Page 13 of Hidden Heart

He raised an eyebrow in response. “I can if you’d like.” He started to stand, but she placed her hand on top of his to still him.

“No. That’s okay. I’ll grab one.”

“I’ll get the coffees. You get comfortable. Now, what do you drink? Something sugary, I bet.” His lips twitched.

She laughed. “Just a vanilla latte.”

“You got it.” He paused at her side and cupped her chin, drawing her eyes up to him. “I’m really glad you wanted to meet up.”

His touch left a tingle on her chin. She could still smell his musky aftershave. Reminding herself again of her strategy, she straightened in her chair and tried to at least appear casual. She didn’t want him to see how frazzled her nerves really were.

When Royce returned, he placed her coffee in front of her and took his seat. She tried to avoid his eyes, focusing on the little sips she took instead. But Royce wouldn’t be avoided so easily. When she glanced in his direction, she found his gaze glued to her.

“How was your day?” he asked. His fingers drummed the side of his cup, and she wondered exactly how much patience he would have if she continued to delay the conversation. But she’d already decided on a course of action, and better to get right to it.

“I don’t really like small talk.” She reached down for her purse, ignoring his little sigh of irritation. Small talk would lead to things getting more serious than she intended, and, for at least the moment, she needed things to be on her terms.

He watched her, seeming to be content to let her lead them through the conversation. At least for the moment. She doubted he’d be so relaxed about it if she kept it up for long.

“I wanted to discuss this.” She pulled out a set of rolled up papers and tossed them onto the table.

He took his time unrolling them and flattening them with his hands.

It was a three-page list containing activities common in the types of relationships he was obviously involved in. Some of the items were of the sexual nature, and others were simply things regarding the relationship.

“Okay.” He kept his hands on the papers and stared at her. His eyes weren’t just settled on her, they were searching her. Her skin heated beneath his scrutiny. This had all played out much smoother in her mind when she’d thought of it during breakfast.

“Jessica.” His voice snapped her out of her drifting headspace. He’d only glanced down at the papers, and only appeared mildly surprised by what he read.

“Page one is out!” she blurted and quickly checked to see if anyone had heard her. Her cheeks heated at the thought of the items mentioned there. Most of them she’d had to google for the definition.

He looked down, quickly scanning. “Okay.”

“What do you meanokay? Don’t you want those things?” His reaction wasn’t meeting her expectations. Why wasn’t he insisting on what he wanted?

“Not really. Most of what’s here are things I don’t really care for, but I’d be willing to do if my partner wished.” He relaxed his hands and his tone.

“Oh.” She brought her brows together. She had been sure he would end the conversation after she threw out all the activities on page one. She wasn’t a doctor, but she didn’t think fisting or shoving ginger root into one’s bottom was safe. Even if it was safe, she wanted no part of it.

“You thought because I took control the other night everything would always be about what I want and not what you desire.” He read her mind perfectly yet another strike against him.

“No, not really—”

“And we’re back to one.” He pointed a finger in the air.

“I don’t like the counting,” she said with a small shake of her head.

He leaned toward her over the table, his soft composure hardened. “I don’t like the lying.”

Trying to ignore the implication of his fierce features, she pushed on. “Page two is marked with the things I’d be okay with trying…but if I don’t like them, they’re out.” She sounded as though she were negotiating a plea agreement. She’d learned a thing or two working as a paralegal. Better to come with high demands and settle for less—which is exactly where you wanted to be in the first place. He listened patiently as she went through the things she would try and things she wouldn’t give a second thought to. He let her continue her monologue until her well-rehearsed speech was over.

“Okay, now…” he picked up the third page and waved it over the table, “anal sex isn’t as bad as you think it is, and the training can be extremely fun.”

She could have sworn he grew red horns with the smile he offered. A quick glance around them, and she relaxed. No one had heard him.

“And I don’t want to be punished.”

“Of course you don’t. I don’t want to have to punish you.” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. The position reminded her of a line being drawn in the sand—a line not to be crossed. “There are so many other fun things we could do instead, but if you earn one, you get one.”

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