Page 20 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

“I understand that. Do you?”

Her eyes flashed. “Of course.”

“Just checking since you included yourself in that understanding. Thought maybe you were warning yourself to keep the boundaries up.” Before she bared her teeth at me, I lifted my hands palms out. “So, now that we’re both crystal clear, go pick up your daughter. And text me when you’re free for our next meeting. Though you can bring her, you know. I have a movie room. A pool. Tons of vintage video games to entertain her.” I paused and dropped my kill shot. “Bob loves kids.”

“You said that earlier.” She shut her eyes tightly. “I imagine you’re a very good lawyer.”

“So I’ve been told. At least when Isis is helping me. Sometimes I get lost in the minutiae.” I nearly told her about my recent ADHD diagnosis, but something held me back. I didn’t want to seem less in her eyes, as crazy as that was. Even though plenty of people had been diagnosed with the same thing, even as adults.

Yeah, but you’re not doing anything to try to improve your situation. No meds. No counseling besides those first couple tries. Haven’t even read up on it. All you’ve done is ignore it.

“Isis mentioned she was your admin.”

“Yeah. My lifesaver really.”

“She said she was your best friend.”

“Absolutely.”

“Have you slept with her?” She held up a hand before I could answer. “None of my business.”

I placed my hand over my heart. “Why, Shelby Wilde, I can’t believe you’d ask such a thing. Hasn’t my behavior been above reproach?”

“Your behavior has, yes. But your cock, not so much.”

“He’s been on a short leash for a while. Doesn’t approve of the abstinent life.” I shrugged. “Can’t help you’re so fucking beautiful that I reacted. But I’m not making an issue out of it. I told you it won’t come up again.”

“Literally?” Her lips twitched again as her gaze dropped and lifted almost immediately. “Well-trained.”

“Bad choice of words. No, I have not slept with Isis. Not for lack of trying,” I admitted. “Years ago. Now I know our friendship is far too valuable to risk it for an orgasm.”

“Why do I believe you?”

“Because I’m a man of the law?”

“Definitely not that.”

“You wound me. But that you believe me is enough.”

“What’s your budget? I’ll need at least…” She paused and named a figure that I could tell was supposed to make me reconsider the entire project.

I shrugged. “Works for me.”

“No way.”

“I told TJ money is no object.”

“Lots of people say that and balk when they see all the zeroes.”

“Not me. I don’t say what I don’t mean.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I need a ten percent down payment.”

“I’ll give you twenty. So, do we have an agreement?”

She nodded and held out her hand. “We do. But I’m not naming a final price until we see what all is on the table, so we’ll just have to guess what constitutes twenty percent.”

“Fine by me. Anything else?”

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