Page 66 of Arrogant Playboy

“So could you.”

“I’m just me, no one special, but you … you’re …”

“No one special either. I’m just me,” I tell her. Having money doesn’t make me a catch. “I come with childhood baggage, Rose. I’m a workaholic who doesn’t prioritize relationships over my business. I like the finer things in life which makes me a snob. I’m French. Probably a little vain as I like to look after myself and make sure I look good. I talk about art a lot and that bores people. And I’ve never been in love.”

“I like hearing you talk about art. You explain it so it’s not boring,” Rosie confesses, her words are barely a whisper.

“You’d be the only one. I’m flawed, too, we all are.”

“I’m sorry I ran out on you in New York. You went to so much trouble and I got in my head and left you there after such an amazing day. I like you, Daniel, and I know I shouldn’t. I’m just trying to protect myself.”

Wow.

I was not expecting that confession from her. I hold out my hand for her which she looks at for a couple of beats before accepting it. “I like you, too, Rosie, and I shouldn’t because I know you deserve better than what I can give you. But I’m a selfish man,” I tell her, bringing her hand to mine and kissing it. “I can wait till the project is over if you are still interested,” I say, turning and looking over at her.

“Okay,” she answers, biting her bottom lip. That wasn’t at all what I thought she was going to say. “When the project is done then we can do whatever it is we are doing.”

“Fucking.” I turn and smirk, loving the blush that creeps up her neck. She gives me side-eye.

“Yes, but no one can know. Louis and Emily are so loved up they want the world to be like them and I don’t know if Ivy will be too happy.”

My fingers tighten with hers. “How about this, when we are alone like we are now then me doing this,” I bring her hand to my lips again and kiss her skin, “is okay, but when we are near our friends we hide whatever it is we are doing together?”

“That seems fine.”

“And how many days or weeks or months do I have to wait till this project is finished?” I chuckle which makes her smile.

“I’ll be able to tell you tomorrow exactly how long it will take.”

“I think I can handle that.” I smile.

“And there will be no IKEA,” she warns.

I roll my eyes. “Fine. You’re the boss.”

“I am.”

“Does that mean you’re going to boss me around?” I ask, wiggling my brows.

“When it comes to interior design, then yes.”

“Will you boss me around in the bedroom?” I tease.

Rosie bites her bottom lip. “If you want me to.”

The thought of Rosie telling me what to do while at The Paradise Club come to mind. “I do.”

Electricity crackles around us in the interior of the car and she’s lucky that I booked us two separate rooms for tonight, otherwise, I’m not sure I’d be able to keep my hands off her, better change the subject before my dick decides he wants to pull over on a deserted country lane and have his way with her.“Hey, if you’re hungry, I packed some essentials. There’s a picnic basket in the back with water, cheese, and biscuits.”

“You packed a picnic basket for the car?” she asks.

“It’s all I had. And I thought you might be hungry during our drive.”

Rosie reaches into the back and pulls out the basket. “You really did pack food. I’m starved. This is awesome.” She smiles happily as she pulls out the containers. I made sure to pre-slice everything so that it was easy to put together on the road. She pops some cheese and crackers in her mouth and hums happily beside me.

“Do you want some?” she asks, holding out a cracker with cheese on it. I lean forward and grab the food, my lips closing over her fingers as I take it into my mouth. Rosie looks away and quickly pops a grape into her mouth. The next portion she hands to me, making sure that my lips don’t meet her fingers again.

Once we are out of London, it doesn’t take us long to get to the bed and breakfast. It’s almost dark, but we haul the bags out of the car and walk into reception. An older woman greets us warmly, welcoming us.

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