Page 14 of The Forever Promise

Crazy.Crazy was definitely the right term.

“Your clothes are in that dresser.” Bryce pointed to the far side of the room. “And Hazel moved all your toiletries into the bathroom. You should get ready for bed, Chloe. We have an early start tomorrow.”

I jolted at the wordwe. “How come?”

He nodded, looking at his laptop and not at me. “My father met with his team this afternoon. We have a strategy meeting with them tomorrow.”

“I’m part of your strategy meeting?”

He glanced up, his icy blue eyes raking over me. “You’re part of mystrategy.”

“What does that mean?”

He motioned toward the bathroom. “Your things are in there. Get changed, come to bed, and I’ll tell you more.”

Yes, Sir.With mixed emotions, I lifted my chin and did what I was told.

Inside the bathroom, I saw all my favorite luxury shower gels, shampoos, and conditioners, along with an enormous basket of skin care products and high-end makeup. Living in a billionaire’s house didnotsuck, although living with a particular billionaire just might.

On a small table near the shower, I found my “things”: a pair of lace g-string panties and a matching black tank.Fuck.He expected me to put this on and go out there to him. He was going to make good on our contract; I was going to die inside.

Cursing, I pulled on the lingerie. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I winced. I looked sexy, all right. The lace tank was fitted, showing off my curves. And the g-string was…a g-string. Thank God I was young because my ass looked good even though I’d never attempted a squat in my life.

I washed my face. I brushed my teeth. I flossed. I brushed my teeth again. I was, most absolutely, stalling.

“Chloe!” Bryce called from the bedroom. “It’s bedtime.”

“Coming! I’m coming.” The question was, would I becomingsoon? Were we actually going to do this?

Please, God, don’t let me cry. Don’t let me have an orgasm, either. I won’t give him the satisfaction!

Taking a deep breath, I went out to meet my torturer…also known as my husband.

SEVEN

tight

“It’s about time,”he growled.

With as much dignity as I could muster in the g-string, I lifted my chin and strutted to the bed. Ihadto strut—I had a massive wedgie!

Bryce didn’t take his eyes off of me. He shifted on the bed, drawing my attention to the growing bulge of his crotch.

Holy hell,I’m in trouble.

I climbed in next to him, careful not to get too close. His erection looked as though it might reach out and grab me.

Bryce finally closed the laptop, put it on the nightstand, and then turned toward me. There was nothing between us now except for his hard length—which was gathering steam, getting bigger by the second. I couldn’t face it. And yet, my eyes continued to be drawndown there, watching with fascination as his sweats tented.Oh, girl. No matter what happens tonight, we are so fucked! Ha ha UGH.

I took a deep, shuddery breath, then tried to stall some more. “You said you’d tell me about the meeting.”

“I did.” Bryce’s gaze flicked down my body, and my nipples pebbled, the needy little traitors. He scratched his beard, his gaze lingering on my thighs, a funny expression on his face. Maybe he was wondering what his scruff would feel like down there, rubbing against my smooth skin…

Stop it, Chlo!But it was too late; a fire had already started deep in my belly. I fought the urge to squirm as heat and wetness built between my thighs. Damn him! I vowed right then and there to finish my contract and leave not only with the money but with some small shred of dignity intact. I just had to remember myself, remember what had happened.

He might be able to touch me on the outside. But on the inside—the places where he’d broken me?Never again.

“Chloe,” Bryce was saying. “Are you even listening?”

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