Page 19 of Room One Hundred and Eleven

In the reflection of the shiny doors, I study Aiden following behind me with Poppy on his arm and Knox staring at both of their asses as he brings up the rear.

The fucker winks at me as if this is a game and not the most important negotiation of our lives.

When the elevator stops at our floor, we get in for the short ride to the club.

We’re spit out into a lobby that screams wealth and exclusivity. High ceilings. Crystal accents. Upholstered stools surrounding an illuminated bar. A smattering of tables for discussions like the one we’re about to have before we get down to business.

The bartender salutes at us as we take a table. Aiden pulls out Poppy’s chair and tucks her in after Knox helps her get situated since she’s limited by her high heels and tight dress.

Not exactly an outfit for running away.

“Will you abide by the contract?” I get right to the point.

“Yes.” She nods solemnly enough for me to believe she’s serious.

But I’m not taking any more chances. “And you read it?”

“Yes.”

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

It takes everything in me not to correct her and compel her to respondyes, sirinstead.

“Repeat it back to me.” I steeple my fingers.

“I didn’t memorize the thing.” She rolls her eyes at me, making my palms itch to spank her. “Give me a highlighter and a few more hours if that’s important to you. I’m used to cramming for exams.”

“Give him the CliffsNotes.” Aiden knocks his knee into mine beneath the table.

She holds up her hands and ticks off the salient points on her fingers. “We’re going to room 111. It’s for people with breeding fantasies. You’re all going to have your way with me including…ahem...finishingin me.”

“Damn straight we are.” Knox leans in as if he’s going to lick her like the world’s sweetest lollipop.

“What else?” I force her to say the words, out loud, in public—albeit amongst a crowd that wouldn’t blink at a damn thing we’re about to do.

“No condoms allowed. Everyone’s been screened.” Her gaze darts around as if checking to see if anyone else can hear. Her cheeks turn a rosy pink that calls her lipstick a liar. She’s no vixen.

She’s playing dress-up as a woman who has wild affairs every day when she’s never done it at all.

“That’s right.” I smile at her even if it’s wolfish.

“What happens if you get pregnant?” Aiden interrupts, shredding the cocktail napkin at his place as he waits for her response.

“You’d take care of me then the baby. Raise it as your own.” She glosses over those terms as if they’re insignificant.

A lifelong promise isn’t the sort we make often.

To Aiden, nothing could be more serious. “I swear to you, Poppy. We’ll be the best fathers a child could ever hope for.”

She blinks up at him as if entranced by his earnest and sincere vow.

I wonder if he’s realized how slim the chances of success are with only a single weekend for our attempt. Somehow, the thought of a do-over with Poppy isn’t as horrifying as I would normally consider it.

The only people we sleep with more than once are one another.

It keeps things less…stressful.

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