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“You’re not funny.”
He picks me up, clearly proud of himself, as he walks up the wooden walkway and toward the hill.
My eyes close, giving in as I rest my head against his shoulder. “I think I need to eat something.”
I feel his hold tighten. “You’re feeling faint?”
“No,” I murmur, the warmth of his body making my eyes heavy. “Just hungry.”
Lance carries me back across the fields, his stride not easing until we reach the house. He slides me down his body once we’re on the terrace, guilt marring his brow as he watches me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I told Jack I’d look after you and then took you home and fucked you.”
I purse my lips and then run my hand down his bare chest, pushing him back a step. “You excelled yourself.”
“Can I stay?” he asks, cocking his head toward the house. “I’d feel better if you’d let me. We can eat, and I’ll sleep in the chair. No more sex.”
“You can stay on one condition.”
He tips his chin, taking a step toward me again and eating up the space I created.
“You let me do whatever I want to you.”
His step falters. “Scarlet—”
“The choice is yours, Lance.” I turn and walk inside the house, making my way to the kitchen so I can make myself something to eat.
There’s cheese in the fridge, a selection of my favourites, and I place them on the island along with crackers and fresh butter. As I go to close the fridge, I spot the cold beef that I cut into slices yesterday and reach for a piece.
“You’re nothing like I expected you’d be, you know.”
I slide up onto the worktop, making sure his shirt covers my bare ass. “What were you expecting?”
“A child. Mason never told me you were… I guess I pictured a spoiled little sister who likely knew nothing about life.”
I smile. “And what about now?”
He steps into the room, rounds the island and eases himself between my legs. I bite into the beef, my eyes closing with how good it tastes. “Hmm.”
“I think you’re too smart for the likes of me.”
“You’re smart, Lance,” I tell him, patting the scruff on the side of his face playfully.
“If I were smart, I’d have left just now.”
“I already told you what a horny bastard you are.” I reach for the cheese board, my attention slightly wandering. “Want some?” I ask, holding out a piece.
He leans in and eats it from between my two fingers.
“So, you like cheese?” he asks, eyeing the giant board as he swallows.
“I love cheese,” I correct. “In fact, I’m known for my love of it.”
“Known for your love of fermented dairy?”
I nod, a slight smile tugging up my mouth. “I once cried on a flight home from our lodges in Bora Bora because they didn’t have any more cheese toasties. Glen and Freya vowed we’d never fly commercial again after that and invested in the jet.” Judgement passes his features, and I chuckle. “I know how it sounds, but I was starving and irrational. I hadn’t eaten, and as you learnt today, I don’t do well without my food. Mason was mortified, and I was embarrassed for myself.”
