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He shrugged and had the nerve to think about it. I couldn’t even imagine having so much money that I didn’t know the precise amount. I knew exactly how much was in my bank account right now, down to the pitiful cents. It turns out that opening a new business and renovating an old building cost more than I anticipated.
“Rich enough. I never want for anything, never have. Which, I don’t think is a terrible life.”
“No, it’s not.” I agreed absently, thinking back to my childhood. I never wanted for necessities, but there were certain things I wished for that other children had—toys, trips, and less materialistic things. “Were you spoiled?”
“Oh. No. My father had wealth. But I did not, and he never let me forget it. Part of his plan to teach me the value of hard work and earning my keep.”
“And it worked?”
He thought about it or at least gave the impression he thought about it as he ate more of his ice cream. “I think so, but maybe not in the way my father intended.”
He left it at that and returned to eating, finishing his treat much faster than I did. The conversation trailed off at that point while we ate in silence. My line of questioning seemed to have taken a turn that bothered him. I didn’t have to be a psychologist to see that Matteo had a problem with his father.
“Let me.” He held out his hand for my soiled napkin, unfolding himself from the chair and dumping the garbage in the trash.
I rose, following him as he held the door open, and we stepped back onto the street.
“This was very nice. Thank you for humoring me,” he said.
“You mean not calling you out on the whole charade about your mom to get me to unlock my store?” I teased with a grin, folding my arms over my stomach instinctively.
“Yes, that.”
“Sure. Let bygones be bygones. Maybe now you’ve learned how to ask a girl out without making up an elaborate ruse.”
“Straight forward from now on,” he promised as we walked down the sidewalk toward my shop.
“Good. I’m glad I saved the next girl from your strange dating habits.”
He stopped walking to look at me. “Who said there would be a next girl?” He stepped closer, his body brushing against mine, all hardened muscle and menace. “You’re mine now.”
There was a hint of something more in the growling timbre of his tone, but my stupid body didn’t care as his possessiveness sent a thrill of pleasure through me.
Mine.
Didn’t that sound delicious?
