Chapter Eight
They ate lunch at a little deli down the street.
“We can cross this off the list,” he said.
“What list?”
He watched her suck up her pop through the straw and felt himself harden painfully. Jesus, thank God he had on a suit jacket to hide his body’s reaction to her.
“Remember, we’re going to make a list of all the restaurants in the city and try every one of them.”
She giggled. “I forgot.”
“I think we should grade them, too, so we know which ones we want to go back to and the ones we never want to set foot in.”
Her eyes brightened. “That’s a great idea.”
“Thank you. What do you say about going back to that furniture store and seeing if they have a desk you’d like?”
She bit her lip. “I was thinking about going to Walmart.”
His brows snapped together. “For furniture?” God, it was probably built out of cardboard or something.
“Yeah, I don’t need anything big, and the cost…”
He scowled. “Hold up. Is this about money again?”
She blushed but nodded. “Yes. I mean, I have money, but I don’t like…”
He held up a hand. “Baby, what have I told you?”
“About money?”
“Yes.”
“That you would buy lunches…”
“No, I said everything. I’d buy everything for us.”
“Wait, I can’t expect you to buy me furniture.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because.”
He could see her struggle for an answer. He grabbed both of her hands. “Look at me.”
Her gaze snapped to his. “We will never have to worry about money. Not ever. I have more money than I can spend in ten lifetimes. So, I want you to stop talking about it.”
“But it doesn’t seem right that you’re paying for my stuff.”
“It was my idea to move you into the office.”
“Yes, but…”
“Honey, listen, I really care about you.”
Her face softened. “I care about you, too.”
“I’m glad. I want us to explore a relationship together.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
He smiled. “Yes. Why does that surprise you?”
“I didn’t think you’d ever feel like that toward me because I’m different from other women my age.”
“I love that you’re different. I want you to depend on me for everything.”
“What?” she asked in disbelief.
“Just what I said. I can see a future with you. Things like marriage and babies eventually.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“Yes.” He grinned.
His grip on her hands tightened when tears started to fill her eyes. “Why are you crying?”
“It’s just … I never … I want you, too. So much, it scares me.”
“When you get scared, you come to me. I don’t care if I’m in a meeting, you come to me and sit on my lap. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“If I find out you were and didn’t come to me, you’ll be punished.”
“Punished? How?”
“Most of the time, spanking.”