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“You know, I read a lot of books, and this isn’t how this works.”
“What?” He chuckled before pursing his lips and looking at me like I’d just announced a plan to paint the house pink.
“In all those fake dating rom-coms, there’s always a trade-off.”
“Trade-off?” The words were disjointed, almost robotic, like he had to force them out one by one.
“What’s in it for you?”
“Jesus, Skittles.” Eyes slamming closed like it physically pained him, Jameson palmed his face. “What the fuck do you meanwhat’s in it for me?”
“These deals always have to benefit both parties.”
“Says who?”
“Every bookever.”
“You realize you readfiction, right?” It was almost comically cute how growly he got when he was annoyed.
“Obviously. Nonfiction is for nerds.”
“There are so many comebacks, I physically can’t choose.”
“Piss off.”
“You piss off. This isn’t some sappy chick book. This is real life. With a real predator. Taking advantage of a shit fucking system.”
“Right. Okay, so that’s whatI’mgetting. Tick off the predator and make him think I’m not alone.”
“Because you aren’t.”
I swallowed thickly, the sincerity in his eyes making me grateful that my ass was securely planted on the couch so my knees couldn’t fail. Clearing my throat, I asked again, “What do you get out of this?”
“Hopefully, I avoid the aneurysm this conversation is threatening.”
“I mean it, Jameson.”
“So do I. Jesus, keep nagging and you’ll be playing the grieving widow.”
“We’remarriednow?”
“If a ring pop is good enough for you, I’ve got an old one in the pantry.”
The laugh that had been building bubbled up my throat. Jameson Rhodes was funny under that rain-induced surly attitude. “Come on, what needs do you have that I can fill?”
The panty-melting smirk he promptly wiped off his face could have incinerated me in an instant.Bam. Spontaneous combustion, right there on his couch. “I don’t think this is that kind of arrangement.”
“Eww.”
“What did you expect?”
“Class-and-or-family reunion that you need a smoking hot girlfriend to show off at?”
“Like I would ever give a fuck what any of them thought. Next?”
“Uhhh, my skill sets consist of reading, making other people read, and yoga. Do you need help of the back-bend variety?”
One dark brow arched, and the man somehow swaggered, holding still.Why did that look make my thighs tighten??It seemed a challenge to swallow his ensuing amusement. “You’re fucking serious.”
