Page 70 of Cherry Auction

I groan and reach for him when he gets up, but he just chuckles. “I’ll be right back.”

I huff in dissatisfaction and lay back, absorbing the sun on the most perfect day ever created. “Fine,” I grouch.

He’s back quickly, though—impressive for how big his house is. But then maybe he doesn’t like losing sight of me any more than I do him.

We move to a table near the glittering pool to eat. It’s gorgeous, inlaid with natural rock and a little waterfall on the far side near the deep end.

“Can we go swimming next?” I ask excitedly with my mouth full of ciabatta bread and chicken.

He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re supposed to wait twenty minutes after eating to swim.”

I put down my half-eaten sandwich and take a swig from the bottle of sweetened tea that came with it. I love the tea. Domhnall says it used to be my favorite drink—that back when he knew me, I’d always get tea and then dump tons of sugar packets in it. Every little detail he remembers about the good things thrill me.

“You need to eat more.”

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m full! I want to go swimming. I’ll wait the twenty minutes in the water. Is the water cold?”

The sun’s gotten me warm enough I think I’ll brave it no matter how cold it is.

“It’s temperature controlled so I can swim year round.”

I shake my head. “Of course it is.” I look around at his huge mansion and back yard. “This place is insane.”

He shrugs. “It’s a status symbol more than anything. I needed people to take me seriously and forget how young I am. I just bluffed my way into every room I went into when I was building the company. I’d show them the weaknesses in their own company infrastructures but stay an aloof charming bastard about it to get them to invest. Then when I really started making money, I invested every cent I made until, well, I got tothis.” He waves a general hand towards thehouse. “No one questions you once you’re on Billionaire’s Row.”

“Do you even use all the rooms?”

He smirks at me. “Just my office, bedroom, the kitchen, and the dungeon, mostly.” Then he shrugs. “I throw the requisite party here and there in the ballroom to maintain status quo. The rest is all for show.”

I frown. “That’s so wasteful. Do you know how much women at the shelter would give just to have a single room?”

He lifts an eyebrow sardonically. “I wasn’t out to save the world, love. I was out to conquer it.”

I pause, looking out at the beautiful backyard. “Can’t you do a little of both?”

“You’re mine now,” he says, his voice low and serious. “So what’s mine will be yours and you can use my resources to save whoever you want.”

Then he levels me with his gaze. “Marry me.”

I gape in disbelief as my head snaps back to him. Is he serious? The look in his eye says he is.

“I— You—” I sputter. “You told me to leave this morning. And yesterday you had me locked up as a pet in your dungeon!”

He drags his chair closer, eyes still piercing. “It’s always been you for me. And you were obviously trying to make your way back to me, even before you lost your memory. Why else would you have been so close? Your father’s dead. There’s nothing to stop us now. Marry me.”

Yes. Yes I’ll marry you and be your wife!

Of course it’s what I want. More than anything.

But all I can do is sputter more. “I— I—” I move my head back and forth. “Is that a command?”

He frowns. “No. Of course not.” He breathes out and drags a hand through his hair. “Shit. I’m going too fucking fast.Fuck.” He pushes his chair back, face dark. I don’t like it. It’s like he’s disappearing deep into himself, sinking away from me.

I reach out to grab his hand, but stop at the last second, knowing he doesn’t like it when I make surprise contact. Still, it has him looking back at me.

“Can we go skinny-dipping?” I arch an eyebrow at him.

He groans, some of the playfulness coming back into his face. “You’re gonna be the death of me, love.”

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