My eyes narrowed on him, and I took my time drinking in his features. His coloring was exquisite in the restaurant lighting. The blond hair, the light blue eyes, the peaches-and-cream complexion, and that soft pink mouth I wanted to fuck to a ripe red. “And how do I talk to you, Jesse?”
Jesse’s eyes darted around us before landing back on me, and when they did, he sucked in a breath. My intentions were clearly written all over my face.
“Like you own me…all of me. Like, I don’t have a say.”
“You don’t,” I told him, and his cheeks got impossibly redder. “And you like that, I see.”
“I, uh, never thought about it before.”
“And now that you have?”
Jesse nodded. “I like it…a lot.”
I raised a hand and gave a flick of my wrist but didn’t bother looking behind me, knowing Alexei would be at the ready for my signal. And when he arrived not a second later, Jesse startled a little and looked up at him.
“What can I get for you tonight, Mr. Wolfe?”
I glanced at Jesse, who was now looking down at the menu, having realized he’d yet to pick something out, and asked, “Do you know what you’d like, or would you like me to order for you?”
He peered over at me with those beautiful eyes of his and gave a quick nod. “Please do. I’ll eat anything.”
I felt a devil’s smile cross my lips at Jesse’s words. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
When Jesse realized what he’d said, his eyes flew up to check on Alexei, but he was too busy waiting on his employer to notice the other occupant at the table cringing. I ordered a three-course meal for the both of us, and when Alexei left, I settled back in my seat and studied the man across from me.
Jesse seemed more at ease now, as he too relaxed into his surroundings after the bartender brought out the beer he’d just ordered. I took another sip of my wine, trying to decide where I wanted to start with him. I wanted to get him talking, wanted to learn more about him. I wanted to know what obstacles, if any, were going to stand in my way.
It was time to lead this little lamb where I wanted him to go.
13
“You’re not from the Pacific Northwest,” Salvatore said, and though it sounded like a statement, I still got the feeling he wanted confirmation from me.
“No. I grew up in Maryland.”
“And your family’s still there? Parents…siblings?”
I nodded. “Just Mom and Dad. I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”
Salvatore’s finger swirled over the top of his wine glass in circles. “Such a long way away for a little lamb. Why so far?”
“Um… I wanted an adventure, I guess.” Salvatore’s eyes sparkled, and I took a nervous sip of my beer before adding, “Plus, I got a full scholarship, so I couldn’t really pass it up.”
“Ah. And do you plan to go back to Maryland?”
“I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t plan on it anytime soon, not if my internship could turn into a job.”
“Hmm.” Salvatore steepled his fingers against his lips, and I wondered what was going through his mind.
“What about you?”
He arched a brow. “What about me?”
“Where are you from?”
Salvatore was silent for a long moment, and then he sat back in his chair. “A small town in Oregon a few hours from here.”
“And your family?”
“I was raised by my mom, but she’s passed now.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Salvatore shrugged and looked out at the city below. “It was a long time ago. I’m sure she’s much happier wherever she is now.”
“Why do you say that? I mean…surely she’d be happier wherever you are.”
“We were never happy in Hazard.” His eyes took on a faraway look.
“That’s the name of the town? Hazard?” Strange name. Doesn’t sound all that welcoming. “How did you end up here?”
“You’re a curious thing, aren’t you?” Salvatore said, focusing back on me.
“I just don’t know much about you. You own all these businesses…this building, even this restaurant. When I’m out with you, everyone stares at you like they know who you are. Even walking to this table, people were looking.”
“Does that bother you?”
“It’s kinda strange.”
“You get used to it,” Salvatore said. He finished off his wine, and as the waiter hurried over to refill his glass, Salvatore waved him off. “Tell me, Jesse. Do other people’s opinions matter to you?”
“Um…yeah. A little, I guess. Don’t they matter to everyone, even if people say they don’t?”
He poured himself another glass of wine and then took a long sip before answering. “No. I made a decision long ago not to let what others thought about me affect my path in life. The secret to success is never to give a fuck about what anyone else says, because the truth is, they all want you to fail. They all want to get their hooks in you and rip you to shreds so you don’t stand a chance. I’d never give anyone that satisfaction.”