“Don’t make it worse, chica. Just tell me why you can’t eat what you want?”
“My mother. She forbids me to eat most food. She’s been trying for years to get me skinny, but nothing I do has helped.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to hear that again. You’re perfect the way you are, and I would hate it if you lost your delicious curves. Most men aren’t attracted to skeletons, honey.”
“But she says men dislike fat women.”
“For one thing, you’re not fat, and for another, I think your mom had a skewed view of what’s attractive.”
Amber hoped he was right, but she’d been put down for so many years, it was going to be hard to believe him.
The waiter stopped at their table. “What can I get you both to drink?”
“Would you like a glass of wine, honey?” Cesar asked her.
“No, I’m not a big drinker. Water is fine for me.”
“Water for both of us, and bring us the special, please.”
“I’ll be back with your drinks and bread,” the waiter said.
Her eyes scanned the restaurant again and noticed several women staring over at their table. Every one of them was beautiful and sophisticated, and they made her feel dumpy. An hour before, she’d thought herself pretty when she looked into the mirror wearing her blue dress, but now she felt ugly.
“What’s wrong?”
She turned back to look at him. “Nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“It’s just … the women here are so perfect, and they’re all staring at you. It makes me wonder why you’re here with me.”
A shiver raced up her spine when his thumb caressed her knuckles.
“I’m here with you because I want to be. I think you’re perfect for me and exactly the type of woman I’ve been looking for.”
“What is it about me that you like?”
“I think you’re very pretty, and I love your body. You’re so damn sweet and caring, and I don’t see that a lot. You’re the type of woman that doesn’t need independence or would feel threatened if I wanted to make all the decisions. Am I right?”
“Yes, I think so. I’ve never wanted a career or anything, and I like making people happy and helping them.”
“I can see that. But would you like it if I made the majority of the decisions? I don’t want to frighten you, but I’d like you to know my intentions from the start.”
“What does that mean?”
“I would have a say in every part of your life from what you wore to where you went and what friends you had.”
She was shocked. Over the years, she’d hoped for someone to take care of her like that but never thought it was possible.
“Is that something you think you could handle, honey?”
“I … yes, I think so. I think it would be nice to have you take care of me like that. But what do you get out of it?”
“I get you.”
“That’s not a lot. Especially compared to what I would get.”
“You’d be surprised. I need to control everything in my life, including the woman I’m with, and I haven’t met many women with the personalities to handle it. I’d expect your obedience, and if I tell you to do something, you’ll do it without question.”