Page 74 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

“I think people like her don’t do favors.” He smirked. “I can see the wheels turning.”

I chewed my cheek, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t want her coming in here and turning this place into some soulless luxury enclave. These towns—they’re full of history. Character. They don’t need glass monstrosities with no heart. I don’t want my old brokerage coming in here and changing everything that makes this town what it is. These towns are full of heritage homes and history. This place doesn’t need massive luxury mansions with sharp edges and no character. It needs people who care about its integrity and the type of people who want to live here.”

Dean tilted his head. “Sounds to me like a mission statement.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’ve been trying to figure out what you want, right?” He leaned against the counter, his feet crossed at his ankles. “Real estate’s your passion. You know this town—the good, the bad, the nosy reporters. The history. You know that at its core it’s a good place with good people. Maybe what it needs is someone who actually gives a damn. Maybe an expert like you handling housing sales is what’s missing around here.”

My breath caught. “You think I should open my own firm?”

“Why not?” He grinned. “Your old man made a name for himself here. Why not bring it back? Make it yours. Breathe new life into the Watson family legacy.”

The idea hit me like lightning. Not the swirling unease from yesterday, but something bright. Electric. A spark. The thing I had been looking for since I dragged my sorry ass back home.

Dean chuckled. “There it is.”

“What?”

“That light in your eyes.”

I couldn’t help it—I kissed his cheek, my mind already racing. “I have to go.”

He blinked. “Now?”

“Yes, now.” I set my coffee down and darted toward the bedroom. “I have to shower. Don’t come in. Not because I don’t want your naked body in my shower, but if your naked body is in my shower, I’m not going to be going anywhere.”

He followed me into my bedroom. I stripped off the pajamas, not caring that he was there watching me strip. He’d seen all of it already. His lips had been everywhere already. I didn’t have time to feel ashamed.

I turned the shower on, stepped in, and closed the glass door behind me. Dean sat down on the closed toilet, his coffee in hand, watching me through the fogged-up glass with that amused smirk of his. He didn’t say anything at first, just sat there like he was enjoying the show.

“So, what’s the plan? You gonna go all-in on this?”

I lathered my hair, letting the water run down my back. “I think so. I mean, why not? I know this town better than anyone Vanessa could send. And if she’s really planning on swooping in here, I’m not just going to sit back and let her turn it into some corporate playground.”

“Good. You’ve got the guts for it. And the brains. Just don’t let her get under your skin.”

“She already did,” I admitted, rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. “But not anymore. If she wants to play games, fine. I’ll play better. New York was her playground. This is mine. No one is going to want some big city chick moving in here and bringing all her bullshit.”

Dean chuckled, setting his mug on the edge of the sink. “That’s what I like to hear. But you’re going to need more than just fire to pull this off. You got a game plan yet?”

I reached for the body wash, scrubbing quickly as my mind raced. “Not yet. But I know where to start.”

I stepped out and reached for the towel he was holding out. I quickly dried off and walked back into my room to dress. Dean watched me the whole time. This had to be the strangest yet best morning-after experience of my life. I felt like we had done this dance a hundred times. After putting on some moisturizer and putting my hair up, I paused and looked at him. I was a little surprised he was still here. Technically, it was his house.

“Will you lock up on your way out?”

“I was gonna ask if you wanted to take the boat out today.”

“Raincheck?” I asked as I put on my sandals. “Tonight. I promise.”

“Where are you running off to?”

“I need to talk to someone about this idea you’ve given me.”

Dean caught my wrist as I stared out of the room. He pulled me against him. His lips met mine, giving me just a little taste of the pleasure that only he could give. “So you don’t forget to come back tonight,” he murmured.

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”