Page 34 of Twisted Little Thing

I nod and obediently reply with another "Yes, Sir," before I stuff my face with another piece of the heavenly chocolate cake. I wonder what they add to the recipe to make it taste so delicious.

"So far, you have only a faint idea of what is possible between two people like us," he continues. "You might despise me for who I am or what I represent – though I hope to redeem that image in time – but that doesn't matter for now. All I would ask from you is to give us a chance to explore this chemistry. It is rare, very rare. And you have to trust me when I tell you that I haven't felt like this in a very long time."

"Since Sheila?" I ask.

He sighs heavily.

"I don't want to talk about her –”

"But I do," I interrupt. "Because there is something I need to clear up."

"Clear up?" He says, sounding anything but happy.

"You have to admit," I continue, "that I bear a remarkable resemblance to her."

He shrugs. "Yes. So?"

"Could it be that you're just trying to replace her because she dumped you and you cannot get over her?" I state blatantly. "I don't want to be a substitute for some lost love who –”

"This is not about love," he interrupts me angrily. "I should probably make that clear – and it should be obvious to you for many reasons. I am not looking for love."

I narrow my eyes and look at him, slightly confused. "I'm sorry, I wasn't–”

"You and I are very different people," he interrupts again. "And I should emphasize to you that I am not looking for a co-pilot to navigate through life, or a partner who shares her everyday joys and troubles with me. You know, the kind of things a marriage would usually include. A true partnership in the traditional sense."

"Okay," I say and nod, even though I feel rather uncomfortable with the turn this conversation has taken.

I had never even considered the topic of marriage. I just wanted to know why he was interested in me, and if it was because of my resemblance to Sheila...

And I guess I know now. He doesn't want a normal relationship, a traditional relationship – and he doesn't want to talk about his past relationship with Sheila, for whatever reason. Maybe she really hurt him, broke his heart. And maybe today really wasn't the right day to talk about this. Maybe it is too soon.

"You do have a lot of similarities with her," he admits, smiling at me. "But can't a guy have a specific taste in women? Why does it have to be something weird?"

He observes me cautiously, noticing how I raise my eyebrows in doubt.

"I can give you a lot," he adds.

"What if I don't want what you can give me?" I ask, all of a sudden feeling as if he is trying to use his money to his advantage. Didn't he say himself that he knew his wealth could not impress me?

"Do you want more nights like the one we shared together?" He asks. "More dominance? More pleasure?"

I blush under his stern unyielding gaze. He is so fucking handsome, and if anything, that expression only makes him even more irresistible.

"Yes, I think I do," I whisper. "I think I would love that."

A faint smile appears on his face. "Good. Very good."

We both sip from our cappuccinos and remain silent for a while. I am beginning to hope that this date extends further than just coffee – even though I would have to face Yuka's commentary upon my return home.

"Only nights like this," he adds. "I would want to take care of you, invite you, spoil you. Because I can and because it gives me pleasure to do so. Do you think you – and your conscience – can handle that?"

I grin slyly at him. "Well, would you at least allow me to pay for my coffee?"

It was meant to be a joke, but his response is earnest.

"No," he says, his face as stern as ever. "I want to take care of you. I know what I want – and I know how to make you give it to me. But it's not splitting monetary cost, just because you don't think you deserve to be treated like a princess when I –”

"That's not it," I interrupt, incited by the word 'princess.' "I just don't think I could be comfortable with this. You paying for everything."

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