Page 81 of Mr. Flirt

The article said as much.

Multiple times.

Until you got to the hypothetical part.

When I nearly threw open the door, Shep stood at the threshold with a huge bouquet of pink roses. His eyes locked on mine, but he wasn’t smiling. He stepped inside and shut the door behind us.

“Everything okay?” I asked breathlessly as my mind spun to the interview.

Shep nodded, still holding the flowers.

“The rules of the game are changing,” Shep said flatly, handing over the roses. “It’s my turn now.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Who’s the Player?

Shep

She looked as shocked as I felt. But I’d had it. I sat in my office all day, listening to software developers and salesmen clash while all I could think about was Lucy.

And that was when I realized I’d been played.

Lucy wanted parts of me while checking others at the door, and I wasn’t all about that. There was something about her that very first day that made me want to confess who I truly was because I wanted her to see me for Shep.

There was no taking back my foolish pranks, but she was the one stringing me along now. Until when?

No more.

Lucy frowned but took the time to inhale the roses. “They even smell marvelous.”

I shook my head and smiled. “Don’t do it. Don’t try to distract me.”

She smirked and looked at me over the roses. “Okay. Fine. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“You,” I said flatly.

Lucy looked surprised. “Me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Lucy, I’m not buying it. You don’t need my help.”

She stomped her foot. “I’m completely inexperienced. I trust you. What more do you want?”

I laughed and shook my head, falling for her even more. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Lucy turned and started toward the kitchen. I quickened my pace to keep up with her.

She was reaching for a vase above the stove hood when I came to help.

“I don’t know what it is you think you want, Shep Jensen. But my professional opinion is that it’s only because you know I can’t give it to you.”

I smiled, focusing on Lucy. “Not true.”

Lucy shrugged and filled the vase with water before arranging the roses.

“These are the new rules.” I smiled at her, refusing to back down. “There are no more scenarios where we pretend I’m teaching you anything because the fact of the matter is that you’re plenty skilled. Instead, I will treat you how you deserve to be treated. I’ll wine you and dine you as if you were mine. If I decide to take you on a weekend trip, you’re coming. I don’t want to pretend with you. I want to believe I have a shot. I also want you to know that I have an equal say in all things between us.”

Her brows rose. “Says who?”

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