Page 161 of Hot for Hostage

“Before we make this adoption official, I have a couple conditions,” he said.

Suddenly suspicious, I squinted at him. “What kind of conditions?”

“Bear doesn’t sleep in our bed.”

I frowned. “But he has nightmares, Dav.”

Davian made a face. “What nightmares can a dog possibly have?”

“Well, there’s the recurring one where he’s chasing a squirrel, but it’s alwaysjustout of reach. Then he starts shaking, and I think that means the dream squirrel mutated into a giant squirrel monster and turned the tables on Bear.”

Davian stared at me.

“…How about only when he has nightmares?” I offered diplomatically, but I still crossed my fingers behind my back.

Just in case.

Davian’s eyes narrowed just the smallest hint. “Fine, then we’re getting a bigger bed.”

That was crazy. His bed was already huge!

But I smiled. “What’s your other condition?”

I must be seeing things, because I could swear Davian actually hesitated a moment before his lips formed a thin line.

“Bear’s the only pet,” he said. “No others. I’m sorry, Sadie, but we can’t have the compound turning into a zoo. It’s too risky with my work.”

Well, that wasn’t much of a sacrifice, considering I hadn’t been allowedanypets at my apartment. Bear was more than enough, and my smile grew into a grin. “Deal.”

I held out my hand to shake on it, but Davian only used it to pull me closer before leaning down with that wicked glint in his eyes. He sealed our agreement with a kiss that made my knees buckle.

It was thorough and hungry and so veryDavianwhen he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck to deepen the kiss.

I wanted a million more just like it.

He pulled back too quickly for my liking, before placing one more short sweet kiss on my lips that was equally addictive.

“Let’s make it official, then I’m taking you out for ice cream,” he said, lowering his voice.

I blinked. Ice cream for breakfast?

He really did know me better than I thought.

“But Bruno’s doesn’t open until eleven thirty,” I said, having memorized The Sprinkled Scoop’s schedule years ago.

The mischievous glint in Davian’s gaze immediately put me on alert. “I already called him. He’s making an exception for his favorite customer.”

My brows shot up, but I wasn’t sure what was more surprising—the size of Davian’s ego or that it still managed to surprise me. “Making celebration plans before you even asked me? Someone was confident.”

He intertwined our fingers and tugged me toward the reception desk. “Bruno’s was my backup plan in case you needed more convincing. I’m not opposed to bribery.”

I gaped at his back as Davian led me across the lobby, shaking my head in disbelief the whole way.

But I couldn’t believe my luck.

When I accidentally started down the path to a life of crime, I’d never expected to end up in my hostage’s arms—let alone falling for him. But as Davian held me close while we signed Bear’s adoption papers, there was nowhere I’d rather be.

And if I had the chance to do it all over?

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