Page 44 of A Devious Arrangement
I’m so caught up in the introductions that I don’t realize Bash is right in front of me.
“This little ray of sunshine is Eve. Say hi, Evy.” Bash holds her tiny hand in his huge one and gives me a little wave.
I wave back, and she smiles at my smile. A feeling of satisfaction courses through me from her response.
I’m still waving when Bash leans over to kiss me. I jerk my chin to the side, and his lips land on my cheek with a low chuckle.
I glare at him with the force of a thousand exploding suns and whisper, “You are dead.”
Bash’s lips brush my ear, speaking low enough so only I can hear. “Killing me wouldn’t be very girlfriend-like, now would it.”
There’s a buzz tingling under my skin, and I turn from him to collect myself. Our deal is the best chance I have to get the tiara within the month timeframe. No matter how I look at it, in order to accomplish it, I need Bash’s help. Which means I have to hold up my end and convince everyone here that we are, in fact, dating. Although, they may not be surprised his girlfriend wants to kill him. If he’s anything with them like he is with me, I’m sure they’ve felt the same occasionally.
I need to get a grip on myself and plaster on a smile. His home provides the perfect distraction to help me calm down. Unsurprisingly, the place is a nice multistory brownstone located in the middle of the city. Windows take up the entirety of the far wall, and the setting sun casts the entire space in a warm glow. The open-concept floor plan is common for theserenovated spaces, so I’m not surprised to see the living room is open to the kitchen.
On closer glance, there are weird clips located on each cupboard, the kind that keeps children out. I scan the rest of the house, noticing the safety wall plugs and plastic rings that go over the doorknobs so only adults can open them. The coffee table has been taken over by crayons and coloring books, the older children giggling as they work.
There’s a thud in my chest when my attention lands on the playpen and the mat beside it. I swallow hard as I process everything around me.
Wait… Does Bash have a kid? I give him a sidelong glance without shifting my head. The adorable baby, Eve, is tucked under his chin. It would be fine if he did have a kid. It’s not like we’re dating. Actually, even if we were dating, it would be fine. But why didn’t he tell me before? Wouldn’t that be something a girlfriend should know? Actually. My heart begins to beat harder as I think it through. What kind of dick move is it to hide your kid from your girlfriend. Seriously though, he definitely should have told me. Right?
Bash moves closer, scanning my face. “What’s going through your mind right now, Princess? From how red you’re getting, I think there may have been a misunderstanding.”
Olivia comes up, cutting off my response, and Bash rubs her head, causing her to giggle and try to get away.
“Uncle Bash’s house is the best. He always has the best stuff,” she whispers to me, but it’s loud. She tugs on his shirt until he leans closer. “Did you get ice cream?”
Bash laughs and looks conspiratorially at Olivia, then at me. “Double chocolate.”
Olivia gives us a toothy smile. “See, the best!”
I drum my fingers on my hips. The more I think of it, the more I’m sure these are his nieces and nephews. “Do they come here often?”
“As much as they want. They bounce around between our houses, but it’s nice to give their parents a night off.” Bash’s fingers cup the nape of my neck, his thumb stroking back and forth. This time, his annoying ability to read me comes in handy, curing my suspicions without me having to ask. “Scarlet and Matthias hired a nanny when Eve was born, but it’s not the same as when family watches them. It’s like a tornado when all the kids are here at once. They definitely know how to keep me on my toes, but I love seeing how close they are. Reminds me of me and my brothers.”
“And that’s why you have all this stuff?” I ask, gesturing to the playpen.
He shrugs and adjusts Eve in his arms. “Made more sense than packing and moving everything all the time.”
I nod, taking all the information in and ignoring how the tightrope unravels in my chest.
“Were you nervous, Anastasia?” Bash’s lips graze my ear, sending tingles down my spine. Heat coils beneath my navel, traveling lower until there’s an ache between my thighs. I’m not going to last if he keeps doing that. I’m going to lose my mind.
“Of course not.” I clear my throat, trying to step away, but he wraps his arm around my waist, holding me to him.
Chapter 21
Anastasia
Before I know it,dinner’s been served, and I’m sitting next to Bash. The table looks custom-made to fit so many people. Misty is on my right, her two kids sandwiched between her and Damon, and Scarlet and Matthias take up the other side. Eve is in her mother’s arms, and Olivia and Tucker next.
Bash fills a plate, taking his time to choose each item carefully before passing it to me. I go to protest, but Bash gestures with his chin, and I notice Damon and Matthias doing the same for their wives. Xander is at the end of the table, polishing off a beer while he watches me. I take the plate from Bash, plastering on my best fake smile.
Xander gives me a knowing grin and shakes his head like he doesn’t know what to do with us. Clearly, it’ll take more to convince him. Maybe Bash should just tell him. They’re close enough he’ll keep it a secret, right? Just so long as he leaves out the bit about me stealing the tiara from the Order.
Bash’s thigh presses against mine, his heat seeping through my pants. He kisses my temple, lingering for a second too long. I can feel his lips curve against my skin as if he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. Turns out I don’t need to act because my body’s reactions to him are all but pretend.
“Mom, Tucker stole my fry,” Olivia whines as she pushes her little brother.
