“Not surprised. Favorite food?”
“None.” He intones.
“Come on. You’re not even trying. Think harder. There must be something you’d love to eat every day.”
His eyes slide from mine down to my lips.Don’t read into it, Wen. He’s probably just looking.
“Strawberries,” he says—after staring at my lips for a solid half minute.
“I also love strawberries.” My voice comes out strained. No matter his intentions, my body is going to interpret them the wrong way.
“Have you ever dated anyone?” I ask, the most important question.
He shakes his head.
“Not even casually?”
“No.”
“Is it because of the haphephobia?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I hate people near me.”
“Yeah, that was kind of a dumb question.” I grin. “But you don’t hate me.” I pause, recalling our history. “At least not in terms of your condition.”
“I don’t hate you. In any terms, Princess.”
I hold up my hand. “Don’t say anything good to me. I’ll take it as a mixed signal.”
He goes silent again, retreating into staring.
I bite the corner of my lower lip.
“I think I’ve developed a Stockholm syndrome crush on you.” Though calling it a “crush” feels like a joke.
“It will go away when you’re back home,” he states flatly.
My lips form a smile I don’t feel.I don’t think so.
“You’re the most gentlemanly captor in history. In fact, the most gentlemanly man to ever exist.” I mock-praise him, arranging my face into faux pride.
“How many men do you know to make that judgment?” His tone is mocking.
Nice improvement—from no emotion to mockery.
I lift my chin. “More than enough.”
“Why don’t you tell me about a few?” There’s a tightness threaded beneath his words.
“Sure. Why not? So the first is my childhood crush, Joseph Dario. A real sweet guy. If I’d dated him, we’d probably be married by now with two kids.”
A deep frown darkens his face.
In a brighter mood, I continue. “Then there was my high school fling, Dany Linger...”
What a ridiculous name. I bet no one actually has that name, but this man doesn’t care.He’s already starting to boil, so I put on a show. I arrange my features to look dreamy.
“And he was such a good kisser.”
