Page 18 of Daddy's Game

I considered her for a long moment. Grace balanced on a razor’s edge, still undecided. I hit upon a way that might help her finally do what she really wanted.

“Grace, I think I have a way to satisfy both your practical and whimsical sides,” I said. “What if I promised to double my donation to your center if you come on this trip?”

“You’re bribing me to go out with you…again?”

“No,” I said. “You already agreed to go out with me a second time. I’m bribing you to go to Paris.”

“Oh god,” she said, covering her face with her hand. “You’re not making it easy to say no.”

“Why should I make it easy for you to say no?”

A laugh bubbled out of her, and she sighed, deflating the tension from her body. I knew I had won.

“All right, fine. Fuck it. What the Hell, let’s do it.”

I grinned as she held up her hand.

“But you need to let me call Selma first and let her know what’s going on.”

“Of course.”

“And you ARE going to buy me some basic sundries…including clothes and underwear.”

“Of course.”

“And I am NOT going to be modeling a bunch of lingerie for you,” she said firmly. “This is about practicality.”

“However you wish to proceed,” I added.

She gave me a long, suspicious look.

“What?” I asked at last.

“You’re agreeing with everything I say. It makes me anxious.”

“Why would it make you anxious?”

“Because I’m afraid you have ulterior motives.”

I smiled and put my hand on her knee. She started, but made no effort to move away or remove my hand.

“Then allow me to spell out my motives, so you don’t have to worry. I want to spend time with you. I want to show you one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”

She smiled in spite of her reservations, a slight pinkness coming to her cheeks.

“And I want to kiss you.”

Her mouth opened with a silent gasp. I squeezed her hand.

“Is that enough motivation for you?”

Grace put her head down for a moment. I could feel the tension in her hand. Then she relaxed and lifted her face to meet my gaze. A smile played at her painted lips.

“All right, fuck it,” she said. “Let's go to Paris.”

7

GRACE

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