Page 66 of Billionaire Bachelor

“Damn, you two are looking awfully broody over there,” Sylvie comments, stuffing a spring roll in her mouth. “I know what will lighten things up. Hey, Ry? Have you ever made a girl squirt?”

Ryanchokes on the bite he just took.“Jesus Christ, Sylvie.I amnotanswering that.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Please don’t.”

“Tell me you’ve never made a girl squirt, without telling me you’ve never made a girl squirt,” she sasses.

Ryan gives her a double bird.

“Okay, that’s enough,” I announce, setting my plate on the coffee table. “No more talk about squirting during dinner.”

“You need therapy.” Ryan points at Sylvie. “Or better yet, a muzzle.”

“No can do. My husband would stage a riot if my mouth was out of commission.” Sylvie grins. “Quite frankly, so would I. Hudson has the most lickable lollipop my tongue has ever tasted.”

Ryan and I both cringe, making her laugh.

“TMI, Syl,” I tell her. “T.M.I.”

She snorts. “Oh, please, Rosa. Don’t play coy with me. We all know nobody gets their nipples pierced unless they’re a freak in the sheets. Hell, you’re probably worse than I am nowadays, you dirty, dirty girl.”

My eyes widen. “Sylvie!”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ryan grumbles. “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m outta here. Enjoy the Thai, you psychos.”

“Oh, c’mon!” I call as he’s heading toward the door. “Sit down and finish your dinner. I’ll make Sylvie behave.”

He looks at our cousin. “You and I both know that’s impossible, Rosa. Nobody can put a leash on that one, except maybe a small, impressionable child.”

Sylvie shrugs. “He’s not wrong.”

He gestures to her, like“See? She’s proving my point.”

I can’t dispute that, so I give him a little finger wave.

“If you need me, I’ll be bleaching my brain, desperately trying to forget the last ten minutes of my life.” Ryan then walks out the door, mumbling obscenities under his breath.

After the door closes, Sylvie leans back against the counter, smug as hell. “I’ve still got it.”

I give her the stink eye. “Did you really need to mention my sex life or tellmy brotherabout my piercings?”

“Who cares? I’m sure he’s seen his fair share of nipple piercings.”

“That’s beside the point.” I snort. “But thank you. I was freaking out for a minute when he started sniffing the air. You definitely saved me.”

“See? Nothing to worry about. Ryan came. Ryan went. He’s none the wiser about your secret relationship with his bestie, and since we chased him off, more food for us!” She fans her arms out. “You’re welcome.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I shake my head.

“You love me.” She winks. “But seriously, I’ve got you, boo. Anytime. Anyplace.”

I smile. “Ditto, babe.”

After Sylvie leaves, I take a moment to reflect on the evening. I think things with Ryan went okay overall, but something tells me this won’t be the last time I have to scramble to cover my tracks. I close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, reminding myself to celebrate the little wins.

I can worry about the rest as it comes.

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