Page 47 of Resisting Royal

He held up a plastic bag. “I knew you were at the rental during lunch, so I brought food.”

I took the bag from him, thankful that I didn’t have to eat the frozen meal. Leading him over to the table, I sat the bag on top and peered inside. “You went to my favorite Italian place?” He nodded proudly. “How did you even know?”

His body came behind mine as he leaned over me, taking the cartons of food from my hand. “I asked the receptionist.”

He said it so casually, but despite the simplicity of the task, I felt like my privacy had been invaded. After all, how did she know who he really was? “You what?”

He opened the carton in front of me and pulled out the chair. “I called and asked the gal who answered what I should feed you and if you’d arrived back yet.”

“I don’t think she had a right to give out that information.” I plopped down in the chair and picked up the plastic fork.

He pulled out a chair next to me. “What harm could it cause, Bianca?”

“You could be a murderer. Or be bringing me poisoned food. She could be contributing to my death right now,” I huffed.

He picked up his own fork and speared it into his lasagna before shoving a huge bite into his mouth. He chewed slowly while making a face of concentration. “I told her I was your husband. So, you’re not going to eat the best lasagna in town because I might have poisoned it?”

I thought about it. “Well, no. I’m still going to eat it.”

He nodded his approval, as I shoved my fork full of food into my mouth, then he leaned into me, close enough to whisper so that only I could hear. “Besides, if I wanted you dead Amore, I wouldn’t ruin a perfectly good lasagna to do it. I have no problem gutting a person until their insides fall into a pile on the floor seconds before their body follows.”

I nearly choked. I knew what he was saying was true, but hearing the admission still shocked me. He never made his job a secret from me, but somehow, I managed to forget that even monsters can wear well-tailored suits. I put my fork down, pushing my food away.

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Would you like me to lie to you, Bianca?”

I had to think about it. Did I want the truth, even knowing sometimes it’s ugly? “No.”

“Then eat your food and stop acting like a spoiled brat. You know who and what I am; don’t pretend like it's appalled you before. Eat your food.”

He pushed the food closer to me and watched me until I picked up the fork and shoveled another bite of the lasagna in my mouth. It was amazing, even if it could be poisoned. We ate in silence for most of the meal, but surprisingly, it wasn’t uncomfortable. I didn’t want to admit it to him, but he was actually growing on me, even if his methods were unconventional and completely backhanded.

I glanced at my phone and shot to my feet. “I forgot I have a patient in five.”

He grabbed a napkin and wiped his face, still chewing his food. When he swallowed, he glanced up at me as he rubbed his hands. “Should I go out and warn them now?”

I glared. “Don’t you dare. Despite what you think, I’m an excellent dentist, you just happen to be the biggest baby on the whole west coast.”

He made an irked sound. “I am not a baby. I’ve been stabbed more times than you’ve been laid probably.”

He quirked his head. “Are you using now to fish for past relationship information?”

“I saw an opening, and since your coworker was trying to flirt with you, it got me thinking.”

I looked down at my watch again. “Four minutes. Now is not the time.”

“That’s four minutes of chatting time, Amore.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“Why are you like this?” I blurted out, and he only smirked. “As far as you are concerned, I have had no previous relationships. My virtue is still intact and was waiting for you.”

“Is that true?” He looked skeptical and rightfully so.

I huffed out a laugh. “Of course, it isn’t true. I couldn’t possibly dream I would be in this predicament right now.”

He loosened his arms and turned his watch to check the time. “Three minutes. I guess it doesn’t really matter. Whatever you’ve had up to this point is never going to measure up to a single night with me.”

I furrowed my brows. “You’re mighty cocky for a man who has yet to have sex with me.”

“I will.”

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