Page 54 of The Bargain

“Your housekeeper askedyouto do this?” I raised an eyebrow with incredulity. I highly doubted anyone could make him do something he didn’t want to do.

“Yes. She’s terrifying. Don't tell her I said that,” he added with a wide smile, which for once was free of any coldness.

I couldn’t help but stare at him for a few seconds. This carefree persona was like a mirage. I was not sure if I was truly witnessing it or if it was only what my mind wanted to see.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I folded my legs and pointed at the spot I'd just freed. “I’m sure there’s enough for two in this huge basket. Why don’t you join me?" I wanted to see more of this unknown side of Dean Beaumont. I patted the bag by my side. “I’ve got everything for Timmy here.”

He looked away, rubbing his neck, suddenly looking uncomfortable, which was also not something I was used to. “I have a lot of work - a conference call in a couple of hours that I need to prepare for so I don’t have to go into the city again.”

“Oh.” I was pleased that he didn’t want to leave, but that made me feel stupid. He had been nothing more than a dick to me, wanting to take away the only good thing I had in my life. Why did I want him close? Had what I'd experienced as a child messed me up?

“Can’t you just take a break?” I gestured around the garden. “Just drop your tie for a few minutes and enjoy. Are you ever letting yourself go? Letting yourself become undone?”

His green eyes darkened, and I knew exactly what he was thinking about. He had done so that night in the kitchen only to regret it so deeply immediately after.

I shook my head, trying to erase the arousal slowly awakening in my body at the thought of that night. I pressed my thighs together and his eyes jumped to my crotch. “Just enjoy it for a few minutes. Take your shoes off and feel the tickle of the grass under your feet, the warm air against your skin,” I added, wiggling my toes for emphasis.

He looked at my feet. I thought he was going to say no and leave, but to my surprise, he nodded.

“Okay.” Sighing, he dropped the basket beside me and removed his Oxford shoes and black socks. He rolled his pants legs up and wiggled his toes on the grass. "Happy?"

No,I thought. I'd hoped he had webbed feet or hobbit feet or anything that would make him less perfect or intimidating, but no, he had nice strong feet… Of course he did.

“Are you?” I asked, putting Timmy on my lap to give him a snack.

After removing his tie and suit jacket, Dean sat across from me. He opened the basket and looked in. "We’ve got cheese, crackers, and grapes."

“Oh, I love cheese!” Mrs. James was just so considerate to me. I finished feeding Timmy and settled him back on the blanket. I looked at him for a few seconds as he blinked softly, already starting to fall asleep.

I turned back to Dean, who extended me a cracker with some cheese.

“How does it feel to relax for a minute?” I asked, taking the cracker.

“Who said I’m relaxing?” he replied, but he looked less stern and it was making him even more beautiful.

I shrugged. "Your phone, which is usually attached to your hand, is missing and so are the perpetual lines between your brows.”

“You’ve been detailing me, Ms. Collins,” he said, the teasing in his voice bringing the butterflies back to my stomach with a vengeance.

“Not more than you’ve been detailing me, Mr. Beaumont,” I tried as a bluff. I was not convinced that he was as aware of me as I was of him and yet, a little part of me hoped that he was.

He laughed. “Touché.” Reaching for one of my feet, he rested it on his lap and massaged it gently.

I froze, shocked by his actions. He was touching me for something other than sex and degradation. I couldn’t really comprehend such gentleness from such a ruthless man.

He trailed his hand up my leg and stopped at my knee.

“I tried to forget,” he admitted, looking down at his hand on my leg. "I tried, but I couldn’t."

I remained completely still. I was scared that should I move, he would remove his strong hand from my skin and I didn’t want that. I loved the trail of fire his touch left on my skin.

“I still want you.” He looked heavenward. “Lord, forgive me, but I still do.” He turned toward me. “I want to have you again, tonight.”

I sighed. I wanted nothing more than to have him in me again, but the aftermath had been horrendous, and I didn’t think I could take it again.

I shook my head. “For you to regret it again? And pretend it never happened? No, thank you.” I tried to remove my leg from his lap, but he tightened his hold on it.

“I know it happened. Of course, I do. And I know you do too!" His eyes trailed up, stopping at my crotch. “Can you still feel me in you? How I filled you up?” His eyes darkened as he moved his fingers to the hem of my dress. “I can still hear your gasp as I entered you. Have you ever made that noise before?”

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