Page 25 of One Hot Deal

"I'm sure it is."

Diana in a Santa suit?I can't picture that, though I'd love to see it sometime.

"Time for bed, Pippa," Diana says."Go upstairs and get ready.I'll be up shortly to make sure you actually go to bed.No watching films on your mobile."

Pippa rolls her eyes but obeys Diana's command, hurrying upstairs.She disappears from view, then hollers, "You two can snog now if you want.I'll be in my room."

Diana's brows cinch up."How does that child know what snogging is?She's too young for that."

I sit down beside her on the sofa."Uh, what is snogging?"

"Kissing.Making out, more precisely."

"Brits have the cutest words for things.But I wouldn't worry about how Pippa knows what snogging is.She probably just picked that up from one of her friends."

"She's fourteen.Soon, she'll have boyfriends."Diana tucks her legs under her."Not sure I can handle that."

"I'm sure.A strong, capable woman like you can deal with anything."

She bows her head."In business, yes.The rest of life is what trips me up.But I could not stand it if I ruined Pippa's life."

Her shoulders have caved in, and she picks at her sweatpants.She had removed her scrunchy thing earlier, and her hair has now fallen over her face.I've never seen Diana like this—vulnerable and scared.Everyone has issues that make them anxious, but I guess I've assumed since the day we met that nothing could knock her off balance.In the past few days, I've learned that's not true.She's human after all, and that makes me want her even more, and not just for sex.

She sucks in a ragged breath and exhales it.

I crook a finger under her chin and lift gently until I can see her face again.She won't look at me.That's okay.I can tell her what I need to say without eye-to-eye contact."Diana, you could never ruin Pippa's life.She's a smart, strong, amazing girl, and I'd bet she learned all of that from you."

"But I don't want her to be like me.She's full of light and joy.If my rigidness rubs off on her…"

I had no idea she worried so much.Diana does a fantastic job of hiding it.She has her hand on her knee, so I lay mine on top of it."We're friends, remember?You can talk to me about anything and I'll listen.I won't give advice unless you want it, but you are not alone, Diana.Avery and Hugh are your friends too, if you'll let them get to know you the way I have."

"You don't know me."

"Not as well as a friend should, but we can fix that.I'd bet I already know you better than anyone else on earth.I've watched over you for three months and learned all your habits."

Her lips curve up the littlest bit."I suppose you do."

"See?We're friends."With the weirdest kind of benefits.But hey, I agreed to her baby deal, so I can't complain."Pippa coming home knocked you off kilter, but you'll adjust."

She tilts her head to the side, studying me as if she's never seen me before."You aren't the way I assumed you were."

"Is that good or bad?"

Diana just smiles with her lips sealed.

No idea what that means.But I think we've developed some kind of bond.I don't know what that means either.

"You should go home," she says."I'll see you on Monday.I'm sure Wesley and Sheldon will be able to resume their duties tomorrow, and I'll be fine overnight.You've earned some time off."

I don't want a day off, not anymore.But she's the boss, when it comes to deciding what kind of protection she wants, and I need to respect that.I get up, then impulsively bend over to kiss her forehead."Good night, Diana."

Then I walk out the door.

Chapter Ten

Diana

Saturday had rushed by in a blur, but Sunday seemed to drag on forever.Wesley and Sheldon did indeed return to their posts yesterday, and they executed their duties with professionalism and decorum, as usual.Might I have hoped that Derek would give them the day off and stay with me in their stead?Possibly.A little bit.I don't understand what happened on Saturday, between me and Derek, but I know it irrevocably altered our dynamic.

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