Page 13 of Mastered By Bliss

Cora raises an eyebrow.“I’ll ask Ryder to find another guard?—”

“It isn’t necessary,” I say.

Leah covers my mouth with her hand.“Add it to his tab or whatever.He needs one.As long as I do, so does he.”

Cora gives me a look.

Leah lets me go so I can say, “Yes.Go ahead.Leah’s right.”

Cora nods.“Consider it done.”

She waits in the hall until we’re safely inside, the door locked behind us.

When we’re alone, I turn to face Leah.“You’re going to pay for that, brat.”

“You’ll have to catch me, first.”She turns around and runs for the bedroom.

She’s pushing my buttons at every opportunity.

I wonder if she’s doing it with another goal in mind.Perhaps she wants to avoid talking about my impromptu proposal last night.If we’re constantly in the throes of intercourse, a serious conversation will be difficult to have.

Unfortunately for her, I’m up to the challenge.

I don’t hurry as I follow her to the bedroom.That would be too easy for her, too comfortable.Instead I take my time, removing my jacket, unbuttoning the top button of my shirt, ambling to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water.

I bring the water to the living room.I leave the lights off, allowing the city beyond the giant picture windows to softly illuminate my surroundings.

Movement catches the corner of my eye—Leah’s peering around the wall leading to the hallway.

“Hiding from me, little girl?”

“Maybe.”She draws out the word, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Come here, brat.”

Defiance and desire war on her features, but after a long three seconds of deliberation, she makes her way toward me.She’s changed into soft pajama shorts and one of my T-shirts.

“You’re hiding so we don’t talk about how you just singlehandedly went against my decision to not have a bodyguard.”

Her lips remain stubbornly closed.

“The thing is, you’re right.”

“I know I am.”

“Oh, keep being a brat.”I offer her a tight smile, knowing it promises sex.

Her eyes widen.“I mean—I’m glad you came to your senses.Because you should definitely have a security detail.”

“I’m glad you pushed for it.And aren’t you glad we talked?”

“Um…sort of?”

“Sort ofis good enough, I suppose.”I set down my water and reach for one of the sofa’s throw pillows.

“Pillow fight?”Leah asks with a grin.

I toss the pillow on the floor in front of me.“On your knees, baby.You and Daddy Dmitri got yours together at the club.Now I need some relief.”

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