James’ nose crinkles. “I’d never pass up on pinching a brat.” It’s clear, even in these few moments of reconnecting, that she’s the same, sassy and forward, except now she can take as much as she gives, and he lets her know it. “Back then I couldn’t drape you over a knee and spank you silly, but now that you’re what…,” he squints down, mischief quirking his mouth, ”…thirty, I will.”
Then, he has to laugh. If Chris knew he wanted to hire her, too, it would be more than fun to see, considering he couldn’t do anything about it. “I’m not going to tell him,” James grins. “But you’re going to have to be very good to me, or…” Grimacing he shakes his head, half innocently, as if he doesn’t know how that’d fare.
“Jesus Christ, child, wash your mouth with soap,” comes out of him, feigning wide-eyed surprise. Then, he’s grinning down at her again, attempting to nudge her with an elbow. “Is that how you talk to them? Dirty talk your prowess? Can I hear more?” Though he’s laughing, a sharp twinkle in his gaze says he’s serious.
“Ah-ha, you’re speaking to a plat, as the matter of fact.” There’s a knowing cockiness in the way he says it.
Cassidy narrowed her eyes in mild offense, poking at his side. “Please, it’s been so long since you’ve seen your twenties, I’m not even surprised you’ve forgotten how it looks like.” She said with a hair flip. She wasn’t going to admit that the thought of him bending her over his knee sent a thrill up her spine. She waved her hand flippantly at the mention of her brother. “Please, go ahead and tell him, it’s not me he’s going to come for, James, and you know it.” She was their little baby sister and no matter what she’d do, she could do no wrong in their eyes.
She couldn’t help the smug grin that tugged at the corners of her mouth. Suddenly feeling brave, she took a step forward and looked up at him, smile turning coquettish. “Sweetie, there’s payment for that.” She said, patting his chest again, but instead of letting go, choosing to just keep it there.
She wrinkled her nose at the mention that he was already a member. “God, you really haven’t changed much, have you?” She asked, though there was amusement playing in her eyes. She dropped her hand from his chest before taking a step back. “Well, have fun. I’m sure you’ll enjoy all that the Votive has to offer.”