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overwhelmed by you. You overwhelm me,
Ethan. You need to know that because it is
the truth.
He pressed his lips to my forehead and
spoke. Okay, but just tell me when. Say
your word, whatever and I ll back off. Just
don t leave me like that again.
Waterloo.
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He looked at me and smiled. Waterloo
is your safe word?
I nodded. That s it. I looked over at
the food set out on the table for our lunch
and inhaled. Chinese from what Elaina had
said, my nose agreeing. Are you going to
feed me or what? I thought I was getting
lunch out of this deal. I poked him in the
chest. A girl needs more than just an or-
gasm you know.
Ethan threw his head back and laughed
and delivered a firm smack to my ass. Off
you go then. Let s get you fed, my beautiful
American girl. We have to keep you in top
form. I have big plans for you tonight.
He flashed me a wicked wink. I knew I
was lost.
10
My phone rang as I packed my overnight
bag. I saw who was calling and looked at the
clock. Ethan had said he would be here by
seven to pick me up. It was quarter to right
now. Are you having second thoughts and
crying off for our sleepover tonight, Ethan?
He laughed. No chance of that, and I
hope you have your bag ready, baby.
So why aren t you here to whisk me
away?
Yes, well I had to send a car to collect
you. Some business related emergency pain
in my ass. I m so sorry. The driver s name is
Neil and he works for me. He ll get you into
my apartment and I want you to just make
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yourself at home until I get there. Will you
do that for me, my darling?
I guess so. My mind was spinning
with the implications of me on my own in his
house. I wasn t really scared, but the idea
did not thrill me either. Are you sure,
Ethan? I mean we can do this another
night if you re busy
I m sleeping with you tonight,
Brynne. In my bed. End of discussion.
Oh boy. I smiled into the phone. Can
I start dinner for you then? Is there food in
the house or should I have your driver stop
at the supermarket?
No need to stop. There s food and even
some things in the freezer. My housekeeper
cooks meals and freezes them. You choose
whatever you like excuse me. I heard
muffled voices and Ethan speaking to
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someone. I have to go, baby. I ll see you as
soon as I can get there.
I said goodbye, but he was already off. I
stared at my phone for a moment before set-
ting it down, lost in the surreal, and feeling
like Alice in Wonderland again. My life
seemed to be careening in fast-forward with
me unable to switch modes. I d gone from
single girl to girlfriend in just over a week
with no sign of a slow-down. At all.
My phone lit up again with no screen ID
on display. Hello? I answered.
Ma am, my name is Neil McManus.
Mr. Blackstone instructed me to pick you
up. There s a black Rover waiting down at
the curb for you now. The smooth English
accent formed the words efficiently.
Neil. I remembered what Ethan had
said about the driver. Sure. Be right
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down. I slung my bag over my shoulder and
made it out to the street at a quick clip. The
car that waited looked exactly like Ethan s
Range Rover, but I skidded to a halt when I
got a load of Neil-the-driver; huge, muscular,
bleached blonde, spiked-haired with very
dark eyes.
You! I said, completely shocked. It
was the guy with the Jimi Hendrix tat from
today.
Yes, ma am. He held open the passen-
ger door for me, his expression giving away
nothing.
You were following me around today!
It was no question as I am sure Neil real-
ized. I dropped my bag to the ground, folded
my arms beneath my breasts and went for a
Mexican stand-off instead. Give me one
good reason why I should get in that car with
you, Neil.
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Neil smiled briefly and looked down to
my bag on the sidewalk. I work for Mr.
Blackstone?
I gave Neil my best stone face.
He tried again. He will fire my ass if I
don t get you delivered to his apartment per
his instructions? He looked back up at me,
his black eyes sincere. I very much like my
job, ma am.
My head started spinning with more
wild thoughts of what I was doing, what
Ethan was up to, how many people were in-
volved in my business, and my list could
have gone on and on. Man, oh man, did we
need to have a discussion or what! Still, it
wasn t fair to take out my frustrations on
Neil, who for all appearances was just doing
his job.
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Fair enough, Neil. I picked up my bag
and got in the back seat. But the deal s off if
you keep calling me ma am, got it? My name
is Brynne. And if Mr. Blackstone doesn t like
it you can tell him that he can kiss my in-
formal Yankee ass. He should know that
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