Page 48 of Innocent Intentions

So, what does she love?

Benny.

It’s ridiculous, but I find myself making my way to the dog’s room. Maybe he has some insight for me.

I settle next to Benny’s oversized, expensive dog bed and run my fingers through his fur. He rests his massive head on my lap.At least someone likes me.

“Hey, buddy. I need your help.” His eyes flick up. “How do I win Margot over? You know her better than anyone.”

He lets out a bored sigh.

This damn dog.

“I know she wants me. She’s just too stubborn to admit it. She’s too caught up in the whole kidnapping and killing thing to see how good we’d be together.”

Benny lets out a sharp bark mocking me.

I stop petting him.See if I’ll put up with that.

“Stop mocking me, Benjamin. You know damn well I couldn’t leave her there after what she saw. And it’s not like she’s suffering here. She’s living better than she did at home.”

I use his full name. You can’t scold a dog named Benny with a straight face. It’s ridiculous.

That’s when I remember she named him after a guy from a rom-com.

My brows furrow. Why the hell did she do that?

Then it hits me.

She narrates romance novels. She spends hours in those worlds. She loses herself in them.

I snort. No fucking way.

Romance? Love?That’sthe key?

That’s fiction. Women don’t need pretty words or gentle touches, they just want…me. I don’t need to convince them.

But Margot’s different.

She loves romance. Craves it.

If that’s what she wants, if that’s what’ll win her over, then that’s what I’ll give her.

I’ll be her knight in shining armor. I’ll be the perfect gentleman.

I need to take a step back physically and pull her in emotionally. And when she finally trusts me, when she finally believes me, she’ll never want to leave.

I glance at Benny, ready to share my revelation, but he looks away, done with the conversation.

Fine. But at least now, I have a plan.

When he lets out a soft whine, I turn to see him holding his rope toy, with big, sad puppy eyes locked on me.

I sigh and grab the other end. “This isn’t going to be as easy as with Margot. I’m a lot stronger than she is.”

Benny yanks so hard the rope flies out of my hand. This fucking cheater.

“That time didn’t count. Rematch.”

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