Page 110 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

I started to say “you can make it work” before I recalled I should not be saying that. Instead, I sent up a brief mental plea to Shelby for some sex guidance.

“She came in to rub my back because I’m in pain. From my back,” I added, demonstrating by rubbing my spine.

She nodded soberly. “Sure thing.”

“No, really. When I’m stressed out, my back gets sore and this floor is hard and I should’ve slept in my bed, not in here, but the pillow fort was so cool and—okay, I’m just going to go.” I pointed past her at the nearest wall. “Rainbows!”

The sound of her giggling followed me down the hall to the master bedroom, where Shelby, Isis, and Eli were camped out on the settee and chairs in the seating area, chatting like old friends.

I supposed theywereold friends, sort of. Or at least knew each other.

But Shelby seemed decidedly more at ease than the other two, despite her attire being several towels, somehow a surprisingly discreet look. Her shoulders, calves, and face were the only skin she was revealing.

Dammit.

“Ice, how did you end up here too?”

Isis jumped to her feet, sliding a sharp sidelong look at Eli before she charged toward me. “Dex, we need to talk. Now.”

“Can I get dressed first?”

“No.”

Eli coughed into his hand, and suddenly, she reversed course. “You know what? Yes. Please get dressed. Let’s keep a modicum of professionalism on the table, shall we?”

I was tempted to remind her she’d been part of the brigade to interrupt us in the shower, but I decided to just nod.

“I’ll be in the kitchen after you put on some damn pants. And a shirt,” she called over her shoulder before shutting the bedroom door behind her.

“Why did she come here?” I asked Eli, who spread his hands wide between his knees.

“Better ask her.”

I frowned and went to grab the bottle of Tylenol off the nightstand. “What is going on?”

“Nothing major,” he said, flashing his most shark-like lawyer smile before rising and following her out. “I’ll be in the kitchen too.”

I dry-swallowed the pills and dropped into the chair Eli had vacated. “Why do I have a feeling this day is going to just be one headache after another?”

“Because you’re very wise. And very cute.” Shelby stood to pat my cheek. “And you do need some pants. Where’s Berry?”

“Pondering why we would have the sex in the shower when there’s, like, zero room.” I hooked my arm around her waist and unceremoniously dumped her in my lap.

Her only response was to cover her face with her hands. “My fault,” she muttered. “I’ve turned into a horny cow with no impulse control.”

“A beautiful one.” I kissed her shoulder and tugged down her hands. “I distracted her with talk of a rainbow bedroom here.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did. I would’ve offered to buy her a pony to get her off that topic.”

“And she would accept it.” Shelby sighed and peeked through the wet ropes of her hair at me. “You don’t play fair.”

“Usually not, no. I play to win.” I frowned. “At the beginning of my career, all I wanted to do was make max money and decimate the opposition as if it was a big video game where I was the lone avenger. You know, my client gets all the toys they want and their former spouse walks away with nothing. Everyone who matters is happy. Or so I used to think.”

She studied my face. “Not anymore?”

“No.” I hitched her up higher on my lap, making sure her towel was still in place. “Now I get why Preston walked away and basically thought I was an asshole for making my peace with it being all about cash. Because it isn’t. These are real people and there are no boats or cars or chateaus in the south of France that make up for making someone miserable. Emotions are more important than money. And if kids are involved…” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “My brother was right. I was an ass.”

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