Smart.
I'm thinking. Calculating.
Adrian dismissed her. Called her decorative. Said she's something to admire, not use.
But I've seen what she can do. The intelligence. The knowledge. The determination to get on her knees and prove herself.
Adrian underestimates her.
And people who underestimate their opponents lose.
By the time we reach the compound, I've decided.
Fuck it.
Let's see what happens when the pretty jewel is sharpened into a weapon.
We enter the house.
She starts toward her room. Our room.
"Gemma."
She stops. Turns.
"Strip."
Her eyes widen. "What?"
"You heard me. Take off that dress and thank me."
"Thank you for?—"
"For agreeing to your proposal." I move closer. "For deciding you're worth the risk. For choosing to make Adrian Nero's life more difficult."
Understanding dawns in her silver eyes. "You're saying yes?"
"I'm saying strip and show me you're grateful."
For a moment, she just stares. Then, slowly, she reaches behind her back. Finds the zipper.
The dress slides down.
She's not wearing a bra. Just lace panties and heels.
Christ.
"On the bed," I tell her.
She climbs on, and I follow. I'm already hard, have been since she came down those stairs. But this isn't about our eleven o'clock appointment. This isn't about getting her pregnant.
This is about sealing a different kind of deal.
I strip off my jacket, tie, shirt. Her eyes track the movement.
"Why did you change your mind?" she asks.
"Because I think Adrian has a lesson to learn."
