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He frowned at me, his impatience abundantly clear.

“It’s not supposed to work like this, Krystina.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Forget it. Just sit and eat.”

He hastily sat in a chair and began ripping through the remaining contents of the takeout bag. If I didn’t know any better, I would think this was Alexander’s version of a temper tantrum. I ignored him, too hungry to care, and dug into my food. The silence stretched on for a good ten minutes before he finally spoke.

“You’re a pain in the ass. Do you know that?”

“So I’ve been told from time to time. But in my defense, I did warn you I’d be too much work for you. This is all new to me. I didn’t know you literally meant always naked. That’s just not realistic. Either way, had I known, I would have mentally and physically prepared myself for it. I’d want a minute to freshen up before you jump on me.”

“Jump on you? Is that what I do?” Alexander asked, amusement alight in his eyes.

I merely smiled in return before taking another forkful of the curry.

“So, I was thinking about a few things earlier today,” I started.

“Uh, oh,” he said, feigning fear.

“Cut it out,” I said. I balled up my napkin and threw it at him. “I was thinking about how I know pretty much nothing about you. I mean, my original thought was to keep personal details out of this, but it makes it tough to have a meaningful conversation, at least one not based around sex.”

He smirked at me.

“I don’t have any issues with our topics of discussion. Do you?”

“Not at all, but you know all sorts of stuff about me. I think it’s only fair you give me a little something in return.”

“What do you want to know?” he asked, albeit cautiously.

“Well, I told you about where I grew up. What about you?”

“I already told you I lived in New York my whole life,” he told me, evading specifics and shifting his gaze back to his plate.

“Details please, Alex. It’s like pulling teeth with you sometimes,” I muttered.

He silently chewed his food, eyes wary. I could almost see the struggle inside of him. Seeming to come to a decision, he put down his fork and leaned back in his chair.

“You know I have a sister named Justine. Our childhood was spent in a rundown house in the Bronx. Definitely not a good neighborhood for kids, that’s for sure. But we survived. We lived there until I was fifteen, then we moved in with my grandparents.”

My fork froze midway to my mouth, shocked he had willingly divulged so much in just a few sentences, although he had barely said a thing. For me, it was like he had opened up Pandora’s box, causing a million and one thoughts to twist around in my mind. I had trouble deciding which question to ask next.

“Why did you move in with your grandparents?”

“Now that, my sweet angel, is the million-dollar question—one I’m not going to answer. My parents are off-limits, remember?”

“Okay,” I acceded. I didn’t want to risk pushing him too far. I wanted him to keep talking. “Are your grandparents a safe topic?”

His face noticeably softened then, revealing a small smile.

“I can tell you about them. They were good people. My grandmother was a very kind woman. There wasn’t a nasty bone in her body. My grandfather was a stubborn Englishman, but he had a tender heart, and he loved my grandmother fiercely. I’ve never witnessed such devotion between any other couple.”

“That’s so sweet,” I said, smiling at his brief synopsis. My bitter heart softened a bit. It was nice to know some people could live a life surrounded by the coveted white picket fence. But then again, his grandparents were from a different generation, from a time when commitment actually meant something. It was a shame knowing the world had changed so much.

“When my grandfather passed away, my grandmother was never quite the same after. She died in her sleep a few months after his passing. My sister says she died of a broken heart.”

“How long ago did they die?”

“A little over ten years ago. I was in college. I wouldn’t have what I have now if it weren’t for them.”

“Were they well off?” I asked, assuming he was referring to his wealth at such a young age.