Page 221 of To Catch a Sub

“Mateus helped me with the client contracts. He says once we’re established, there are a lot of people in the art restitution world who will want to hire us.”

“You expect people I may have robbed to pay us to give them security advice?”

“Yes. But back to the museums. We offer to test their security for free to start. You rob them.”

“I rob museums.”

“Yes.”

“…and I won’t get arrested if I’m caught because they signed contracts?”

He arched a brow. “I thought you never got caught.”

“Are you offering me legally sanctioned heists?” Her voice was a little too high, too excited.

“Yes. Because I know you love it.” He growled a little, clearly still mildly unhappy with her criminal ways.

“Can we keep whatever I steal?”

“No,” he said, exasperated. “We show them we have it, then make them pay us to tell them how you did it. Then I figure out what they need to ensure you, or anyone else, can’t do it again.”

The idea was utter madness. And the most wonderfully perfect thing she’d ever heard. She wrestled down her excitement, thinking it through.

“The only way it would work would be if you tell people I’m a thief. It doesn’t make sense unless you say you’re going to send in a real thief for the test.”

“Of course. That will be the selling point, part of our marketing. A reformed thief turned consultant.”

“I’m reformed?”

“As of right now, yes.”

“And why is it that they’ll believe I’m reformed?” she asked with mock casualness.

“We’ll tell them you fell in love with me.” His dark eyes twinkled.

“And the love of a good man cured me of my criminal ways?”

He leaned in. “Or we tell them that you’re my sub and you do what I say because you’re my very good girl.”

Colette nearly melted into a puddle of sexual and emotional need at his feet.

“Bâtard.”

“Yes, I am. Do you want to hear the other reason you’re going to walk out of here with me?”

“More than you creating the perfect business, building something that will satisfy both of us?” She said it out loud, in part because she still couldn’t believe it. It felt like a fairytale. If she ever saw Mateus again, she’d have to tell him.

“I want you to be happy, love.” Landon’s expression was soft but serious. He meant every word.

“I want you to be happy too. It’s why I left.”

“We’ll address that behavior later. Do you want to know the third reason you’re going to walk out of here with me?”

Colette finally gave in to the desire that had been eating at her since she saw him. She leaned into his chest, fitting against him. Her head was a little higher than normal thanks to the heels, but it didn’t matter. She fit in his arms, now and always. “Because I love you desperately?” she said.

Landon hugged her to him, kissing her hair, then her temple.

She expected him to answer with his own, “I love you.”