Alexandr's Cherished Submissive by Ann Mayburn Read Free Book Online

like Uncle Peter, and she had to admit that, in an odd way, her uncle’s overbearing manner made her feel loved. It reminded her of home, and she found herself giving Peter a quick, one-armed hug before returning to her stool. “It’s okay. I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.”
    Her uncle didn’t say anything for a moment then smiled at her, the familiar light of his love returning to his eyes. “How was work tonight?”
    “Good. How was yours?”
    “Busy, lass,” he said with a deep sigh. “Always busy.”
    She smiled at him and he winked. She liked the fact that her uncle seemed to go out of his way to spend time with her. He was always dealing with his business and political crud, but he made sure he had downtime with her whenever he could. With a thud, the entrance door shut and snicked as the lock was turned. Then they were alone.
    Leaning against the bar, she studied his tired expression while he absently examined the racks holding the various glasses behind the bar. “You work too hard.”
    “Better to be busy than bored.”
    “Good point.” She cracked her neck, the strain of the long night pressing down on her and making her eager for her bed. “Having a not-working bathroom for a half-hour sucked. Glad they were able to repair it quickly. I was afraid I was going to have guys asking me for a pitcher to piss in.”
    Peter laughed then yawned. Dark bags had formed beneath his eyes, and she was glad she hadn’t inherited that physical trait from the Cleary side of her gene pool. When she was tired, her eyes got a bit red rimmed, but it made her look more stoned than anything else. She hoped Uncle Peter was taking care of his health and made a mental note to talk to Aunt Mary about his diet.
    Thumping his fist on the bar, he stood and sighed while looking down at her with an affectionate smile that warmed her heart. “I’m gonna go turn in before my beautiful Mary sends out a search team for me. Paul will walk you home whenever you’re ready.”
    She yawned as well and muttered, “Tomorrow’s my day off so I’m gonna sleep in.”
    “Wish I could get a day off,” Peter said with a teasing smile and gave her hair a gentle ruffle.
    “Yeah, it’s tough being the king of Dublin,” she said, referring to the way people seemed to kiss his ass everywhere they went. All she had to do was mention that she was Peter Cleary’s niece and things would go smoothly.
    “Maybe not the king, more like a duke.”
    Shaking her head, she gathered up her purse with a smile and a mock curtsey. “Goodnight, your lordship.”
    “Goodnight, sweetheart. Oh, and Jessica?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Don’t get yer sights set on Alex.”
    “Alex?”
    He gave her a narrow-eyed look, his cheeks puffing as he huffed out a laugh. “Lass, I saw how you stared at him. I may be old, but I’m not so blind that I can’t see a pretty girl makin’ eyes at a handsome fella. I’d just advise you to cast your sights on someone else.”
    Flushing a no-doubt bright red, she started to walk to the front door while trying to keep her stride unhurried and casual. “I wasn’t making eyes at him. I was staring at him in disgust.”
    Peter sighed and threw up his hands in defeat “What you said earlier? You were right. I can’t tell you who you can or cannot see. My family made that mistake with your mother, and I’m not gonna repeat it. I will say, however, that there are a billion men I’d rather see you with than Alexandr. You deserve a good, safe man. Someone you can grow old with. He’s not the man for you, my darlin’ lass.”
    Slightly puzzled by his words, but too tired to dissect them now, she called over her shoulder, “You have nothing to worry about, Uncle Peter. Seriously. I have no interest in him. He’s way too old for me and acts like he’s the King Turd of Shit Mountain. No thanks.”
    That made Peter burst into laughter, and she left the pub with a smile on her face and a bodyguard watching her