Wow, that’s really sweet. He and his brother really stick together. It reminds me a lot of Neily and me. She isn’t my sister but she might as well be. She lived next door to me growing up. Then when it was time to move out, we found a place together.
“If you don’t mind me asking, where is your father?”
Emotion flashes in Sean’s eyes. “Dead.” He doesn't look sad about it. “He was a piece of shit that treated our mom with disrespect. Mistresses and drugs. The list goes on and on. He almost ran the family business into the ground. Then Ethan got his hands on it. It didn't take him long to turn it around.”
“You both seem really driven.” Sean is nothing like I thought he was. This is the man I met that first night in the club. Gentle and sweet. Not the one that’s portrayed as a womanizing partier in the papers and online.
“We are. We never want to be like our father. We make sure to take care of our mom so she will never have to worry about anything. She’s always been our first priority.”
“You love your mom.” That makes me smile.
“You’ll love her, too, when you meet her. Right now she’s on one of her cruises. Our dad never let her go anywhere. Now she is seeing all the places she always dreamed of. She’ll be back before Amelia has the baby. No way will she miss her first grandbaby being born.”
Francesco returns with a giant tray. I’m not sure how all the food is going to fit on the table. Somehow they work it out.
“Anything else I can get you?”
“I think we’re good.”
“Enjoy.” Francesco gives a nod, leaving us alone.
“Will you tell me about yours?” I bit my lip, feeling a little bad. “I promise you can tell me anything.”
“It’s not that. It’s just my life is very cookie cutter. You know, the white picket fence and all. Parents who love each other and dote on me. Neily pretty much has the same. She lived next door to my parents. We grew up together. They actually helped us get the loan to start our shop.”
“No wonder you’re so sweet.” He cuts off a piece of steak, offering it to me. I open my mouth, taking it from him. I let out a moan as it pretty much melts in my mouth.
“That is so good.” I close my eyes, enjoying the flavor. When I open them again, Sean is staring at me with that same gaze he had when he stripped me naked in his bed. I wiggle in my seat, remembering how wonderful that night had been.
“I’m happy you had a good childhood, but I do think you’re running scared from me because you’re scared to be hurt. I’m guessing it isn't something you’re used to feeling.” I think about his words for a minute. He’s right. I’m not sure it’s something my heart can take. Neily always says I wear my heart on my sleeve. It never really mattered until now. There were no consequences to me being that way. I know this thing with Sean is different so my natural instinct is to protect myself. Even though somewhere deep inside, I somehow know he means every word he says.
”Maybe.” I could see that. “You could break my heart, Sean. Not to mention I think the jealousy thing is already affecting me. All those women always looking at you. It makes my blood boil. I don’t like that I feel that way toward other women.”
“I know you googled me. I want you to go back and look at those pictures. I’m not touching one woman in them. They are group pictures from when celebrities came in. It was great publicity for me. I’ve never dated or fucked any of them.”
“Then why me?”
“I told you that you’re my cupcake. My one and only. I knew from the second I saw you standing outside that you were it for me.” He reaches across the table, grabbing my hand. “You can keep on running from me, but I’m not going to stop chasing you. I don’t care how long it takes but I’m going to prove to you that you’re the only woman that matters to me. That I don’t even notice other women.”
“Okay,” I agree. “Hold on, did you say from the moment you saw me outside?” I question him because I didn’t meet him until after I was in his club for a bit. My question causes a huge smile to light up his face.
“I may have had something to do with you getting pulled to the front of the line and ushered in immediately.” It all makes sense now. I shake my head at him because none of this surprises me. He’s been persistent from the moment I met him.