Page 42 of Bought and Broken

She raises a brow and hops off the stool, going up the stairs.

I’m left speechless.

And hard as a granite.

I can’t decide if I should go get her or let her come back down when she wants. What she said is still bothering me. I never thought I’d see the day when Devon Kensington talked about someone getting railed. I don’t get embarrassed by sex talk, my mouth is as dirty as the rest of the guys my age, but Devon Kensington saying something like that? Christ. I didn’t think she had it in her. I nearly blushed.

When I finally get to my feet, I go to the lasagna and cut a piece for me and her, plating them. I need to keep my mind occupied or this is going to go south. I grab a bottle of red wine and pour us each a glass. I set up both on the counter in our respective seats and lay out the silverware. Then I stand at the bottom of the stairs with my hands on my hips, wondering what the hell to do. Glancing down at myself, I realize the first thing I need to do is put some damn clothes on.

Gathering them all from the floor, I put them on and go to the half-bath that’s tucked away in the back corner.

When I return, she’s at the island, eating and smiling like she won the lottery—still in the same amount of clothing as before.

She’s trying to torture me.

“Thought I scared you away.”

I can’t stop the laugh that comes out of me as I take the seat beside her.

“You scare me? That really is laughable.”

She frowns at me for a few beats before going back to her food. She eats half before she comments how good it is. Not that I need the compliment, but I don’t hate it. I am trying to impress her.

“Wait until you see what I made for dessert.”

She drops her fork, narrowing her eyes at me. “Now when did you have time for that?”

“While you were not napping.”

“You can’t give me a pillow, blanket, get me comfy on the couch, and expect me not to fall asleep.”

“You’re the one who said you didn’t want to nap.”

“And I didn’t… before you forced me.” She picks up her fork and scoops up another bite.

“Oh, I forced you?” I say, suppressing another laugh.

“You did. You made it impossible to say no.”

“I can do that with other things too.” The words leave my lips before I can stop them.

Her eyes flicker with excitement.

“Is that so?”

I shrug, going back to my food.

I can’t act like I want her that badly. Not yet. I have to play hard to get. Let her come to me. I can’t have her thinking I want this, that it’s my goal.

“Do you want more?” I ask when she’s finished.

“Yes, please.”

I get us each another helping, this one smaller.

She eats this piece slower and is probably going to regret it shortly. She’ll complain she ate too much and blame it on me.

“Are you going to tell me why you bought me?” she asks, her voice quieter than it has been in a long time. She isn’t angry or demanding this time.

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