Bargaining for the Billionaire Read Online Free PDF Page A

hadn’t meant it that way, but now he was curious.
    BookNerd: May I ask why now?
    MadHatter3000: Because I’m 28. I’m not getting any younger, and this is…safe. It’s been a while for me. A relationship ended badly. Christina was right when she told you I don’t trust easily. But I’ll admit I hate being alone. This is kind of a first step.
    Grayson sat back, dropping his hands to his sides. His chest tightened with regret. That he’d hurt her had haunted him every day of the last three years. He hated knowing he’d hurt her to the point she’d shut down.
    This time, his reply was a whole lot more honest.
    BookNerd: You’re not alone there. It’s been a while for me, too. And for the record, I won’t be sending any of those types of pics. The first time you see a certain part of my anatomy I’d rather it be up close and personal.
    MadHatter3000: Cock. You can say it. I’m a noob, not a virgin.
    He could only shake his head. She was softness and strength, boldness and shyness all rolled into one dynamite package, and he was happily struggling to keep up with her. When she tossed comments like that at him—the bold ones—said part of his anatomy throbbed to life again. His cock happily reminded him how long it had been since he’d held a woman in his arms, let alone made love to one. Oh, he’d tried. The first year after their breakup, he was so hurt by the way she’d iced him out, he was determined to forget her.
    Except no woman could ever measure up. Phone sex with Maddie was miles better than actual sex with anyone else. He’d given up attempting to date over a year ago. How the hell he was supposed to move on with his life when all he wanted was her?
    His heart hung heavy, all those things he should have said to her a long time ago rising like a typhoon over his head.
    Grayson sighed. How the hell did she want him to answer that? Playful was the way to go. If he didn’t, he’d be doing everything he shouldn’t. All unburdening himself would do was re-erect that wall between them, which would only serve to put him back where he’d already been—alone and without her.
    BookNerd: All right, cock. Happy now?
    MadHatter3000: That depends. Are you actually hard or just a tease?
    He closed his eyes and forced himself to draw a shaky breath. Christ. She was going to kill him. He’d die a slow, painful death from lack of oxygen to the brain.
    He opened his eyes and shook his head as he punched in a reply.
    BookNerd: You’re killing me here, you know that? Both. I find you intriguing. You’re bolder than I expected. I expected you to shut me down by now. So I’ll admit I’m pushing my luck, because your reactions tell me a lot about you and what you expect. From me and from this.
    That, sadly, was the truth. He’d also said it because he was dying to know how she’d respond. He’d missed this, the hot, intimate chats.
    MadHatter3000: Maybe this is exactly what I want and why I agreed to it.
    Ah, now they were getting somewhere.
    BookNerd: You want to step outside your box.
    MadHatter3000: I want something hot and frivolous that doesn’t end in heartbreak.
    Grayson ignored the twinge of regret tightening in his gut and typed in a playful response. He had to play this cool. He was supposed to be a stranger to her.
    BookNerd: Ditto. That was three questions, BTW. That’s going to cost you.
    MadHatter3000: Ok. I suppose you earned it. Lay ’em on me.
    BookNerd: Now it’s your turn. Are you aroused?
    MadHatter3000: I’m getting warmer. Next?
    He smiled. Damn tease.
    BookNerd: That’s all I get? Just warm?
    MadHatter3000: Sorry, cowboy, but you’re going to have work harder than that. ;)
    Damn it all to hell. Now, he couldn’t resist. He ought to, but he couldn’t.
    BookNerd: Tease. ;) Tell me what you’re wearing.
    MadHatter3000: You aren’t going to ask what I look like?
    Crap. He’d forgotten that. Think fast, Lockwood.
    BookNerd: I already did and you didn’t answer. I took the hint.