Page 114 of The Damaged Billionaire's Obsession
I smack his shoulder.” I will not.”
“Wanna bet?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t.”
“Anyway, just to give you heads up, your undying love for me is going to be the topic at breakfast tomorrow, now that Grant has heard.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Consider yourself fairly warned. He will definitely bring it up. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless he’s already left for Paris by then.” Ethan tilts his head, seriously considering that possibility.
“What? No! He’s going to sleep on it.”
“A thousand bucks says he won’t be at breakfast.”
“Whoa, whoa, that’s not how I do my betting, rich boy.” Brooke once told me Xavier and his friends bet with cars and yachts and houses. “Try five bucks.”
He howls. “That’s just disgraceful, Bonnie. This is an important bet; we’re talking about if and when my brother will take steps toward his future happiness. Surely, the Ethan Hawthornes can do better than that.”
“First of all, we’re not sharing your name, thank you.”
“Fine, the Bonnie Russos can do better,” he says and smiles.
“Ten bucks, then,” I argue.
“I know for a fact you can afford more. Because I pay you.”
“You don’t pay me.”
A knot settles in my belly. We’ve not talked about money yet because I’ve always avoided the subject. I know Ethan has a lot of money, and while I enjoy the luxury that comes with him, spending his money or having him pay for things like my clothes or shopping can sometimes put me in a weird headspace. I couldn’t imagine him actually paying money to my account.
“Sweetheart, whatever issue you had with taking my money needs to die right now.”
He’s already picked up on that. Jeez, does the man have imaginary antennae or something? He’s so good at sussing me out.
“I don’t have any issues with your money,” I lie.
“You don’t? Good, so it's probably a good time to tell you that ever since the day in my office that you begged me to fuck you, I’ve paid your salary and bonuses from my personal account. You're not on company time, baby. You’re onmytime.”
I gasp. Horror, disgust, and humiliation wash over me. “Are you serious right now?”
“Of course. What’s the problem? It’s still your salary, isn’t it?”
“Ethan! I can’t believe you right now. Get off me, fucking jackass.” I start bucking violently, trying not to burst into tears. “I’m not a slut that can be bought with—”
“I’m joking, babe! Jesus, stop, I’m joking.” I stop struggling.
“Don’t play with me, Ethan. Are you serious, or are you joking?”
“I couldn’t even do that if I wanted to, babe. And I would never do that to you.”
I sag in relief.
“Siobhán, you're not a slut. You're my smart, sweet, sexy, sassy woman. You fucking rock my world, and you’re all mine.” He looks down at me tenderly.