Page 53 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

Jonas felt Mae glance up at him suddenly. She gave him a curious look before reaching for his hand and interlacing her fingers in his. He closed his fingers around hers comfortably.

“I did. She deserves the best,” said Jonas.

“And here I thought you were just like your father.” Nate shook his head with a look of surprise.

“I’m full of surprises,” said Jonas.

“Well, I’m happy to see that. I was scared to get into business with a robot. Seeing you have a heart makes me know you’re the right one to partner with.”

Jonas nodded. His plan was working out just as he hoped, and the bonus was Mae.

“Well, I’ll let you two go. I know Avery wants to bid on the silent auction.” Nate nudged his wife.

“No, I want to bid on the players.” She giggled.

Nate rolled his eyes. “I’m going to go broke,” he said as she pulled him away.

Jonas and Mae laughed as they waved goodbye. Spotting an opportunity for privacy behind a tent, he pulled Mae behind him.

“What are you—”

He pressed her up against a pillar and pressed his lips against hers. At first, she was surprised, but then he felt her ease against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her tongue gently against his lips, parting them slightly. He met her tongue eagerly. Hungrily. He grabbed her hips softly before sliding his hands up her jersey and cupping her breasts.

“What’s gotten into you?” she whispered between kisses.

“You,” he said, pressing against her.

She let out a little moan and kissed him again deeply. They heard voices approaching and pulled away quickly. A couple of players rounded the corner, as Jonas slicked back his hair and Mae smoothed out her jersey. Once the players passed, they both burst out laughing.

“You are going to get us in trouble,” said Mae, shaking her head.

“You’re forgetting I’m the boss.”

“And a very hot one at that.”

Jonas smiled wide.

“As much as I’d like to stay back here with you. We have to get to work,” Mae reminded him.

“Do we have to?” He gave her a puppy dog face.

She laughed as she grabbed his hand and pulled him back out to the festival.

“I’m heading to the balloon pop booth,” said Jonas, before kissing her on the cheek.

“I’m working the silent auction. Come find me later.”

Jonas watched as she walked away in her skinny jeans and high-top Converse. The girl looked good in anything. And out of it. He smiled to himself as he made his way to his booth. He enjoyed being a part of the festival and having fun with the kids. He loved kids, and up until recently, he didn’t see them in his future. But with Mae back in his life, he saw things differently.

He spent the next two hours handing out prizes, replacing the popped balloons, and helping the kids aim their darts. He lifted a little girl up on his shoulders so she could reach better. She giggled with glee as her mom clapped from a distance. When she popped a balloon on her third try, Jonas lowered her to the ground before handing her a giant pink gorilla. She gave him a big hug and skipped away.

“Look at you,” said Chad, who sidled up next to him.

“What?” asked Jonas, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re, like, ready to be a dad.”

Jonas laughed.

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