that it doesn’t really work. It’s impossible to get heat up here. I usually use the fireplace, but then I have to buy the firewood and then carry it up here… I’m pretty lazy.”
Sometimes I forgot what it was like not to have everything I needed at my fingertips. There was always someone there to fix my problems. “With me, you don’t need a fire.” Once my outfit was complete, I stood up.
She finally got out of bed and pulled on her purple robe. She ran her fingers through her hair and kept it out of her face as she came to my side. “I’ll walk you out.”
“That’s awfully polite of you. Normally, you don’t give a damn.” I slid my hands into my pockets as I looked down at her, seeing those plump lips that I spent all night kissing. She was gorgeous, so gorgeous it was actually painful to look at.
“I don’t.” She smiled at me, the playfulness reaching her eyes. “But I need coffee.” She turned away and walked out of the room, her bare feet hitting the hardwood floor lightly. Her hair shifted back and forth with her movements, the long strands reaching the middle of her back.
I stayed behind even when she was gone from sight, understanding just how transfixed I was by this incredible woman. It was lust combined with respect, and I’d never respected a woman before. I didn’t just like fucking her. I liked talking to her, I liked dropping all the bullshit and being myself. I didn’t have to be the coldhearted killer Cato Marino. With her, I could just be Cato.
I joined her downstairs and met her in the entryway. “Meet me for dinner tonight.”
“Aren’t you sick of me?” She crossed her arms over her chest while the corner of her mouth was raised in a smile.
I kept my hands in my pockets even though I wanted to grab her. I wanted to hold on to the back of her hair like a leash. Sometimes I wanted to be soft with her, but most of the time I wanted to be the dictator lover she’d turned me into. “Are you sick of me?”
Her smile slowly faded away, the seriousness entering her gaze. Something about my question struck her, chased away all the playfulness she had a moment ago. Her chest rose with the deep breath she took. “No…”
My fingers moved under her chin, and I lifted her mouth to mine. I planted a soft kiss there, an embrace that was gentler than any other. I kept my eyes open as I looked into hers, watching the emotion enter her gaze as the kiss continued. When I pulled away, it didn’t seem like she wanted the kiss to end. “Me neither.”
16
Siena
When I finished work at the gallery, I stepped outside and prepared to walk to the restaurant where we were meeting. Instead, a black car pulled up, all the windows tinted and bulletproof.
The man in the passenger seat got out of the car then opened the back door for me.
I knew who was waiting in the back seat.
I sat down and saw Cato beside me, his knees apart and his hands resting on his thighs. He wore a different suit than he had that morning. Now it was navy blue and crisp like it’d just been pressed. His blue eyes were more stunning when he wore the color on his hard physique. The more time I spent with him, the more terrified I felt. All of this was just a ploy to get what I wanted, and now that I actually liked the guy, I was so conflicted.
“Baby.” He grabbed my hand and rested it on his thigh, holding me like a man held his wife. His thumb brushed over my knuckles, and he held me delicately, his enormous hand having the power to crush mine.
The words died in my throat.
The car took us to the restaurant, and we walked inside. Like last time, we sat in a private section away from the rest of the public. It was quiet, only the sound of the music overhead audible. I couldn’t even hear the other guests from the restaurant.
Cato looked at his menu. “Something wrong?”
My pulse quickened in my neck. “Just hungry.”
“Then what are you having? Something with cheese, I’m guessing?” He placed the menu to the side, a playful look in his eyes.
I forced a smile even though my stomach was full of acid. “You know me so well.” I set