Page 65 of The Deal with the Playboy

I nod. “It’s lame, but it’s the only question I can think of right now.”

“I’m not buying it, Poppy Barrett. You want to know so you can feed your jealousy.”

I pout. “I don’t have a jealous streak.”

“You thought I had a sexual relationship with Aurora. You googled every one of my dates I was spotted with on the tabloids.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “How do you know about that?”

“I checked your history on your phone when you were asleep.”

“Creep,” I snap.

“Says the woman who’s stalking me cyberly.”

I scrunch up my nose. “That’s not a word.”

“I’ll make it a word.” He runs his fingers through my hair, and arousal spreads in my belly. His touch turns me into goo. “Don’t worry, I have a jealous streak too. I don’t like men touching you or looking at you.”

My cheeks burn like lava and happiness bubbles in my chest. “At least I’m not the only crazy one in this relationship.”

He bursts out laughing again. “No. To answer your question. I dated CEOs’ daughters, politicians’ daughters, and lawyers’ daughters. I dated them all. Truth or dare.”

If I choose dare, he might have me do something I don’t want to do. Truth is safer. “Truth.”

“Why did you go back to your ex?”

“This is not how the game works,” I snap.

“You know me. I go straight for the kill.”

I debate whether I should drink or tell him the truth. Since we’re married, I might as well be honest.

“Because I thought he was going to change. I haven’t been honest with you or myself.” I sigh. “I was hoping to sleep with you to get over him. I’m sorry, it was wrong of me,” I answer honestly.

He tilts my chin so my gaze meets his. “It’s fine.”

I take a shot because I really need it.

“Who is Gemma?”

He crinkles his nose. “How do you know about her?”

“Your father mentioned her at the engagement party.”

He takes a shot. Okay, that conversation is over.

“Can I ask you another question?”

He nods slightly. I take another shot, then I crawl into his lap and wrap my arms around his shoulders, placing his hands on my hips. Fuck. What am I doing? This liquor is making me loose as a goose.

“Why do you and your father not get along?”

“He never liked me for some odd reason. So he and his new wife treated me like shit.”

That sucks. I feel bad for him, I know how it feels to not be wanted sometimes. I feel as if my mother only wants me when it’s beneficial for her and her new family.

I feel like an outsider in my own family.

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