Page 106 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“I’m also not saying yes.”

“And now we’re back to normal.” I kissed her belly again. “It’s not a limited-time offer. Take all the time you need.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’m not asking you to make your life harder. I’m asking you because I fucking love my house being full with my two girls. I know I sound like a sap, but I don’t care. You both make me happy. So, why wouldn’t I ask? Hell, why wouldn’t I beg?” I motioned to myself. “Even on my knees.”

She stroked my hair and held me against her belly until I shifted and pain arced through my back. “You should be in bed. Or on the couch. Or maybe you need a warm shower first then a massage and meds.”

I stood and wrapped my arms around her. “Don’t suppose you’re interested in a shower too?”

“I would be if Berry wasn’t camped out in the living room with a bowl of cereal and some cartoon she found.” She tipped her forehead to mine and lowered her voice. “I’m still hoping she slept through last night’s shenanigans.”

“We were quiet. Mostly. Or I was. You, on the other hand…” I grinned. “Hard to keep a lid on your…enthusiasm.”

Trying not to laugh, she whacked my arm, her eyes going soft as I gripped her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You’re far more romantic than I ever imagined, Dexter Shaw.”

“I’m more romantic than I ever guessed either,” I admitted before I led her out of the room and down the hall to the master bedroom.

I wandered around picking up the remaining clothes we’d neglected to grab the night before—I was tempted to keep her thigh-high tights for posterity—and then realized I was in no shape to be bending for any reason. I swallowed a groan and set aside the hose on the bench at the end of the bed. Maybe she’d forget to take them home.

A guy in pain could hope, right?

I turned back to see her lingering in the doorway, sipping from her mug and watching me thoughtfully. “What?” I asked.

“I can see myself here with you,” she said slowly, pursing her lips. “I never would’ve thought it could be possible, but I actually can.”

I made myself keep my face neutral as I walked back to her. “So, you’re cool with my wild sex parties?”

“I must’ve missed those.”

“Me too.” I braced my arm above her head on the doorframe. “I can see you here with me too. I can see Berry here too. Especially since she likes taking out Bob so much.”

Her lips twitched. “She took him out twice today already.”

“Figured that’s why he hadn’t tried to pounce on me in my sleep.”

“She fed him too. Without being asked to.” Shelby took a long breath. “She really likes being here. She trusts you.”

“Good. I’m glad. I like having her here. And hey, if she wants to adopt—”

My cell phone went off from where I’d left it somewhere in the tangled bedsheets. I turned to the bed and dug around for the phone, finally unearthing it by the third ring.

“What’s up, Ice?”

“Did you neglect to reschedule your meeting with one Eli Turner?”

“Um, we didn’t actually manage to connect yesterday.”

“So, that’s a yes. What do you want me to do with him?” She sounded uncharacteristically grumpy.

Futilely, I rubbed the muscle currently spasming in my lower back. “I don’t suppose he’ll come back later? Or next week maybe?”

“I don’t suppose you could ascertain that yourself?”

Definitely grumpy. “Okay, put him on.”

I expected more attitude since giving me sass was one of the things she did best, but she didn’t say anything before a smooth voice greeted me.

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