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"You'd…?"
"You know… arrived."
"Arrived?" He blinks.
"Get with it. That’s how you refer to 'coming' in polite company." I make air-quotes with my fingers. "Not that you’re polite company, but considering you made the effort—" I gesture to the table between us set for dinner for two, complete with cutlery, plates, wine glasses, sparkling wine chilling in a bucket, and roses and candles with wind protectors placed over them.
"Arriving, coming, cumming. Call it any name you want, but before the night is out, you’ll be calling out my name as you indulge in all three verbs."
Heat flushes my skin. My nipples harden. He pours himself a glass of the Prosecco, then puts away the bottle.
"What about me?" I gape.
"You’re still not old enough to drink in this country,” he reminds me.
I tip up my chin. "Can I have a tiny sip, please?”
"Have I ever failed to cater to your tastes, Rabbit?"
His housekeeper—who’s also an amazing cook—wheels out a cart laden with food. She parks it next to the table, then turns to Declan. "Anything else this evening, Mr. Beauchamp?"
"That will be all; you may leave," he says without turning to look at her.
"Thank you, Charlotte," I call out.
She flashes me a smile, then turns and walks off.
"Her name’s Charlotte?" He frowns.
"You didn’t know that?"
"Why would I know that?" His eyebrows knit.
"Why wouldn’t you? She’s worked for you for five years. Also, she’s a Michelin-star chef."
"I pay for only the best."
I rub at my temple. "Your ego knows no bounds."
He throws up his hands. "I’ve barely been here the last five years. I bought the house because it was a good investment and it made sense to have a base in LA. I also have a home in London, and I’m thinking of buying a place in Naples."
"Naples?" I still.
"Would you like to have a place to stay when you go back and visit your family?"
I place my hands in my lap. "You’re not making any sense. Why would you buy a home in Naples?"
"Why wouldn’t I?"
"You know why; our engagement is a fake."
"And the press is going to try to prove that, too. The only way to hold them off is to show how much I care for my fiancée. In fact, I’m so in love with her, I’ve splurged on a heritage house in her hometown."
"So, it’s all for show?" I ask slowly.
"And for investment. I’ll rent it out."
"Of course you will. Can’t pass up a means to increase your wealth, huh?"
