"That's generally how it works."
"Silas, we're still figuring things out. We're still learninghow to be honest with each other. We're still..." She stops, frustrated. "I need more time."
The words sting but I swallow it down. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes, sweetheart. You need time, I'll give you time." I pull her closer. "But that doesn't mean I'm changing my mind. When you're ready, I'll be here. Waiting."
"You're really okay with that?"
"No. I want to marry you tomorrow. But I'm okay with waiting because you're worth it." I kiss her softly. "Take all the time you need, Pretty Girl. I'm not going anywhere."
She kisses me back, slow and deep and full of something that feels like promise. When we break apart, she's smiling.
"You're ridiculous."
"You love it."
"I really do." She loops her arms around my neck. "Thank you. For understanding. For not pushing."
"I'm pushing a little bit."
"You're pushing a lot, actually. But I appreciate that you're trying." She grins. "Eleven million dollars. That's insane."
"Want me to buy you something expensive?"
"No. But you can take me to bed and remind me why I'm putting up with your grumpy ass."
Heat flares through me. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." She slides off my lap and holds out her hand. "Come on, big guy. Let's see if we can check another item off my Naughty Girl Scout List."
I'm on my feet before she finishes the sentence. "Still have items on that list?"
"Several. But this one's new." She walks backwards toward the bedroom, pulling me along. "You remember when we talked about me being in control?"
My mouth goes dry. "Yeah."
"Tonight's the night." She pushes me onto the bed and climbs into my lap, her curls falling around us like a curtain. "You're going to lie there and let me have my way with you. Think you can handle that?"
I groan, already hard just from the thought. "Pretty sure I can manage."
"Good." She leans down, her lips brushing my ear. "Because I have plans for you, Silas Huxley. And you're going to love every second of it."
She kisses me hard, all teeth and tongue and pure demand. My hands go to her hips automatically but she catches them, pinning them above my head.
"No touching unless I say so."
"Scout..."
"That's the rule. Break it and I stop." She rocks against me, making me see stars. "Can you follow the rules, big guy?"
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"Good boy." She grins and starts unbuttoning my shirt. "Now let's see how long you can behave."
Turns out, not very long. But Scout doesn't seem to mind.
