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She's referring to the posh furniture and the expensive lithographic prints on the walls, not to mention the Persian rugs on the floor. If she thinks I must be wealthy based on the living room decor, she will probably pass out when she sees the kitchen. Maybe one man doesn't need all these things. I can't explain why I felt an impulse to turn my apartment into something out of a model home show. I suppose it makes me feel safe.
"Well, Alex," she says, "are you rich?"
"Perhaps I have more money than some people. Does that matter to you?"
"No. But I'm curious about how you got so much money. Archaeology professors aren't usually millionaires."
"You could call it family money."
"Icouldcall it that?" She turns to face me, raising her brows. "What does that mean?"
Rubbing my jaw, I try to think of a way to explain this without actually explaining it. "Family money means…family money. I inherited most of it and invested the rest to grow my assets."
"You inherited money from your parents?"
"Does it matter? I told you I won't discuss my past. It wouldn't be illuminating for you, anyway." I can tell she wants to interrogate me more, so I distract her by clasping her hand and guiding her into the kitchen. "I think you'll enjoy cooking in here, especially since you can see into the living room."
The open kitchen features a bar that sits just behind the living room, as well as every sort of kitchen gadget anyone could want but no one really needs. Cat ambles over to the large stand mixer on the counter and runs her fingers over the rim of its bowl. Then she glances at me sideways while smiling slightly in the manner I've realized means she thinks I'm being an "eejit." Yes, I am an idiot in many ways, particularly when it comes to stocking my kitchen with useless contraptions.
"Do you invite the entire faculty of Ballesteros University to dinner parties here?" she asks.
"No. I've never invited anyone to my home. I don't even let the FedEx man come inside."
"Then why do you need all these things?" She spreads an arm to indicate my outrageous collection of gadgets. "Ye donnae seem like the sort who loves technology."
"I have a mobile phone and a wide-screen TV."
She laughs in the soft and affectionate way I've heard often lately, the way I adore. "You are so cute when you're full of rubbish, Alex."
I pull her into me. "I also own an electric shiatsu massager. Care to try out that device?"
"Only if you're using it on me while we're naked."
"Naturally." I take her hand, leading her through the living and down a hallway to an open door. "This is my bedroom."
"May I go in there?"
"Have at it, love."
She races into the room and belly flops onto the bed, then flips over to move her arms and legs as if she's creating a snow angel on the comforter without any snow. My God, she is enchanting. I love every ridiculous thing she does, and watching her writhe around on the bed while grinning makes me want to tear her clothes off and fuck her.
But I have something to discuss with her first.
I sit down on the bed near her. "Could we talk for a moment?"
Catriona springs up into a sitting position and wriggles her lovely arse to get closer to me. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Well, ah…" I suddenly can't speak the words. That's bollocks. I always know what to say to a woman, how to maneuver anyone into my bed, but this is different. I don't want to seduce Cat. All right, I mean to do that too. But first, I need to tell her something I've never told anyone. I scratch my arms and feel my face pinching up. "Catriona, I—Uh, it's—"
She grasps my face and urges me to look at her. "Whatever it is, Alex, you can tell me. I won't run away."
Maybe she should run. But I can't bear the thought of losing her. So I suck in a breath and do it. "I'd like you to move in with me."
"Oh." She stares at me for a moment, then breaks into a grin. "Yes, Alex, I'd love to live with you."
Why? That's what I want to ask, but I won't cock this up by acting like an arse. I need her with me all the time, and she just agreed to share my home—and my bed. "There are a few things you need to know first. I've told you I won't talk about my past or my family."
"Aye, and I said that's all right."
