The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

think he cared for her, and she’d probably go so far as to try to convince herself she cared for him, too.

Which she didn’t. She was just in lust for the first time in her life, and as soon as those feelings faded, so would any caring she might have thought she had for him.

“I don’t believe you, Sebastian.” Livie raised her chin and stood from the bed, her nightgown buttoned up tight. She hobbled across to where her cane was lying on the floor and picked it up before quickly collecting the rest of her undergarments and shoving them under her free arm. “But if you want to pretend that what we just shared meant nothing to you, then go ahead and do so.”

“Thank you for the permission.” His voice was sour, and he couldn’t help it. She was seeing right through him, and that wasn’t acceptable. “But it didn’t mean anything, and I promise it will not happen again.”

“Well then, I best learn to pleasure myself or find another willing man.”

Seb strode over to her in four steps and spun her around to face him. “What the hell did you just say?”

Her eyes flashed daggers at him. “You heard me well enough, Sebastian Colver. Don’t pretend you didn’t.”

“Like hell you will find another man for your bed!”

“Why not?” she asked, pushing his arms away from her. “You don’t seem to want to be in it anymore.”

“For fuck’s sake!” He spun around and dragged his hands through his already completely messed up hair and took in a deep breath. Seb was letting her push him to the edge, and he couldn’t afford that. “Fine, sleep with whoever you want. But it won’t be me again.”

“I will then!” she declared, as she stormed from his room and he reluctantly followed.

She didn’t say a word to him as they navigated back to her room, and she opened the door and then closed it in his face. Seb sighed. It was the least he deserved, he knew it. Knew he’d been an absolute bastard to her, but he’d had to.

It was better she hate him than be under the mistaken impression that she loved him.

Women who loved Sebastian had a terrible habit of being found dead.

Chapter Forty-Three

Livie woke to the sound of birds chirping and sunlight streaming through her window. She rolled over and groaned while grabbing the other pillow beside her and pulling it over her head. The little tweets sounded like massive hammers going off in her skull.

Sleep had mostly eluded her last night, especially after Sebastian had walked her back to her room in silence, the atmosphere thick and heavy between them.

She must’ve tossed and turned for hours, finally falling asleep well after the light had started to creep across the dawning sky. And now the birds and sun were conspiring to wake her. It wasn’t very nice of them at all.

London, with its lack of wildlife and the gloomy haze of smog over the city, was much more accommodating, usually allowing her to sleep for hours more. But not the country, of course. No, everything in the country was done early, including breakfast, which the housekeeper Mrs. Brooks had informed them all would be served between nine and ten in the dining room.

Rolling over, Livie opened one eye and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already ten past nine, so she really should get up. But that would mean facing Sebastian, and she didn’t know if she was ready to do that yet.

Especially when every time she remembered what they’d done with each other last night, an equal measure of embarrassment and delicious desire ran through her.

Goodness, how could she ever face him again? How could she ever look at him and not remember what it felt like to have him inside her, his body pressed closely to hers, as he pumped himself in and out of her until they climaxed together in pleasure?

She was getting all hot and bothered just thinking about it. Perhaps, though, he might not even be at breakfast. Livie imagined he had much on his mind trying to work out how to capture the leader of the Lads and keep them all safe. Which she hoped was sooner rather than later.

She couldn’t afford to be in the country more than a few days. The gazette was at a critical juncture, so close to publication, and though they had bachelors to critique, she wanted to annihilate Lord Daverell completely. Which meant she had to get back to London and find evidence against him.

A knock at her door jolted her from her thoughts. She pulled up her quilt and called out to enter. For a moment, her heart started beating faster, a part of her wondering whether it would be Sebastian, but of course she knew it wouldn’t be. Even he wouldn’t be so bold as to visit her in her bedroom during the light of day, unfortunately.

A young maid opened the door and bobbed her head into the room, holding some dresses in her hand. “I hope I didn’t wake you, my lady, but Her Grace thought you might need some assistance to dress. Mrs. Brooks found these in the attic. They’re slightly old and a bit outdated but should be your size.”

Livie swung her legs out of bed, grabbed her cane that was resting beside the mattress, and got slowly to her feet much like she imagined an old lady would. “Yes, I do suppose some assistance dressing would be wonderful. I’m tired enough that without some help I’ll probably put on a dress backward. Though I shall just wear my clothes from yesterday.”

“Very well, my lady,” the maid replied, and for the next thirty minutes Livie listened to the maid, who turned out to not actually be a maid, but a girl from the local village who the housekeeper had drafted into service yesterday evening after receiving word to expect them.

The girl, whose name was