Page 51 of One Hot Deal

"Yeah, but we can change that."I slide an arm around her waist and pull her into me.Then I cradle her face in my free hand."Think you can handle having lots of hot sex until we hit the jackpot?I'm talking about slow, steamy sex that will leave you breathless."

"I can handle that.But we'll need to wait until Saturday."

"For you, I'll wait a thousand years."

"Please don't wait that long.I need you inside me again as soon as possible."

I brush a kiss over her lips."Would midnight on Saturday work for you?"

She laughs softly."Yes, darling, that works for me."

"You just called me 'darling.'Never heard you say that to anyone before."

"I've never wanted to refer to any man that way, not even Lyle.And I call Pippa 'dear' or 'pet.'"

Diana has a special word for me.I like that.No, Ilovethat.But I can't think of a pet name for her.So instead, I draw her closer and kiss her.

"There they are!"Pippa shouts.

I glance over my shoulder.Pippa, Avery, and Hugh have just entered the garden, and now, thanks to the teenager's exclamation, all three of them see me and Diana on the bench.They probably saw us kissing too.

Pippa races up to us and grins."You are dating, aren't you?"

I look at Diana, but she just shrugs."We weren't dating ten minutes ago, but we are now."

"That's right," Diana says.

Pippa claps her hands, jumping up and down while she shrieks."I knew it!I knew it!You'll be getting married next."

Avery and Hugh have come up beside Pippa.My sister seems way too pleased with herself, like she always knew Diana and I would get together.Well, I guess Avery kind of did figure that out a while ago.That's damn annoying, and I will never concede the point.It's a big brother's prerogative.

Especially when his sister has been meddling.Adjoining bedrooms?Yeah, that trick alone gives me an excuse not to acknowledge she was right.

Pippa and the happy couple keep grinning at us.

"Did you guys have a reason to hunt us down?"I ask."Or are you lost on your own estate, Lord Sticky?"

Hugh tries to stop grinning, but his lips keep twitching up at the corners."We would like to play cricket, but Dominic wants to give you a crash course on the rules of the game before we do that."

"I don't need to participate.All you weirdos can play with your balls while I hang out with the ladies."

"Have you ever played baseball or American football?"

"Yeah, sure.I've done both."

"Then you'll enjoy cricket.It's reminiscent of both baseball and football, but it's far more exciting than either.Why not give it a go?"He bends over to stare straight into my eyes."Unless you're afraid the Brits will beat you."

I snort."Please.You pansies don't have a chance."

Hugh's lips curve into a sneaky smile."I think we'll put you on the Scots' team.They are large, arrogant, and vicious."

"Your best friend is a Scot."

"And that's how I know what they're like."

I sigh and stand up."I know those plaid fanatics.They love me.But only one Scot is here, so it's a rigged game."

Hugh's sneaky smile returns."The rest of them arrived while you and Diana were snogging."He pulls a walkie-talkie out of his back pocket and holds it near his face."Chance, are you there?"

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