Page 19 of The October Arrangement

“Clean them up now, and I’ll let you have a piece of pizza.”

“Oh, you’ll let me? Didn’t your parents ever teach you to share?”

“Bella.” I stared at her.

“Simon.” She placed her hands on her hips.

“Clean up the pumpkins and join me for pizza.”

“Thank you.” She grinned.

Rolling my eyes, I reached up into the cabinet, took down two plates, and set them on the table along with the pizza box.

“All cleaned up.” Bella smiled, walking back into the kitchen.

“Good. My house isn’t your work area. You need to find somewhere else to photograph still life images or whatever you call it,” I said.

“But your home is beautiful. Well, it could be with a little more décor,” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“Have you ever decorated for fall?”

“Absolutely not! I’m a man. Why the hell would I decorate for fall?”

She shrugged as she took a bite of her pizza.

“See, this is what I’m talking about.”

“What?” she asked.

“You think because I’m letting you stay here for a month, you own the place. It’s been twenty-four hours since our arrangement, and you’re already breaking the rules.”

“Am not,” she said.

“Are too.”

“Listen, Simon. I can’t help that you came home during my photo shoot. I was going to make sure it was all cleaned up before you got home. So, I didn’t break any rules at all.”

I wasn’t going to sit here and argue with her. But to be honest, it was a little fun.

“You have sauce right there.” I pointed.

“Where?” She brought her hand up to her face.

“There.” I pointed to her cheek.

“Is it gone now?” she asked.

“No.” I took my napkin, leaned over, and gently wiped it away while my eyes stared into hers. “There. All gone.”

“Thanks.” She smiled.

That fucking smile, and the way her eyes lit up. It was perfect enough to make my cock spasm.

Chapter Ten

Bella