Page 42 of Billion-Dollar Dating Game

These weren’t box pancakes. These were made from scratch and were thick, fluffy and enormous.

‘These are really good.’

‘Why are you so surprised?’ he asked with mild outrage. ‘I told you I made them all the time when I was growing up.’

‘Your mother’s recipe?’

‘No.’ He glanced at the fridge. ‘She worked late.’

‘So you made them for her too?’ She just knew he had. ‘They’re so good.’

‘I have a far wider assortment of toppings now.’ He placed a pack of strawberries on the counter. Then a bottle of maple syrup. A can of whipped cream. A bottle of caramel sauce, another of chocolate. He looked at the array and then looked at her with that wicked gleam in his eyes. ‘What do you think? You like any of these?’

His playfulness stoked her own. ‘I like all of them.’

His smile widened. ‘You have an adventurous appetite, Skylar?’

‘It seems that I do.’ She ran her fingers down the cool can of cream and shot him a wicked smile. ‘Adventurousandvoracious.’

Zane watched her sleep. Yeah, it was weird of him to do it but he really didn’t want to wake her. He was too busy feeling smug. She was in such a deep sleep. He’d not just satisfied her—repeatedly—he’d exhausted her. And she’d exhausted him. This morning, he’d woken the latest he had inyears. Yet he wasn’t entirely satisfied. He wanted to see her indulge in more—of all the sorts of thing she’d decided were too much ‘effort.’ Having fun. Treating herself. Holidays. Finding a new job even?

Because it struck him that she’d stalled. And it bothered him. Even though it shouldn’t. It was her life, not any business of his to interfere in. But they could have some more fun together. They could do that right now. Well, as soon as she woke.

And when she finally stirred, he didn’t give her time to feel awkward. He’d keep this as effortless as possible.

‘Come on. Let’s go to the local market and get brunch,’ he ordered.

‘Brunch?’ Her eyes gleamed but then immediately dimmed. ‘I can’t wear that dress at this time of day.’

‘I’ve got something you—’

‘I’m not wearing your sweatpants again.’

He chuckled. Yeah. ‘Not those.’ He handed her the bag he’d retrieved from the lift.

She pulled out the jeans, the tee, and shot him quite the stunned look. ‘When did you get these?’

‘They were delivered a few minutes ago.’ Because he’d predicted the problem. ‘Want to shower before getting dressed?’

That look turned sultry. ‘Want to join me?’

‘Absolutely.’

It was another hour before they were dressed and headed towards the elevator.

‘I guess this way you can get morning-after photos,’ she said thoughtfully.

Zane hesitated, his finger hovering above the button to summon the elevator. That hadn’t occurred to him and certainly hadn’t been the reason he’d suggested they go out. ‘Does that bother you? We can always order in if you’d rather.’

‘I don’t mind the photos or the speculation.’ She shrugged airily. ‘Notcaring what others think is the other thing I’m learning from you.’

CHAPTER ELEVEN

SKYLARTOSSEDANDTURNED. It was well after midnight and she couldn’t sleep a wink. She’d finally be seeing Zane again tomorrow—taking him on their next Helberg visit. Though secretly she wished it was Saturday tomorrow. Another date night. Last Saturday should have been enough. It wasn’t. Even though it had bled into Sunday. She was losing sight of her goal, prioritising the pleasure he could give her instead. Maybe her father was right—lust led you from the path and into selfishness. All the more reason to sate that lust, then, right? Because it would ease eventually, surely.

Her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered before thinking better of it.

‘It’s me.’

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