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Her mouth popped open, and she blinked. And blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

He glanced quickly at her, then back at the document. “This is a thorough contract. Excellent terms.”

She gaped at him. Bash had it right before. This was madness. The past few days had seemed anything but real. Perhaps she was dreaming. She had been quite stressed with the Duke’s impending visit. That could sometimes lead to the strangest dreams. That must be it. This was all a dream.

“He cannot sack you if you decide to terminate your arrangement. So job security is taken care of.” Bash waved that away as if it were of no consequence while he studied the contract. “He is amenable to exclusivity while your arrangement takes place if that is your preference. He does have an option for bringing in additional partners, but that is more an add-on if you’d like it.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully.

Theo’s mouth opened and closed but nothing surfaced. An add-on? What was this, a shopping excursion? Add on a pair of gloves and an extra woman for half off.

“Your arrangement will be conducted with the utmost discretion, and your reputation will remain impeccable.” Bash caught her eye. “Impeccable. His words.”

Theo finally snatched the papers back. “Enough, Bash. You shouldn’t be reading about such things.” She lifted the back of her hand to her forehead. “Oh my God. You were just reading my sex contract. This cannot be real life.”

“You know what you should do,” Bash went on, ignoring Theo completely. “Add in some additional terms. A requirement of at minimum two orgasms per encounter. No, three!”

“Bash,” she hissed. “First. Lower your bloody voice. And two. Stop. Talking. We cannot have this conversation. It is beyond inappropriate.”

He turned toward her, mouth flattening. “You know. I think we should have this conversation. Maybe if more conversations like this happened, men would know better how to please a woman, and women would know better what they should demand from a man.” His voice softened. “I understand better than most men, Theodora. I am well aware most men are selfish when it comes to pleasure. That you are just a vessel for them to use.”

Theo’s heart sank. “Bash.”

He smiled weakly at her. “It’s fine. I know the last thing you want to believe is that I’m of age to be participating in those kinds of activities. Though, with a handsome mien like mine, how could I possibly not be sought after?”

She walked around her desk and leaned against the front of it, softly bumping into Bash. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps these things should be discussed more.”

He lifted a shoulder, jostling her. “Sometimes ignorance is dangerous. It’s not something I think people should be left in the dark about. They want women to be ignorant,” he added softly. “You are easier to control that way.”

Wasn’t that the truth? And not only were they kept in the dark, but they grew up with teaching after teaching about the importance of purity and how shameful sexual relations and pleasure were. But only for women. Didn’t that beg the question—why? Bash had just said it. It always boiled down to control.

“Well,” she finally said. “Fortunately for me, I suppose, I’m not ignorant. I will demand nothing less than perfection from His Grace. He is a duke, after all. Shouldn’t the orgasms be of a higher caliber?”

Bash chuckled. “So, does that mean you’re going to take him up on his offer?”

Theo worried her lip. Was she? If she didn’t lie to herself, then she could admit she wanted to. How could she not be curious what it would be like to be in bed with a man like His Grace? He was…enormous. And so serious. So emotionless. It was hard to picture him letting go enough to enjoy such an act. A thrill shot through her. What would it look like when she made him lose control?

“You are so taking him up on his offer.” Bash grinned devilishly at her. “It’s written all over your face.”

She shot him what she hoped was an annoyed look. “You do realize you’re talking about your half-brother, don’t you?”

He waved that away. “I’m not the one sleeping with him. And don’t brothers talk about those sorts of things anyhow? Their conquests. Maybe he and I will bond over this.”

Her expression turned dry as dust. “Lovely. Exactly what I was hoping you’d bond over. Excuse me while I lose the contents of my stomach.”

Bash snickered.

“And the last thing I want to be is a conquest.”

“You’d be a very independent, self-sufficient, and strong conquest.”

“That doesn’t make it sound any better.”

“It really doesn’t. But…” His eyes glittered with mischief. “Oh, it’ll be so fun, Theo. And you deserve fun.”

“He could be horrible in bed,” she pointed out.

Bash arched a brow. “Only one way to find out.”

Only one way to find out, indeed.