some reason the thought of releasing his tension with her made him think dirty things and not what he should have