Page 37 of Billionaire Devil

My eyes open a fraction so I can peek at his face. Which is staring at me like he knows he’s right. I’d never thought about it like that. “I guess that’s a possibility.”

“I’m not going to top up your drink again until after I make this suggestion, but I’m going to see the agreement we made last night and raise you.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“You said you didn’t know how to seduce a man—which is bullshit, by the way. But you were practically in tears because you feel insecure about your lack of experience.”Sweet baby Jesus.“So, when you asked if I would teach you?—”

“Wait a minute.” I hold up one palm. “Iaskedyou?”

“Implored might be a better word.”

I let my hand rest over my eyes for a second, but I spread my fingers so I can still see him. “Now you’re just torturing me for fun.”

“You deserve it, Sunshine.”

“I guess that’s fair,” I admit begrudgingly. I’m still shocked by my overreaction. “I just threw a glass of champagne in your face.”

“At least we’re in the hot tub.”

Neither of us can hold back our laughter.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him again.

“I deserved it, baby girl. I was trying to get a rise out of you.”

“It worked, Maddox.”

“Don’t overreact to what I’m about to say.”

Now I’m curious. “I can’t guarantee anything.”

“I promised I’d show you how to seduce a man and that I would lay all your insecurities to rest, which I plan on doing thoroughly?—”

“I’d like to strike our agreement from the record book, counselor. You are no longer beholden to the oath. Let’s just forget?—”

Colton slides over to sit next to me, covering my mouth with his hand and splashing water over me with the movement of his body. “Negative, Bailey.”

God, he’s even bigger up close.

“What are you doing?” I murmur against his hand.

“Let me finish.” Sternly. It’s a command, like he’s finally lost his patience with me.

I give him a muffled, “Okay.”

He takes his hand away, but not entirely. His thumb brushes across my bottom lip and his other hand wraps itself around my hair, pulling only enough to let me know I’m fully at his mercy. His sapphire eyes are fiery with challenge. “A part of you thinks you might still be in love with someone you haven’t seen in a long time who never loved you back, because you have nothing to compare him to. Which is something you need and something I can provide.”

I blink at him, sort of obeying him, for once. And possibly only once. Because his warm, solid thigh is flush with mine and my brain can’t quite compute what he’s offering. He’s also without a doubt the most physically beautiful—and strong, and warm, andhard—human being I’ve ever been this up close and personal with.

“I promised you the time of your life,” he growls.

I blink again.

“Let me fucking give it to you.”

9

“Lesson one,”he growls, “is a kiss.” He seems furious, still gripping my hair so I can’t move. He’s so freakingstrong. And mean.And gorgeous.“Show me how you’re going to kiss the guy you want, Lila. Make it good.”

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