A girl who was nearly traumatized, my more empathetic and more responsible inner voice said dryly.
Whatever, man. Look at those lips, the selfish, bad Tony said, trying not to drool.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
I shook my head, hiding a smirk. It was almost like she could read my mind. But it was a damn good thing she couldn’t.
“I’m good. I’m just glad you’re awake.”
She inhaled and put her napkin down on her lap.
“I mean what I said. I . . . I really can’t thank you enough. I can’t imagine why someone would do something like that . . .”
But I could. I could imagine it perfectly.
To get to touch a little slice of heaven like her? She was the kind of girl you had to woo. You had to fucking meet her mother before you got anywhere. You had to put in the time. And that was if you ever got the chance to impress her.
I had a very strong feeling that only one in a hundred guys would even get a first date. One in a thousand.
Those pieces of shit had cut the line. They knew they weren’t good enough to get a shot. They didn’t want to put in the work.
They just wanted access to her goodies.
It made me sick. I understood it, but it still made me sick. Understanding it made it all the more disgusting to me. She didn’t deserve to be treated like a piece of meat. No woman did.
“You’re safe now. And you’ll never, ever take a drink from a strange man again.” I forced a smile. “Except me,” I joked.
She gave me a tentative smile in return, then picked up her fork again.
“I don’t really drink.”
“What about wine?” She shook her head and I smiled.
“You?”
“Italians don’t consider wine to be drinking. It’s like water.”
I leaned back in my seat and steepled my fingers. This was good. I was laying the groundwork for another date. Another chance to watch her eat.
Another chance at getting a serious pair of blue balls.
“Next time, I’ll make veal.”
“Baby cow?” She wrinkled her nose, but I noticed she didn’t say no to seeing me again. “That seems cruel.”
“Life is cruel,” I said. But maybe it didn’t have to be for her. Maybe if she had someone to look out for her, she could live a better life. “But it’s also sweet. La Dolce Vita.”
“Isn’t that a movie?” She took another tiny bite and I smiled.
“It is. Do you like old movies?”
She nodded eagerly.
“I love the classics. I haven’t seen that one, though.”
“Would you like to watch it?”
She stared at me for a moment, then swallowed. She suddenly looked nervous. Like she’d just remembered that I was a man and she was a very, very beautiful girl.
It was shocking, but I could tell she didn’t have any remote idea how desirable she was.
“I have to get back. I can’t believe I missed classes.”
“Are you a good student?” I asked, changing the subject. I didn’t want her to leave. Not ever.
She blushed. Somehow, the bright pink of her cheeks made her look younger, even prettier than before. I felt my cock lurch. It actually got up to dance. My body was completely out of my control.
I’d kill to really make her blush. I wanted her pink from head to toe. I had lots of ideas on how to do that.
I wondered how many guys she’d been with. Not many, I decided. No one would ever let her go once he got a taste. I sort of doubted that she had a boyfriend. There is no way she would have been out by herself unless he was the biggest goombah alive.
I’d better ask, I decided. Not that it would stop me. It would be good to get the guy’s name so I could handle him.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” I asked abruptly. She blushed again and I grinned. Jesus, I fucking love turning those cheeks pink.
“No. I . . . no, I don’t.” She picked up her glass of sparkling water and took a sip. She set the glass down and wiped her hands over her lap, showing that I was making her nervous. “I don’t have time to date with all my schoolwork.”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the table. It was rude but I didn’t care. Auntie used to slap my knuckles for doing it, but it didn’t stop me. The meal was over, anyway. And I was fucking fascinated by the girl in front of me.
“I bet you’re taking a full load,” I said, the double meaning not lost on me as the words left my lips. I wasn’t trying to be suggestive, but around her, everything was. But she didn’t even blink. No blush. She didn’t get it.
Jesus, I bet this girl is a fucking virgin. I would bet my life on it.