Free Bargaining for the Billionaire by JM Stewart Page B

In the middle of a good groove, I called a new partner my ex-girlfriend’s name.
    MadHatter3000: I’m sorry. Was she mad?
    BookNerd: Very. I never saw her again.
    That, at least, was true. One of the rare times he’d forced himself to get out, to try and find someone to replace her . To move on with his damn life. He’d met Paige at the gym, of all places. She had a rockin’ body and a sweet, upbeat nature. She made him laugh, but the relationship hadn’t worked. She wasn’t Maddie.
    MadHatter3000: I swear I wasn’t thinking about him. I was staring at you, and it just popped out.
    Now that revelation scared the hell out of him. Had she seen something she recognized, even if she wasn’t aware of it?
    BookNerd: Really. It’s okay. I can’t exactly get mad at you for something I’ve done myself. So, relax, babe. We’ll get used to this. Tell me something, though…was it good?
    Okay, so this was a selfish question, but one he had to ask. It would tell him how close or how far he was.
    MadHatter3000: Best orgasm I’ve had solo in a long time. You gave me multiples. ;)
    A stupid, self-satisfied grin plastered itself across his face. He had to admit it. He loved pleasuring her. To know he’d done his job, while he couldn’t even see or talk to her, filled his chest to bursting.
    BookNerd. I’m glad. Same here. I’m fairly certain I’M the one who saw stars. ;)
    He sat staring at the screen for a moment. What the hell did he say now? Oh, he knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to invite himself to her place or go get her and bring her here, to his. He wanted to curl around her, but that he couldn’t caught in his chest as being all kinds of wrong. Any intimacy she granted him, he treasured. It was a gift simply to be able to share it with her. But this was the part where he had to go to bed alone, without her.
    He couldn’t risk telling her who he was yet, though. He needed her to get to know him first. This was his chance to earn her trust. So that maybe, just maybe, when she finally did discover the truth, when they were face to face at the auction, he could convince her to listen. To give him a chance.
    It still hit him as wrong, though, to be going to bed without her, and dejection hung heavy in his chest. So, he stared at the computer screen. He ought to say something, anything, to ease the moment, but all he could do was wait, heart on his damn sleeve.
    She was the first one to speak.
    MadHatter3000: I should go. It’s late, and I need to get up early tomorrow. Thanks for tonight. I’m glad I let Christina set us up.
    BookNerd: Ditto. Can I “see” you again?
    Thirty seconds passed before her reply came back. He held his breath and crossed his fingers. This was make it or break it time. He’d either gained what he’d hoped—a little of her trust—or she’d make an excuse as to why she was going to be too busy.
    MadHatter3000: I’d like that.
    Grayson pumped his fists in the air. Hell, he couldn’t help himself. He might have whooped if it wasn’t so late, but the lake around him was quiet. He wasn’t sure his neighbors would appreciate the noise at ten o’clock at night. After all, wasn’t that why you bought a houseboat on Lake Union? For the peace and tranquility? It was one of the biggest reasons he’d bought the two-story house. Because simply standing on his dock looking out over the waters could ease the stress of the day.
    That she’d said yes, though, was a damn good sign. Mission accomplished. Now for the next step. He had another hint to send her.
    BookNerd: Tomorrow? Same time, say, around 8-ish?
    MadHatter3000: Tomorrow. 8 is good. Night, Dave.
    Those words took the wind out of his sails. There was that damn name again. His chest constricted, but the longer he stared at the name, the more determination swelled inside of him, a locomotive pushing him forward. By this time next Saturday night, she’d know it was him. She’d say his name again, damn it.
    BookNerd: Night,