Page 44 of Forbidden Obsession

“Because I wanted to.”

We watched each other for a minute, and I accepted his response. I took the first bite of oxtail, and the flavor melted in my mouth.

“Oh…this is divine.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Mm-hmm.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes, but the thoughts I’d entertained while given a tour of the kitchen wouldn’t let my mind rest.

“Tell me about your family, Dominic.”

He dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “No.”

I choked on mashed potatoes and patted my chest. Lifting a glass of water, I swallowed the lump lodged in my throat. “No?”

He stared at me, refusing to repeat himself.

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.”

“How are we supposed to get to know each other?”

“My family doesn’t represent me, Penelope.” He uttered those words with such finality that I had to believe him.

“But, you don’t have any siblings you’re close to that you love?”

“Do you?”

“No. Unfortunately, I’m an only child.”

“Mmmmm.”

“Now it’s your turn.”

He gazed at me for so long that I thought he’d burn a hole into me. “Sisters. Four.” He lifted his fork to eat.

“What are their names?”

“Why?”

I gawked. “Dominic.”

He smirked. “Is that your stern voice?”

I suppressed a smile. “It can get worse if you don’t play fair.”

“The games I want to play with you do not consist of talk of my famiglia.”

A string of palpable heat coursed down my flesh. I licked my lips.

“Yes, well, ditto.”

He held me in that dark gaze and almost effectively changed the subject, but I pulled myself from his lure.

“Sisters. Names,” I said.

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