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CHAPTER 22

Bailey

“Are you over your snit aboutyou a new mattress?” Declan asks

The question surprises me I put my Italian sub I’d been about to take a bite of down, then wipea work lunch in his office Like hot dogs, watching Declan eat soles

My chin lifts in challenge, and I know there’s a gleam in my eye “I was not in a snit”

Well, I was I thought he was totally joking about it ent Saturday after our tiht a two-thousand-dollar ht it was too extravagant for my home, and I didn’t want him to think his money was an attraction for me

But he won He just rolled right overs up his purchase He even paid a delivery premium to have it delivered on Sunday

As we sit here on Monday in his office, I’ll never adot over ht I s on it first, and, as it heaven And maybe it’s because Declan wore me out, or maybe it was the pillow top, but it was the best sleep I think I ever had in my life

Declan doesn’t argue, merely watches me from across his desk “Why do you ask if I’m over my snit?” I press

“Well,” he drawls, setting his sub on the wrapper andhis hands, then his mouth, with a napkin “I want to update your wardrobe You needyou in soerie”

“No,” I exclaier “No, no, no”

“Why not?” His question is calm in the face of my displeasure

“Because,” I sputter, coainst this “I will not be a kept woman”

Declan’s eyes go round He blinks several ties to ask on a bark of laughter “A kept woman? Jesus… are you serious?”

“You’re rich,” I say the obvious, pointing across the desk I throw my thumb back in my direction “I’m not rich We are at a vast disparity in income, but I am fully able to take care of myself It’s… it’s… sexist for you to buy stuff for me”