It made him snicker. ‘We can share. Unless you’re a germophobe or find me disgusting, then I’ll have to order another round.’
I shook my head. ‘Just this once I will, so don’t be greedy and leave some for the townsfolk.’
As the waitress arrived with the sweets he ordered, I once again faced a dilemma over which to try first.
As if he realised, River pushed a plate with the chocolate cake towards me, saying, ‘It smells the best.’
Digging into the velvety dream of cocoa and cream, it felt like my taste buds started living through an out-of-body experience. The richness and intensity of the chocolate mousse paired perfectly with the whipped cream that cleansed the palate.
A small, involuntary sound escaped me—dangerously close to indecent. ‘God, you have to try this.’
Snatching a bite of mine while I dug into the blueberry cake on his plate, we stopped talking and focused on experiencing instead.
‘Did we live up to your expectations?’ the waitress asked when we finished, smiling brightly and placing a hand on my shoulder in a friendly way.
‘Oh, it exceeded my expectations; that’s the best cake I’ve had,’ I said, as my companion focused on paying the bill.
The second she left, I demanded, ‘Take it out of my pay cheque.’
A scowl scarred his face. ‘Why?’
‘I want to pay for it,’ I responded calmly, not understanding the issue.
‘Even if you do, I’m the one paying anyway. What’s this pressure to pay for yourself about? I can pay for you,’ River pressed, as I sat assessing him in wonder.
This must have been one of the cultural differences because I couldn’t understand. ‘Why do you even want to pay for me?’
‘I just want to,’ his deep chuckle vibrated through the crowded space, earning us a few curious glances.
‘Weird—and not what I asked.’
Uncertainty shimmered behind the cover of confidence as he asked, grinning, ‘Why is it weird?’
‘Why do you want to pay for me?’ I repeated. Sometimes it felt right to tease him, though at this time it was my subconscious that needed an answer.
He lifted his hands in exaggerated surrender. ‘I just like it. What’s the issue with it?’
‘Because I feel like I’m using you. I already live in your court rent-free,’ I finally admitted.
It wiped the grin off his face.
‘First of all, I kidnapped you, so it would be a little weird to charge you rent. Other than that, I set up a bank account for you anyway. But you don’t have to spend that money. I’m pretty financially stable, you know. I can even afford to get us some tea after the cakes without filing for bankruptcy,’ he said, mockingmy concern.
Being nitpicky, I challenged, ‘What use is a bank account if I have no access to it?’
Reaching into the back pocket where he kept his wallet, he pulled out a burgundy card engraved with vines and flowers. He placed it in front of me, smirking the whole time.
The satisfaction on his face threatened to make me burst out laughing. ‘I love the design, but it’s a card in your name.’
‘Yeah, it’ll look pretty in your hands as you spend my money,’ River said, fluttering his lashes like a bird showing off in a mating dance before nodding for me to take it.
I sighed. ‘I want to spend my own money.’
‘Then the concept loses its appeal.' The smile disappeared, replaced by a practised pout.
Recalling our chat about his regard for praise, I asked, ‘What is the appeal of my spending your money? Is this another kink?’
A mischievous smile stole my breath away. He looked made of sin. ‘It very well might be. So do your worst.’
