Page 57 of Seductive Scoundrel

Dex: Well? Are you?

Dean: It’s too late.

Dex: I’m sure she’s still thinking about you, too, considering how hard you were brooding over her.

Dean: I was not brooding. I don’t brood.

Dex: You wanted her here.

He’s not wrong, and especially after seeing Mia effortlessly handle herself with Gwynne, she would be an asset on my arm and not just a pretty face. She’s beautiful, charming, funny, and smart as hell, so it wouldn’t be the liability I assumed to have her around all the time.

But Dex doesn’t need to know I’m losing my edge.

Dean: I don’t mix women and business.

Dex: Yeah, yeah, sure. See you tomorrow morning.

I’ve operated on little sleep for years. It’s a sacrifice of doing global business and having my hands in more pies than I can count. I delegate as much as I can, but there are still certain things I’m most comfortable overseeing.

Even though I know she won’t answer because she’s asleep, I send Mia a message so that I’ll be the first thing she thinks about when she wakes up tomorrow.

Dean: It was a later night than expected, but wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you. Have a good day and I can’t wait for the weekend.

Her response is instantaneous and makes me laugh out loud.

Mia: Where’s my picture, Mr. Big Dick?

Dean: You should be asleep.

Mia: Maybe. But I’m not.

I scroll through the albums on my phone and find some pictures from a long weekend at my beach house in the Hamptons. I send her some shirtless pictures and also a couple with my parents and extended family.

Dean: This is my family. And before you ask, no, other women have never met them or seen any pictures of them either.

Mia: Dean…Thank you. These mean way more to me than anything else we’ve ever exchanged.

I’m letting her in and giving her a view no other woman has ever had.

And I don’t hate it.

She sends me a few family pictures of her own, and it makes my chest ache being reminded about how beautiful she is. She looks easy and relaxed with her parents and – based on the physical similarities, I’m guessing – her brother and sister.

Mia: I’m really looking forward to the weekend now.

Dean: All I had to do was send pictures of my family?

Mia: All you had to do was be real. That’s all I want. You…just you.

Dean: Goodnight, beautiful. I can’t wait to see you.

Mia: Call me tomorrow?

I usually hate being obligated to women and setting plans in stone that I’ll likely have to change to accommodate work. But this request feels more like my privilege to fulfill.

Dean: You know it. I arranged for Robert to drive you to work all week so you can sleep in. I’m also sending you a present every day.

Mia: I don’t need presents.

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