“He’s also the last of your family, and I know what it’s like to be alone.”
“I have friends.”
I shake my head. “It’s not the same. I want you to really think about that.”
“Are you suddenly backing out of being my fake fiancé because I’m reluctant to spread my legs for you?”
“I’m telling you that some things, once done, can’t be undone. Like Parker sleeping with Hadley. He didn’t just prove his point, he destroyed my relationship with her. My friendship with him? Gone, too. In an instant. I never trusted him again.”
She cocks her head. “You don’t trust women, either. Is that why you sleep with everything in a skirt and never let one close?”
I hate the way Corinne sees through me right now. “You’re reading too much into the fact I like sex.”
“You’ve made that clear. And if our ‘engagement’ drags on for a couple of months, can you really handle not screwing your usual variety of party girls, tourists, and strippers?”
She’s asking if I’m capable of being faithful. It’s an encouraging step because she wouldn’t ask if it didn’t matter. And it only matters if she’s considering saying yes.
“As long as I’m getting it from you, I’ll manage. But I’ll warn you. I have a very active sex drive.” She deserves to know that up front.
A blush stains her cheeks. “Wow, you’re just…putting it out there.”
“Would you rather I lie?”
“No.”
“Does the fact I’d want hot, frequent sex bother you?”
“Bother? No. It’s…unnerving.”
“Because?”
“A lot of reasons. I’ve already gone into some. And it’s not like I know what I’m doing.”
“In bed?” I recline against my chair and toss back the last of my scotch. “Princess, if you say yes, by the time I’m through with you, you’ll be a sexpert.”
Her eyes widen. “Did you really just say that?”
“I did.” I raise a brow at her. “You think I’m kidding?”
“No, but the idea of sleeping with you…”
“We won’t be sleeping.”
“Stop trying to make me nervous.”
A possibility I didn’t consider sooner smacks me in the face. “Did someone hurt you? Force you to—”
“No,” she reassures me. “No man has ever done anything like that against my will, thank goodness. It’s you. You make me nervous.”
Does she realize that she’s basically admitting she’s attracted to me? “Don’t be. I’ll make you feel damn good.”
“If you’re going to pleasure me, shouldn’t I feel like a queen? That’s what you said…”
I take her hand and press my lips to her palm. “Every chance you’ll let me. So, are you saying yes?”
She purses her lips together. “Let me think about it over dinner.”
Either Corinne is hesitating because she’s reluctant to throw herself into the proverbial fire or because she wants to see me sweat. If the latter, she’s kidding herself. Yes, I want to fuck her. I’m a man and she’s hotter than hell. But since she’s running short on options to get her hands on cash, she needs me more than I need her. Other opportunities to punch back at Parker will come. If I’m the reason for her hesitation, I’ll set her at ease. I might be a bastard, but I’m not heartless.
I nod. “If you need, sure.”
We polish off the appetizers in silence. When our waitress comes to refill our drinks, I ask her to go ahead and bring the meal. A few minutes later, she’s setting our plates in front of us.
“Can I recommend a rosé with your tuna?” Ailani rattles off some winery from Provence that sounds obscure and expensive.
“Please.”
So she’s already breaking her vow not to drink again for a while. I really do make her nervous. I’ll need to prove that I would never hurt her. Make her body twist, writhe, buck, and sweat? Yes. Every fucking day. Every fucking time.
She picks at her food and orders a second glass of wine. I repress a smile.
I polish off the last of my rare steak and set my utensils aside. I can’t resist toying with her. “You don’t like your tuna?”
“It’s fine.” She gulps more wine.
“Glad to hear it. When you’re done eating, I’ll look forward to your answer.”
“Besides being a manwhore, you’re a pushy bastard.”
“I’m just letting you play your game, princess. Let me know when you’re bored and want to get down to it.”
She drags in a deep breath. “Suppose I say yes. I need tonight to myself. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pack up my stuff, come to your house, and—”
“Are you serious about getting your brother to cede control of your money or not?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? Because waiting only postpones the inevitable and increases the chances someone will see through our ruse. If we’re going to do this, we’re starting tonight. I’ve promised I’ll give you a couple of days to get used to me before we have sex. I’ve sworn I’ll make it good for you. That’s all I’m willing to give. The rest is up to you. Yes or no?”