Page 74 of Bargaining

“Come on. I thought we’d have fun today?”

He raised a wry eyebrow. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on here, Charlotte. You’re wresting control of my tour. I’m supposed to be the guide.”

I tilted my head and gave him a knowing smile. “I’m sorry. It must be difficult for you. I know how you love to be in control.”

His brow furrowed. “To honor and obey. That’s what you signed up for. I take it you have no plans to fall in line any time soon?”

I laughed. “Not a chance.”

“I bet they don’t even have air conditioning on this thing.” He flattened his lips and scowled up at the bus.

“You’re so adorable when you get all frowny,” I said.

He rolled his eyes, but his lip twitched. “I’m not frowny.”

“You’re so frowny. Please. We have to be quick, or it’s going to go without us. I really want this. Would it kill you to do one spontaneous thing in your life?” I put my hands together in prayer and gave him puppy-dog eyes. “Pretty please.”

His steady gaze met mine and softened. “You don’t have to beg me, Charlotte. I’m never going to say no to anything you ask of me. Haven’t you learned that yet?”

I blinked. He hadn’t spoken to me with such softness since he’d delivered his vows, and he’d only been doing that for the benefit of the audience. Maybe I’d misheard.

His eyes sparked with mischief. “But if I do this, then I have a request of you.”

“Go on.”

He leaned close, forcing me to inhale his delicious cologne. His voice was a seductive whisper. “Sean wants to fuck Natalia in the wedding dress.”

Heat flushed through my body. Not a good idea. Last night was supposed to be a one-off. Except I’d let him go down on me this morning. That hadn’t even been role-play. I’d been moaning his name. No one else’s. It wasn’t as though I didn’t want it. Nothing felt as good as Cole’s mouth between my thighs.

I stood on tiptoes and whispered back. “I don’t think that dress is going to fit him.”

His lip curved. “Hilarious. You’re in the dress. And I want the whole package. The veil, the stockings, the heels ...”

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Ackroyd. Some of us didn’t go to fancy business school. I don’t stand a chance in these negotiations.”

“I wouldn’t worry. No class could prepare me for you. The trouble is, one smile and you hold all the cards. I’m just a helpless idiot desperate to get what I want.”

“What do you want?”

He leaned in close again, his voice rough and unsteady. “The same thing I’ve always wanted.”

I raised a questioning eyebrow, but he didn’t say a word. What was that supposed to mean? My heart pounded at his nearness, and for a moment the crowd jostling around us fell away and it was just him. Last night, there had been no boundaries between us. He’d stripped away all of my inhibitions. I’d let him see and touch mein ways no man had before. But that was a game. Now I had to be sensible. I took a step back to defuse the tension between us.

The last passenger stepped onto the bus. The doors hissed as they were about to close.

“Quick.” Grabbing his hand, I pulled him up the steps. “Don’t worry. I’ll look after you. If you’re a good boy, I might even let you have the window seat.”

Chapter 34

Charlotte

There was something different about the quality of the light in Rome. Sunlight dazzled on ancient stones and smooth columns. We strolled the length of a sparkling green rectangular pool that held a mirrored reflection of the sky. Smooth marble gods lined the walkway.

A group of people stood at easels painting the surrounding cypress and olive trees beyond the ruins, and I could understand why. There had never been a brighter, bluer sky or a more tranquil setting. Beauty unfolded around every corner. Every inch begged to be committed to paper.

I perched in a shaded spot at the edge of the pool and listened to the audio tour I’d downloaded on my phone. Dad had toured us around so many old battlefields and ancient abbeys when we were teenagers. I’d taken having an expert tour guide for granted. Cole had always hung off my dad’s every word while I’d been counting down the minutes until I could escape to the gift shop. I paused the app and pulled out an earbud to tell Cole what I’d learned.

“So, this was Emperor Hadrian’s country getaway. It’s an entire village with baths, libraries, and a theater. He collected allthe things he liked from Greek and Egyptian culture. It’s kind of like your Cotswold mansion, except he couldn’t afford an Estonian igloo sauna.”