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I regretted saying it. We both knew it was her and not the lack of condoms I was obsessed with, but she played it off well.
“I wouldn’t know,” she said lightly, “I’ve only been ridden bareback, neener neener.”
I laughed and kissed her until she had to push me away, both off and out of her. I swear I would have spent the day there.
“I have a good long-term bet lined up for you,” she told me sometime later as she walked into my office.
Mac was on my lap and gave a happy yap when she heard Ro’s voice. I held her up so she could look at her mama.
“A punishment, you mean,” I corrected her just to be contrary. “I actually like John Denver music now, you impudent minx.”
“I knew you would,” she said smugly, smirked, and took Mac from me.
I stared at her, processed that bit of impertinence, opened my mouth, closed it.
Ignored what she said altogether.
Her smugness grew, the little brat, as soon as she saw I had no response. “Yes, a punishment,” she forged on, clearly feeling victorious. “This one will be for if you don’t make all of your goals for the upcoming fall season.”
“I’m listening,” I told her archly.
“You’re going to watch Christmas Hallmark movies with me in December.”
“Oh, God, no.”
“I know. It’s a real Greek fucking tragedy.”
“You’re not serious?”
“I’m dead serious.”
“You’re outlandish! Why would I agree to that?”
“I’ll bribe you.”
“With what?”
“I don’t know. Think of something you want, I’ll bribe you, you’ll take the bet, and become my Hallmark watching buddy for the Christmas season.” She handed back the puppy so she could rub her hands together like a cartoon villain.
I settled the puppy in my lap, leaned back, folding my arms and reveling in my power. She really wanted me to watch Hallmark movies with her, I could tell. I’d have done it for free, but I couldn’t pass up this chance. I knew just what I wanted.
“It would have to be something really good,” I warned her. “The bribe, I mean.”
She made a bring it on gesture at me with both hands. “Whatcha got, tall boy?”
“No, no, no. Don’t call me that. You got away with it in bed, but it is not going to become a habit. Something sweet, remember?”
“Whatcha got, muffin?”
I smiled smugly at her. “You have to wear that French maid teddy for me for an entire working day.”
She leveled a flat stare at me. “Do you even notice how many people come through your property on any given day? Today alone there’s the gardener, the pool guy, your housekeeper, a small construction crew for the work you’re having done on that guest house, and I have to deal with all of them. Do you even know what goes on around here?”
I hadn’t thought that deeply into it. I hadn’t thought beyond fucking her in that getup on every flat surface in both of our offices and the kitchen, probably.
Also lately I’d been so wrapped up in her that I barely peeked out for anything important, let alone to notice what was going on about the house. “Only vaguely,” I replied. “Why would I? I have you.” I paused. “You may wear a robe when dealing with others. Problem solved.”
Her brows shot up. “You know that teddy is crotchless, right?”
