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EIGHTEEN

JACKSON

"Sir," said Rayford, "you’re gonna wear out the rug"

"I’ll buy another one," I growled, turning around and pacing back the direction I cainside the foyer for Bianca to arrive Rayford was his usual tranquil self I, however, felt like a nuclear reactor on the edge of a etto be my wife

At least that’s what it appeared would happen She had called me yesterday and asked me if my offer was still on the table, and I nearly fell out of reed to meet today to discuss it further

I slept all of fifteen , ta over which clothes to wear I even shaved again because I knew she liked it, even though the sight of those fucking scars on my face made me want to punch the mirror She was due to arrive any minute, and the possibility that Rayford would open the door and I’d drop dead of a massive heart attack the moment I spotted her was pretty solid

I hadn’t been this nervous inever

"Maybe you should have a drink," Rayford suggested, watching irl off with all this"--he waved a disapproving hand in the air--"energy"

"My energy’s fine," I snapped, flexing earin’ up to ride into battle on your war horse and lop off solare, which made him smile

He said, "Have it your way But don’t say I didn’t warn you when I open the door and Miss Bianca sees the state you’re in and turns around and runs off"

"She’s not the running-off type," I said "She’s ht-you-on-fire-and-walk-calmly-ahile-you-burn-to-ashes type"

Rayford chuckled "This is gonna be fun"

I stopped pacing and stared at him "Fun? This is theI’ve done infun?"

He smiled "I

Rayford said brightly, "And here’s the fire starter now!" and opened the door

Bianca stood on the ri for an audit with the IRS In spite of her obvious disco

This was the first tireedily drank her in The terure was invented for woenerous, and her legs were long and bare And her breastsI alroaned out loud

The dress had a neckline obviously designed to devastate e while still being classy, wide enough to reveal the upper swell of a pair of breasts that appeared to have been otiate for ly hand overthat dress for more than fiveflawless, like--

"Are you going to invite me in, or would you prefer we talked in the front yard?" asked Bianca tartly

My gaze snapped up to her face

Rayford coughed into his fist to hide his laugh

And I went red to the roots of my hair

"Yes," I said too loudly, flustered "Come in" Then I turned around and stalked toward the library,her chest like the enamored, sexually frustrated Neanderthal that I was