Bargaining for the Billionaire Read Online Free Page A

everything considered. It’s really none of my business, but seeing as we’re supposed to be getting to know each other, I figured this was a safe area. Start with the basics.
    MadHatter3000: I’m surprised. No sexual comments yet. Impressive. For most men, the basics would’ve started with measurements. That’s how this works, right?
    Her words taunted him with all those things he yearned to ask. Memories past lodged themselves in his mind. All those late night chats, when he should have been working but had become distracted by her. An innocent, “Hello, hope you’re having a good night,” from her had launched a thousand e-mails between them, each one hotter than the last, and usually ended in him picking up his phone. He’d tell her everything he wanted to do to her, and the conversations always ended in phenomenal orgasms for both of them. They might not have made love, but they’d done a hell of a lot. To this day the little noise she made when she came still haunted his dreams.
    His fingers trembled over the keyboard as he struggled with his reply. What he wanted to say versus what he ought to say.
    Don’t say it, Lockwood. Keep it light. Keep it neutral.
    That’s what he told himself, at least. His fingers, however, didn’t appear to be listening. Curiosity had downright slayed that cat.
    BookNerd: Not necessarily. Are you telling me you’d actually share?
    The clock on the wall across from him ticked-tick-ticked out the seconds. His gut knotted and his nerves frayed. He was so damn close yet so far away.
    Edgy and restless, he deposited his laptop onto the couch beside him and surged to his feet, pacing the living room spread out before him. He stared out the glass that made up the far wall, at the lights dotting the other houses around him. Lake Union spread out before him, calm and serene. The neighborhood was dead silent and memories echoed around him. All those late night conversations filled his head. Three years ago, he’d have told her, “Describe what you’re wearing tonight, baby…”
    For all her bravado, Maddie was a traditional girl. On their first date, she’d told him she didn’t sleep around, that before she made love to him, she had to trust him. It had taken him six months to make it past first base, and he’d considered himself damn lucky for that. Which meant he had to cool his jets and follow her lead this time as well.
    Behind him, his laptop pinged with the announcement of a new message. He jogged back to the couch, plopping down with all the finesse of an excited eight year old. His laptop bounced on the soft cushions and a quiet laugh escaped him. Hell. Cassie was right. Maddie had him well and thoroughly by the cock.
    He set his laptop once again on his knees and read her message.
    MadHatter3000: I might. So long as we get one thing clear.
    His heart hammered. Damn, he hadn’t expected her to say that. He’d expected her to shut him down. Now, he was intrigued.
    BookNerd: All right. Lay it on me.
    MadHatter3000: I’m not looking for permanent. Just some fun. That’s probably TMI, but you asked and I’m an honest kind of girl. When our date at the auction ends, this ends.
    Grayson tipped his head back and laughed. It seemed they really were in the same place, neither one really able to move on. It gave him hope, and awakened a certain part of his anatomy he was sure once had shriveled up from lack of use. Christ, he was hopeless. A few words of encouragement and he was hard as steel. His cock strained, pushing uncomfortably against the zipper of his tailored slacks.
    BookNerd: Are you telling me you’re just looking for sex?
    MadHatter3000: And if I am?
    For a moment, Grayson could only stare at his screen, dumbfounded. His cock twitched, encouraging him to pick up that particular breadcrumb and run like hell with it. For the first time in a long time, he’d have a fantasy that didn’t include old memories, but another living, breathing participant.
    Well, I’ll be